Moving to CO... Pls. help. (Denver, Colorado Springs: sales, rentals, vehicle registration)

[Suezo]

Hello everyone!

First of all, I just wanna introduce myself. I'm an international therapist from the PHL and will be working as an occupational therapist in the states.

So I've been looking for a great place to work as a travel therapist. One of my recruiters asked me where I want to work. I asked her that I'd want to work either of the following: Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut. She said that my choices were good and they have placement jobs on the said states.

After lurking here. I've found out that Colordo seems a good place to start. So I just wanna hear from you what are the pros and cons living here. Any particular cities you want to suggest or advice?

Can you also tell me more about Colorado? Hows living in Colorado? The weather? Quality of life? Social life? Btw, I'm 21, male and single.

Thank you!

[Mike from back east]

Climate is mostly sunny with low humidity. Weather varies from day to day; yesterday we had snow, tomorrow it will be 70F.

Safe, low crime in just about all areas.

Good quality of living for most. Denver is most socially active location; lots to see and do.

Best area for you to focus on is the Denver metro area, where 3+million people live and the most jobs are found.

Not cheap here. Check padmapper.com to see rentals and prices.

[Suezo]

Thank you, Mike from the back east!

I already checked the link and I found out that the rentals are really that expensive in Denver.

I'm also wondering if the place discriminates people specially Asian? Is there any Asian community there?

I also like the idea of going to mountains to ski.

[Mike from back east]

There's a large Asian community in the Denver area....FWIW there are dragon boat races each year and a Chinese New Year celebration, plus other forms of Asian culture, Buddist temples, etc.

Use our search tool to find all those topics in the Denver forum.

There is some Korean influence in the south area of COLO SPGS, near the Army base, but Denver is the big dog.

[Suezo]

Thank you. How about Boulder, Aurora, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins? Are they good cities to look into?

[bisou]

Hi Suezo,
Are you licensed? Are you bilingual? Do you have a Masters degree or more? Do you have any certificates in drug and alcohol counseling?
I've seen listings in Boulder but it helps if you have some of the qualifications above.
I think much will depend on your background.
I met someone recently who was going to school to become an occupational therapist.. You may want to speak to some OTs in the area to get a better grip on what you may need to go in that direction. In Boulder, you can find OTs at the Mapleton Center.

There is a Korean population in Boulder> Quality of life, in my view, is excellent but it all depends on what you are hoping to find.
Good luck,
bisou

[Bob from down south]

Nobody else mentioned it, so I will. The taxes you will pay to live in Colorado--income tax, sales tax, property taxes, and vehicle registration tax/fees--are MUCH lower in Colorado than in both Illinois and Connecticut. Illinois just passed the largest income tax rate hike in their history last year (and the state is still hovering near flat broke).

Make sure to factor that in when evaluating cost of living.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by Suezo

I'm also wondering if the place discriminates people specially Asian? Is there any Asian community there?

FWIW, my wife is Asian and has never felt any hint of discrimination from Coloradans.

[Suezo]

Originally Posted by bisou

Hi Suezo,
Are you licensed? Are you bilingual? Do you have a Masters degree or more? Do you have any certificates in drug and alcohol counseling?
I've seen listings in Boulder but it helps if you have some of the qualifications above.
I think much will depend on your background.
I met someone recently who was going to school to become an occupational therapist.. You may want to speak to some OTs in the area to get a better grip on what you may need to go in that direction. In Boulder, you can find OTs at the Mapleton Center.

There is a Korean population in Boulder> Quality of life, in my view, is excellent but it all depends on what you are hoping to find.
Good luck,
bisou

Hello, thanks for the tip. Yes I'm an OTR, and had my degree undergo eligibility for Master equivalence w/c is comparable to the US education. Yes, I am a bilingual. I speak both English and Filipino, but not that fluent.

I already talked to my recruiter and she said that they can place me anywhere in Colorado specially in Denver, Boulder, Loveland, Greeley. or Colorado Springs. So I've been contemplating where is the best place to work considering I'm new in the U.S.

Originally Posted by Bob from down south

Nobody else mentioned it, so I will. The taxes you will pay to live in Colorado--income tax, sales tax, property taxes, and vehicle registration tax/fees--are MUCH lower in Colorado than in both Illinois and Connecticut. Illinois just passed the largest income tax rate hike in their history last year (and the state is still hovering near flat broke).

Make sure to factor that in when evaluating cost of living.

Great help, Bob from down south. Yes, I heard that taxes in IL, and new england states are high, as well as the cost of living. That's why I chose CO as my Plan A. Another thing tough, would one be able to survive with $30-33 per hour salary in Colorado? Thank you.

Originally Posted by Bideshi

FWIW, my wife is Asian and has never felt any hint of discrimination from Coloradans.

Good to hear that. I hope there's also a huge Asian community there.

[Mike from back east]

You should be able to live just fine on $30/hour if you work anywhere near 2000 hours/year. A lot of people live here on less.