How much cash should I bring? (Denver: apartment, find a job, transfer) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

WhyTee · 11-05-2008, 04:28 PM

Hey everyone. New to these forums and have been reading through quite a bit in the last few days. I had a question in regards to how much money I would need to get started in Denver. I know this isn't exactly an easy question to answer and I'm not really looking for a dollar amount but I would like to get an idea of what I should prepare for.

I'm in information technology software with about 10 years of experience (no degree)

and might be able to take my job with me, but I can't prepare for that because it's a big "might"! My G/f is in HR with a degree and some solid experience.

I don't know if that info helps, but with it would anyone be willing to gauge how many months of expenses I should prepare for while job hunting?

subsound · 11-05-2008, 04:47 PM

If you're moving cross country, I would say a good budget is $3,000 to get everything set for moving, setup, transfer fees, deposit, etc. for about a two bedroom apartment. If you're moving more stuff, like a house, or are expecting issues, such as no jobs when you get there, I would put away more. That's my own minimum safe set to do it in, as in no worries or hassles and you can throw money at unexpected expenses. I've done it in less, but it made me kind of grumpy.

fenway24 · 11-05-2008, 08:16 PM

I moved without a job. I saved 10k, with the intention of taking 3 months off. It took me 10 days to find a job in IT.

danthach · 11-05-2008, 11:09 PM

I came here with 1k and it took me about about 3 months to get job in IT.

zionvier · 11-06-2008, 02:37 PM

The simple answer to how much cash you should bring: One... hundred.... BILLION dollars! [insert Dr. Evil laugh here]

zionvier · 11-06-2008, 02:41 PM

Just kidding, I'd say the safe bet is to budget for 3 months of expenses, IT has a lot of jobs available in the area and we have a lack of trained professionals in the field, how picky you are with what you're looking for in terms of salary and stuff could be the difference in getting a job in a week or in 3 months. In the end and a worse case scenario, if money is getting tight and it's been 2 months, you can get a part time job making $10 somewhere to help extend that last month of savings to last a 4th or even 5th month.

WhyTee · 11-06-2008, 03:44 PM

Thanks for your responses. It's pretty exciting to be planning a move to a place with seasons, skiing, and craft beer

I'm about four or five months out which is pretty excruciating. I'm sure I'll be peppering these boards with plenty of questions here shortly. Thanks again!

zionvier · 11-06-2008, 03:59 PM

If you like beer be sure to look up The Great American Beer Fest that's held here in Denver every year... 1850 different beers in one room for your enjoyment

As for the seasons... I'm not sure where you're coming from, but I know compared to the northeast I think Denver has less "seasons". I'm never really sure if it's really fall or if it's actually winter or summer that day.

DenverLawGal · 11-06-2008, 04:08 PM

Very good advice. Instead of coming up with just a general dollar amount, my DH and I are saving for 6 mos. of living expenses and then some, for our move cross country. I'm a native and my DH has lived here for the last 15 yrs. or so. He's in IT (system admin.) and doesn't have the easiest time getting a job. He waited 6 mos. to get hired w/Northrop Grumman (that was several yrs. ago) and when he's working and looking for another job, it can take months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zionvier

Just kidding, I'd say the safe bet is to budget for 3 months of expenses, IT has a lot of jobs available in the area and we have a lack of trained professionals in the field, how picky you are with what you're looking for in terms of salary and stuff could be the difference in getting a job in a week or in 3 months. In the end and a worse case scenario, if money is getting tight and it's been 2 months, you can get a part time job making $10 somewhere to help extend that last month of savings to last a 4th or even 5th month.

WhyTee · 11-06-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zionvier

If you like beer be sure to look up The Great American Beer Fest that's held here in Denver every year... 1850 different beers in one room for your enjoyment

1850? I thought you said GREAT american beer fest, that's a "good" beer fest ... I guess.

Actually that is awesome, I like to make beer so it sounds like I would be in good company there.

The weather here is ok and it's fairly similar to Denver except the summer is really hot. Which brings up another question, is airconditioning standard up there?