Considering moving from Houston, TX to Denver, CO (Lakewood: apartment, rental) - City-Data Forum

Rick4Life · 12-18-2007, 03:35 PM

I have lived in Texas for about 10 years now and have had my fair share of the heat. It's December 18th right now at 4:30 in the afternoon and it's 75 degrees outside... there is no such thing as winter, and it's scorching during the summer. People are pretty friendly down here, and pretty attractive. There are always the opposite as well, but generelly they are. I wouldn't be moving for a while because I'm happy with my job right now, but am looking for a future. I'm 23, work in marketing for a corporation, and have a degree, BBA (in marketing).

Is there a lot to do for people in their young 20's? Is there too much crime downtown?

Everyone in Texas talks about wanting to move to Colorado and live in the mountains, which sounds great. I'm just not sure how quickly you get tired of snow.

Let me know guys, I'd love to hear your responses

DenverAztec · 12-18-2007, 03:54 PM

I am in Houston several times a year, stay in the Bellaire/Galleria area and your summers are miserable, so I hear you! If you were to move, you would miss the food (only Chicago can compare to Houston), hence some of the largest folks in the country but getting there was fun for them! You will miss the green winters, it is very green in Denver from May until September, then white and brown winters. You will not miss the bugs!!!!, the traffic, the long distance drives to everywhere, the crime - we have no ghettos or slums like off the 59 there. Your downtown dies at night, ours is very much alive and vibrant. Little snow in the winter in the city here but much in the hills and the are close. You won't miss the floods from the bayou but we do get some good summer storms. What is comparable, the people there are genuine and down to earth as are Denverites, actually Denverites are a little more apprehensive with stangers at first. They won't put all there cards on the table immediately as a Houstonian would. The opera is slightly better in Houston as it is more frequent but we have more broadway shows. Denver is very liberal but the burbs are conservative. You won't find a sport arena turned into a church (Lakewood/Joel Olstein). But it is here if you want the burbs. Our summers are hot but it is dry compared to 100% humidity as it is there. I actually like visits to Houston for Papasitos and Nifas, or the Ragin Cajun and some of the unique shops on Westheimer, or Irma's Mexican that is only open during the Astro games. But I am also sadened by the amount of historical structures that were demolished there, we have retained many. I would recommend a visit, if even for a weekend, it will be worth it if you want to move here. Oh yes, Denver voters are like no other in the coutry, we passed every bond issue presented to us in this last election for we know it does take a village to make a city great. Just referencing that given the massive Houstonian fight againt the much needed lightrail system there. The Richmond neighborhood should be ashamed of themselves for fighting what that city really needs as well as Bellaire. Anyway, hope this helps.

Rick4Life · 12-18-2007, 04:06 PM

Wow, thank you for so much information. I know I will miss the food, and I think I've learned to cope with that. I have taught myself how to make many mexican dishes. Enchiladas, Quesodillas and Tacos aren't very difficult. Since you are from Houston, I guess you can understand how you can get tired of the flat scenery here. You can practically see Corpus Christi from here. I like how you guys also have all the major sports teams (except for soccer i think... Houston has won the title the last two years).

I would also think a young texan wouldn't have too hard of a time picking up a few ladies downtown

DenverAztec · 12-18-2007, 05:08 PM

Actually, I am a Denver native but travel there for business and know it well. For a young single male, downtown would be where you want to be!

Rick4Life · 12-19-2007, 03:21 PM

How would you consider the attractiveness of the people? Whenever I go up to Michigan I notice a lot of people are usually heavier, I assume because of the cold weather, and are usually pale skinned. How is the music scene? Houston is very popular for rap music and rock. Do lots of bands come through Denver?

If i was making around $55k/year would I be able to get an apartment downtown and live comfortably with extra exposable income? Like to have a social life?

ditto · 12-19-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick4Life

How would you consider the attractiveness of the people?

Men outnumber women in Denver, so make sure you bring a partner, otherwise you might end up with a second-rate woman.

Many people complain about how ugly the women are in CO. They're probably not necessarily fat, but I think the dry weather and blistering sun affects how they look. Beer might improve this. Just a heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick4Life

How is the music scene? Houston is very popular for rap music and rock. Do lots of bands come through Denver?

Denver has an excellent music scene. Plenty of popular bands make a stop here. You shouldn't have a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick4Life

If i was making around $55k/year would I be able to get an apartment downtown and live comfortably with extra exposable income? Like to have a social life?

Yeah, you could probably make ends meet at 55k, but if you move outside of downtown, you'll live much more comfortably. I know people who get by at $35k/year without a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick4Life

Everyone in Texas talks about wanting to move to Colorado and live in the mountains, which sounds great. I'm just not sure how quickly you get tired of snow.

I don't blame 'em for wanting to leave the miserable Texas heat. I love the snow but don't care for the cold that comes along with it. The ideal situation would be keeping a second house in TX for the winter months.

DenverAztec · 12-19-2007, 08:18 PM

You will be fine with that income and better luck meeting people in Denver then in the burbs. Check out the rental properties in the LoDo area = Ballpark Lofts, The Metro, Commons Park West, Premier Lofts, Broadway Place, Prospect at Diamond...there's a lot of other buildings that may or may not have properties for rental by owner as well, but those may be priced higher. Capitol Hill, where I live, is very popular as it is walking distance or max 10 minute drive, to downtown and tons of rental options. Denver is one of the healthiest cities in the country and the folks are genuine. You will get ill advice on some of these threads, but a visit will answer many of your questions easily. My friends and family who are in Houston do love it here when they visit, especially to escape the heat and humidity.

Rick4Life · 12-20-2007, 08:12 AM

If I made a trip near the end of February what type of weather would I be looking at? If i spent about 4 days there would I be able to fully take in the city?

DenverAztec · 12-20-2007, 08:53 AM

It will be hit or miss with snow but probably cold. You can see a lot in four days in Denver. Ideally May on is great with the weather but if it does snow in Feb. it is typically gone within the next day. We have had some of our snowiest months in March. 2003's storm shut down the city for 3-4 days, but this was a record setter and rare. If you make it into downtown and it snow, you will be fine as many people walk to work, including folks that work at restaruants, nightclubs, museums, shows. You won't need to drive in it, but if the weather is agreeable, you should drive around the Highlands and Capitol Hill. These are two other areas where younger folks are buying and renting. Whatever you do, get a room downtown and ask about parking when you make your reservation. I just gave a student from Tempe tips on what to see downtown, he is shooting photos, but you can get the gist.

Denver Vacation!! What to do and see????

timofeu · 12-20-2007, 09:06 AM

I am also a Houstonian and I am going to move to Denver this year. Putting the house here on the market in February and moving as soon as it sells. I spent 3 weeks in Denver last March and had absolutely gorgeous weather the whole time I was there up until the weekend I left. I also lived there for 2 months over the summer and did not get to see everything I wanted to, so not sure that 4 days will suffice. The mexican food is not as good as here in Houston, but you can't beat the margaritas at Benny's near downtown.