Working in CA. While Living In Colorado (Denver, Fort Collins: rental, mortgage)

[Stevedore]

Hello all, new to this site. The title says it all really, anyone on here or know of anyone doing this?

I'm born and raised in So. Cal and have a six figure income and a very secure job that allows me to set my own schedule; perfect for this type of situation. I'm married and have a son who is currently 2 and would want to make this move before he starts school in 3 years. My wife, prior to meeting me lived in Colorado and loved it. Why do I want to leave? Housing of course, schools, etc....

In coming up with a possible work schedule, I was thinking 2 weeks in Ca., flying out of Colorado Sunday morning and coming back 2 weeks later Sunday evening. The flight cost would be minimal per month, averaging somewhere between $200-$300 round trip per month depending upon what time of year. Southwest seems to be the cheapest, and their rewards program is decent; most likely having a free flight every 3 months or so the first year, and it gets even better after being in their program after a years time.

We're planning a 3-4 day trip in early November starting out possibly in Fort Collins area and then working our way down by car thru south of Denver. My wife didn't care for the Co. Springs area so that's probably out as far as buying a home there; she did love Boulder (Probably too expensive, $400k max) and lived in Littleton which she liked. We plan on making at least 3-4 more trips in the next few years before deciding on a location.

Again, so employment and flexibility as far as setting up a work schedule isn't a problem, just wondering if anyone else living in Colorado is doing this; would love to hear how it's going for you. Thanks for the time.....

[beezle1]

I think that would be hard on your family, with you gone for that long. My husband used to travel about the same amount of time as you are thinking. We both worked and when he was gone, it was difficult for me as I was always the one who had to take time off for everything. And when he got home, I did a bunch of laundry for him and he did chores that had built up while he was gone. It got old quickly.

If you try it for a while and it is not working, could you find employment here, or be able to move back to SoCal? Housing prices make if difficult to move back.

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by beezle1

I think that would be hard on your family, with you gone for that long. My husband used to travel about the same amount of time as you are thinking. We both worked and when he was gone, it was difficult for me as I was always the one who had to take time off for everything. And when he got home, I did a bunch of laundry for him and he did chores that had built up while he was gone. It got old quickly.

If you try it for a while and it is not working, could you find employment here, or be able to move back to SoCal? Housing prices make if difficult to move back.

As it is right now I have to work double shifts just to keep up with the high cost of living out here; so that keeps me away any way. Why not bang out those extra shifts in a shorter amount of time and then I'm good money wise for the rest of the month? That's what I'm thinking, my wife currently isn't working, being an amazing mother to my son right now is best. She'd like to get a job when he starts school though, something part-time is all we'll need.

If it doesn't work out then it's back to Ca,. I work down on the docks moving the worlds trade; too good of a job to leave it.

[TCHP]

Sounds expensive and time consuming. While the overall cost of living is less in the Denver area, it is not hugely less. Housing will be a big expense since you will want a home in Denver and still need a long term lease in California.

Looking at cost of living indexes, Denver has an overal cost index of 115, California 151. Without knowing exactly wher eyou are coming from or working at, I took the overall index. That seems like a big jump until you disect it. Food, utilities, health care, transportation and entertainment all range from 90-110 in these catagories between the two states, so overall living isn't radically cheaper. Housing is the big seperator, Denver at 148, California at 237. So while you can buy for significantly less in Denver, despite the Denver are seeing a big jump in median home pricing, you will still need a place to stay food to eat, and maybe minimal entretainment for your work stays in California, which means you still have to compete for housing, even at a 1bdrm or efficiency level.

You are correct that Boulder is out of the equation. The same site lists Boulder's index comparable to California, slightly higher at an overall of 155 and housing at 277.

[SkyDog77]

My neighbor did that for a while. Ended up settling in LA after a few years. I know it was a hard choice for them. They loved it here

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Sounds expensive and time consuming. While the overall cost of living is less in the Denver area, it is not hugely less. Housing will be a big expense since you will want a home in Denver and still need a long term lease in California.

Looking at cost of living indexes, Denver has an overal cost index of 115, California 151. Without knowing exactly wher eyou are coming from or working at, I took the overall index. That seems like a big jump until you disect it. Food, utilities, health care, transportation and entertainment all range from 90-110 in these catagories between the two states, so overall living isn't radically cheaper. Housing is the big seperator, Denver at 148, California at 237. So while you can buy for significantly less in Denver, despite the Denver are seeing a big jump in median home pricing, you will still need a place to stay food to eat, and maybe minimal entretainment for your work stays in California, which means you still have to compete for housing, even at a 1bdrm or efficiency level.

You are correct that Boulder is out of the equation. The same site lists Boulder's index comparable to California, slightly higher at an overall of 155 and housing at 277.

Currently I'm renting a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in a desirable area with good schools for $1800. That's actually about $400-$500 less then market value, so there is value there as far as renting is concerned; but I'm getting bent over by the IRS because I have no write-offs. I'ts a 500k or 600k roll of the dice buying in my neighborhood, really all of California actually; don't time the market and buy at the right time and your stuck with no equity and a $2500-$3000 monthly mortgage.Housing in the 300k/400k range that are reasonably close to my work is pretty much ghetto here.

The whole key to making this work would be to keep my Ca. costs as low as possible; bachelor and studio housing can be had out here in the $500-$600 range if you know where to look; still kind of difficult to find. Sharing a place with someone else is possible and could get me into the $400 range but I prefer to be on my own; won't rule that scenario out though. $600 would be my limit, coupled with a $1100-$1400 mortgage in Colorado and it's right about what I'm paying right now except that I actually own the place. I own my car outright which is decent on gas (25mpg combined), and health care costs won't be an issue in either state. Through my employer I have excellent health coverage, almost 100% across the board with very little co-pays or script fees; I know, very blessed and lucky in that regard.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this, been very helpful.

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

My neighbor did that for a while. Ended up settling in LA after a few years. I know it was a hard choice for them. They loved it here

Do you know how long he was away each month?

[jessicarae1060]

My husband has a co-worker who does just the opposite. He works here and they live in Cali. Sorry, but I cannot in anyway think this is a good idea. Does your wife have family here? I think in the long run, you will both feel resentful about it. And you will miss many milestones with your kid. Is there somewhere else you could work where you could compromise? Or another line of work if Cali is too pricey?

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by jessicarae1060

My husband has a co-worker who does just the opposite. He works here and they live in Cali. Sorry, but I cannot in anyway think this is a good idea. Does your wife have family here? I think in the long run, you will both feel resentful about it. And you will miss many milestones with your kid. Is there somewhere else you could work where you could compromise? Or another line of work if Cali is too pricey?

Getting another job is out, can't walk away from it; salary and benefits are too good. It says something about your state when you feel priced out of it while bringing In 130+a year!! 200k a year is just middle class here, such a joke.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

The whole key to making this work would be to keep my Ca. costs as low as possible; bachelor and studio housing can be had out here in the $500-$600 range if you know where to look; still kind of difficult to find. Sharing a place with someone else is possible and could get me into the $400 range but I prefer to be on my own; won't rule that scenario out though. $600 would be my limit, coupled with a $1100-$1400 mortgage in Colorado and it's right about what I'm paying right now except that I actually own the place. I own my car outright which is decent on gas (25mpg combined), and health care costs won't be an issue in either state. Through my employer I have excellent health coverage, almost 100% across the board with very little co-pays or script fees; I know, very blessed and lucky in that regard.

Yes, keeping your costs low are key, but you now need to double all your expenses: A $1700 mortgage on a $365k house in Colorado and a $600 California rental puts you at $2300 a month. Similar to your expenses for a home where you are at. You also will need two cars, two food bills, etc.plus now you have to add in airline travel. Living in an efficiency on ramen noodles can be done for a couple of years, but will get old eventually.

Also, is your great healthcare package compatible with and accepted by healthcare providers in Colorado? I think you may have some logistics issues on occasion with this.

Originally Posted by jessicarae1060

Does your wife have family here? I think in the long run, you will both feel resentful about it. And you will miss many milestones with your kid.

Good point. Moving your family here means starting all over without support systems and friend networks. The lack of these can make even a nice place tough to cope with, especially if you are gone half the month. Obviously military families do it constantly, so it is possible, but your wife won't have neighbors in similar situations to sympathize with.