Colorado Springs Visit

[Carrera32]

Strongly agree with Lurtsman. When we were getting ready to retire and relocate back to the West from NoVA, we took our vacations for five years on scouting trips to the states and cities we were interested in. While we did some sightseeing along the way, our primary focus was on looking at those items on our wish lists that would help us make up our minds whether or not a specific location was where we wanted to live, not just visit. So, we spent a lot of our time scoping out neighborhoods and real estate listings we'd investigated on line, experiencing rush hour traffic and the general ease in getting around town, the existence and location of recreational and cultural outlets (such as the local pro baseball team and stadium, the performing arts center, the local colleges, etc), and in general, just getting a feel for the community. We even tended to visit during the less than perfect seasons, again, for the purpose of seeing whether we would be happy living year round, as opposed to just those periods that the Visitor's Bureau likes to tout. Your wish list may include checking out the schools, churches and industries/companies that might have employment opportunities. Once you decide on a place you want to actually live, there'll be plenty of time to see the tourist sights. However, if you only focus on those things that tourists see, you'll never really get a good taste of what living here, or anywhere else, for that matter, is really like. I know that driving around neighborhoods looking at real estate listings or dropping off resumes (does anyone do that any more) might not be your idea of a great vacation, but if you're contemplating a move here or elsewhere, it can (will) be expensive, disruptive, and, if you don't choose wisely and with as much information as possible, disappointing.

[Sonic_Spork]

I agree with Carrera. I would say, research employment opportunities online...especially if you have a career path you're already on, look for companies that DO that, not necessarily actual job listings. Once you've pinned down a company or a few that offer what you specialize in, watch their websites for openings later on...and bear in mind that it helps a lot to have a local address & phone number on your resume when applying anywhere.

So a lot of that ^ is done either online before you move (making sure there's a market for your skills) or after you get here (actually emailing resumes and making contact.)

The housing is the main thing to check out. What sort of thing are you looking for, and what approximate budget are you anticipating? Do you have kids; are schools an issue? Once you've decided on a few areas you like, and hopefully gained advice from the wise and wonderful posters here on this forum, you'll have a few areas to scope out.

Then come here and make it a priority to...scope out those neighborhoods!

After that, I'd say skip the zoo (it's pretty much just a zoo) and skip Pikes Peak because you might just get altitude sickness going up there, if you're from sea level. Do check out Garden of the Gods and Manitou if you absolutely must get your tourist on. The rest can wait for a longer visit, or for after you move here.

If you insist on doing Pikes Peak, make VERY SURE you drink a LOT of water before, during, and after the whole affair. My in-laws got very sick when we did the Cog Train up the mountain. Honestly I just don't recommend it for people who are not at least acclimated to the regular "halfway up" elevation of the Springs region.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by scopho31

Hi everyone,

I am considering relocating to Colorado Springs and will be visiting at the end of the month to check the area out.

Here's what I have on my list of things to do/places to visit so far:

Pikes Peak
Garden of the Gods
Manitou

Anything else? I'll only be there for a weekend.

Thanks!

If you're coming from a "flat-land" kind of place, you may experience some difficulty with the altitude. Drink lots of water and take aspirin before and during your trip here, if you're prone to that sort of think. It will help.

[lurtsman]

Thanks Carrera,

In answer to your potentially rhetorical question: No, people don't drop off resumes any more. Companies either refuse to accept them or throw them in the trash when the person leaves. Instead, they have their daddy call one of his friends and line up a position for them. Meritocracy is dead.

[Carrera32]

Yes, it was a rhetorical (and maybe a bit cynical) question. But I think the point (that Sonic made much better than I did) was that if you're considering a move if you don't already have a job offer, here or anywhere, one of the blocks to check is researching (on-line, networking, or even through daddy's friends) the employment situation in that locale. If the local economy is flat and/or overly dependent on certain types of employment that don't match your skills, then you probably need to look elsewhere. Basic survival (i.e., a job) trumps good weather, pretty scenery, lots of bike trails, and even no bugs/traffic (ok, that last one's a close call). If your research shows an economy or job segment on the upswing, then it may be worth the gamble to relocate without a job in hand; but if not, you may be looking an prolonged unemployment (or under employment) and that's no fun for anyone.

[Sonic_Spork]

Originally Posted by Carrera32

Yes, it was a rhetorical (and maybe a bit cynical) question. But I think the point (that Sonic made much better than I did) was that if you're considering a move if you don't already have a job offer, here or anywhere, one of the blocks to check is researching (on-line, networking, or even through daddy's friends) the employment situation in that locale. If the local economy is flat and/or overly dependent on certain types of employment that don't match your skills, then you probably need to look elsewhere. Basic survival (i.e., a job) trumps good weather, pretty scenery, lots of bike trails, and even no bugs/traffic (ok, that last one's a close call). If your research shows an economy or job segment on the upswing, then it may be worth the gamble to relocate without a job in hand; but if not, you may be looking an prolonged unemployment (or under employment) and that's no fun for anyone.

Yep.

I think realistically, you either find an employer that's a good match for your skills and seems to have hiring activity...or you find employers who have a demand for skills you're willing, able, and ready to develop to suit.

Then you save up enough money to get by for a few months if it takes that long to get employment.

But I'm a big believer in temp agencies. If one can do basic clerical work, that is a fantastic fallback if you move to a new area and don't have anything lined up right away. I know, as a military wife in a household that needs 2 incomes, when the Army moves us, I'm prepared to utilize temp agencies to bridge employment gaps.