confused where to relocate from California.: Denver co Or Raleigh nc (real estate, low crime)

[kolbabs]

Hi guys need help,

We r planning to relocate from Santa Clara CA to either Denver CO or Raleigh NC . wud like to live in suburbs. which city is better to raise a kids. I hav a 2 year old daughter. My husband works from home, i have done MBA in finance and wud start looking for a job once my baby is settled in her school.
Prefence:
1- good schools with good education system
2- friendly down to earth people
3- Nice homes (our budget $500000)
4- low crime
5- outdoor activities
6- scenic beauty

[Pacifico]

1- good schools w good education system: both places would work well. Colorado generally ranks higher than NC in education but the Raleigh area specifically maybe have the edge over Denver.
2- friendly down to earth people: both pretty even.
The other categories are close too. Main decision will be how far from NorCal do you want to be. I don't think there are direct flights from Raleigh to NorCal. But yes from Denver. One is rooted in southern culture the other is more middle America with some west coast element. I'd go with Denver.

[SkyDog77]

Weather and city size are dramatically different.

Raleigh is much more of a small town feel to me. Also very hot and humid in the summer. More mild in the winter.

Denver is a much bigger city. We get a real winter.

[ctr88]

I would personally go Denver but that's just me because I love the mountains. Mountain scenery much better in CO. Too humid summers for me in Raleigh. Mountains are closer to Denver I think. Rockies are nicer than the Appalachians IMO too. Also depends a lot on what type of "culture" you are looking for...Mountain West Colorado culture or Southern culture. You do have the beaches in Raleigh, but I think that is at least a 3 hr drive. Raleigh has milder shorter winters too.

[davebarnes]

look at taking a course on spelling.

[SkyDog77]

More bang for your buck real estate wise in Raleigh.

[bluescreen73]

I personally would take the 4 seasons of Denver and the Rockies nearby over the heat and humidity of the southeast 100% of the time. Been there, done that, got the sweat-stained t-shirt.

[Spot]

I was stationed in NC while in the military and I live in Denver now. Raleigh is a nice city, but I think Denver would have to be my choice between the two. You just can't beat living at the base of the Rockies and the weather in CO is significantly better overall in my opinion. Not to mention the economy in Colorado is generally stronger than North Carolina's, so over the long haul you'll have better opportunities here.

One thing that's unique to Colorado is that this is the only place I've lived where 8 out of 10 people say they love it here. And if you enjoy the outdoors you're gonna love it too!

[JMM64]

You must visit both places and see which one you prefer. Sure there are pluses and minuses about both that are of course just personal perception, but I think that you need to see both and decide which one you really like better overall.

Best of luck!

[Robert5]

I have lived in Santa Clara and Denver, but not NC. I would make a joke, but some would misinterpret.