21 yr old moving to Denver (Boulder, Loveland: rent, buying, college)

[Informality]

I am taking a break from college and moving to CO for a year.

Mainly just looking to find a full time job that I can pay my rent and basic necessities. I am mainly looking to live in or close to the Denver area.
1) Whats the scene like in Denver for a single 21 yr old male?
2) Whats the closest skii ranges and whats the average on a season pass?
3) Whats the best place to look for a place to live?
4) I don't have a degree yet and I am not looking for a career just something to pay the bills.
5) I have a extended cab chevy, how bad is the traffic and how good is the public transportation

Any advice or suggestions would be helpfull

[tfox]

Originally Posted by Informality

1) Whats the scene like in Denver for a single 21 yr old male?

Well, I'd say it depends on where you're coming from, but Denver and Boulder both have a very active scene for singles of all ages, and there's a lot of people in both places your age.

Originally Posted by Informality

2) Whats the closest skii ranges and whats the average on a season pass?

Closest skiing is probably either Eldora west of Boulder or Echo Mountain (a terrain park only) in Evergreen just west of Denver. There is also a small rail yard/park in a Denver city park (Ruby Hill) for a couple months too. However, all these options are small and not well though of by serious skiiers.

Beyond those, there is Winter Park and Loveland, about equal distance, both of which are pretty good. Beyond that, you have the resorts of Summit County: A-basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper. Vail is the next after that.

The problem is that I-70 weekend traffic is monstrous and you have to get up early or come in late on Saturday particularly.

As for season passes, you're two main options are the Superpass, for Copper and Winter Park for about $360 or so, and the Colorado Pass for a 10 days at Vail / Beaver Creek, and unlimited at Keystone, Breck, and A-basin. That's priced similarly I believe. Both options offer lesser versions for less that include one or some of the previous resorts but not all for a little less. There are also 4-packs at most of the resorts for a bit shy of $100.00, so you can mix-and-match resorts that way by buying multiple 4-packs.

There are also pretty generous student deals at some resorts, including Eldora ($100), as well as a promotion at Wells Fargo for the Superpass (2-for-1 deal)

Originally Posted by Informality

3) Whats the best place to look for a place to live?

I'd say look at either Boulder or Denver. In Denver, Capitol Hill is a good choice for younger people, but really anywhere within walking distance of downtown is great. Both Boulder and Denver can be more expensive, but if you share your place with roommates you can spread the cost around.
Craigslist is a good option for looking for housing.

Housing is probably cheaper in the suburbs and more outlying areas, but since there's nothing to do there, it's kind of a trade-off -- you save some money, but have to spend more time/gas driving.

Originally Posted by Informality

4) I don't have a degree yet and I am not looking for a career just something to pay the bills.

Well, the economy's good and there's jobs; finding one that pays a bunch of money might be hard given the fact that you don't have a degree, but if you share housing I'm sure you'll do just fine.

Originally Posted by Informality

5) I have a extended cab chevy, how bad is the traffic and how good is the public transportation

Traffic can be bad indeed, but usually only during the height of rush hour in the morning and late afternoons. Public transit is pretty good for a city of Denver's size, just don't expect NYC, Boston, DC, S.F. -- there are frequent busses and light rail.