NYS Certified Teacher looking to relocate

[bongo]

You have to go into a police or trooper department and pay them to do your fingerprints. Then, we had to whiteout the department's address & replace it with CBI address so when CBI sends it to the lab the results will be returned to them, not the local department who took the fingerprints. I sent the fingerprint card in myself to CBI.

This clarifies why it is important to do this ASAP:

State struggles with teacher license backlog | EdNewsColorado

Plus, you can't do the online application for licensure until your prints have been sent in to CBI.

My application is still pending my fingerprint processing by CBI since February.

I have recent fingerprints in Montana & Alaska, which they would not accept. It had to be processed by CBI.

Hope this info helps....

[beanie13]

Does anyone have any information about Southpointe Apartments, Arbor Pointe Apartments, and Clearview Apartments? These are relatively close to the school I'm going to be working at. The cost of rent is in my price range and just wanted to know if anyone is familiar with the complexes. Are they in a safe area, clean, helpful staff?

[otowi]

Of the three you mention, Clearview is in the best neighborhood, imho. I don't know anything about staff, etc.

[gabbymac]

I'm happy you got the job you wanted, but I'd like to warn you about Colorado Springs. The crime is higher than you would imagine. The whole city is military based Ft. Carson Army Base, Peterson Air Force Base, The Air Force Academy, Norad, etc.... Many retire here, then work in civilian jobs. The city is very good to THEM. They get jobs before anybody else. Be prepared for that. It's very "brown" and mostly, very out dated here. There appears to be a gloom over the entire city that everyone sees but cannot describe. People are very "friendly", but they are all from somewhere else, so finding your place here takes time. I suggest you look for a place in the Broadmore area or, like me, waaaaay up North. Prettier and safer. Look on "Crime Stop" or other city stats or crime websites, to see where the crime is. I took a job over a phone interview (which in my field is fishy) after never having been here before. They even paid me to move across the country. That was a red flag for me, but I went ahead with the move. Big mistake and would love to return to yes, Detroit. Fired from my job for something that would have been a write up or warning elsewhere, now my career is ruined. They are an "at will" state and fire people left and right, at least in the hospital where I worked. A lot of ex military management that act as if they are still in the military. If you haven't been here before, please take the time to visit first. There are no nice malls, and Walmart is everywhere. That was an issue for me, it may not be for you. Very little nightlife for someone your age, unless meeting a military man is what you want. The mountains are beautiful and the hiking is great. You might like it, but be forewarned. I'm moving to the Denver are and can't wait to get out of this town. Please do your homework!

[beanie13]

Man, way to kill my excitement for moving to the area hahah

[huffdiver]

One less unhappy person to deal with. Good riddance and enjoy Denver!

Grew up north of there in Longmont and do not miss that area one bit.

[harrison21]

OP, have you found an apartment yet? I am also a sped teacher and just started looking into the COS area. I love Denver, but I'm just not having any luck landing a position here. I remember when I was first looking Widefield seemed very interested in interviewing me (I had already accepted another position). I'm also a 25 year old single female...I'm just worried that the area will not have much to offer as far as things to do or meeting other people my age. The salaries in COS are also considerably lower than Denver and I was wondering if the rent/cost of living seemed cheaper to make up for that.

[beanie13]

Yea I found an apartment for $529/month which is a great price for the salary I'm making. The salaries are considerably lower than in denver but I have a masters so they hired me at a higher starting salary. As for nightlife and things to do I think it's not as upbeat as denver, but even the nightlife there for me is not exciting considering I'm from New York. I think COS has more of the mountain and outdoor lifestyle and that's what I'm interested in for now. I know there's a smaller downtown here and they have a few cute neighborhoods with bars and restaurants like manitou springs and old colorado city. I think you can definitely meet people here just by getting involved in activities and through work! I'm going out there without knowing anyone and I'm just ready for an adventure!

[harrison21]

Wow that's crazy cheap! I live north of the city now and I pay almost double that. I'm not super outdoorsy...that's one of the things that I really like about Denver (more diverse interests). At this point I can't afford to be really picky though. I applied to all of the main districts, so now I just have to wait and see.

[beanie13]

Maybe living here will change your mind about the outdoors, and if it doesnt, denver is only an hour away. good luck to you! And from what I remember widefield was one of the higher paying districts.