Transplants, what was your experience like moving to CO?

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by ZuQiuAi19

For all those people comparing Colorado to the Midwest, Colorado is NOT part of the Midwest. Colorado culture is very different (some people have commented on the "live and let live" mentality and lack of open friendliness - that goes back to the mountain man days where you didn't make friends with the newcomers because they most likely wouldn't last the first winter).

The main problem in Colorado is the sheer number of people who have moved here over the past 10 years. Like the outdoors? Trails, ski resorts, national parks are so overcrowded it is literally ruining the environment. Flocking to the mountains over the weekend is such a fad, even in the summer the drive takes hours now.

Prices have become outrageous, housing in particular, and locals do not want to hear how "reasonable" these prices are compared to California and New York.

Perhaps some of the lack of friendliness people experience comes from locals being pushed out by people who think they can move to Colorado and "make it their own". The number of people moving here are ruining the local culture, environment, and beauty.

For the sake of the rest of us, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Love these posts.

[Lunabell]

Originally Posted by mmt52

Hi all -

Thanks for the thoughts.

We evacuated for Hurricane Irma and stayed with my in-laws in Michigan. We were unable to get a flight back right away, so we ended up being there for ~10 days.

After being back in our home state of Michigan, attending a wedding, visiting a friend's new baby and catching up with old friends, we've decided the Midwest is where we belong. We are hoping to move back in the next year. We've found that all of our time off and vacation funds have gone to flying 'home' for visits and we haven't been able to take any other trips. We think we would be able to travel and adventure more if our home base was close to family and friends.

Colorado, I'll see you for my next vacation.

Best,
M

I am glad you were safe. Colorado has grown on me more (or my homesickness has lessened) since I responded but I know what you mean. A couple of weeks after moving here, I drove back to MN to see my parents and old friends. As soon as I was back, I felt home. I plan on enjoying this waypoint to its fullest but when we are done here, I will be at the cabin in MN.

You will also definitely be able to travel more from the Midwest over Florida. In a way, it is a microcosm of what we had to do when when we lived in AK. Most of getting where we wanted to go was just getting out of AK! Enjoy your next CO vacation!

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Originally Posted by ZuQiuAi19

For all those people comparing Colorado to the Midwest, Colorado is NOT part of the Midwest. Colorado culture is very different (some people have commented on the "live and let live" mentality and lack of open friendliness - that goes back to the mountain man days where you didn't make friends with the newcomers because they most likely wouldn't last the first winter).

The main problem in Colorado is the sheer number of people who have moved here over the past 10 years. Like the outdoors? Trails, ski resorts, national parks are so overcrowded it is literally ruining the environment. Flocking to the mountains over the weekend is such a fad, even in the summer the drive takes hours now.

Prices have become outrageous, housing in particular, and locals do not want to hear how "reasonable" these prices are compared to California and New York.

Perhaps some of the lack of friendliness people experience comes from locals being pushed out by people who think they can move to Colorado and "make it their own". The number of people moving here are ruining the local culture, environment, and beauty.

For the sake of the rest of us, I suggest you look elsewhere.

That is EXACTLY what people are saying about the Portland, Oregon area.
Almost to the word.

We just had one of the most beautiful areas of Oregon burn down (Columbia River Gorge) because of out of state teenagers shooting off fireworks in the woods.

Don't feel alone!

[BabyBoomers2]

Hey, everyone, read what we think of Colorado and the Front Range. I think it’s my last reply. The Front Range is still beautiful and not all of the state has been taken over by relocaters.

[CosmicWizard]

I started this thread in May 2007, less than a year after relocating to Grand Junction from Virginia Beach Virginia.

11 Years later, I am still living in Grand Junction!

[daprara]

dont know if the numbers are correct but the denver population may have grown 30% in the last 10 years? I dont think this bad my self.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by daprara

dont know if the numbers are correct but the denver population may have grown 30% in the last 10 years? I dont think this bad my self.

For the “working class” of people, that can be good. Those folks want nice salaries and big metro areas with large populations offer just that. That is where big/major companies are.

Now, for retirees, not so good. They really want a much slower paced, much smaller population that includes a lot less crime than large cities with large populations.

BTW, wife and I fit into the “retiree” area.

[daprara]

we are retired too and recently moved from Brighton to south denver sobo area.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by daprara

we are retired too and recently moved from Brighton to south denver sobo area.

Those areas, aka Denver Metro, would never be for us. For us, back in 2004 thru Oct 2007, Parker was our area. Today, WAY to many people there now. Loveland or Cheyenne should be fine for us, but we will see next year when we visit for a week. We’ve been to Cheyenne and it was ok to fine.