[Retirement] - NYC to CO (Denver, Colorado Springs: how much, house, neighborhoods)

[bigmovements]

Is Colorado a good place to retire? I have been lurking on the forums for quite some time and finally decided to make an account. What are some places to avoid in Colorado? I am looking to buy a single family house with about $350k in savings for reference. How is cost of living compared to NYC? Thank you citydata.

[Airborneguy]

I'm from NYC and lived in Colorado for 4 years. Keep in mind that Colorado does tax pensions with a small exemption (unless something changed). As much as I'd love to move back there in retirement, it's not worth the increased taxes when NY won't tax my pension and PA is a closer option which also doesn't.

Besides that I loved Colorado and you certainly get more house for your money.

[janeh777]

Hi, you can get a SFH for less than 350, depending on how particular you are, it may or may not suit you. Denver traffic has become pretty unbearable, and I don't have to commute, being a Realtor. What did you have in mind - city, mountains, suburbs? There is a lot of variety in CO... just about anywhere is a bargain compared to NY

[NorthDenverGirl]

The cost of living has certainly increased here over the past few years however I would still say it is much less expensive than NYC, I have done many trips to NYC and love, love, love it but I always notice how much more I have to spend there on the basics while visiting.

There are neighborhoods that you can get a decent house under $350,000. For example, there is a nice little neighborhood in Brighton, no HOA, walking distance to the Rec Center and to the historical downtown area, ranch floor plans with other friendly retirees for under $350,000. There is another area in Thornton that has the same kind of feel minus the walkability.

As mentioned above it would help to know what else you would be looking for in an area, are you active? Are you looking for a quieter area or would you like to be closer to the city? Providing a little more information can help us give you those areas to avoid you are thinking about and some areas you may want to look into?

[Mike from back east]

When you get past just low prices and factor in QUALITY of life, amenities, climate, arts, outdoor activity, scenery, etc, then IMO you'll get the most bang for the buck in COLO SPGS. My fave is the northern end of the city, north of Woodmen Road, and zip codes 80920, 80921 and 80923 in particular.

I suggest you visit zillow.com or realtor.com (or commercial site of similar type) and make the intersection of Union Blvd and Research Pkwy you're ground zero, then go out within a few miles of that center point and see what you find that is of interest. Within 2 miles of that point are excellent shopping, eateries, gyms/YMCA, car dealers, movies, fine schools, new or newish homes, no spotty areas and traffic is so slight compared to NYC that you'll think you've died and gone to heaven.

[bigmovements]

Originally Posted by janeh777

Hi, you can get a SFH for less than 350, depending on how particular you are, it may or may not suit you. Denver traffic has become pretty unbearable, and I don't have to commute, being a Realtor. What did you have in mind - city, mountains, suburbs? There is a lot of variety in CO... just about anywhere is a bargain compared to NY

Which area do you live in where you don't have to commute? It seems there aren't any SFH in the downtown denver area that are under 300K and where you wouldn't have to drive. I'd like to live in area where there are grocery stores within walking distance and do not have to drive as much.

[emm74]

If you are looking for something in Denver itself, your price point will be quite tough particularly for a single family house. If you are ok expanding your horizons, you can find something in that range, but you might be better off looking for a smaller town rather than a suburb in metro Denver, as the walkability issue will be difficult in a lot of the suburbs right around Denver.

You might want to ask to have this moved to the general Colorado thread, rather than Denver, so you can get suggestions about a wider range of areas within Colorado.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by emm74

.... You might want to ask to have this moved to the general Colorado thread, rather than Denver, so you can get suggestions about a wider range of areas within Colorado.

Done. Moved to main COLO forum since the OP didn't specifically ask about Denver. His budget is much more attuned to COLO SPGS.

He's retiring, work and school requirements aren't an issue. He could go anywhere, including the Western Slope areas like Grand Junction.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by bigmovements

Is Colorado a good place to retire?

At age 68.7, my answer is YES.

1. The Colorado state tax rate is 4%, but it is really not that much. Ours averages about 2%.
2. The climate is better.
3. There are very few cockroaches. I have never seen one in 37 years here.
4. Colorado Springs is cheaper than greater Denver for housing, but I prefer the Socialist Paradise of the City & County of Denver for livability.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by bigmovements

Which area do you live in where you don't have to commute? It seems there aren't any SFH in the downtown denver area that are under 300K and where you wouldn't have to drive. I'd like to live in area where there are grocery stores within walking distance and do not have to drive as much.

Downtown Denver has some of the most expensive housing in Colorado, outside of ski areas. A lot of people understandably want to be close to all of the amenities it offers, but that comes at a price.

If you just want to be close to groceries and such, there are lots of places you can look. I'll toss out Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Colo. Springs just as a start. Assuming you want to be on the Front Range?