Looking for advise on Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs: 2015, crime, houses)

[Mikltg]

Hello!
My wife and I have decides we want to leave California in a couple years. We are looking to get away from the grind, expensive houses and want a little slower pace of life. My wife mentioned her father looked at moving to Colorado a long time ago when a possible relocation came around so I started to consider Colorado for us.

We are both in our 30s with a one year old and another on the way. I have been an Electrician for 16 years and she has worked in Juvenile Detention and has a degree in Criminal Justice with hopes of becoming a Probation Officer.

How do jobs look for us with our background? Where are most of the jobs in Colorado located right now?

Thanks

[caverunner17]

Most jobs are in the Denver area.

[Mikltg]

Originally Posted by caverunner17

Most jobs are in the Denver area.

Thank you.

[boulder2015]

You should be able to find work here with your skills. But find it FIRST before moving. Denver metro is expensive. Also are you interested in living in mountains or living in the plains? Small town? College town? Colorado is a huge state and feels like three states in 1!

[NW Crow]

A good electrician can find work most places if you dig around, market yourself and are flexible. Here is a list of state juvenile detention facilities. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colo...th_Corrections
Most places with at least a few thousand people will have at least one or a few parole officer jobs nearby but turnover might not be frequent as government paychecks are pretty sought after in smaller towns and cities. Bigger cities will have more jobs and probably more turnover.

Does "get away from the grind, expensive houses and want a little slower pace of life" mean no to Denver metro, Colorado Springs, most or all of the front range? If you want help picking a place, give details like city size preference, housing budget, most important factors, etc.

[Mikltg]

Originally Posted by boulder2015

You should be able to find work here with your skills. But find it FIRST before moving. Denver metro is expensive. Also are you interested in living in mountains or living in the plains? Small town? College town? Colorado is a huge state and feels like three states in 1!

You know I haven't thought that far yet. It's been 20 years since I have last been to Colorado and probably would need to make a trip out there to check it out again.
I just know I'm ok with driving up to 45 minutes for work. What do I lose living in the mountains and plains compared to small town?

Thanks

[Mikltg]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

A good electrician can find work most places if you dig around, market yourself and are flexible. Here is a list of state juvenile detention facilities. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colo...th_Corrections
Most places with at least a few thousand people will have at least one or a few parole officer jobs nearby but turnover might not be frequent as government paychecks are pretty sought after in smaller towns and cities. Bigger cities will have more jobs and probably more turnover.

Does "get away from the grind, expensive houses and want a little slower pace of life" mean no to Denver metro, Colorado Springs, most or all of the front range? If you want help picking a place, give details like city size preference, housing budget, most important factors, etc.

Thanks for the State Juvenile info. I will pass it on to my wife to look at.

For sure we would stay away from Denver metro. I have grown up in San Francisco and spent the 12 years of my life in San Jose and Santa Clara. Sounds like Colorado Springs isn't as quiet as I've been led to believe?

You know it's really hard for me to identify what size population I want to move into. Growing up in this area is all I know. I'm ok with needing to drive up to 45 minutes for work. But for all the other store needs I think up to 10 minutes drive sounds reasonable. Probably a Hospital within 10 minutes as well for safety..

For budget I was kind of hoping this could be done around 300k at the most.

Any suggestions on places to look at to get an idea of their surroundings?

Thanks

[NW Crow]

I think I'd start by looking at Colorado Springs (north, northeast or west), Loveland and maybe Windsor (three cities nearby for jobs). If you'd consider Grand Junction area, maybe look at Redlands. Research and see if any of them interest. Google maps street view can give you a visual feel. Then eventually visit for a week and evaluate further.

Castle Rock may be too close to Denver or too expensive but it or just outside it might be another option to consider.

[Mikltg]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

I think I'd start by looking at Colorado Springs (north, northeast or west), Loveland and maybe Windsor (three cities nearby for jobs). If you'd consider Grand Junction area, maybe look at Redlands. Research and see if any of them interest. Google maps street view can give you a visual feel. Then eventually visit for a week and evaluate further.

Castle Rock may be too close to Denver or too expensive but it or just outside it might be another option to consider.

I will check those places out, thank you so much.

[fishhooker]

Woodland Park is pretty quiet, and is about 20 minutes outside of Colorado Springs. My wife's grandparents lived there for over 30 years up until last year and never had any crime problems, just the occasional curious bear in the back yard. Houses there start around $250k for a standard 3 bed, and go upwards as high as you are willing to go...