moving from washington to colorado (Denver, Aurora: sales, apartment, rent)

[nikedunks13]

I'm 24 with some money saved up, I've been interested in moving to Colorado for a while now. I'm wondering if I do decide to move what the best area for me to move to would be. I know it's hard to find a job but I'd like to move to a place with decent job opportunities. My only real work experience is data entry at a medical office and some retail/ sales experience. I have about $9000 saved up and I'd still have some income, I receive $1100 a month from an annuity. I'm hoping to keep rent under 700 preferably closer to 600.

[davebarnes]

Move.
Just be prepared to spend more on rent.
$800+
Capitol Hill.

[nikedunks13]

Yeah I seen some cheaper places online but I went back and looked and most of the cheaper ones don't have phone numbers so I'm thinking they're probably fake.

How tough is it to find a job in the Denver area right now? I'd really be willing to work anywhere except at a fast food place.

[JD401]

Originally Posted by nikedunks13

Yeah I seen some cheaper places online but I went back and looked and most of the cheaper ones don't have phone numbers so I'm thinking they're probably fake.

How tough is it to find a job in the Denver area right now? I'd really be willing to work anywhere except at a fast food place.

It depends. Touch base with one of the many temp agencies here. If you can come and visit before officially moving, schedule appointments to meet with several during your visit. Outside of those guys, it's going to be hard to have interviews lined up before actually getting here. Look around on simplyhired.com to get an idea of jobs available.

You won't be able to find anything in Capitol Hill for $600, at least not that you'd actually want to live in. $700 would get you a 400sqft studio. As Dave said, bumping it up to $800 would get you a few options, but not many. Most options in that range would be getting you less than 600 sqft, and probably all along Colfax.

If funds are so tight, you'd maybe be better off moving a bit further out. Could still be in Denver proper, but less central will save some cash on the rent. Maybe something like Glendale.

[nikedunks13]

Originally Posted by JD401

It depends. Touch base with one of the many temp agencies here. If you can come and visit before officially moving, schedule appointments to meet with several during your visit. Outside of those guys, it's going to be hard to have interviews lined up before actually getting here. Look around on simplyhired.com to get an idea of jobs available.

You won't be able to find anything in Capitol Hill for $600, at least not that you'd actually want to live in. $700 would get you a 400sqft studio. As Dave said, bumping it up to $800 would get you a few options, but not many. Most options in that range would be getting you less than 600 sqft, and probably all along Colfax.

If funds are so tight, you'd maybe be better off moving a bit further out. Could still be in Denver proper, but less central will save some cash on the rent. Maybe something like Glendale.

I'll check out Glendale, it doesn't have to be Denver, that's just the first option. I definitely don't want to live in any bad neighborhoods though. I'll try and talk to some temp agencies to line up some interviews, I figured it would be hard to have interviews lined up before I moved there which is why I have been trying to save up some money to hold me over until I find a job.

Any other places somewhat close to Denver you would recommend? I'd like to be within an hour or 2 so I could go to some sports games.

[JD401]

Originally Posted by nikedunks13

I'll check out Glendale, it doesn't have to be Denver, that's just the first option. I definitely don't want to live in any bad neighborhoods though. I'll try and talk to some temp agencies to line up some interviews, I figured it would be hard to have interviews lined up before I moved there which is why I have been trying to save up some money to hold me over until I find a job.

Any other places somewhat close to Denver you would recommend? I'd like to be within an hour or 2 so I could go to some sports games.

If an hour or 2 is acceptable, there are many options that other posters could speak better to.

As far as Denver metro goes, just play around with the different property sites - hotpads.com, padmapper.com, trulia, zillow, etc. Set your filters, and scan around the map. Make of listing of interesting looking places that are in your price point, then check the address against crimereports.com to get an idea on the area. Those properties will likely be gone by the time you're ready to move, but that can at least give you an idea on areas where you can afford rents, and the general crime in the area.

Walkscore.com will give you an idea of what would be around the area as well.

[lorlai]

If you are fine not living downtown, many of the suburbs will do nicely. Lakewood is about 30 minutes from downtown, and has a large variety of rent options. Aurora will give you similar cheap rents, but you will want to be careful about the area. Littleton is a great city to live in, and you can find some cheap options. My advice is to check out Craigslist. I have found every apartment I've lived in through there. It may take a little bit of digging, but you'll be able to find a place that will suit your needs.

And if you are willing to drive up to 2 hours to get downtown, your options are nearly limitless. It's an 1 and 15 minute drive (on a good day) to Fort Collins, 77 miles north. I prefer the southern cities, closer to the tech center (Parker, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Lone Tree).

Hope that this helps!

Lorlai