Does my dream city exist? (Denver, Colorado Springs: to rent, house, job market)

[irisheyes999]

Hey there. I'm hoping some helpful Colorado forumers can point me in the direction of my dream town, if indeed it exists.

I'm a 22 yo recent college graduate that moved from Southern California to Granby, Co this past May. I love love love it. Now while I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life in this little town, the boyfriend (potentially moving out here with me in August) isn't keen on the four months of snow. Also, as much as I'd love to work a rotation of seasonal jobs, a job market where I can actually put my degree to use would be nice.

Since my experience with Co is limited to Steamboat, the tiny towns along Hwy 40, Carbondale, and Denver, I'm hoping someone could fill me on on the other places Co has to offer.

Weather requirements:
I'm not picky. I'm fine with snow. I'm fine with heat. I'm fine with rain. However, a temperate climate (90's in the summer and 40's in the winter) with a month or two of snow would be perfect. I'm a garden lover, so a medium- longish growing season would be great.

Vista requirements:
I grew up in mountains. I want to keep them near me. Or at least within viewing distance. Mountain lakes, rivers, and swimming holes are my friends. I'd love to be near the mountains and the forrests, but I understand that often goes hand in hand with cold winters...which my boyfriend isn't wanting.

Grand County has spoiled me. I love the views here. Does a place exist with comprable view?

Housing:
Old ranch house or farmhouse with some acreage. I like space, quiet, and animals. I'd love to have a 3bd, 2 bath on 2+ acres where I can keep horses, chickens, and goats.

Town:
I love the rural, small town mentality, but perhaps not the small town job opportunities. 3,000-10,000 people? Outdoorsy lifestyle. Boyfriend and I are politically moderate and fine in either a liberal or conservative political climate provided that there aren't abundant extremeists. We do NOT want pretentious, super liberal, KKK, starbucks, smug eco-green hippies, or suburban sprawl. We DO want NRA, boyscouts, ranchers, intelligence, and people that own trucks. We basically live like active older people. Not partiers, not big drinkers, but catching a movie every now and then is nice. We don't need a "scene"....just access to the outdoors. If there's a college or university close by....then excellent. At some point I'll be looking for a grad degree.

Activities:
Hiking, fishing, skiining, camping, gardening, biking, HORSEBACK RIDING

Pricing:
Looking to rent right now. Coming from Los Angeles, so no such thing as sticker shock. If it's less than $700 a room, it's fine with me. I was prepared to have a $32k/ year job and spend $950 on housing.

Job:
My degree is in Advertising, but I have experience in tourism, education, customer service, and sales. Boyfriend is working on becoming a state biologist. He currently works for Wildlife Fish and Game.

Summary:
Looking for a medium size mountain/foothill town or a smaller town in commutable distance to a larger town. Moderate weather with shortish winter. A community oriented place with rural, small town values but still an educated group of people. Access to outdoor activities. Acreage. A place where I can at least get a teaching job.

So does this place exist?

[PokerMunkee]

We love Woodland Park and think it's a perfect mountain. Population is around 7,500, 20 miles up the mountain from Colorado Springs. Just under Pikes Peak, so beautiful views.

Not far from 11 mile reservoir for fishing and camping. 25 miles from Cripple Creek, which may be a good place for you to put your marketing/tourism to work at one of the 18 casinos. The casinos are gearing up for the new changes with Amendment 50 and it's an exciting time (I work in Cripple Creek). 85 miles to Breckenridge, takes us 1.5hrs from our house to the parking lot (no I70 traffic!!).

Has a small two screen movie theater, a 2 year old super Walmart (smaller version), a two year old 15 bed hospital, and the popular fast food places (sonic, mcd's, bking, tbell, wendys, subway, quiznos, phut) and a couple restaurants (no big chains..yet).

Politically, Teller county leans more conservative, just like any mountain town (except Summit Co!). It's really a good mix, IMO. The county went 61% for McCain back in November and all of the local reps are Republican.

Town is at 8500', so it's colder than Denver/Springs and we get a little more snow. The summers are perfect, never gets over 90 usually like in the Springs. The only negative I can think of is that there can be a lot of traffic in the summer since everyone from the Springs comes through it for camping/ATV/Snow mobiling/hiking/fishing/gambling/skiing activities. But this helps the economy, so I can't complain too much. Actually, my biggest gripe is there is no bowling alley, but it's only a 15 minute drive down the mountain to the closest one. The old alley didn't make it and now it's a NAPA.

If you want some acreage, I'd look in Divide which is about 5 miles west of WP. The farther West/SW you go, the cheaper it will be. Florissant is a little farther west but still not far from Cripple Creek/WP. Check out realestate for those two towns and see if you find what you like.

$285k for 17 acres in Florissant:
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/reo/990368553.html

[Mike from back east]

I recommend the always correct town of "new boyfriend."

[DannyBanany]

If you'd like to stay within the Front Range cities for work I'd look at rural areas around Broomfield, Longmont, and Boulder. You can still have some type of an acreage, be close to Denver, and have a great view of the mountains. Also, check out Loveland-Fort Collins. It sort of fits your description. However, these cities aren't in the mountains. They look at them.

[jazzlover]

Well, if your boyfriend plans on working for the state and you intend to live where he does--guess what?, you're going to go where the state sends you! When it comes to state government, Denver is the known center of the universe, so chances are pretty good you will wind up there. There are, of course, district offices for various agencies in places like Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Durango, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, etc., but those offices often lead a precarious existence and tend to get shut down during budgetary crunches. So, state employees often don't have much choice as to where they live--and for most of them that tends to be in Denver. Also, since most higher level state jobs are in Denver, if your boyfriend wants to advance in the agency, Denver is probably where he will wind up, anyway. Hard facts of life with state employment.

[Shuffler]

With an ever-shrinking State budget, is boyfriend sure he's got a secure job?

Unless you have millions, you're not likely to find a farmhouse and a couple acres anywhere around the Front Range.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

With an ever-shrinking State budget, is boyfriend sure he's got a secure job?

Unless you have millions, you're not likely to find a farmhouse and a couple acres anywhere around the Front Range.

Very true, too. Most state agencies are currently under a hiring freeze.

[irisheyes999]

Thanks for all the replies. BF's position doesn't exist past August anyways, so come September both of us are unemployed and commitment free. Just trying to scope out and narrow down possible cities to consider come then.
Woodland park looks perfect.

[irisheyes999]

After reading a lot of the other posts on here, I just wanted to say thanks for not immediately telling me to "go back to california you SUV, Walmart loving hippie poser".

I solemnly swear that I will not petition for Walmart, McDonalds, strip mall, or spa.

[vfrpilot]

Originally Posted by irisheyes999

After reading a lot of the other posts on here, I just wanted to say thanks for not immediately telling me to "go back to california you SUV, Walmart loving hippie poser".

I solemnly swear that I will not petition for Walmart, McDonalds, strip mall, or spa.

LOL..I shop at Wallyworld all the time, drive a truck and SUV, eat at Mickey D's, go to strip malls, but never have been to a spa
Good Luck