Am I crazy...leaving all my friends behind to move to Denver? (Colorado Springs: ski resort, apartments)
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Well I live in Denver and I disagree with your assessment of Denver. Denver has always been a place where mobility is high; young people come and go, and the population growth is mostly due to population increases from retired rich folks buying homes and some increase in native hispanic birthrates.
Once you are here, the upward mobility is very limited, due to so many young people who think it's nirvana here. The only thing I agree with is, the women may be less shallow because there's no hollywood goin' on. In fact, outside of the metro area there are a lot of very nice small and medium places to meet wonderful people. Some guys still can't find women in Denver because they have unrealistic expectations: beautiful women with traditional goals who want to spend every weekend for the rest of their lives doing outdoor sports, watching sports, or going to sports events. For the men who like outdoor or hardy selfsufficient women, go to a smaller ranching or mountain area and don't expect glamour. For those nonsport women, I'd recommend the midwest. The guys there may not make much but they at least mow the lawn. Anyone out here is likely to be into the "exercise for my own well being syndrome" (EFMOWBS).
Sadly, everywhere has become difficult to make a living for those on the starting end, and for those on the upper end, you'd better be close to retirement at a stable job or you'll be competing with all the youngers at the same rate of pay.
The housing IS cheaper than in San Diego, especially in the older west suburbs. I don't know about promotions, though, bec the son of a friend (accountant) took a promotion to SF recently. So I know a one bedroom condo downtown that is available (joke).
I think if you have to move away from where you grew up and know friends and family, pick a medium size city or town, buy or build one house when you can afford it, and keep it. That is the most economical over a lifetime. The people retiring with money are the people who did what the rest of us made fun of--stuck with some dull job a long time, or stayed put to develop a business. So, did I do that? Of course not. we moved four times in 30 years, had multiple jobs, and am not in a worse position--but NOT better off either. And you don't profit off real estate unless your timing is sheer luck or unless you ARE the type to count your pennies all the time.
Well we agree that only the person moving can make the decision, because what you want or like most is important. I have to say, I did not make the move to be here as a single adult. Still, not everyone has technology jobs, nor is that a good idea to have an economy based on just one thing. My husband has a job now- Phd in systems computing, very well paid, designs databases, and in 2000 he had four different jobs. This was not a fun time.
As for companies not finding what they want--I am in HR and one reason is, they are not realistic and do not use scientifically proven hiring methods. They want to pay low, use a just in time almost contractor style of assigning workers, don't want to train on the job, and expect people to go out and get expensive degrees every ten years just to keep them happy. Then they use online recruiting sites that are just plain stupid. This contributes to the fact that the U.S. has the highest worker transient rate in the world.
I am talking a history of being in Colorado and the area since 1971, there have been at least 3-4 major economic busts that affected multiple areas of the economy not just tech. It may be that we are big enough now to weather it, but I don't think most people want to move to another state for 5 years if they don't have to.
no you are not crazy. You are just unoriginal. You are doing what every average suburban boring type of person does. You are moving to a lame, characterless, strip mall run town.
no you are not crazy. You are just unoriginal. You are doing what every average suburban boring type of person does. You are moving to a lame, characterless, strip mall run town.
Wow, viagra addict. Funny, most people would say I am bold and taking a risk moving somewhere based on a gut feel and not knowing anyone. The boring people would be the ones who never take a chance and stay in the same city their whole lives in thier little bubble and always wonder "what if." Well, I'm not that type of person, just like I'm the type of person who quits my job after 5 years and travels around the world by myself for a year. Have fun with your Viagra.
skimoore 55.........You are young! Don't listen to anyone's negative opinions. Follow your gut like you said. You have the whole world at your feet. My philosophy is Live Juicy!!!!!! Sounds like you're completely on the right path.
Wow, viagra addict. Funny, most people would say I am bold and taking a risk moving somewhere based on a gut feel and not knowing anyone. The boring people would be the ones who never take a chance and stay in the same city their whole lives in thier little bubble and always wonder "what if." Well, I'm not that type of person, just like I'm the type of person who quits my job after 5 years and travels around the world by myself for a year. Have fun with your Viagra.
right or wrong, you'll find that once you get to a place like the front range and colorado, it is full of literally hundreds of thousands, maybe into the millions, of people that have done the same thing you have in their life time. and that's just in colorado. not that you're not doing a good thing for yourself or anything, but, i'm just thinking that might be part of what "viagra" was getting at. and if you want to settle in colorado, you'll run up against some of that resistance to some degree from people that are more than a generation into it (which probably isn't very fair since most of us - heck, arguably ALL of us - are the products of people doing exactly what you're doing). if you don't want to settle in colorado and you leave a few years later after using it for the skiing/climbing/riding/view (which many many people do), those people will feel righteously vindicated. and at least, for them, some of the relatively scant resources (water, a once affordable view considering the now crazy suburban sprawl even in the mountain/resort towns, e.g.) will be less taxed with your (and my, and many people's...) departure. again, i'm not judging either way per se, but that is more or less the situation, i'd guess, in viagra's eyes.
You only have one life to live...... Live it to the fullest degree! I say move to Colorado and then move again if you want. You will surely never regret following your dreams no matter where they take you. Who really cares if the natives of Colorado will feel vindicated if you leave after a while.
Millions of people also choose to backpack around Europe. It's very cliche, but I can tell you that it's one of the best decisions that I ever made in life. I'm using that as an example that just because many people do it, doesn't mean that it's boring and unimaginative. One time for this life (as far as we know). Follow your gut...folow your dreams.... Regret nothing! Every decision takes us down the path we are meant to follow.
By the way, I'm also wanting to move to Colorado. My husband and I are in our mid 30s and have kids and stable secure jobs. It's scarier when you have extra responsibilities at this stage of life. We're still willing to take the risk, but it takes longer to work out the details. Like I said before.... you're young and independent and free!
You only have one life to live...... Live it to the fullest degree! I say move to Colorado and then move again if you want. You will surely never regret following your dreams no matter where they take you. Who really cares if the natives of Colorado will feel vindicated if you leave after a while.
Millions of people also choose to backpack around Europe. It's very cliche, but I can tell you that it's one of the best decisions that I ever made in life. I'm using that as an example that just because many people do it, doesn't mean that it's boring and unimaginative. One time for this life (as far as we know). Follow your gut...folow your dreams.... Regret nothing! Every decision takes us down the path we are meant to follow.
By the way, I'm also wanting to move to Colorado. My husband and I are in our mid 30s and have kids and stable secure jobs. It's scarier when you have extra responsibilities at this stage of life. We're still willing to take the risk, but it takes longer to work out the details. Like I said before.... you're young and independent and free!
again, personally, i was just putting it in terms that seem to reflect what some people can sometimes be thinking. sometimes those people are hypocritical. sometimes they're on to something. a world of "follow every dream without considering anything else" could be a pretty dangerous world. it might just be adding to a pretty dangerous world. but it's all conjecture when you think about it to those ends. so, yeah, enjoy the *fresh* (it's snowing in the mountains as i type) since you've made the decision! i'd say it might be good to not disrespect when "natives" complain about people like you and me, and maybe do what you can to make it a better place! hey, how bout that! just another opinion, in the end. good luck and have fun, either way...
Last edited by hello-world; 09-24-2007 at 11:31 AM..
again, personally, i was just putting it in terms that seem to reflect what some people can sometimes be thinking. sometimes those people are hypocritical. sometimes they're on to something. a world of "follow every dream without considering anything else" could be a pretty dangerous world. it might just be adding to a pretty dangerous world. but it's all conjecture when you think about it to those ends. so, yeah, enjoy the *fresh* (it's snowing in the mountains as i type) since you've made the decision! i'd say it might be good to not disrespect when "natives" complain about people like you and me, and maybe do what you can to make it a better place! hey, how bout that! just another opinion, in the end. good luck and have fun, either way...
Hello world, I wasn't implying that you were being negative (some others).. I understand your intent completely. By no means do I want to give the impression that I imply to disrepect the "natives" of Colorado. Quite the opposite. However, I do think it's important to listen to your true self, as opposed to what others are going to say. Also, I understand what you're saying about "following every dream could be dangerous", but in this case I would say that it's a pretty simple desire, moving to another state. Following your gut, your dreams is essential to happiness as long as you're not hurting anyone. I know I sound very Pollyana, but it's better than being negative.
I am also planning a move to Denver. I have lived in Nashville for about 10 years and have decided I'm ready for a change of scenery. It will be hard to leave my family behind, but they say they will always stay here in Nashville, and I'm just 26 and single and not ready to put those roots down just yet. There is a big world out there and I at least want to see a little of it.
I've been visiting City-Data for a while considering where I would want to move to. I work in web development, and there seem to be plenty of jobs to apply for in Denver. I have friends in Denver, which will help me in the transition, and I have visited the city once before and loved it. Last year I stayed in Estes Park and visited Rocky Mountain National Park and that is when I really fell in love with the area.
My current plan is to pack my car and leave in three weeks. I'm staying with a friend for a week and hope to find a room to stay in through Craigslist. There seem to be plenty to choose from. I have enough savings to make it through January. I figure if all else fails, I can move back to Nashville, but I'm ready to give it a try.
I feel just like what others here have said, I feel it in my gut to do it. I'm motivated to just pack my car and do it.
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Interesting opintion
just another opinion, in the end. good luck and have fun, either way...
