anyone from upstate NY? (Denver, Lakewood: real estate, car registration, school)

[kram79]

Hi,
anyone moved to Colorado cities from central/upstate NY would like to share their experiences, positive and negative? I might consider a move out west probably in a few years.....

[Mike from back east]

There are several ex-NYers who post on here, they all like the sunny climate and lack of bone chilling cold in winter.

Would this be a retirement move, or one involving a job and/or kids in school, etc?

[kram79]

probably job related...no kids yet but not too far from starting a family...

[Mike from back east]

Use our search tool (it's VERY good, and easy) with such terms as:
- upstate
- NYC
- Buffalo

You'll get what's already posted, there are quite a few, but the posters don't always hang around and become regulars.

[COLORADOrk]

I moved here from Schenectady in 1999 when I was 22. I live in Arvada but have also lived in Lakewood and Morrison. I have traveled all over Colorado and the neighboring states.

Someone already mentioned the weather "they all like the sunny climate and lack of bone chilling cold in winter." This is very true. It means you can go camping with much less bugs and humidity, and rain is far less likely here although it does rain. Swimming has been a problem however, because there are no large lakes and the water is very cold if not frigid (it's usually melted snow). I do like to go tubing in the creeks here in late July and August.

Weather here changes drastically. It was 84 on Sunday and in snowed Monday night.

As far as food and restaurants are concerned, Mexican food is as popular in Colorado as Italian food is in NY state. This is represented in the supermarkets as well - a huge assortment of salsas and green chili and other Hispanic food, not so much with the pasta and other Italian fare.

Denver and Colorado in general are isolated. No other big cities within 500 miles unless you count Albuquerque. This is in contrast to the closer cities of New York, Boston, Montreal and Niagara Falls.

The cities here are newer and and are usually laid out on a grid plan. It is hard to get lost on the front range. Mountains are to the west.

Also geographically, NY state looks like all the other states around it (in my opinion) - hilly, green, lush areas with some mountains with lakes and rivers. Colorado has mountains, plains, and deserts, far more diverse landscapes. You can see all these within a 4 hour drive on I-70.

Real estate, groceries, and car registration are much higher in Colorado, but in upstate NY, gasoline, all utilities (crazy high), and property taxes are higher.

Everyone I knew in NY was from NY. No one moves to upstate NY. Everyone in Colorado is from somewhere else.

NY state in general might be more politically liberal but out here you can still talk on your cell phone while driving, go 75mph on rural interstate highways, not wear a helmet on a motorcycle.

Although I might move back to the Capital District one day to be closer to family, I really love it out here and would miss many things.