//Need some insight from Colorado locals// (Denver, Pueblo: low income, real estate, rentals)

[TheHumanFund]

My wife and I are looking to make a move to Colorado, but my biggest dilemma is where to move??? I am from Chicago where I worked as a plumber (for my Step-father) for 10 years. We had our daughter in November last year, and she has an 11 year old son. I was not fond of being a child myself in Chicago, so we moved to my Wife's hometown 130 miles west. After moving here I was told by locals that the jobs were few and far between. Assuming that with my experience in plumbing (though not liscensed by my Step-Father), and with about 25 plumbing companies in this town of 30,000 I would be fine. Well 5 months later I had applied EVERYWHERE, and still no job. At this point I was willing to take anything with a paycheck. Finally I was able to get a job in fast food. Which really sucks!!! But it helps ends meet. Because of my children I'd prefer not to live in a big city, but at this point I'm not gonna be picky. Where I live now rent is cheap so this job is ok for now, but for multiple reasons (too many to list) we need to leave state, and time is something we dont have alot of. I was hoping to get some info on somewhere in Colorado with cheap rent as so I can be transfered with the job I have until I'm able to find a better job once we arrive. I was also wondering if anyone could tell me if the plumbers in Denver and other metro areas are an expanding proffesion or are they dying???? Any info would be helpful. Thanks and God bless!!!!

[80skeys]

If you're looking for cheap rent, don't move to Grand Junction. The rent is high here. A typical small three bedroom house runs $1100-$1200.

[wanneroo]

Any place where plumbing jobs are going to be in abundance, likely the rent will be high. There are few if any cheap places in Colorado with great jobs. I think Denver is middle of the road in terms of cost of living, but I would definitely have employment lined up and some money saved up.

[TheHumanFund]

I know that plumbing jobs are gonna be more in abundance in the more expensive living places i.e. Denver, and I do have a little money saved but let me rephrase what I said before: I'm looking for a small town with cheap rent like Canon city, Florence, Penrose area because of my low income. Once I get there I am very willing to move again to a metro area like Denver, or Co. Springs when I find a job in plumbing. Because plumbing is a high paying proffesion, I would be able to afford the rent, bills, etc. But I'm not sure if the Canon City area is so cheap to live. Obviously it's cheaper than Denver & suburbs but due to the job I have at the moment I need the cheapest place possible.

[jazzlover]

Unless you are living on Colorado's Eastern Plains, there is really no place in Colorado that has cheap living costs. Real estate and rents are high statewide compared to local incomes. Away from the metro areas, real estate and rentals MAY be a little cheaper (but NOT in the resort towns, for sure), but other living costs--fuel, food, utilities, etc.--are usually as high or higher than the metro areas.

Colorado has over-relied on the construction and real estate speculation industries for years--so, there are a ton of construction people in this state--and a lot of them are out of work now. Competition for any construction-related job is going to be fierce. My simple advice: Unless you have a stable job in hand--one that will pay local living expenses--do not, repeat, do not relocate here. To do otherwise is probably just asking for problems and disappointment.

[swcolorado]

I have two friends in the Grand Junction area that just got layed off as commercial plumbers.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Unless you are living on Colorado's Eastern Plains, there is really no place in Colorado that has cheap living costs. Real estate and rents are high statewide compared to local incomes. Away from the metro areas, real estate and rentals MAY be a little cheaper (but NOT in the resort towns, for sure), but other living costs--fuel, food, utilities, etc.--are usually as high or higher than the metro areas.

Colorado has over-relied on the construction and real estate speculation industries for years--so, there are a ton of construction people in this state--and a lot of them are out of work now. Competition for any construction-related job is going to be fierce. My simple advice: Unless you have a stable job in hand--one that will pay local living expenses--do not, repeat, do not relocate here. To do otherwise is probably just asking for problems and disappointment.

Can only agree.

[TheHumanFund]

I was thinking more along the lines of I-25. Grand Junction was not even on my list of possibilities. I would like to be able to get to Denver or Co. Springs for shopping and entertainment if need be. I'm not worried about being able to afford living in Colorado, only in the metro areas. My Wife runs daycare so we have plenty of income. I would just rather not have to struggle to make ends meet. I want to live in a smaller town because I like it to be a little more quiet at home. So if anyone knows of a place with cheaper cost of living, I would love to hear from them. THANK YOU!!!

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by TheHumanFund

I was thinking more along the lines of I-25. Grand Junction was not even on my list of possibilities. I would like to be able to get to Denver or Co. Springs for shopping and entertainment if need be. I'm not worried about being able to afford living in Colorado, only in the metro areas. My Wife runs daycare so we have plenty of income. I would just rather not have to struggle to make ends meet. I want to live in a smaller town because I like it to be a little more quiet at home. So if anyone knows of a place with cheaper cost of living, I would love to hear from them. THANK YOU!!!

Well then probably living out on the Prairie is for you. That's pretty much the only way to have a cheaper cost of living in Colorado. Also Pueblo and Trinidad could be options I guess.

Not much in the way of smaller towns on the I-25 corridor. Colorado is odd in that there isn't much transition from urban to rural. One minute it is grassland or mountains, the next very urban.

You might be better off staying where you are.

[TheHumanFund]

DO NOT MOVE TO GRAND JUNCTION/DO NOT RELOCATE/LAYOFFS/PUEBLO AND TRINIDAD I GUESS/BETTER OFF STAYING WHERE I AM/ASKING FOR PROBLEMS!!!!

What is with the negativity?? I thought you guys in Colorado were hospitable, welcoming, and friendly to outsiders!!! Sounds to me like some of you are trying to keep people out!!! On my last thread I had replies from some real courteous stand up Colorado locals like: Mike from back east-DOUBLE H-SergeGainsbourg-reginhild-TheEricHarris-mtngigi

This time you people are all standoff-ish!! Now I didnt ask any questions on wether YOU think I should move there or not!!! I just wanted to know if you had ideas on where I could get cheap living temporarily. I'M COMING TO COLORADO WETHER YOU THINK I SHOULD OR NOT!!!!!

"SERENITY NOW!!!" "SERENITY NOW!!!"