considering moving back to Denver from Raleigh NC (Aurora, Boulder: transplants, houses)

[dasearch]

My wife and I moved to Raleigh 6 years ago from Denver, CO for both work and to be within driving distance to family: wife is from Virginia, I’m a military brat. Life has been good since we’ve been here and we now have two small children one of who will be starting school in the next year and a half. We sold our home last fall and have been in a holding pattern trying to make that big final decision. We have been debating moving back to Denver but are questioning our perception of the grass is greener vs. reality. We like the fact that Denver is a very outdoor-centric, great weather (most of the time), a bigger metro area with more opportunities, more things to do with the kids (zoo, museums, water parks, hiking, aquarium, etc), and of course access to all the activities in the mountains.

The down sides are more expensive homes, harsher winters, I-25 traffic, limited water activities.

North Carolina is great for access to the mountains and the beaches but unfortunately it is extremely hard to do the beach with two kids as a day trip and nearly impossible to do that with the mountains from Raleigh. There are a few museums for the kids which have been great, but no local zoo, no local aquarium, no local water parks.

We are struggling to imagine what we will do with kids every weekend through elementary, middle, and high school. I realize when they get older they will have activities but the opportunities for exploring new things locally seems very limiting. However we do like the light traffic and the fact I can get many places around the triangle with no hassle. The airport is very easy to access as well.

Anyone have experience between the two schools systems?

North Carolina has really grown on us since moving here. I have lived in Florida, California, Europe, Colorado, Oregon so I’m have not really been tied to a specific area my whole life.

It is surprising how many people here seem to be truly unhappy and unfriendly. In the grocery stores, malls, daily activities, etc. Not sure if these are transplants or locals but just something I have noticed.

This has been kind of a ramble but I’d like to hear from anyone who has moved to Raleigh from Colorado (or West Coast) and your impression or anyone who has recently left North Carolina for Colorado.

Thanks and appreciate the feedback...

[Rocky_Mtn_Expat]

I have no personal experience with North Carolina but I can kind of empathize with your position. I currently live in the Napa Valley area of northern California. The beach is a little over an hour and the mountains are about three hours. But with a young child (mine's 18 months), both distances are just far enough to be a hassle. To me, when you have young kids there's a great value in having outdoor activities that are within a half hour of where you live.

I think a lot of your differentials are person-specific. For instance, I'd rather tolerate Colorado winters than North Carolina summers. But out here in CA when I complain about the constant heat people look at me like I'm nuts.

As to some of the other stuff you mentioned,

-Schools: I don't know what Raleigh's are like but Denver metro schools are to me, a mixed bag but on balance better than most comparably sized metro areas. Cherry Creek, Littleton, Jeffco, Boulder, Douglas County, and others are quite good. DPS, some of Adams County, Aurora Public Schools--more iffy.

-Museums and Amenities: I think the zoo, natural history museum, aquarium and other stuff like that are all top notch. Plus you have all four major professional sports franchises plus several D-1 college programs nearby. I also like Denver for having a top notch urban trails system. I lived in a house that backed to the highline canal and loved having that amenity.

I didn't see anything in your post about jobs though? Is it pretty easy for you and/or your wife to find work in either locale? That would be high on my list of factors.

[SkyDog77]

I have family in Raleigh. Nice town, but definitely hear you on the amenities bit. It's too small town for me and I know after visiting a few times that the summers are much to hot and humid for me. I don't like sweating at 10pm just sitting outside.

The big question marks are job and budget. I could live like a king in Raleigh for what I pay to live in Denver.

[dasearch]

Thanks.
Rocky_Mtn_Expat

My wife and are are fortunate enough to be able to live in either location for work. Actually the Bay Area as well. In fact my boss lives in Novato.

Thanks for the info on the schools. I think having things close are important. I realize it is not a requirement but it sure does make life easier when I can head outside my door and go running or biking with the kids or have 15 options within a 1/2 drive.

Napa and Sonoma is a great area in fact I'll be in Sonoma next week!

[westcoastbabe]

This goes out to the OP- I exactly know where you are coming from....Although I am a NC native born and raised in Charlotte, I have spent considerally a lot of time on the west coast from LA to Phoenix, SanDiego, and Denver too.
North Carolina is a very conservative state with many people who have adopted backward ways of thinking. Face it...the cities are fickle at best...Definitely caters to married people....not enough to do for singles. Truly lacks diversity. I mean really, when people come to Charlotte or Raleigh what is it for them to do.....Zilch. The cities are void of culture and diversity. Where are the plethora of downtown cafes, downtown shopping, all night coffeehouses/ lounges of different genres...Its not here in Charlotte. Been here my whole life at 40, im finally gonna make roots on the west coast. Even as younger person, I always seem to resonate with the west coast...totally different way of lifestyle than here. I personally say go back to Denver.

[dasearch]

Thanks westcoastbabe. I hear ya. It is really just very different. I don't hate Raleigh by any means but I will say many folks do seem much happier out West. Good luck to you. San Diego is a great town! Really kind of a sister city to Denver.

[westcoastbabe]

Someone told me this after I decided I was going to move west......'What's worse? Accepting a sub-par quality of life or taking a risk to see if a move leads to a better quality of life."