Family of Five ~ planning a move to CO! (Denver, Colorado Springs: apartment, hotel)

[MaggieMoonlight]

Sn

[Arrby]

It is not at all clear what it is about Colorado that makes you want to move. There are other states. That said...

Short commute to job at auto dealership or hotel, hospitals and doctors close by, schools and activities. In Colorado these things require either the cities on the front range, Grand Junction, or possibly (but not probably) Durango.

"Close" to nature/hiking trails is a relative term. Almost any front range community in Colorado will have parks and some trails. One thing that will likely surprise you is the small size of typical house lots.

Rents in Boulder are very high, as you likely know. Denver rents are going up daily. Your 2 br./800 sq. ft. apartment could easily be $1500/mo. today, but that price is good today only. Denver incomes are not necessarily increasing proportionately.

If you are determined to move to Colorado it is absolutely imperative that your husband find his job first. Where it is will be almost as important as what it pays as the cost of housing varies so widely from Trinidad to Ft. Collins and all points in between. Get a job offer first, then research nearby schools, then check housing prices to see if it can work.

From what you have said so far, Colorado Springs is the location that comes to mind. Littleton maybe. Centennial. Possibly Broomfield. At least a dozen other possibilities. Hard to say what might appeal to you.

I have lived long enough to realize how foolish it is to struggle financially just to live in a particular location. Working desperately, scrimping on everything, forgoing simple pleasures just to improve the lifestyle of a landlord? What good is all the scenery, parks, or recreation if you never have the time, money, or energy to enjoy any of it?

[Mike from back east]

Since the OP deleted everything she wrote, the thread can't work properly, so I'll close it. If she starts another thread I can merge Arrby's excellent advice into that one.