Denver or Seattle? (Eagle: relocation, smog, hoa)

[rrangelina]

I'm a native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles. Lived in Seattle for 2 1/2 years in the mid 90s (chose Seattle after seriously considering Denver) and returned to Los Angeles after a rather dismal time there. The weather I got used to, but making friends and doing business (I was and still am self-employed) was disastrous. People while extremely friendly on the surface seemed to draw an invisible line when it came to becoming friends. In doing business, that fact that I was a Californian eventually came up in the conversation (let's not even get into the reaction to being from Los Angeles) and did, I feel (and was told so to my face more times that I care to remember) impact people wanting to do business with me. Add to that the stereotypes of what their expectations were of Californians and Angelinos became difficult to work with. I love my hometown, despite it's problems and drawbacks and love all the diversity and options it offers. It has, however, become so expensive to live here and take the kinds of chances one once could to make a change in ones work or lifestyle. Because I am looking to do something new with my life and work I am again considering a move to Denver because of what it has to offer. I am, however, very concerned about having similar experience to those I had in Seattle. Can anyone speak to those concerns? Thanks, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Katiana]

Well, I'll probably get blasted for saying this, but yes, the anti-Californian thing could happen here too. People here do seem nicer one on one to those from states they don't like (Cali, Texas, NY, Massachusetts, all other eastern states in approximately that order). I doubt it would affect your business like it did in Seattle.

I am from Pennsylvania. I find some (not all) people here believe all the stereotypes they hear about easterners, and even some I had never heard of! There is a big focus on "nativity" here that I never saw in Pennsy or Illinois where I also lived for a number of years. Heck, in Pennsy it was a badge of honor to be a first or second generation American! Here, you hear people say they are 4th generation (or whatever) Coloradans.

Californians get made fun of. And some Californians have trouble adusting to the falling of the leaves in autumn and the cold weather in winter. Which, after living in the above states, I think is fairly mild.

Good luck with your decision.

[rrangelina]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Well, I'll probably get blasted for saying this, but yes, the anti-Californian thing could happen here too. People here do seem nicer one on one to those from states they don't like (Cali, Texas, NY, Massachusetts, all other eastern states in approximately that order). I doubt it would affect your business like it did in Seattle.
. . .
Californians get made fun of. And some Californians have trouble adusting to the falling of the leaves in autumn and the cold weather in winter. Which, after living in the above states, I think is fairly mild.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the feedback Pittnurse 70. I keep having conflicting experiences, so, any and all feedback helps. My realtor, of coarse, insists it won't be an issue (but I take that input with a grain of salt). It was such an emotionally exhausting experience in Seattle, I just don't think I could do that again. I've spent enough time in cold weather to know that won't be an issue. But having connection with the people is very important, as is not being made to feel like a constant outsider because of where you hail from.

[Rawlings]

If you're from Santa Cruz DEFINATELY choose Seattle. You'll find Denver too claustrophobic, too conservative, too suburban, and not open enough. I went to school in the northwest and it is a very different part of the country. Denver is middle America--something you probably will not be used to. The pace of life, the ethos, the people are quite a bit different. Seattle is a more progressive, more familiar, yet more outdoorsy place.

The rain will stink but you'll get used to it after a year or so. And it doesn't get nearly as cold as Denver.

Go with Seattle.

[rbpx]

Hey Basleyf!

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas my husband and I have been in the Seattle area since 1992. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth... honest. A friend once said "God made Texas but he lives in the Pacific Northwest". Couldn't be more true. But it is also one of the most expensive - housing, gas, food. About the only thing cheap here is electricity. But eventually you absorb it and when you travel to other places you revel in what "good deals" you are getting!

The weather has a lot to do with its beauty. Lots of rain makes for lots of green!! The first year up here I froze to death. Living on the promises that July would heat up... to 70! :-) And now, 70 is bathing suit weather anything hotter than that... ugh! It is VERY depressing with all of the grey skies, and yes, you do get used to it more or less. No one stays inside because it is raining. You just go on about your business, put jackets on the kids and send them out to play while you crank up the lawn mower and cut the wet grass. Some years are better than others - the end of 2006 & begining of this year sucked.

The traffic is the pits to put it nicely. Its terrible with no real plans to make it better. Not enough 'big' roads. Two major freeways going East/West (I-90 & 520) and one going North/South (I-5). WIth that being said - it all depends on where you live. We are about 35 miles Northeast of downtown Seattle and I commute there. Takes me about an hour at 6 AM door to door. 25 min on the country road from the house to the park & ride then about 5 min if my timing is good waiting on the bus then another 30 to the office. I commute (unfortunately across 520) - afternoons are more like an 1 hr 15 min to 1.5 hrs. If the weather is bad (snow) make it about 4 - seriously! If the snow starts to fall in Seattle - LEAVE! Don't look back just go. Too many hills, not enough infrastructure to handle it. People literally abandon thier cars in the middle of the streets (freeways included). There is an exellent bus system though through at least three counties and includes most rural areas as well.

Housing prices - astronomical! I heard two guys discussing "how cheap" it was elsewhere and the other said "No, that's normal, Seattle is just over inflated". Probably true. However, everyone keeps saying the bubble will burst soon. Always soon - hasn't yet. Still costs an arm and three legs to get into a place. Further south is cheaper, north and east is more expensive. If you want a house, buy it now don't wait for prices to come down. Between '04 & '05 prices went up about $75K on comparable homes we were shopping for. In late 2006 downtown Seattle sold 360 sf apts for $150K and were sold out in just days because they were "affordable" Yep, 3-5-0 square FEET!!

We are looking to move to Denver mainly to get closer to my elderly parents in NM (and for the sunshine). We have a wonderful house with amazing views of the Cascades... so who knows, if this summer is as good as this winter was bad... we might stay.

Good luck with your decision.

[MrandMrsBarber]

My husband and I moved from Denver to Seattle last year. We were eager to experience the seafood, the water, the cultural diversity, and the breathtaking views we were told about. Thus far, we like it. The seafood is amazing and there is always plenty to do (festivals, art shows etc.), however, we’ve made the decision to move back to CO.
Seattle is not as progressive as we were told (transportation, restaurants-unless you’re vegetarian, green belts/biking trials and lanes etc...). The monorail is a joke and the Sounder only travels during rush-hour periods. Plus, we have three dogs…yes, three, and it is always muddy-not fun for trips to the Dog Park and wrestling outside. The ground is like a sponge that is never squeezed, making mowing difficult. Housing prices are unreasonable to say the least! Seattle offered better job opportunities and good food. Fun for visiting (July and August)…not to live.
Denver traffic can be brutal—especially if there is a sporting event--but the light rail and the expansion of fastracks is easing the congestion. Our decision to return to CO was primarily based on housing prices, weather and transportation…all factors we could no longer deal with in WA. We prefer wide open spaces (however flat out east), the Rocky Mountains (Estes Park to be specific) and 80 degree summer nights for a good water-gun fight.
Although both cities have so much to offer-we really miss and love the open spaces of CO. We feel so cluttered in WA (could be due to the traffic). Seattle was a nice change but we miss the sun, the snow, and hiking trails of Pikes Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park…Ahhhhh! Plus we have a husky and she misses the snow too...what were we thinking?!!

Good Luck! And remember, trust your instincts…they will usually guide you in the right direction

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by MrandMrsBarber

My husband and I moved from Denver to Seattle last year....however, we’ve made the decision to move back to CO.
....

Welcome to city-data and thank you for a marvelous first-person report from someone with first-hand experience.

s/Mike

[BrianAggie95]

We lived in Portland, OR for a year, and are now living in Denver.

The Pac NW is lush beyond belief. Honestly when we were deciding where to move this time, that was a large draw for us returning to Portland. However Denver is a lot greener than you might think. But it was a concern of mine before getting here.

I cannot speak to Seattle since I have not lived there, but Portland is very similar weather wise and such, though a very different city in other terms..

The grayness of winter got me down when we lived in Portland. There are stretches of weeks and even months where you donot get a direct sunshine day. In 99 the year we got there, they had a spell of 65 ish days without direct sunshine.... ouch... The rain is NOT rain like most people are familiar it is a drizzly misty type of thing that hardly affects you. but it happens nearly every day in winter. Summers have long dry clear weather spells that are absolutely gorgeous. People in Portland used to say you could tell the locals and the new transplants or tourists.. locals had good coats, and hats... new transplants and tourists had umbrellas.

Even though we have only been in Denver 2 months now, I am really glad we made the choice of Denver over the Pac NW. I would visit the Pac NW in a heartbeat because it is truely beautiful... but we have decided Denver is for us.

Also for us, Denver is drivable to Texas where we still have extended family if we had to (couldn't fly for whatever reason) whereas from the PacNW that is a 3 day ordeal to try to drive 1/2 way across the country....

[northcountystooge]

Am I wrong in my impression that Denver is brown in winter? This is based on driving to Breck and back from DIA in March 2004. (Conversely, I have pics full of green from a visit to Eagle/Summit areas in August 2000. I was struck by that; San Diego's mountains are brown in midsummer.) My wife and I are casually considering relocation and we have the usual Western destinations on our list (Portland, Seattle, Denver, SLC, Boise etc.)

[Rawlings]

Originally Posted by northcountystooge

Am I wrong in my impression that Denver is brown in winter? This is based on driving to Breck and back from DIA in March 2004. (Conversely, I have pics full of green from a visit to Eagle/Summit areas in August 2000. I was struck by that; San Diego's mountains are brown in midsummer.) My wife and I are casually considering relocation and we have the usual Western destinations on our list (Portland, Seattle, Denver, SLC, Boise etc.)

Denver is VERY brown in the Winter. I have family from Oregon and when they come in during the winter they are shocked no matter how many times they see it. I suppose it can really get on your nerves if you're used to green--but I don't mind it (though I am a native).