Want to move to Colorado from WI - but where can I afford a house? (Denver: transplants, rent)

[xzero1134]

I just need a 1 bedroom - this is more a temp housing solution while I get everything figured out. My only real fear is moving and getting a house that's more than I can afford. My parents will hold all my stuff until then, and it appears all apts have 6 mo leases avail. Here's some example of what I've found online that look fine to me:

https://www.apartments.com/windmill-...gs-co/rgndsh0/

https://www.apartments.com/lincoln-s...gs-co/cklqm8d/

https://www.apartments.com/summer-gr...gs-co/k7m69q8/

https://www.apartments.com/the-centr...gs-co/0kjldd1/

Any of these would be fine by me, I don't need anything big to start off with.

[Katarina Witt]

Yes, rents in the Springs are cheaper than they are in Denver.

[Bullitt007]

Originally Posted by xzero1134

You all gave me a ton of great information and I appreciate it.

It's a roll of the dice with income and cost of living but I doubt everyone who lives in CO are doctors and lawyers and get by just fine. The job thing is unsure, but you'll have that anywhere. The good news is I'll have no trouble gaining employment.

Our plan is to visit and spend a full week there, both kind of vacationing but also gathering a lot of info. Make sure it's the right change for us. It's entirely possible we stay for a week, decide it was fun but we don't need to move too. If all goes well, I plan on putting the house up for sale in a few months. We decided to rent the first year, so if we change our mind or it doesn't work out, we have the option of coming back. I was able to find decent looking apts for $700-$800, but I don't know how crappy they are.

I used to live in Madison so a bigger town doesn't really worry me. From what I remember driving through the size felt pretty good. However, Madison has it's bad sides, any areas I should avoid getting an Apt in?

I'm from Wisconsin and have lived here in Colorado Springs for 12 years now. I absolutely love it here for lots of reasons...weather, outdoor activities, sporting events, scenery and affordability are at the top of the list.

Please let me know when you get here...you're more than welcome at our house and we'll have a chat while enjoying a cold beer. Wishing you the best...Go Pack Go.

[xzero1134]

I'll be visiting May 14-20th. That would actually be awesome, it would help with any remains questions I have - and I'd appreciate any advice on actually pulling off the move.

[mayra285]

Hi Wisconsin, Colorado is a great place to live and no our winters are nothing compared to Wisconsin winters. We have a dry climate, no humidity like Wisconsin ( I have family up in Madison, Grand Rapids, and Platteville) so nice summers and winters. I like to recommend Fremont County, Canon City. Great place to live, affordable and we have low property taxes. We are known as the Climate Capital of Colorado!!! Huge tourist area, great river rafting, mountain biking trails, hiking. Look up Canon City and see for yourself. Good luck!!

[justausername]

Originally Posted by Vision67

As for central AC, I don't have it and don't want it. When we built our house (at 6600 ft) we included a whole house fan that draws in outside air and exhausts it through the attic at the top of the stairs.

In the summer, the temp quickly drops to about 55 deg after the sun goes down. We open the windows, and that fan quickly cools the entire house.

On hot summer days we do well with just one window AC unit in the family room. It easily cools the kitchen too.

That overall lower cost to cool helps offset the high summer water bills.

What would the high summer water bills be per month for a family of five ? Ballpark ?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by justausername

What would the high summer water bills be per month for a family of five ? Ballpark ?

Probably a base of $50/month in winter and if a lawn to water then an easy $100/month in summer but could go higher if the summer monsoon doesn't water the lawn a few times per week.

[justausername]

You'll just shake your head at this, and even may not believe it, but I pay $600.00 per quarter in sewer bills here in New Jersey. Yes, that's $2,400 per year. We have our own well, so basically no water bill.
Basically the township can charge whatever they want for sewer. There is nothing to protect the homeowner.

[justausername]

Also wanted to add that's not typical of all of New Jersey. Just some farm towns with faulty sewer set ups that are outdated and expensive.

[Mike from back east]

As far as sewer charges for the service area of Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), we averaged $29/month, that's all.

CSU is the city owned utility firm that provides water, sewerage, natural gas and electric to just about all of the city and IMO folks looking to relocate here should target themselves to stay within CSU service area. Their rates are well lower than corporate owned, for profit utility firms.