Durango too small for Phoenix city kids? (Denver, Aurora: skateboarding, home)

[mmahai]

I got the most spectacular job offer in Durango, but I am worried that it might be too small for my city kids. Coming from a town of millions and going to around 20k might be too much for all of us. Any input?

thanks
Molly

[Mike from back east]

Molly, IMO take the job. It's the chance of a lifetime for kids to grow up in the mountains and get a whole other viewpoint of a life that isn't centered on the usual suburban stuff.

[SheridanL]

You say you got the "Most spectacular job offer"?
I say,..."Enough said"!!
Children adjust,...especially when their parent is doing well!
A small town never killed anyone! No decent income and stressing to pay bills could be a problem as opposed to population size!
I raised my oldest (when my youngest was just born) in a decent sized town (Aurora/Centennial). He loves loves loves big cities!! That said,...he lives and works in Antarctica now, giving up being a professor and,...he loves it!!! Go figure, nothing more isolating, small, no stores,cabs,etc.!!
My youngest, who was born in Aurora,...was raised in Canon City. He is a cryptologist and, like his brother, travels the continents. He is okay with bigger cities, (he's in them alot!) but, after getting out of a smaller town,..longs for a smaller town in the mountains!!! BTW, he is stationed in Hawaii and, hates it!!
I grew up in Denver. I live in Canon City now. I have lived on a private beach in Florida and my mother lives in Florida.
I love the smaller towns in Colorado and I made this my home because I WANTED to!! Not because I was raised elsewhere!
I would definitely go where your most spectacular job takes you!!
It's not like it's in Siberia or something!! It is in a very nice and beautiful place in Colorado!! We should all be soo lucky! Your children too!!
NO BRAINER!!

[CAVA1990]

Their Nintendos will still work there. How old are they and do they enjoy outdoor activities? As teens they'll have plenty of job opportunities with all the tourism. My kids would consider it Outer Siberia but they'll probably get used to it. The most difficult thing will be separating them from their current friends but that would be true no matter where you moved.

[Robinstyler]

I'm from the area and can say without hesitation that your kids will settle in to Durango just fine. It's a very fun place to live and kid-centric. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the kids enjoy outdoor play on most days.

Durango is not a backwoods "one-horse" town. It's filled with active and educated people. There are some who move here that are ready to "teach the locals" some things about the city, only to be met with well traveled and well-rounded people. People don't get "stuck" in Durango, they choose to live here.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Robinstyler

Durango is not a backwoods "one-horse" town. .

Yeah I read in the Herald that they recently added a second horse.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by mmahai

I got the most spectacular job offer in Durango, but I am worried that it might be too small for my city kids. Coming from a town of millions and going to around 20k might be too much for all of us. Any input?

thanks
Molly

They're gonna be bored.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by SheridanL

You say you got the "Most spectacular job offer"?
I say,..."Enough said"!!
Children adjust,...especially when their parent is doing well!

I totally do not agree with this. I think it's a travesty to raise kids in small towns. Durango is a little better because it has a college and it's such a draw for people from all over, but when you're talking about places like Cortez, Rangley, Meeker, it's horrible to subject kids to that type of socially stagnating environment.

[Dorthy]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

They're gonna be bored.

I doubt it. Durango has one of the nicest rec centers I've ever been to with a water slide, rope swing, lazy river, etc. It's only 20 minutes from Purgatory aka Durango Mountain resort and I think that passes for school aged children are cheap. They can go hiking, camping, rock climbing, etc. Durango is a fun place for kids and adults. If I had a spectacular job offer there I would not hesitate to make the move.

[Robinstyler]

Originally Posted by Dorthy

I doubt it. Durango has one of the nicest rec centers I've ever been to with a water slide, rope swing, lazy river, etc. It's only 20 minutes from Purgatory aka Durango Mountain resort and I think that passes for school aged children are cheap. They can go hiking, camping, rock climbing, etc. Durango is a fun place for kids and adults. If I had a spectacular job offer there I would not hesitate to make the move.

It's important to also know that there are sports in Durango. Kids have access to tennis courts, racquetball courts (in rec center), soccer , both rec league and travel, Baseball (Mickey Mantle and travel), swimming teams, football, golf, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, hiking, running, dance and gymnastics. Also, there is BMX, snowmobiling, skateboarding, snowboarding and skiing.

If you're bored in Durango, you're not leaving your home. For the college aged kids and young adults, there is some night life, but it seems more closed than a city. You go out with people-not usually to meet new people. Though most kids that age are still hiking, biking and camping for fun. The outdoor opportunity in Durango is awesome and the sun shines a ton!

Let's not forget the river, seasonal kayaking and tubing opportunities are also fun.

There is no mall shopping and that sort of city activity.