CO wins - moving back to Chicago in a week (Denver: home, job market) - Colorado - City-Data Forum

tsk1995 · 10-19-2013, 04:59 PM

This is for people thinking of moving to the Denver area. We have been here for over 2 years and have decided to move back to Chicago in time for the horrible winter there.

What we loved about the area - exploring the mountains and different things to do, weather (I am under the impression that the wildfires are not normal even though they have been bad the last 2 years), landscape, 1st Fridays at the DAM, music scene

What we didn't love about the areas - couldn't find people that we could relate to. We have that down to earth Midwest attitude with a good dose of sarcastic humor. My husband and daughter are very outgoing and we tried going several groups and went to the functions but no luck. After being here for a couple of months, I had someone go off on me for moving here and not being a native. I later found out the person was not technically a native either since they move here when they were 3. People here are nice but we found it hard to really connect with people.

Other comments but not sure how to label - daughter thought there was too much sun. Restaurants cannot compete with Chicago which has force us to eat more at home (not really a bad thing). The liberals and conservative seems pretty equal but depends what area you move to (just a warning for people looking for one over the other).

I hope this helps for people thinking of moving to the area.

Freelee · 10-19-2013, 06:38 PM

((waves good bye))

JD401 · 10-19-2013, 06:56 PM

I still didn't really read anything that would make me decide to move away. I gather from your post that the biggest thing was not being able to make friends? It's tough in a new place, and after 3 months, we really only have one couple that we've hung out with with any regularity. I've found that it usually happens organically, rather than meet up groups, whatever. Work, church, hobbies, etc. It'll happen. But if you've resigned to giving up, good luck back in Chicago.

P.S. Anybody "going off" on you anywhere for not being a "native" has their own issues. I would laugh, very hard, in that persons face.

Freelee · 10-19-2013, 07:12 PM

Her daughter thinks Colorado has too much sun.

SkyDog77 · 10-19-2013, 09:05 PM

Where did you live?

Count David · 10-20-2013, 12:39 AM

I've had a hard time making friends here too, been here 6 years.

Never had that problem anywhere else, but it's probably just me.

ALStafford · 10-20-2013, 11:10 AM

I'm surprised at the "hard time making friends" comments. I moved here in late May, my teen daughter followed when she finished her summer camps in late July. We moved from the Triangle area of NC, where we've been for 10 years. I'm originally from Nebraska.

I was never really able to make friends in NC. Not sure why, but often felt isolated, and lonely. But, within a few weeks of being in Denver, I was comfortable with my co-workers, and have made some great friends all over the place. Today, I have some new friends coming over, we're planning a day of football, corn mazes and pumpkin patches (if it doesn't rain), chili and board games. My car battery died the other day at the grocery store, and it took one phone call to a friend to have them come give me a jump. I never had that in NC.

My daughter has made great friends in her school orchestra, and is already pretty involved in various school activities...enough so that I'm running around with her after work at minimum 3 days a week (she's 15...I CANNOT WAIT for her to get her license so I can get a break!). Of course, it might help that she attends Lakewood HS, and the Katy Perry Lipdub contest and win has really opened up school for her. In NC, she really didn't want to get involved in stuff, and never attended a pep rally (she's a musician, and not an athlete). Here, she was asking to go to school at 4 or 5 AM for things, and talks about her friends all the time.

We love it here. I cannot imagine ever wanting to be someplace else. Yesterday, while waiting for a friend with the dead car, the daughter said she feels happy, and even hanging out in the sunshine waiting for a jump start was better than a great day in NC. It's just different somehow. But we really feel home, and making some great friends has really contributed to that.

RKleindienst · 10-20-2013, 06:38 PM

Denver has been an incredible experience so far and I would do it all over again but like you we plan on moving back to NYC in a few months. We have realized life is not about living near pretty mountains but rather experiencing life with those you care about - your friends and family. The job market has also been pretty dismal here compared to what were used to. Don't let posts discourage you though, these things you have to figure out and experience for yourself.

oping00 · 10-21-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKleindienst

Denver has been an incredible experience so far and I would do it all over again but like you we plan on moving back to NYC in a few months. We have realized life is not about living near pretty mountains but rather experiencing life with those you care about - your friends and family. The job market has also been pretty dismal here compared to what were used to. Don't let posts discourage you though, these things you have to figure out and experience for yourself.

I hear from alot people about the scarcity of the job market in Denver, why do so many people move there, do they like skiing that much or is it the free pot or do they like making min wage.

westcoastbabe · 10-21-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oping00

I hear from alot people about the scarcity of the job market in Denver, why do so many people move there, do they like skiing that much or is it the free pot or do they like making min wage.

I've heard actually just the opposite. A city with a lot of potential for personal and professional developmenbt and growth.....Far more potential than Charlotte, NC which is where I am located.