Considering a life-altering change. Some feedback please... (Denver, Fort Collins: houses, find a job)

[vfrpilot]

This is our street in summer.

This is behind us after a summer t-storm. We have a lot more green than most of the Front Range.

[treedonkey]

And Palmer lake in August...

How do you point directly to big images like that in your comments? I always have to attatch an image, which just shows up as a thumbnail. I tried entering the url to a pic, but it doesn't show up...

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

And Palmer lake in August...

How do you point directly to big images like that in your comments? I always have to attatch an image, which just shows up as a thumbnail. I tried entering the url to a pic, but it doesn't show up...

Open up a flickr or photobucket account, post it there, grab the url, and put it between these two bracket codes: [IMG] [/IMG]

[vfrpilot]

Yup, what the pilgrim said

[revelated]

All of those images are quite beautiful, thank you.

One request to all of you: Stop taking the word "green" literally. I'm simply referring to plant life of reasonable quantity as opposed to a desert wasteland (parts of Nevada and Arizona) or so much "city" you just get sick of it (half of California).

What vfrpilot posted - that's what I'm looking for. Exactly what I'm looking for.

[Josseppie]

Then if thats the case there are many areas in Colorado you would like.....

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by revelated

All of those images are quite beautiful, thank you.

One request to all of you: Stop taking the word "green" literally. I'm simply referring to plant life of reasonable quantity as opposed to a desert wasteland (parts of Nevada and Arizona) or so much "city" you just get sick of it (half of California).

What vfrpilot posted - that's what I'm looking for. Exactly what I'm looking for.

I'll tell you one thing. Neither the Front Range, nor the west slope, nor any part of Colorado where most people actually live, is going to be any "greener" than San Diego. The urbanized Front Range is just as much concreted out as urbanized San Diego. Maybe even more so. And for 7 months out of the year (Oct-Apr) when the leaves are barren on the Front Range, San Diego is where it's green. And the native prairie grass is yellow-brown for about 10 months out of the year. You can grow just about anything in southern California's climate, and not a whole lot of plants in Colorado. So if "plant life of a reasonable quantity" is what you're looking for, you're still not looking in the right place.

[vfrpilot]

Josseppie

Then if thats the case there are many areas in Colorado you would like.....

I don't think so. To live anywhere close to job centers, Denver or COS, and still have the OP's desire of larger lots, some natural vegetation that doesn't resemble cacti, and reasonable costs, he's got few options. When we were looking in COS, our main criteria was that it not resemble Southern CA. After a couple of years of working/visiting here, we ended up in the Woodmor development in Monument. Here's a few reasons>
1. lots are half acre min and reasonable
2. area still has a neighborhood feel. good for our 8yo
3. lots of open spaces. 900 acre ranch behind us with cows,horses,antelope,deer, foxes, and the occasional elk.
4. lots of pines. looks, smells, and feels like the CO I envisioned.
5. good schools
There are other areas that would fit the bill, but we had to stay close to COS, and still stay in the 'reasonable' category. We've never regretted moving here and have enjoyed and appreciated the beauty of the area and the friendliness of the people. I think I understand what the OP's looking for and think we found it here. Good Luck

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Open up a flickr or photobucket account, post it there, grab the url, and put it between these two bracket codes:

Does it have to be photobucket or flickr? I tried embedding a Picasa image link inside [IMG] tags and it didn't show up...

[lalahartma]

Re: Monument -- don't forget the forthcoming gas drilling rigs!