Is the cost of living in CO as expensive as CA? (Denver: sales, apartments)

[Marylandmama]

[quote=parker;109582]Hi - just moved 5 months ago from Ventura County - here are my costs in Parker, CO versus Ventura County

Ventura Parker
Pedi/Mani 28 50
Housekeeper 65 140
gardener 60 a month 70 a week
1 gallon plant 5 10-15
health insur 1000 530
gas 2.99 2.65
groceries a week 200 210[/QUOTEA


Are you saying that Parker is that much more expensive than Ventura, other than health insurance and gas?

[Mike from back east]

Interesting anecdotal info on price.

But here is what makes the difference for me:

Item: Newer SFH (0-5 years), minimum 3000 sf. Source of data is realtor.com

Ventura / Parker
$900k / $350k

The extra $550k on a mortgage adds $3200 to the monthly cost of living. Even if I could afford $900k - why do that?

That's why we left the DC metro area for Colorado Springs, the affordability of housing here makes it a no-brainer for me.

Then there is the beauty of CO, the friendly people, so much to do, the mild climate along the Front Range.

s/Mike

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by cil

Summers in Colorado can be like living in a furnace.

While it can get into the 90's and occasionally break 100, I would not characterize it as "living in a furnace". I lived in Santee, California for 13 years and it would routinely get 100+ in the summers and fall, now that is a furnace! I'm sure those in some other areas of CA, NV and AZ have experienced worse than that.

[elemental]

We are anxious to get out there and see if our savings estimates are close as we predict it will amount to several thousand dollars a month. The costs on Long Island are staggering.

[ColoradoRainbows]

Hey there LeavingCali

Have you looked up in the Durango, Colorado area. It is a pretty small community but has some of the amenties you might be looking for, great mtn views, just built a new hospital Mercy Medical and have quite a few jobs listed online in the medical fields, and also Ft Lewis College for your teaching. Although, the prices are a little higher for housing, but not as high as California, taken from an ex-Californian. Just above Durango, 25 miles is Durango Ski Resort, and a town called Hermosa for mtn living. Durango downtown has an old town historical community with many shops, and if so inclined they do have a super walmart there. Check it out you might find it appealing in that area.

Vikki

[Thunderbird]

I'm surprised that health insurance is so much more money there in Colorado. Anyone have any feedback as to why?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by gpraceman

While it can get into the 90's and occasionally break 100, I would not characterize it as "living in a furnace". I lived in Santee, California for 13 years and it would routinely get 100+ in the summers and fall, now that is a furnace! I'm sure those in some other areas of CA, NV and AZ have experienced worse than that.

See, for me the dry heat is not always a blessing. I purposely used the word furnace.
Colorado set heat records in both 2005 as well as 2006, with triple digit temps.
No doubt those other states you mentioned can match that--and then some.
That's why I don't live in those places.

I'm surprised that health insurance is so much more money there in Colorado. Anyone have any feedback as to why?

I think it is a sign of the times. While we were in Denver, our health insurance costs steadily rose--but wages didn't.
Business owners are faced with cutting pay,dropping the benefit or providing their own benefits.
Kaiser Permanente is both a healthcare provider as well as an insurer, and I was with them until I got married. All things considered, I was pleased with the care I received with them.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by cil

See, for me the dry heat is not always a blessing. I purposely used the word furnace.
Colorado set heat records in both 2005 as well as 2006, with triple digit temps.
No doubt those other states you mentioned can match that--and then some.
That's why I don't live in those places.

I still think that using the expression "living in a furnace" is quite a stretch, but you are entitled to your opinion. The humidity level here is half that of the San Diego area, so routine 100+ temps in the summer there coupled with the higher humidity make it far more furnace like IMO. I'll take the occasional 100+ here over the routine 100+ temps elsewhere anytime, especially with lower humidity.

[Thunderbird]

Originally Posted by cil

I think it is a sign of the times. While we were in Denver, our health insurance costs steadily rose--but wages didn't.
Business owners are faced with cutting pay,dropping the benefit or providing their own benefits.
Kaiser Permanente is both a healthcare provider as well as an insurer, and I was with them until I got married. All things considered, I was pleased with the care I received with them.

Thank you for your response Cil! So far the health insurance is the only thing that is going to cost us more - almost triple for one that is close to what we have now.
I'm starting to think maybe I should plan on getting a second job with a
a hosptial there in COS, or maybe a health insurance company.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by gpraceman

I still think that using the expression "living in a furnace" is quite a stretch, but you are entitled to your opinion.

Thank you!

The humidity level here is half that of the San Diego area, so routine 100+ temps in the summer there coupled with the higher humidity make it far more furnace like IMO. I'll take the occasional 100+ here over the routine 100+ temps elsewhere anytime, especially with lower humidity.

I think maybe we are looking at this from two different frames of reference.
My point is that a furnace does not contain any humidity at all.

Good luck, Thunderbird. I hope you are able to work out something with health insurance. I hope you don't have to get a second job, but I understand that you have to do what's necessary.