How's Denver for a southern girl? (transplants, house, university) - City-Data Forum

tres grey · 09-17-2011, 06:17 PM

Hey guys! I'm a 22 year old native Atlantan about to graduate with a degree in graphic design from Auburn University. Lately, Colorado has peaked my interest as a potential move (job pending, of course). I'm curious to know other stories of young professionals making the trek and adjustment from the South to the Rockies? What are the differences and similarities?

As far as myself, I love the outdoors, my dog, and riding horses competitively. I'm politically moderate, a Christian, and a pescatarian. I like going out a night or two and love live music. Would I be a good fit?

I've never been but I've heard great things about it. Spill your stories please! Any insight is much appreciated. Thank you!

JBPisgah · 09-17-2011, 06:40 PM

Colder, drier, browner, smaller, more athletic, more relaxed. People are nice but smile less than in the South, more of a cool nice. (Your interest is piqued, btw, although since you are considering a move to Colorado...)

SouthXSW · 09-18-2011, 03:10 PM

Denver is very different than the South in many ways. They are almost complete opposites in the terrain, climate and especially the people. You don't find the typical southern girls that get really dressed up with sun dresses and heels like you do from Dallas to Atlanta. It exists due to many southern transplants living in Denver, especially people from Texas and Oklahoma, but not as common.

davebarnes · 09-18-2011, 07:35 PM

Nachos, not grits.

maciesmom · 09-18-2011, 07:54 PM

Go Tigers!

Oh...OK...not about Auburn....um...it's drier, browner, more laid back....and it snows here...

srcharrier · 09-19-2011, 01:28 AM

Unfortunantely we're currently in Atlanta and we dispise it here (although we grew up in Florida). Denver's cleaner, safer and is a lot less ghetto. You won't see any bugs (hardly) either. We're from the South and miss Denver tremendously. If you love the outdoors I can't think of a better place to live than Denver. Downtown is very pedestrian friendly and LODO has a lot of the clubs for the younger crowd. Besides all of that everything pays better there and the quality of life is perfect.

cocoeubanks · 09-20-2011, 11:31 AM

My husband and I just moved to the Denver area over Labor Day weekend from Columbia, SC. He's an SC native, and I grew up in the mountains of NC. Things are definitely different here, geographic and weather wise. One thing you'll LOVE is that it's far less humid than the South. Yes, it will play havoc on your sinuses, but being able to walk outside and not be immediately drenched in sweat is well worth it.

The churches we've visited are far more laid back than what we're accustomed to, and there are a lot of non-denominational approaches, which isn't a bad thing. There doesn't seem to be an abundance of your typical Southern denominations (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc...which isn't a bad thing, either!), but they do exist.

Drivers are MUCH better here! People aren't in such a hurry, and they don't get angry at the smallest thing on the road. We've found ourselves being the ones that have the road rage, and are learning to adjust our attitude accordingly.

People will hone in on your accent, but not to the point of being irritating. I have a pretty strong one, and have only had one negative reaction to it, and that was at a gas station in KS on the way here, and not from someone from CO. We've gotten a few funny looks (always with smiles) when we say thank you for things like holding the door open or calling everyone ma'am and sir. It's not that people here are ungrateful or unfriendly; they just don't express gratitude for every single little thing, which is kind of a refreshing change. In the South it's pretty well beaten into you to say it all the time, and it becomes more of a habit than an actual heartfelt sentiment.

From a single person's perspective I'm not much help, but at least you can get an idea from a native Southern perspective...oh, and we have found both grits and sweet tea outside of our house

Snikt · 09-20-2011, 01:04 PM

Moved from Florida and there isn't a single thing I miss, goodbye South

As far as the single thing, if you're a girl in Denver you're pretty much set

tres grey · 09-20-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks, guys, for all of the responses! The weather sounds absolutely amazing... especially after dealing with 70% humidity today. Not fun! I really feel like I'd fit there well. One of my best friends said she always saw me in Austin, but I can't take the heat, and I think Denver is a comparable city.

I spoke with the same friend today, and she told me that Denver is great, but watch out for the dog laws. I have a coming 4 year old female American Bulldog mix (I've seen both of her parents, long story). However, uneducated eyes have called her a Pit Bull before (or a Dalmatian...). I've attached a picture so you can see for yourself. If I couldn't bring her with me, that'd be an absolute deal breaker.

David Aguilar · 09-20-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tres grey

I spoke with the same friend today, and she told me that Denver is great, but watch out for the dog laws. I have a coming 4 year old female American Bulldog mix (I've seen both of her parents, long story). However, uneducated eyes have called her a Pit Bull before (or a Dalmatian...). I've attached a picture so you can see for yourself. If I couldn't bring her with me, that'd be an absolute deal breaker.

You can if you live in a municipality that would allow her.....