Move back to DC from Denver (salaries, living in, vs.)

[georgethecat]

I can't believe I'm saying this after months (years) of deliberation about moving to Denver from DC in the first place, but we are thinking of moving back to DC from Denver. We're quite torn up about it, but we can't seem to find comparable jobs here - and telecommuting to DC (which we're both still doing) isn't feasible in the long run. We love the outdoors - we have spent every weekend in the mountains since we moved here 12/08. But we miss friends, familiarity and success. How long does it take to get used to a new place?

[movementarian]

It will take one summer in Colorado and you won't ever want to go back to DC.

[Mike from back east]

Took me about 3, maybe 4 whole minutes to say YES to COLO and goodbye DC and Fairfax County.

I'll only go back for funerals or to get some real crabcakes in my hometown of Baltimore, aka Charm City.

[maciesmom]

I'd give it a full year. Then one day, you'll go back, get on the beltway during rush hour and wonder how you did that every day.....

[nelumbo]

I've been here four years, and am hoping to move back to DC. I visited DC last month and would have loved to have stayed there....

[David Aguilar]

I agree that it takes one whole year to say yes to Colorado.

I don't think I'll ever say that I was happy about leaving CO.

[NoRoots4Me]

I headed West in 1989 and never regretted it. My favorite states are Montana and Colorado. I love the weather and seasons in Denver, and it's just a great city. I could never go back to what the East has to offer: hot & very humid summers, cockroaches, gnats, and too many creepy crawlers and flying insects, major traffic congestion, way too populated and unfriendly, etc. The Rocky Mountains sure beat the Blue Ridge Mountains!

[tfox]

I'm sure it's a tough time to be looking for a job here. While I have exactly zero desire to live in D.C. (nice place to visit, and you know the rest...) there's no doubt that for many career paths living in D.C. is not optional.

If you do really love Denver, and want to stay, there probably will be some sacrifices to be made. Salaries won't match D.C. or NY or Boston, sorry to say. As the economy improves (and eventually it will), I'm sure your career outlook will be better off.

[AtlantaCruiser]

Whew! I can't imagine ever missing DC. Grew up there, headed out west and my heart never left!

[5280milehiguy]

I say give it some time. At least a year perhaps longer. I lived in DC (Arlington, FFX Co.) for 8 years. I moved to a few other places and now in Colorado, back with my family. I've been coming here for 6 years or so, since family moved here, and I just love it. I do crave city life, that's why I'm settling in Denver proper, but to say city life in DC is not hectic, would be a huge understatement. It's crowded, traffic is awful, the metro is packed like sardines in a can and it breaks down, it's terribly expensive, people are not as friendly as here, I could go on. I've gone back to DC for a visit, most recently last fall, and it's totally different if you visit vs. living there. It's actually nicer to visit, don't have to worry about being someplace on time and fighting traffic, crowds, etc. as you can do things when most people are working. It's a great place to visit.

If you are outdoorsy, DC is not the place, CO is. Good luck.