Husband and Family, Moving to Denver for College (Aurora, Lakewood: apartments, rent)

[Keith89674]

Ok well I am a married man and a proud father of 3. I am moving to the denver area to further my education. Currently we live in Nebraska and I am working on my associate degree in science. Since the "out of state" costs for tuition at Metro State are so high I plan to move sooner that expected and attend a community college there for a year or so. The problem I have is that I am looking for an affordable but safe community for my family that is both somewhat close to a community college ( Either Arapohoe Community College or Aurora Community College) and also close to Metro State University. By 'close' I mean 30-45 min drive. My family and I prefer a somewhat small town 25-30,000 give or take. Also since I have a family to support I need to work. The kind of work that I am familiar to is Fabrication, Assembly, Production, Forklift Operator, etc. My wife is a CNA and will also be looking for work. We plan to take a vacation over labor day weekend to look around. I know this is a lot to ask for but any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Areas of Interest EX: Centennial, Littleton, Aurora(Heard lot negative), Greenwood Village (affordable?), Englewood, Lakewood.

Our Definition of affordable is comparable to wages of our line of work.

[davidv]

Denver is a continuous urbanized area, so if you are looking for a medium-sized town that stands alone, you won't find it here.

I think you are right to look on the south side of town as it is close to ACC and it has the completed rail lines. You can take light rail to Metro State -- and it is free for students at the downtown Auraria campus.

I cannot speak to the availability of jobs for you, there are several hospitals on the south side of town as well.

[Autodidact]

Yes, basically if you make a line from Littleton to University Park, I think you can find something in that area.

[davidv]

A question I have is why Denver?

A smaller city (not a town) is Greeley (slightly smaller than Lincoln). It is much like Nebraska because it has a very agriculturally based economy. There are some larger factory type places you might be able to find work. It also is home to Aims CC and the Univ. of Northern Colorado. Another big plus is that cost of living is significantly lower.

[Keith89674]

Thank you so much for your input. Does anybody know a good company to work for in this given area with the work experience that I have? Decent wages, vac, insurance, holiday pay? Again, this is a lot to ask for but any input is appreciated. Currently I work for a polyethylene plant... packaging, wrapping, heavy lifting, forklift operations. I hate to leave my current place of employment but I must in order to pursue my bachelors in science degree. Currently I work a 3-11 shift 5-6 days a week. The company pays approx $11.00 hr but at the same time my rent here is only $500.00 a month for a 3 bedroom apartment with a garage. (low-income qualified) The company pays for 7 holidays, 80 hrs pto, and 40 hrs sick pay. I also have a little experience in a supervisor position, quality control, and blueprints. Thank You.

[Keith89674]

Originally Posted by davidv

A question I have is why Denver?

A smaller city (not a town) is Greeley (slightly smaller than Lincoln). It is much like Nebraska because it has a very agriculturally based economy. There are some larger factory type places you might be able to find work. It also is home to Aims CC and the Univ. of Northern Colorado. Another big plus is that cost of living is significantly lower.

Honestly I hate agriculture LOL. I am originally from Oregon then moved to California. I left for nebraska about 6 yrs ago and thank god because I was in a bad way in cali. I met my wife here in Nebraska and we now have 3 children who are an absolute blessing. To be honest I want the mountains and fresher air again. Aside from that I am so allergic to corn dust that its not even funny. Myself having asthma, it is a horrible combination. Thank you.

[galtsgulch]

Honestly, after reading about your situation, I would strongly recommend you stay in Nebraska at your current job if there is any college reasonably located in your area. Your job may not be high paying but it is good in comparison to the COL along with good benefits. You will likely not find that kind of work in Denver with those benefits. In addition, the COL sky rockets for you.

I know Nebraska may not be your cup of tea, but if you can tolerate it to get through your classes you might be in much better position to move then. Plus, you are eligible for in-state tuition right now in Nebraska while you would have to wait in Colorado. My two cents anyway.

[gmm_24]

Well since you are so allergic to corn dust I say move, maybe not here since you will not find a 3 bedroom house for $500. The cost of living here is higher pretty much all the way around then NE.

In state for Aims will run you $300 and change per 3 credit class and that is a pretty cheap college. Not sure what the out of state cost is but right there one 3 credit class cost almost as much as you pay in rent once you add books. My son's one class had $175 in books alone.

Car registration can be really high here.
Sales tax is 8.75% in my area unless there is a Public Improvement fee added on, then it makes it 9.75%.

Have you looked in Missouri? Or other lower cost of living areas toward the East? In MO I could buy a nice house with a good amount of land for 100k, that is not going to happen here. Heck I know people who left here went to KY bought a house on a few acres for 58k.
Too bad those places are far from family and the ocean or else I would really consider it.

The economy sucks all over so I would have a job in place before I move anywhere. It may take months to get one in any state and with kids you can't take a chance on being unemployed for long.

[Keith89674]

Ok well it is not ' if ' I am moving to Colorado; it is when. I am studying for meteorology and have been for 2 and half yrs. I soon need to transfer to either UNL in Lincoln, NE or Metro State in Denver, CO. I will not move to Lincoln. Its obvious that rent is more expensive in that area. I found a couple 3 bedroom apartments for around $900.00 a month and a production job in Denver that pays $12-14 an hr that pays 7 holidays, 5 days vac, 5 days sick pay. I would like to hear more about apportunitys in colorado and not somewhere else. Moving east or staying here is not an option. My father is in Montana, My mother is in California, My brother and grandparents are in Oregon. I would prefer to be a little closer not further away. I am already a 24 hr drive from most of my family. Thank You so much for your input. Please tell me more about the areas that I mentioned in my original post.

Also any areas that are within these areas that might perk our interest. Would like to know opinions on these areas.

Schools, Family Oriented?, Shopping, Bike Trails, Hiking?, Nice downtown areas etc.

[Keith89674]

I have already considered the costs for tuition and books. Currently I qualify for grants and with a 3.89 GPA I should be qualifying for scholarships in the near future. I would have a 4.0 if it weren't for a Public Speaking class that gave me a B LOL!