San Diego vs. Denver...any advice? (Chula Vista, Oceanside: transplants, military, work)

[srtella2000]

Whats landlocked? Any concerns?

Originally Posted by Sassberto

I really like Denver too, very active city with a comparable Job market to SD and lower prices and better schools and family amenities.

Only things I don't like are being landlocked and the heavy suburban tract-sprawl.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by srtella2000

Whats landlocked? Any concerns?

no sea, ocean, etc. I have always lived near the coast.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Denver rocks. I've lived all over it and I like the foothills the best but Aurora is a safe hood and a short hop to downtown. The traffic lately has been kind of a bummer.

[fishwiz]

"""Hi fishwiz... what area did you move to? We are looking pretty heavily at Denver and are planning a trip out there next year.

Did you look at the Washington Park area?""""




I still can't believe that you are thinking about leaving SD. That alone makes me wonder if I am making the right decision to move out there. ??????
I actually live in a small town south of Denver. My husband works in Denver.

Washington Park is FANTASTIC!!! Beautiful houses- from readings I know you like different styles- there are Mediterranean to Craftsman to little brick duplexes. There are large trees and sidewalks. The park is busy with people. I was up there awhile ago on a Sat am. - there were so many people walking and jogging I was afraid to hit one. It didn't feel congested or annoying- more like, how great that all these people are outside enjoying the day. A lot of people in Colorado have 2 dogs. It is a joke around here- but the dogs are treated well as so many people are outdoorsy. It is also close to downtown, but while you are there- you feel like you are just in a nice, small neighborhood. There is also a nice area across the interestate (I-25) that is nice too. A little more quiet simply because the park is not there- but still nice- older homes and people who take care of them. I think the area is called Hi- Wash, a play on Downtown Denver (Lo-Do). See- we in Colo like to abbreviate just like in Ca. Haha

I am not sure about real estate prices there- It seems like such a popular area that the prices may have stayed "up" where in other places, as you know are going down.

I am not sure about the schools there, my friends that live there have little ones. I have relatives who are educators and live in Denver so I can ask.

There are really good schools in south Denver- but that is not the place for you. It is all new chain restaurants and suburban sprawl.

I will check on the schools in Wash park. I know you have a little one- I checked your blog too and figure out what the name of that neighborhood is.

Too bad I don't live IN Denver, we could just swap houses. Although my town lacks excitement and diversity- there IS a skatepark. haha

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by fishwiz

I just moved from the ocean to south of Denver and I am feeling the huge weight of being landlocked. The mountains are great- but so is the ocean! If you come- drink lots and lots of water and buy lots of lotion, it is so dry- I'm turning scaly.

I was in Denver earlier this year and you are not kidding about the air being so dry. Nothing worse than dry nasal passages, lips and skin.

Originally Posted by sassberto

Did you look at the Washington Park area?

Washington Park is a great neighborhood. It sorta reminds me of South Park/Burlingame here. The park itself is nice and was quite busy when I drove by it. Also, make sure you checkout the Highlands area (not to be confused with Otay Ranch-like Highland Ranch .

[Radical347]

The only definite yes of your three is #1 - Denver is cheaper than SD.

For #2 and #3, be careful. I haven't lived in Denver (Though I've been quite a few times, and it is a nice city), but for everywhere that I have lived, the same has been true -- the people in each area, in general, seem like they'd be really cool -- until you get to know them. Then they suck just as much as anywhere else. That being said, there are a few cool people everywhere, and if you try to find them, you will. Even in San Diego. But you have to keep your eyes open, and if you don't, moving somewhere else isn't going to help.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by fishwiz

I will check on the schools in Wash park. I know you have a little one- I checked your blog too and figure out what the name of that neighborhood is.

We are looking at Slavens K-8 and Cory Merrill in that area, DPS has open enrollment district wide which is a good thing but that district has lots of bad schools. High Schools in the area are hit and miss, South High doesn't seem to be very good.

The drawback to Washington Park is it is expensive and rising, about 500k for a nice bungalow there. It also is "inner city diverse" which has some negatives, although my friends say it is safer than the areas around Balboa Park. The area just to the south around DU is supposed to be nice as well. I am looking at a few older inner-suburban areas just south and east of that area in Englewood and Denver, which don't have as charming homes, but you can get a 2500sf postwar brick rancher with a finished basement for about 350k.

[SEAandATL]

I think Denver would be a nice place to live, especially Boulder. Boulder is even closer to the mountains, and it's a college town, so there's a lot of young laid-back people. It's also known to have a lot of outdoorsy hippie types, which I don't mind since I love the outdoors and nature myself. The cost of living is cheap compared to S.D., and I wish I bought a house there while I still can (instead of San Diego in 2004 which caused me to lose serious money), but I may get priced out in the future since everyone is moving there.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

I think Denver would be a nice place to live, especially Boulder. Boulder is even closer to the mountains, and it's a college town, so there's a lot of young laid-back people. It's also known to have a lot of outdoorsy hippie types, which I don't mind since I love the outdoors and nature myself. The cost of living is cheap compared to S.D., and I wish I bought a house there while I still can (instead of San Diego in 2004 which caused me to lose serious money), but I may get priced out in the future since everyone is moving there.

I spent a summer in Boulder, it is nice but too small and too "hippy" for me. A lot of drugs and partying there. Also it is very expensive, I would say it is in on par with CA .. small 2/1's are 500k+

[fishwiz]

Sassberto- you have clearly done your homework on the schools. Boulder is expensive you are right.