A World of Change (Denver, Boulder: to rent, employment, landlords)

[OuttaDodge10]

My girlfriend and I are looking to escape the congested city life here in the Bay Area (Oakland/SF). We're both active people and are searching for the perfect spot with a balance of nature, outdoors, a smaller community feel, and a decent employment scene (considering the current state of affairs nationwide).

If all goes well we would like to make this transition after the start of 2010 around March. We're looking into Bend, OR, Santa Cruz, CA, and also are highly interested in spots in Colorado. I want (need!) access to trails and good riding with a strong cycling culture/scene. Backcountry skiing access is also a concern of mine. My girlfriend doesn't want a "ski-town" per say, as she feels isolation and cold winters will work against her (she is by no means a city giri however).

I've heard good things about Evergreen, Boulder, and Loveland. Any input on these places or other recommendations? Thanks!

[Mike from back east]

Boulder is said to be very pricy, fits your needs best, is a cycling mecca, but lookup our thread on Boulder landlords.

Loveland or Evergreen may be better choice. YMMV.

Job location is key.

We have threads with much info on all these areas in the index.

Our usual advice is to rent for a year to see what really works for you.

[lalahartma]

Boulder prolly wouldn't give you sticker shock, since you are coming from the Bay Area. It won't be cheap tho! Also check out Salida and Buena Vista for year long cycling. (Not sure about employment in these smaller towns.)

[80skeys]

Boulder is a nice place. It's sort of the "Santa Fe" of Colorado, meaning: hippie/yuppie culture; liberal views; alternative foods; expensive; art; etc. It's also got a large university and a few big high-tech employers. It's located right next to foothills and mountains with trails.

Apart from Boulder, if you don't want the isolation of a ski town, then you could look at places like Golden and Littleton, just outside Denver, which are tucked up into the foothills/mountains.

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by OuttaDodge10

We're both active people and are searching for the perfect spot...

It doesn't exist, but the mountain trail access is pretty stellar all over the western half of the state of CO. Maybe you should just visit and start looking for possible jobs out here.

Just so you you know, Boulder, Evergreen and Loveland are among the top 5 'dream' places that people want to move to out here if they can't afford or aren't interested in places like Aspen, Vail and Breck, and none of them really have much of a 'small community' feel.