best us city for single mid 30s woman! help! (Denver: transplants, HOA fees)

[samardoc]

I am a single woman in mid 30s trying to answer the age old question. I have been living in Detroit, Michigan for the past 7 years for training. It's been wonderful, but I'm having a hard time dating. People tend to settle down earlier in this area, plus it doesn't have that bigger city vibe that attracts young professionals to it. I'm ready to move to:

- A mid sized city (NY too large for me, chicago too cold and too close to my current location)
- A larger proportion of educated, professional, down to earth men in their 30s and 40s who are looking to settle down
- An area friendly to transplants and comfortable with cultural diversity, but not skewed towards a specific group.
- Outdoor activities, art, culture.

Ofcourse moderate weather and inexpensive living are additional advantages.

I felt Denver Colorado, Atlanta Georgia, Seattle are coming up on my search more frequently. But I am getting overwhelmed and would appreciate any advice I can get. Thank you!!

[davebarnes]

Define
Cultural diversity
Inexpensive living

[samardoc]

A mix of Caucasian and non caucasian, ethnic backgrounds.
I want to be able to buy a single family home / condo, approx 1400-1500 sq feet, relatively close to entertainment for a mortgage not excceeding 1600 per month.
I got spoilt living in Michigan : )

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by samardoc

A mix of Caucasian and non caucasian, ethnic backgrounds.... a mortgage not excceeding 1600 per month.

Not in Denver.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Not in Denver.

As Dave says, Denver is not racially or ethnically diverse (neither is Seattle, particularly, though it does have a large Asian population). There is a large hispanic population in Denver, and that's it.

I would categorize Denver as a mid sized city, but certainly not Atlanta or Seattle. They are much larger metros.

If it were me, in addition to Denver, I would be considering Portland, Minneapolis, SLC, New Orleans, Raleigh/Durham, Nashville etc.

Edit: Your budget is going to be very challenging in Denver

[2bindenver]

A payment of $1600 - would likely equate to a property for $280,000, less depending on HOA fees. Which is doable in the metro area.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

A payment of $1600 - would likely equate to a property for $280,000, less depending on HOA fees. Which is doable in the metro area.

True. I was probably making some assumptions about where she might want to be in the metro area, and she didn't specifically ask that.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

A payment of $1600 - would likely equate to a property for $280,000, less depending on HOA fees. Which is doable in the metro area.

1.6k in monthly mortgage payment can get you a 400k property assuming 20% down payment. Even more feasible.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by samardoc

I am a single woman in mid 30s trying to answer the age old question.

- A larger proportion of educated, professional, down to earth men in their 30s and 40s who are looking to settle down

Thank you!!

There is a guy posting on here (the "OP") about Downtown Neighborhoods. Based upon his posts, he appears to be in his 30's and claims to be "well off." He also talks about wanting to settle down (after he stops partying like he is younger).

Maybe there's a match here.

[samardoc]

Denver sounds really fun. My understanding is that Denver is a very fast growing city and that it attracts a lot of young professionals. If that is so, my assumption is that people will be broad minded, progressive and aware / interested in other cultures, and friendly to transplants. Is that (somewhat) accurate?

What neighborhoods would you suggest that are NOT cookie cutter, suburban, gated community homes? I dont have to be where the main city action is, but somewhere that has some noise, people, some restaurants in the near by vicinity. Property may be somewhat cheaper too hopefully.