We're thinking of retiring to Colorado - what about Littleton? (Denver: transplants, real estate market)

[PeeBee]

My husband is about 2 years away from retiring at age 60. We currently live in the east bay region of California and want to cash out our equity here and move someplace where the cost of housing is considerably lower. We have some family in Littleton who are encouraging us to move there. I've visited the area a couple of times and liked it, but "visiting" and "residing" present two different pictures!

My concern is mainly climate - I grew up in Upstate NY and am no stranger to cold winters but have been in California for 19 years and have to admit I've become a weenie about snow. My husband is California born and except for day trips to the snow for goofing around with the grandkids, has never had to deal with extended periods of cold weather.

We won't miss the hot and dry summers here. We won't miss the traffic and congestion and high cost of living. We'll miss our friends here but know we'll make new ones.

We are considering buying a house there now because the real estate market is favorable -- but we would need to rent the house out to offset the majority of the cost. Does anyone have a feel for the home rental market in that area?

Are there any California transplants on the forum who might be able to share their transition experience? Anyone have any advice or counsel regarding Littleton in particular?

Thanks for your insight!

[2bindenver]

I moved to Littleton 17 years ago from Sunnyvale. We have here today gone tomorrow snow for the most part. 55 inches on average a season. Could snow in September or May, sometimes both

Mostly it's the 2-3 inch storm that snarles rush hour traffic, then it's gone.

Golfers have pink, green and orange balls to play in the snow.

There are several active adult communities here, in case you are looking for that type of community.

Hyatt is building a super-duper luxury condo-hotel in Highlands Ranch (which the post office calls Littleton) because Highlands Ranch is a subdivision (with 3 zip codes) and not a city.

Littleton, the city, is in Arapahoe County, unoffically it is what they call south Jefferson County and as I mentioned Highlands Ranch in Douglas County.

It's dry. Come visit with a hat, and sunscreen, drink lots of water.

[PeeBee]

Thanks 2bindenver .... I've heard that about the snow -- that it doesn't stay around very long. And, I guess if we're retired we'll have a choice about whether to go out in any nasty stuff - not like the folk who have to go out to earn a living

I know what you mean about being 'dry'. That's one thing I've noticed on my visits there. Even though we consider the region where we live to be dry - meaning no humidity - its definitely drier in Colorado. I have also noticed the difference due to elevation on my visits. We're at 32' here in Dublin, CA and when my sis lived in Evergreen I had a real problem with the 8,000+ feet. Had to be on medication when I visited. The 3,000 foot drop to Denver/Littleton seems easier to take and I haven't experienced severe symptoms when visiting there.

I guess we'll just have to win the lottery ... that way we can buy the place in Colorado and get a nice little place in Puerta Vallarta or Florida for the coldest of the winter months Doesn't hurt to dream!

[Stardaisy]

I currently live in Littleton and have been in Colorado for 14 Years. I originally lived in Orange County California.
Although the snow does take some getting used to after coming from such a warm state, the people and the cost of living is so much nicer that I would never move back.
The snow generally doesn't last long and it sure is pretty during the holidays. Fall and Spring are absolutely beautiful!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by PeeBee

Are there any California transplants on the forum who might be able to share their transition experience? Anyone have any advice or counsel regarding Littleton in particular?

I be am one. Look at it this way, would a $250 drop in cost per square foot ($400-$500 in SoCal, $150-$200 in Denver, less in outskirts) be worth going from A+ weather to B+ weather? Throw in much better traffic and schools and less social issues. Aaahh shucks, you don't get all the drunk movie stars and graffiti here though...

[flyboyj]

I moved here in 2003 from Palmdale, CA. One of the best days of my life was seeing the "Welcome to California" sign off I-15 in my rear view mirror.