Advice About Colorado? (Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango: rent, student loans, month to)

[GirlOnAMountain]

Hello everyone,

I've been visiting this forum for about 6 months, maybe longer. I've been sifting through all the things that people have already said. I was intimidated to post on here and ask questions, but I've just spent about ten minutes or so reading through the post about unanswerable posts. I had a couple of laughs, which was good because it was a very long day. Good to know people still have a sense of humor. I'm still figuring out what questions I need to be asking, about planning a relocation to a new place. I have moved across the country in the past, but I did so without a job or living place lined up. I want to be more responsible this time and plan things out. So I'm not in a desperate hurry, I'm pacing myself. I know that moving somewhere else won't make me happy by default, but being relatively satisfied where I am means I'll be ok somewhere else. So having given you the context of my post, I'll give some specifics.

I've bought guidebooks on Colorado, and familiarized myself with the state map, and the general locations of some major cities. As well as some of the history. My family doesn't want me to move so I hide my Colorado books like contraband, lol. I'm a 20 something in college, I'd like to be an art teacher although I haven't started taking classes towards my major. I'd need to transfer to a school that has it. I'd like to be moving over the course of this coming summer. I care very much about snowboarding, and would really like to have access to it. I've lived most of my life in a small town, although I'm open to big cities too. I find them to be less affordable which unfortunately is a factor for me, in school. I do have a car, so I can drive to work. Right now I drive about 20 or 30 minutes to work, although that's not in rush hour traffic. It's mostly filled with cows and country instead of angry drivers. As far as my job is concerned, I have retail experience. Being in school makes it hard to pursue a career, although I'd really like to transfer if I can get a decent job.

Regarding where I'd like to go, I haven't ever visited. I'm considering moving there, though I'm planning to visit first. I'm having trouble figuring out where the best place for me might be. I need to figure that out before anything else. I'm going to need to start figuring the school thing out soon. I was pondering (in no particular order) Durango, Colorado Springs, Denver, Ft. Collins, or even some place in the mountains (although I doubt I can afford it) like Dillon. Frisco seems great, but unrealistic for me. I wanted some opinions from outside my own perspective, and I'd really appreciate them.

-GirlOnAMountain

[COflower]

I would start out looking for schools here first. A great/suitable location for you with a school you aren't happy about is not a good thing.

After you find a couple or three schools you like, then you will need to look at the location. Since you are still in your 20s, it's pretty easy to make a place like "home" knowing you only have such-and-such time to be there unless it's truly dreaful for you.

But I would recommend you look at the schools first that will give you the best education for your skills and money. Also, keep in mind, out-of-state tuition is going to be much higher.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by GirlOnAMountain

about planning a relocation to a new place.


I want to be more responsible this time and plan things out. So I'm not in a desperate hurry, I'm pacing myself.

My family doesn't want me to move

I'm a 20 something in college, I'd like to be an art teacher although I haven't started taking classes towards my major. I'd need to transfer to a school that has it. I'd like to be moving over the course of this coming summer.

I care very much about snowboarding,

Being in school makes it hard to pursue a career, although I'd really like to transfer if I can get a decent job.

Regarding where I'd like to go, I haven't ever visited. I'm considering moving there, though I'm planning to visit first. I'm having trouble figuring out where the best place for me might be. I need to figure that out before anything else.

What's a realistic model for your month to month cash flow? Are you looking at 20 hours of work per week at say $10/hour? Is that realistic?

What are people paying to live (with and without roommates)?

Any financial support from your folks who don't support your decision?

Will you be able to be afford snowboarding to the extent that makes moving away from friends and family worth it? Meaning, it you move, and you can't afford the benefits of the new location, then why move?

As a contrast, what about just bulling through your education at your present location and knocking it out in a year or two and then moving? (I lived at home as an undergrad and even though living with my parents was a drag, it saved me a ton of money - no student loans - ever. All my side job money went for fun things, and saving for vehicles rather than rent - which my dad still charged me.)

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by GirlOnAMountain

Hello everyone,

I've been visiting this forum for about 6 months, maybe longer. I've been sifting through all the things that people have already said. I was intimidated to post on here and ask questions, but I've just spent about ten minutes or so reading through the post about unanswerable posts. I had a couple of laughs, which was good because it was a very long day. Good to know people still have a sense of humor. I'm still figuring out what questions I need to be asking, about planning a relocation to a new place. I have moved across the country in the past, but I did so without a job or living place lined up. I want to be more responsible this time and plan things out. So I'm not in a desperate hurry, I'm pacing myself. I know that moving somewhere else won't make me happy by default, but being relatively satisfied where I am means I'll be ok somewhere else. So having given you the context of my post, I'll give some specifics.

I've bought guidebooks on Colorado, and familiarized myself with the state map, and the general locations of some major cities. As well as some of the history. My family doesn't want me to move so I hide my Colorado books like contraband, lol. I'm a 20 something in college, I'd like to be an art teacher although I haven't started taking classes towards my major. I'd need to transfer to a school that has it. I'd like to be moving over the course of this coming summer. I care very much about snowboarding, and would really like to have access to it. I've lived most of my life in a small town, although I'm open to big cities too. I find them to be less affordable which unfortunately is a factor for me, in school. I do have a car, so I can drive to work. Right now I drive about 20 or 30 minutes to work, although that's not in rush hour traffic. It's mostly filled with cows and country instead of angry drivers. As far as my job is concerned, I have retail experience. Being in school makes it hard to pursue a career, although I'd really like to transfer if I can get a decent job.

Regarding where I'd like to go, I haven't ever visited. I'm considering moving there, though I'm planning to visit first. I'm having trouble figuring out where the best place for me might be. I need to figure that out before anything else. I'm going to need to start figuring the school thing out soon. I was pondering (in no particular order) Durango, Colorado Springs, Denver, Ft. Collins, or even some place in the mountains (although I doubt I can afford it) like Dillon. Frisco seems great, but unrealistic for me. I wanted some opinions from outside my own perspective, and I'd really appreciate them.

-GirlOnAMountain

Time for you to get a reality check. Your education should come first. As Charles suggested, getting that in most efficient, expeditious manner should be your first priority. Chances are, your best shot at that is in your home state, where you can pay in-state tuition that will be fraction of what any Colorado school will cost. Chances are also very good that your day-to-day living costs will be less there than anyplace in Colorado--especially anyplace (Durango being a good example) in the mountains.

Don't be seduced by the swarmy crap in tourist guidebooks. They are written with a huge bias--they are selling Colorado as a tourist destination. The reality of living in Colorado is something quite different than being a tourist here. Sort of like the difference between having a fun care-free date with somebody versus being married with three kids, a mortgage, and a tight family budget. Many small towns in Colorado--especially the resort towns--are not the family-oriented, friendly places found in the Midwest. They are mostly populated by ex-urbanites, many with a lot of money, who bring their big-city attitudes (and problems) with them. It's not "Mayberry in the Mountains." Don't listen to the "ski bums" who will encourage you to move here. For every one of them that actually "makes it" living in a ski town, there are at least a hundred who don't. That's why the transience rate in those towns is so high.

As to your education, I would sure get something in addition to an art major, especially if you want to teach. Art teachers are a dime a dozen--other teaching fields, though, have a high demand for teachers. My ex had a dual major--Art and Special Education. She never could get a job as an art teacher, but she has always been able to find a job in Special Ed. As I have posted earlier, too, teaching jobs are highly competitive in Colorado. In many places in the state, they are considered high-paying jobs (the pay isn't better here for teachers--in many cases it's worse--but other jobs pay even less) with good benefits and summer vacations. So, there often is not much turnover, except at the poorer, less desirable schools.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but the reality of Colorado is a lot different that "the Dream."

[Terri722]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Sorry to rain on your parade, but the reality of Colorado is a lot different that "the Dream."

Are you really sorry to rain on her parade Jazz...I am actually thinking that
is your purpose of posting to this forum...to try and drive newcomers
away from *your* Colorado....in reality, Colorado is open to everyone.
So I would like to add to the posters...since you are young and in
college...do make sure that the costs are affordable for you...BUT you
can make your dreams happen and educate yourself....everything is
attainable if you so desire...

[FoRuMRideR420]

Yeah your right Terri^^^ they tend to talk down to people like they will never make the move and survive....its funny people ask what area they think would fit right for themselves and usually get told that they aren't ready for the move like people on this forum actually know them personally lol

well out of your choices Girlonamountain i would pick Denver somewhere in the metro areas would be your best choice in my opinion. jobs, mountains, school will be easiest to find around Denver

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by Terri722

Are you really sorry to rain on her parade Jazz...I am actually thinking that is your purpose of posting to this forum...to try and drive newcomers away from *your* Colorado....in reality, Colorado is open to everyone. So I would like to add to the posters...since you are young and in college...do make sure that the costs are affordable for you...BUT you can make your dreams happen and educate yourself....everything is attainable if you so desire...

Hmmm... I see Jazz get his fair share of "quit raining on their parade" posts. So he's a curmudgeon. I think he knows human nature enough that if his motive was to drive people away from Colorado even though he actually lives in Wyoming, he'd say, "Come to Colorado Now! You'll love it!

[CosmicWizard]

Terri722 wrote:

Are you really sorry to rain on her parade Jazz...I am actually thinking that is your purpose of posting to this forum...to try and drive newcomers away from *your* Colorado....in reality, Colorado is open to everyone. So I would like to add to the posters...since you are young and in college...do make sure that the costs are affordable for you...BUT you can make your dreams happen and educate yourself....everything is attainable if you so desire...

My initial impression of jazzlovers post closely mirrored what you just wrote. Then I gave it some thought and realized that jazzlover nor anyone else has nothing to gain by driving someone away from Colorado ( as IF anyone had the power to do that! ). And even if someone was sufficiently weak willed to be driven away from Colorado by reading a post on this forum, then their dream was just a crapload of fluff anyway. I see nothing in the post saying that Colorado is not open to everyone.

I'm a big believer in dreams. I also know that dreams have a far better chance of becomming reality if they contain at least a tinge of reality to them. Since my wife is a teacher here in Colorado, I will second what jazzlover wrote in regard to teaching in Colorado. He's not making it up, so keep that in mind while making your decision. If you decide to become a student in Colorado, I wish you the greatest success.

[Terri722]

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

I see nothing in the post saying that Colorado is not open to everyone.

Perhaps not in this post...but a lot of his writing tells how everyone
except *natives* are ruining Colorado and if you watch his posts,
he does tell a lot of people that it's usually better to stay put......
so no, not in those exact words did he say Colorado isn't there
for everyone...but you can certainly see that he is adamant about
keeping the door closed...and you are right...anyone silly enough
to lay their dreams down because of disgruntled posters...really
had no dream to begin with....but we will be coming there...so look
out Colorado...haha

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by Terri722

...and if you watch his posts,
he does tell a lot of people that it's usually better to stay put......

Well, in the case of in-state tuition, this is VERY good advice.