Relocating to Colorado in a couple of years (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, 2015)

[Erin_85]

I have a few questions to ask you all. My family and I are planning to relocate to Colorado for the outdoorsy lifestyle and opportunities that we don't have here in Illinois. We would love to live near the mountains or at least have a good view from our home. I am in college right now to become an elementary education teacher. I will be done in May 2015 and plan to work here, in Illinois, for a year. Afterwards, we want to move to Colorado. My husband is a carpenter and will go into that field when we move. We have two children, an 8 year old and 2 year old, so when we move they will be 10 and 4.

My questions:

Would it be better to move first then apply for teaching jobs, or apply for jobs first?

Are there job opportunities for carpenters?

We plan on taking a vacation this year to check out the area around Denver. We want to be in a place where we won't be right on top of our neighbors. We want to be close to the city but want more of a country feel to where we live. We have been looking at Castle Rock, Golden, Pine, Bailey, Woodland Park. Any suggestions for places to live/check out that are laid back, down to earth, easy going people, lots of outdoor activities that is close to Denver, with housing prices around $200,000 or rent around $900-1000.

We want a family friendly, child safe area with good schools. Are there areas I should stay away from concerning wildlife that could attack my family?

[otterprods]

Originally Posted by Erin_85

Would it be better to move first then apply for teaching jobs, or apply for jobs first?

Apply for jobs first.

Originally Posted by Erin_85

We plan on taking a vacation this year to check out the area around Denver.

Good idea.

[davidv]

See my answers below in red.

Originally Posted by Erin_85

My questions:

Would it be better to move first then apply for teaching jobs, or apply for jobs first?
Apply for jobs. The teacher job hunting season in Colorado is from March - May for a job the next school year. Jobs are generally filled before schools go on summer break.

Are there job opportunities for carpenters?
Not my area of expertise, sorry.

Any suggestions for places to live/check out that are laid back, down to earth, easy going people, lots of outdoor activities that is close to Denver, with housing prices around $200,000 or rent around $900-1000.
While you are here, pick up some real estate flyers. You will find very little in this price range/rent range. You will likely have to look more at a minimum of $300k for a house price or $1500 - 1800 rent.

We want a family friendly, child safe area with good schools. Are there areas I should stay away from concerning wildlife that could attack my family?
I wouldn't worry about wildlife attacks. It could happen, but so could a car accident, or other calamity.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Erin_85

Are there areas I should stay away from concerning wildlife that could attack my family?

Yes.
Those areas that have bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, wolves.

[Erin_85]

I had planned on applying first, that seems to be the right choice so far. I will try to talk to some locals when we visit.

[PetiteMinette]

I looked/applied for teaching jobs for 6 months before I moved to Denver from Chicago nearly 3 years ago. I didn't have any luck with an out-of-state address and phone number. I kept looking when I arrived here in July, and found a great position in DPS 3 weeks later.

[PetiteMinette]

BUT, it's obviously better to have something lined up before you move.

I decided to move to Denver 2 years before I moved (after coming out here on vacation to decide that this was really where I wanted to live), and saved money over the 2 years so that I could be unemployed or work as a sub for at least a year.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Yes.
Those areas that have bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, wolves.

Animal attacks on humans are very rare. There will be one every now and then that hits the news because it is so rare.

There is no permanent population of wolves in Colorado. A couple have migrated from Wyoming, but they were killed.

Bears don't often come to the metro area and are looking for food either after hibernation ends in the spring or trying to fatten up before hibernation in the winter. They don't generally attack anybody.

Mountain lions exist nearly everywhere in the mountains. They are quiet and stealthy and you will almost never see them, but they see you.

Rattlesnakes don't "attack." You may get bitten if you startle one in the wild.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Erin_85

We plan on taking a vacation this year to check out the area around Denver. We want to be in a place where we won't be right on top of our neighbors. We want to be close to the city but want more of a country feel to where we live. We have been looking at Castle Rock, Golden, Pine, Bailey, Woodland Park. Any suggestions for places to live/check out that are laid back, down to earth, easy going people, lots of outdoor activities that is close to Denver, with housing prices around $200,000 or rent around $900-1000.

We want a family friendly, child safe area with good schools. Are there areas I should stay away from concerning wildlife that could attack my family?

Look at Colorado Springs first.

Just FYI, Woodland Park isn't commutable to Denver metro. Pine and Bailey aren't in many circles as well.
And of course there's the price thing, which of course is your biggest hurdle (but wouldn't be nearly is difficult in Colo Spgs).

[davebarnes]

Colorado moose attack injures 2 women - CNN.com

Colorado moose attack injures 2 women

Bullwinkle strikes back.