Moving from California to Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs: for sale, renting, condo)

[trashmann]

I'm from San Jose, CA and I've been looking to move into Colorado for some time now.

I know there are a few threads similar to this, but I haven't found any posts that meshed well with my interests. I'm celibate, so I'll be living alone. Not sounding tragic, but it's a little scary to think about moving out into a strange neighborhood. Not scary enough to nudge me off-track, but still something to think about.

I plan to work as a Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) specialist, and if I remember correctly, the average annual income in Colorado is 44k+. I don't mind colder weather (I can boil even in the 60s), and I want to live in a less populated city -- preferably less than 300,000. Scenery also isn't a big issue either, so I'm fine with living in a "less beautiful" place (but then I must ask, "what is beauty?"). So, Colorado Springs and other highly-populated cities are out of the picture.

TL;DR: Can anyone name a few cities that have a low population, cooler weather, and relatively "safe" for someone going to live alone?

I understand that there's no safe haven in the world, and death is lurking around every corner, but I don't want to look at a house for sale online, end up with a "good deal", then find out that I actually bought a house in the wrong neighborhood.

[NW Crow]

If you want to stay below 300,000 people in a metro area, the number of places in CO between 50,000 and 300,000 and not part of greater Denver metro are few and always or almost always cool ones perhaps non-existent. Could you cope with Durango or Glenwood Springs metros? You can find safe neighborhoods, at a price, but probably mild compared to San Jose.

Most of the GIS jobs will be on front range. Could you cope with working in Fort Collins or Boulder and living west of them in Nederland, Lyons, Masonville or Poudre Park?

Grand Junction would have some GIS jobs but it can very hot in the valley. But you could live in Glade Park or Mesa.

Would you consider places with less than 10,000 people? There are a few local goverment or forest service or energy company GIS jobs here and there.

What attracts about Colorado besides cool if you are not keyed on scenery? If you want truly cool in summer, are you willing to pay for it with 50 to 100 or more inches of snow in the winter?

Do you have any CO cities tentatively in mind?

Would you consider Eureka CA (hardly ever out of the 60s), Eugene OR, Missoula MT, Bellingham or Olympia WA or Laramie WY?

[Sunderpig2]

I'd focus on the following priorities, in order: 1) the jobs aspect (specific companies, how viable of a chance of actually getting a job), 2) keeping in mind the "California factor" (anti-California and Californians sentiment seems to run very high here), and 3) would you feel comfortable in this area, being so very different from your current location.

Concerning the last, it's not a coastal/beach/water/Pacific atmosphere at all here; it's mountains, hiking, snow skiing, and very similar thinking/culture. Plus, compared to a coastal location where temperatures that don't vary much, in CO the temps. can range from +100 degrees down to -10 or more degrees, depending on location. You would need to be okay with a wide range of temperatures and weather.

Ultimately, you're best off asking information from people from CA who have moved to CO. Those who have lived in CO most or all of their lives won't understand the huge differences between the two areas, and how you might feel in the transition. I still think culture and familiarity trumps everything else. Feeling like a "stranger in a strange land" sucks. Good luck!

[trashmann]

@NW Crow
I'm trying to avoid 500k-600k housing (which seems typical in San Jose), so I might not be able to afford that "price" you're talking about. Personally, I'm looking for smaller, 200k-range housing.

A town with 10,000 people? In theory, I would be fine with it, but to be frank, I've never visited a town of that size before, or heard of one. The smallest town I've been to, and lived in is Morgan Hill (40,000 people), but even that place feels like a rat race to me at times. Still a nice, quaint town though.

In regards to snow, I think I could handle it.

California and Oregon are out of the picture for personal reasons - nothing against either state, it's another issue entirely. I have considered MT in the past though, so I might look in on that again.

I could live west of Boulder, if the job demands it. Though I don't have any particular cities on mind, which is why I came here, looking for a place to start. What mostly makes CO attractive is the job aspect and its political environment. I'm a little uncomfortable to explain the exact-exact reason though.

@Sunderpig2
I actually like different, and I love mountains (thanks to a few trips to Tahoe, and a different city where a wedding took place...forgot where that place was though) and hiking.
I didn't consider the wide temperature range in spite of the terrain, so I might have to think a little more about that. That factor completely escaped my mind for a long while there.

All in all, thank you for the replies! Sorry for my late response, I had to help out my father with a few things.

[NW Crow]

If you can get a job in Denver or Boulder, maybe try renting in Broomfield or Louisville for 6-12 months first. Probably can find nice enough small house or condo in safe neighborhood in the 200s but better to be sure you like living there first. I don't think heat should be much of an issue compared to San Jose. Come visit for 4 plus days and you'll likely find your answer about living on front range, yes or no.