relocation-Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins...? (Colorado Springs, Loveland: lease, house, to buy)

[fotomakr]

Hey all,

I'm a professional photographer based in the Los Angeles area. I will be relocating to Colorado this summer with my two daughters (ages 13 and 8).

I'm looking around the Denver area, Boulder, Colorado Springs and even Fort Collins. I would love to find a place that has great schools, things to do, some good restaurants, etc., with friendly people who welcome "outsiders."

Any thoughts and honest feedback about places I should definitely check out, or avoid?

I'll be in Colorado mid-May on business, and would like to look around and perhaps even finalize my plans, for a move in June/July.



Also -- for the realtors on this board...

I am looking for studio space and/or a house to rent.

The studio space -- probably about 1,000 sq. ft. with big windows in a well trafficked part of town... My specialty is portraiture -- primarily families, individuals, couples, babies and pregnancy. An area that services a lot of families would be ideal for my business.

Ideally, I would like to also rent a small house until I find something to buy -- perhaps a 1 year lease or even longer -- 2BR at a minimum.

Thanks!

[Micktooth]

My family and I moved to Louisville last June. We have 2 kids 13 and 11. We absolutely love it. We are only about 10 min from Boulder and half and hour from Denver. We are happy with the Boulder Valley Schools and our kids have made friends easily. Our new neighbors are great. We felt very welcome here. Louisville was recently rated one of the best places in the entire country to raise a family. If you chose this area I know you wil be very happy here.

[fotomakr]

Thank you for the recommendation -- I will look into Louisville. :-)

[Rumblebelly]

You really can't go wrong with any of the 3 cities. It just depends what type of city you want. Denver's large metro, Boulder's idealism, or Fort Collins' rural vibe. Might wanna think about Loveland too.

[POdNCrazee]

Get ready to meet a lot of people who want to be "the big fish in a small pond".

[fotomakr]

Originally Posted by Rumblebelly

You really can't go wrong with any of the 3 cities. It just depends what type of city you want. Denver's large metro, Boulder's idealism, or Fort Collins' rural vibe. Might wanna think about Loveland too.

I will look at Loveland, thanks.

[fotomakr]

Originally Posted by POdNCrazee

Get ready to meet a lot of people who want to be "the big fish in a small pond".

Are there a lot of people moving from L.A. to Colorado?

[knotty-dreads]

i need some advice!!!

i am wanting to move to colorado from austin texas. i am looking at fort collins or boulder to go to school. i wont have a car when i first move there so i need to be able to get around town on a bike or bus. i also have dogs and havent found a lot of places that a working college kid can afford that allows dogs!!! i have been to boulder and its really beautiful and i see a lot of dreadlocked hippies (which i am) but i dont know if i can afford to live there. i havent been to fort collins yet but i really like what i have found out about csu. so i need opinions on both cities and some advice please!

[WeWantLiberty]

Originally Posted by fotomakr

Are there a lot of people moving from L.A. to Colorado?

I've heard from friends that CA is emptying into CO. Good luck.

I worked in Golden for a couple months as part of a company project. I fell in love with the area. It's close(ish) to Denver and has a cool downtown. You're also close to nature, of course.

Unfortunately, that's my only exposure to CO. We'll definitely head back one day.