calling all former Bostonians (Denver, Boulder: transplants, sales, insurance)

[wilson3]

Hi all,

I would like some opinions from Boston to Denver transplants. How does the cost of living compare? I am transfering to a lateral position, so my salary will be the same. Will things be cheaper, or is it just a quality of life thing? Do you find it to be a more laid back atmosphere? I am really interested to know the differences you have noticed since moving. I have visited Colorado and it just feels like the place I want to be.

[Charles]

(images not protected by copyright)



It's got to be better COL if your salary is the same. BOS is almost as expensive as LA.

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2008/02/04/sp_super_bowl_footba02.jpg (broken link)

[nelumbo]

I moved from Boston to Boulder, which isn't quite Denver, but some things will be similar. It has been three years, so some things may have tilted a little one way or the other. Housing is cheaper in Denver, heating costs are waaaaaaay cheaper, auto insurance is cheaper, food is more expensive (I noticed this at the time I moved, I'm not comparing current prices to 2005). If by "laid back" you mean "people wear flip flips to the opera", then yes, it is more laid back (not always a good thing, imho). Boston has much better public transportation, and is much, much better at clearing snow off the roads than Denver.

The sales tax in Denver/the front range is much higher than Boston (once you tack all the municipal taxes onto the state tax) and things like clothing and sometimes food are taxed. I can't really speak to other types of tax, but you can look that up for your situation, I'm sure.

Rental laws are much more favorable towards tenants in Mass than in Colorado, if that matters to you, but the market is less crazy and the general condition of housing tends to be higher in Denver, probably because most of it was built in the past fifty years and not the 1850s.