Denver- Give me no Bull! (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: ski resort, houses, neighborhoods)

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by condorito

Thanks! I have been thinking about your city lately but I dont understand one thing, What is the deal with this city not having IKEA or Trader Joe's?

What is the big deal about either one? Trader Joes is probably one of the most overrated grocery stores ever. We have one here in Tempe, AZ and I've been there a couple of times; no big deal. Safeway has produce just as good or better IMO. IKEA-- just a bunch of cheap assemble yourself furniture packed in boxes with funny names. As a side note, a lot of national franchises over the years have opened up in the Denver metro area and then completely left town for one reason or another, especially food places: Whataburger, Jack in the Box, Chevy's are just a few I can think of. I have no idea why!

Any ski places in the area without all the glitz or should I say, the bull****? Once again, I hope you don't mind my questions but I have been considering your city, tell me what you got for us.

Eldora, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin.

[oberon]

Dude, first of all, you should chill.

What is the big deal about IKEA? There are plenty of furniture stores here that I'm sure you'll be quite happy buying from. As for Trader Joe's? Got plenty of grocery & liquor stores you can go to. There are some stores you won't find anywhere else. Not happy with the local flavor? Too bad. Eldora & Loveland would probably fit you best for skiing. Don't like paying for expensive food at the resorts? Don't buy it. Simple as that! Sheesh.

[Mikieo415]

I think you need to look for what you want in a city, not what a city has for you. If you are so bent out of shape about Ikea and trader joe's that it would even play a small factor in deciding where to move to, Denver is not for you. No bull. If you want to pick a fight with someone because they act like someone they aren't, you're going to fight everywhere. Perhaps you should consider a move elsewhere. From what you have posted, I don't think you will be happy here. And people may not be happy with you.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Trader Joes is probably one of the most overrated grocery stores ever. We have one here in Tempe, AZ and I've been there a couple of times; no big deal.

Trader Joes Opinion Scorecard

Trader Joes is great 345,826,987
Trader Joes is overrated 1

[denverian]

We used to get at least half our food from TJs in California. Their produce is no good, but everything else is great. The thing about it is you can get many things the same or similar to Whole Foods, but a lot cheaper. And many specialty foods, frozen healthy meals in a bag, cookies, bread, wine, nuts, etc., all way cheaper than other stores. You can find same/similar items at other stores, but for more money.

[formercalifornian]

I loved Trader Joe's when I lived in California, but I've adjusted to living without one. The best thing about it was the Two-Buck Chuck, and I can't drink alcohol anymore because of the altitude. A half-glass of wine gives me a raging hangover. I know, I know. I'm pathetic.

[alexis2005]

You should check out Dallas. Frisco has a flagship IKEA store that is huge! Plano has Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts. On my street alone - four new families from NY. Queens, Long Island, Watertown and Buffalo. Lots of New Yorkers here. Great people. Great neighbors!

[condorito]

Originally Posted by alexis2005

You should check out Dallas. Frisco has a flagship IKEA store that is huge! Plano has Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts. On my street alone - four new families from NY. Queens, Long Island, Watertown and Buffalo. Lots of New Yorkers here. Great people. Great neighbors!

Thanks for the suggestion, Tony. Listen, I have been to Dallas and the heat is just a bit too much. I remember walking out of Love Field in a Summer afternoon, after 5 minutes, my shirt was covered in sweat. Like I said, I just can't do the South. Essentially, I need a place with ski resorts nearby, IKEA, Trader Joes and people willing to put up with my attitude. I think I was born with a phony detector, so I can smell a phony 5 miles away and I will not hesitate to put a phony in his/her proper place. Give me the skiing, give me some real people, IKEA, Trader Joe's and a good job market, I aint asking for much. What do you have for us?

[HighlandsGal]

I agree about the IKEA. I could furnish my whole house for the price of Kacey "fine furniture" (read: yucky traditional stuff) dinging set. It is 2008 people!!

Also, Denver needs an H&M....this is another European store...wonder why they won't do business here.

[nelumbo]

I bring a cooler with me when I visit Albuquerque or Santa Fe, and bring back a ton of stuff from TJs. Safeway is awful, imho - I still end up shopping there all the time because I live right next to one.

Ikea is great for people on a low budget who want a little style, and/or people who want modular type items. If you live in a small apartment, 'traditional' furniture is almost always too large, and sometimes impossible to carry up flights of stairs - Ikea carries furniture in the smaller size range. I have Ikea items that have moved with me half a dozen times, including two long distance moves, and are doing great. Plus they carry neat fabrics by the yard.

When I moved to CO, I needed several furniture items and didn't have a lot of money to spend - after scouring the local stores, used furniture places, yard sales, and thrift shops, I ended up buying everything online. At least West Elm is opening in Cherry Creek in May.