Denver Or Phoenix (Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert: ski resorts, house, to buy)

[KrisluvThreePrinces]

I live in Highlands Ranch, CO. (Denver suburb.)

I'm from CA and spent some time out on Phoenix over Thanksgiving, visiting my brother.

With that, I'd say...

DENVER.

We love it here. It's wonderful. And don't worry about the snow, As soon as it falls, it's melted within a day or 2 on the roads. Haven't had any trouble with ice. And tornadoes are really only out in the more plains areas...Parker, etc.

You can't beat the beauty here. Sorry folks, but I could nto get over how ugly and brown Arizona is. Are there NO trees, or any color other than brown? I missed my snow capped mountains.

We're never leaving Colorado.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by KrisluvThreePrinces

I live in Highlands Ranch, CO. (Denver suburb.)

I'm from CA and spent some time out on Phoenix over Thanksgiving, visiting my brother.

With that, I'd say...

DENVER.

We love it here. It's wonderful. And don't worry about the snow, As soon as it falls, it's melted within a day or 2 on the roads. Haven't had any trouble with ice. And tornadoes are really only out in the more plains areas...Parker, etc.

You can't beat the beauty here. Sorry folks, but I could nto get over how ugly and brown Arizona is. Are there NO trees, or any color other than brown? I missed my snow capped mountains.

We're never leaving Colorado.

You must have had dust on your glasses KrisluvThreePrinces. Arizona is a desert and it is brown, but everyone of those cactuses are green. There are many trees in the area also, and many flowers with varied colors in the desert.

It's great that you love Denver and the snow, but many of us who love Arizona are here to get away from the snow.

Enjoy Colorado, it's a great place, and if you ever get tired of the snow, the Arizonans will welcome you.

Bill

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by KrisluvThreePrinces

I live in Highlands Ranch, CO. (Denver suburb.)

I'm from CA and spent some time out on Phoenix over Thanksgiving, visiting my brother.

With that, I'd say...

DENVER.

We love it here. It's wonderful. And don't worry about the snow, As soon as it falls, it's melted within a day or 2 on the roads. Haven't had any trouble with ice. And tornadoes are really only out in the more plains areas...Parker, etc.

You can't beat the beauty here. Sorry folks, but I could nto get over how ugly and brown Arizona is. Are there NO trees, or any color other than brown? I missed my snow capped mountains.

We're never leaving Colorado.

For beauty, I would talke Oregon or Washington any day over Colorado. Oregon/wash is green with mountains 24/7 365 days a year. Colorado, when not covered by snow in the winter time is dead and brown for 5 months out of the year. Im not sure about the melting away in a day or two comment either. Loveland has been covered in snow for about 2 weeks, and I havent seen my lawn in that time. AZ sounds kind of good right now.

[KrisluvThreePrinces]

I guess I am just one who does not see the beauty in the desert. I don't think the brown dirt globs called mountains there are pretty, I don't think cactus are pretty, and the skimpy trees (I guess you can call them trees.) I know that many people do think it's beautiful-that's great, someone has to live there. My husband's aunt lives there and loves it. I just don't. I was just offering my opinion, isn't that what these forums are all about?

My in-laws live in Washington, an hour north of Seattle. Everytime we're there, it rains almost the entire time. I'd take a few months of snow over daily rain, anyday. It is beautiful in Washington, but I get depressed when we visit every year for 2 weeks. (and this is in July, mind you.)

There are pros and cons to everywhere you can live. We love Denver.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by KrisluvThreePrinces

I guess I am just one who does not see the beauty in the desert. I don't think the brown dirt globs called mountains there are pretty, I don't think cactus are pretty, and the skimpy trees (I guess you can call them trees.) I know that many people do think it's beautiful-that's great, someone has to live there. My husband's aunt lives there and loves it. I just don't. I was just offering my opinion, isn't that what these forums are all about?

My in-laws live in Washington, an hour north of Seattle. Everytime we're there, it rains almost the entire time. I'd take a few months of snow over daily rain, anyday. It is beautiful in Washington, but I get depressed when we visit every year for 2 weeks. (and this is in July, mind you.)

There are pros and cons to everywhere you can live. We love Denver.

July, wow, never saw more than a week of snow in Seattle in July, actually never more than two days in a row

[cxray]

I love Phoenix but for your situation, I think Denver is a better choice. I have been to Denver several times but I have not lived there. I definitely think Denver and Colorado has more to offer in terms of recreation, education and employment. It's also probably a cleaner city although Phoenix is pretty clean too.

For me, I prefer the warm weather, laid back lifestyle, Hispanic diversity and proximity to California associated with Phoenix. I love the warm weather and palm trees. I enjoy the transient population, it's so easy to meet people here because many people were in your situation at one point. I like how I can drive to Mexico, San Diego, Los Angelas and Las Vegas any weekend. I also enjoy the excitement and growth associated with this city. Every year the city grows and gets more ammenities and you can see it. I'm a physician so for me, Phoenix is ideal. I don't have to worry about getting fired and looking for work. In that sense, Phoenix can be scary because our economy isn't diversified enough. I know a lot of people who moved here for jobs but were forced to leave because they were laid off or couldn't find opportunities to advance.

My major problem with Colorado is it's isolation. It is very isolated from the rest of the country. There are no large cities that are within driving distance. There is no diversity there and nearly everyone is caucasian. It has also some disturbing Christian conservative fundamentalism there too. Yes, I know we have a lot of Mormons but Mormons are educated and professional. The types of conservatives I'm talking about are Bible thumping evangelist worshippers and neoconservatives. Mormons keep their beliefs to themselves; the ones in Colorado are ones that will walk up to you and tell you, you need to be saved. I know a lot of Mormons and I've never had that happen to me but I know a lot of people in Colorado tell me how they have experienced these types of fanatics

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

Oregon/wash is green with mountains 24/7 365 days a year

Thanks to the neverending drizzle/rain and gray skies all winter long. I have to admit the area is shockingly beautiful, its just a shame that the weather blows so bad. Too bad Seattle doesnt have Albuquerque's weather.

[cxray]

Everyone has an opinion but the facts speak for itself. Phoenix is outgrowing Denver and Arizona overtook Nevada as the fastest growing state this year. There is a reason why so many people are moving here versus Colorado. Look at the development here. People are not stupid. They are not moving here unless this place has something to offer

Take the advice on this forum with a huge grain of salt. A large number of people here are ex-Arizona residents so they will be biased as they left this state.

Also, many of the same people who complain about this city are not leaving. They love to vent on here but the reality is they won't move to Denver or any other city. If they hate it so much, why are they here? This isn't a mecca for jobs. They could get better jobs and a lower cost of living elsewhere. I have a hard time they are stuck here because of their spouse. It's hard to believe they hate it here so much but their spouse loves it. People are often together because they have much in common. If they really wanted to leave, they could but they won't

And many of the ones who are complaining about Phoenix are ex-residents. If they were truly content with where they were living, why would they feel the need to always post here and put down this city? You don't see me and other people who love Phoenix post on the Illinois and Colorado forum. The reason is we are secure and content with where we live. We don't have to go on another forum and put their city down.

I would suggest you visit Phoenix and make up your own mind. You may want to settle in Colorado but make that decision because you made an informed choice and not because a bunch of people were venting on this forum

P.S. Vegaspilgrim is correct. Your risk of skin cancer is higher in Denver than Phoenix due to the higher elevation. The ambient temperature has nothing to due with your risk of skin cancer. The higher elevation combined with the clear skies means you have higher exposure to UV. Ever been skiing in Colorado? Trying skiing all daywithout sunscreen and tell me what your lips feel like in the morning.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by cxray

I love Phoenix but for your situation, I think Denver is a better choice. I have been to Denver several times but I have not lived there. I definitely think Denver and Colorado has more to offer in terms of recreation, education and employment. It's also probably a cleaner city although Phoenix is pretty clean too.

For me, I prefer the warm weather, laid back lifestyle, Hispanic diversity and proximity to California associated with Phoenix. I love the warm weather and palm trees. I enjoy the transient population, it's so easy to meet people here because many people were in your situation at one point. I like how I can drive to Mexico, San Diego, Los Angelas and Las Vegas any weekend. I also enjoy the excitement and growth associated with this city. Every year the city grows and gets more ammenities and you can see it. I'm a physician so for me, Phoenix is ideal. I don't have to worry about getting fired and looking for work. In that sense, Phoenix can be scary because our economy isn't diversified enough. I know a lot of people who moved here for jobs but were forced to leave because they were laid off or couldn't find opportunities to advance.

My major problem with Colorado is it's isolation. It is very isolated from the rest of the country. There are no large cities that are within driving distance. There is no diversity there and nearly everyone is caucasian. It has also some disturbing Christian conservative fundamentalism there too. Yes, I know we have a lot of Mormons but Mormons are educated and professional. The types of conservatives I'm talking about are Bible thumping evangelist worshippers and neoconservatives. Mormons keep their beliefs to themselves; the ones in Colorado are ones that will walk up to you and tell you, you need to be saved. I know a lot of Mormons and I've never had that happen to me but I know a lot of people in Colorado tell me how they have experienced these types of fanatics

everyone is Causcasion? One of the reason I am moving is that I need to move to a place that speaks more English. There is a huge hispanic population here. Nothing wrong with them, excpet that I cant understand anyone. I have 2 years of spanish too, and still feel left out.

[cxray]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

everyone is Causcasion? One of the reason I am moving is that I need to move to a place that speaks more English. There is a huge hispanic population here. Nothing wrong with them, excpet that I cant understand anyone. I have 2 years of spanish too, and still feel left out.

I completely understand. I deal with Spanish-only patients everyday and I only had Spanish in high school. It can be very frustrating. At the same time, I feel a place is more tolerant and fun when their is diversity. For many minorities, they would feel left out in Colorado