Deciding between Chicago and the Denver area (transplants, houses)

[sheerbliss]

Denver native here. Denver has a better year-round climate than Chicago. Contrary to popular belief, Denver's winters are mild because they're sunny and dry. There are days when you go out in a t-shirt.

Property taxes are much lower in the Denver area, too. Between that and the financial mess of Illinois, people are overall leaving Illinois. That said, you can buy a perfectly nice home in Denver for far, far less than $800k. If you and your spouse are busy professionals with no kids, there's no real need for a big house and yard.

[pvande55]

For skiing conditions, Denver wins hands down. IL is flat as a pancake and snow is unreliable. Chicago is more affordable and offers premium rail transit (although Denver is working on it). I think Chicago has more attractions.

[TBideon]

Denver has better winters, beautiful weather, an exceptional outdoors, and fewer issues with crime/COLA/taxes/tensions/etc. You won't regret living there.

Always follow the momentum if you can. Denver has it hands down; Chicago is...complex.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by brightlights123

Denver for home ownership? Even though the average nice place is like $800k+?

Yep. Read the rest of the comments in this thread.

[sheerbliss]

I wish my old house in Englewood had sold for $800,000!

[smegmatite]

Originally Posted by brightlights123

My boyfriend and I are deciding between Chicago and Denver. We are late 20s/early 30s and both work in finance-related industries.

We do not have kids and do not want them (other than the fur kind).
We do not want to live in a suburban area - would rather be where the action is happening.
Both of us are health-conscious and love organic food.
Want somewhere with a lot of diversity and international food options.
We both love the outdoors.
We want to own property and not rent forever.

Is there anyone who has experience with both who could offer suggestions about which city and even neighborhood might fit?

live in Denver

4 of the 6 things you mentioned are much much much much much better in Denver than Chicago

[Justabystander]

Originally Posted by smegmatite

live in Denver

4 of the 6 things you mentioned are much much much much much better in Denver than Chicago

Really? I only see one, the outdoors one. Are you sure we are looking at the same requirements?

[carnelian]

I have lived in both cities, especially Chicago.

Depends on what is most important to you.

Nightlife and music festivals--Chicago, especially in summer
More job opportunities and probably better pay?---Chicago

Weather--Denver

Outdoor activity and beauty---mountains.

Nicer newer look to city--Denver

Urban oldness and slums---Chicago

Marijuana--Denver, lol

Better government and less crime---probably Denver

[brightlights123]

It's such a difficult decision, because I think they are both amazing cities. I think ultimately it will come down to where we both get the best job offers.

Thanks everyone for your input!

[sfcambridge]

We do not have kids and do not want them (other than the fur kind).
We do not want to live in a suburban area - would rather be where the action is happening.
Both of us are health-conscious and love organic food.
Want somewhere with a lot of diversity and international food options.
We both love the outdoors.
We want to own property and not rent forever.


Well, my brother has exactly your preferences. Every single one. And he just decided to leave Chicago, and his ultimate goal is Denver.

The main issue is you finding good jobs in Denver. Do you have any connections/leads? It is a very desirable city, and not that big, so competition for jobs can be fierce and that is an area where Chicago is a safer bet. But you sound more like a crunchy Denver type to me.

What cities are you coming from? For example, coming from Idaho and saying you want diversity and international food options gives very different expectations compared with coming from San Francisco.