Looking for opinions and facts about moving from Minnesota to (Denver) Colorado (Aurora: extended stay)

[InNeedOfSomewhereNew]

I am looking in to moving from the Twin Cities, MN to Probably Denver. I would like to get some more information on the area. It is just me and my fiancee moving. I would like to know about the weather for all the seasons, what it is like to live there, how the communities are and what the people are like. Is there a lot of crime? Where is the best place to move? I know for the job that I have my company has an opening in Denver, so I'm not worried about me getting a job, but what about auto mechanics/technicians??? That is what my fiancee is...


Anything would be helpful, seeing as how the only thing I really have is some memories of vacations I had when I was younger.

Thank you!

[themaster]

Well as a former MN resident.. not that much I can tell you.. there's no humidity here so your skin may dry out.. if you live in the mountains then it's a lot like MN come winter time like now..

As I hear it crime in MN is way worse.. wasn't there like 200 shootings or something last year.. try the city-data data stuff I don't even pay attention to the news nor care? Biggest thing I know wrong in the area is all the warrantless shootings etc. that make the cops look like thugs.. and I can't say if those are over yet.. in theory they are..

Where to move?

There's too many area's to describe.. the poor area's seem to be brighton, parts of aurora and commerce city.. the uber nice neighborhoods seem to be highlands ranch, parker, evergreen places like that..

I'm sure there are some automotive jobs.. I suggest you consult craigslist.. I'll let someone else fill on your hale of questions now..

[daniboi81]

The weather for the most part is better than MN. We get much more sun here than the Midwest, but we're not exempt from snow. It was snowing today (2 - 5in) and around 15 degrees, however the main difference is that it can warm back up to the 40s / 50s or even 60s the next day and melt it all. I moved here from MI about a month and a half ago and while I'm not a big fan of snow, IMHO, I can deal with the snow (so far) here because the sun usually comes out the next day.

If you haven't visited the Denver area before, I would strongly recommend it. I visited the area in March and again in June before I made my decision to move. It's much better to get a feel of the area first before deciding to relocate...just my 2 cents from experience.

[icewater]

Originally Posted by InNeedOfSomewhereNew

I am looking in to moving from the Twin Cities, MN to Probably Denver. I would like to get some more information on the area. It is just me and my fiancee moving. I would like to know about the weather for all the seasons, what it is like to live there, how the communities are and what the people are like. Is there a lot of crime? Where is the best place to move? I know for the job that I have my company has an opening in Denver, so I'm not worried about me getting a job, but what about auto mechanics/technicians??? That is what my fiancee is...


Anything would be helpful, seeing as how the only thing I really have is some memories of vacations I had when I was younger.

Thank you!

You should have no problem making this move. Financially and weather wise it will be easier (from what I've found housing is cheaper and the weather is less severe). The only way to recommend a place to live in is to understand where you come from and what you're looking for.....Aurora is similar to North Minneapolis, Edina=Cherry Creek, Boulder is Franklin Ave near Seward Cafe (excessively liberal but does not have ethnic mix of seward), Commerce city is like East Side of St. Paul with heavy industry, and LODO is The Warehouse District.

Auto mechanics shouldn't have too tough of a time getting hired. We haven't had the closing of a large dealership like that of Denny Hecker, but at the same time jobs aren't falling off trees. I work at a dealer, and it seems as if the repair side has slowed maybe a little bit, but nobody has lost their job. In fact I just saw the jobs listings in the sunday paper and there were a few for mechanics. Plus, there are shops for all makes and models so there should be SOME work somewhere.

crimewise, it seems as if there's more random crime but it seems to be contained in certain neighborhoods/groups. It seems also as if there;s MORE crime---the local news just about every day has reports of a body found somewhere or a critical injury after a fight (one guy near Federal boulevard was recently killed over an apt. parking spot). The cold doesn't keep the scofflaws out as it seems to do in the TCs.

People in general are friendlier and more outgoing.

This question has been posed before on this site--please search for it in order to help yourself with your decision.

Also, if renting, probably start out with a 6 month lease and then find a more permanent place/area to live. Better yet, look in to an extended stay hotel so you can kind of hedge your bets that you;ll find exactly what you want relatively quickly. Or, knowing where you'll be working would help in making a recommendation for areas to live in.

Curiously, why are you wanting to move from there to here?

[Katiana]

I certainly agree with the suggestion to actually come out here and look around before you and your finacee pack up and move. I also agree with doing a search. You may find some information that prompts some more questions, and you will probably find the answers to some of your questions.

[murof]

The people are surprisingly nice, much like Minneapolis. But the opposite of Chicago.The terrain is brown, and sparse, except in the Spring when it is pale green and sparse. The landscape is an acquired taste, one in which you have to embrace to appreciate. There are many industrial areas in the NE part of town, I initially thought it was butt ugly in this area, but now having worked in this section for two years, I have come to see its underlying beauty. There is a big referiny thatI pass every day, and you can see it for miles before you actually pass it. It sits along I-270 along with numerous other industrial sites such a seedy tractor-trailer depots, grain elevators, huge trains yards, and so on. Most people probably saythis is the ugly part of Denver, but to me it is the most real aspect of Denver.A working, industrious city. And then there is a different kind of beauty on theSouth end, the part of dEnver I know nothing about except to pass through it. It'sa mystery to me what life is like on that end, I am referring to, say, I-25 andOrchard, or I-25 and Arapahoe. Such a beautiful, vibrant part of town it seems. The commuteis the big question. Knowing where you'll work, and finding a place to live nearbyis such a blessing. Lots of foreclosures in certain parts of town. What looks goodon Realtor.com, might be foreclosure central in reality. Well, just random thoughts, sorry.

[Jerry Bckr]

As a former Wisconsin resident I can tell you that you'll love the climate. I washed my car Monday while wearing shorts. That's not normal atire but not unusual during our winter warm spells. Because the sun doesn't have to burn through as much atmosphere to get here (higer elevation) it warms things up nicely. Most of the winter you can get by in the day by just wearing a light jacket.
There are all types of great neighborhoods to live in, but try and find a rental that's close to your job. If you can, only limit it to 6 months. Crime isn't a problem here. It's more prevelant in poorer neighborhoods but can be found anywhere. Mostly it's crime against property. I also agree with the other comment that your wife shouldn't have a problem finding work. With car sales slow more people are going to look at fixing their cars one more time before they buy a replacement.