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Old 07-12-2015, 12:12 PM
 
119 posts, read 272,273 times
Reputation: 43

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Hi, everyone! After a long time of waiting, I finally have made the decision to move to Denver! I have an interview with a school in Broomfield next week, and as long as that goes well, I will be on my way west.

I have spent a lot of time in the area visiting friends/staying for the summer. I know that that cost of living is much more expensive than in Ohio, and that - as a teacher - I'll be making similar to what I currently am getting paid. I understand that I'll have to cut back on spending because of that. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me about paying taxes in Colorado compared to Ohio? If you've made the move, were there any financial issues that snuck up on you? I'm coming out there by myself, have considered finding a roommate or living around Westminster for the first year to "save up" a bit of cash before moving to my idea neighborhood, West Wash Park.

Thanks for any advice you may have!!
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Old 07-12-2015, 12:36 PM
 
66 posts, read 141,548 times
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We moved from OH almost 4 years ago. It is more expensive. The state income tax is a flat rate of I believe 4.63%. In OH the the tax rate is broken into tax brackets based on what you make and therefore tends to be less. Registration for your car is based on the value of the vehicle and again is more than Ohio's flat rate. Rent and housing prices in the Denver metro have gone up 20-25% in the last couple of years. We own a house south of Denver and water rates were are also a big cost if you are in a home. Obviously this is due to living in a high desert climate and lack of rain compared to OH.
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Old 07-12-2015, 02:18 PM
 
Location: OH>IL>CO>CT
7,471 posts, read 13,477,632 times
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Which school in Broomfield ? As you may know, the City of Broomfield spans 6 different school Districts.
City and County of Broomfield - Official Website - Schools with Boulder Valley and Adams 12 being the 2 largest.

Some of the elementaries are near relatively low cost apartments, the middle and high schools not so much.
Here is one example
Sandalwood Apartments - Marble Street #104 | Broomfield, CO Apartments for Rent | Rent.com®

While Wash Park may be a desirable area, the daily commute to Broomfield could get tiresome.

Get an estimate of your car registration here Calculate Registration Fees It decreases every year as the cars value drops.

Sales taxes ranges from about 3% to 9+% depending on location.
Taxes by State: Alabama to Iowa
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Old 07-12-2015, 02:28 PM
 
119 posts, read 272,273 times
Reputation: 43
Thank you so much for the links on taxes and car registration! I had heard that car registration was much more expensive, but luckily I don't have a super fancy car! (2004 Jeep Liberty)



Quote:
Originally Posted by reed303 View Post
Which school in Broomfield ? As you may know, the City of Broomfield spans 6 different school Districts.
City and County of Broomfield - Official Website - Schools with Boulder Valley and Adams 12 being the 2 largest.

Some of the elementaries are near relatively low cost apartments, the middle and high schools not so much.
Here is one example
Sandalwood Apartments - Marble Street #104 | Broomfield, CO Apartments for Rent | Rent.com®

While Wash Park may be a desirable area, the daily commute to Broomfield could get tiresome.

Get an estimate of your car registration here Calculate Registration Fees It decreases every year as the cars value drops.

Sales taxes ranges from about 3% to 9+% depending on location.
Taxes by State: Alabama to Iowa
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Old 07-12-2015, 04:18 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,674 posts, read 29,584,857 times
Reputation: 33222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure Ray View Post
taxes in Colorado compared to Ohio
Income tax RATE is higher.
Actual income tax amount should be about $400/yr.
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Old 07-15-2015, 05:59 PM
 
371 posts, read 1,204,635 times
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I'm also a teacher from OH I absolutely love Denver and have no intentions of going back if I can help it, but the income/COL difference is HUGE. I guess maybe it depends on what part of OH you're from. I'm from the Cincinnati area and my parents (still living there) are teachers as well. They both make over 90K. They live in a modest but nice house (4 bedroom all brick ranch, 2 acres of land) in a very nice/desirable neighborhood. It cost 130K. As a teacher in Denver, the highest salary I've seen that you can ever get up to is in the high 70's. My salary as a relatively new teacher is similar to what I'd get in OH, but the opportunities for advancement are much less. Not to mention, most districts have been experiencing freezes/cuts for years. This coming school year will be my 6th, but I'll be paid as a 3rd year teacher. My district does still give raises for graduate college credits/masters degrees, but that is becoming more rare. Compared to OH, I can't believe how much housing costs here. Even out of the way/less desirable neighborhoods are 300-400K for a modest sized house. My coworker just bought a 4 bedroom in Parker, which if you're not familiar is at least 40 minutes from downtown Denver, and it cost over 500k. West Wash Park is going to be astronomical unless you have multiple roommates. Groceries, gas, entertainment...literally everything is more expensive! Unless you happen to marry someone wealthier than you, I honestly don't know how teachers survive here long term. Perhaps that's why I'm the only single teacher at my school! At this point, on my salary, I don't see owning a house by myself as ever being a reality. School funding is a huge crisis in CO. OH schools are funded twice as much money per pupil as CO schools are, and it sounds like it's not getting any better any time soon. Like I said, I love it, but I worry about being able to last here long term budget-wise. I just want you to know what you're getting into!
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Old 07-15-2015, 06:31 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,674 posts, read 29,584,857 times
Reputation: 33222
Default Your not in Kansas anymore

Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison21 View Post
I'm also a teacher from OH?..I'm from the Cincinnati...
Denver, the city, is gaining 10K people per year.
Cincinnati is losing population and has lost almost 50% of its population since its peak in 1950.

You cannot compare the two cities.
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Old 07-17-2015, 08:29 PM
 
119 posts, read 272,273 times
Reputation: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison21 View Post
I'm also a teacher from OH I absolutely love Denver and have no intentions of going back if I can help it, but the income/COL difference is HUGE. I guess maybe it depends on what part of OH you're from. I'm from the Cincinnati area and my parents (still living there) are teachers as well. They both make over 90K. They live in a modest but nice house (4 bedroom all brick ranch, 2 acres of land) in a very nice/desirable neighborhood. It cost 130K. As a teacher in Denver, the highest salary I've seen that you can ever get up to is in the high 70's. My salary as a relatively new teacher is similar to what I'd get in OH, but the opportunities for advancement are much less. Not to mention, most districts have been experiencing freezes/cuts for years. This coming school year will be my 6th, but I'll be paid as a 3rd year teacher. My district does still give raises for graduate college credits/masters degrees, but that is becoming more rare. Compared to OH, I can't believe how much housing costs here. Even out of the way/less desirable neighborhoods are 300-400K for a modest sized house. My coworker just bought a 4 bedroom in Parker, which if you're not familiar is at least 40 minutes from downtown Denver, and it cost over 500k. West Wash Park is going to be astronomical unless you have multiple roommates. Groceries, gas, entertainment...literally everything is more expensive! Unless you happen to marry someone wealthier than you, I honestly don't know how teachers survive here long term. Perhaps that's why I'm the only single teacher at my school! At this point, on my salary, I don't see owning a house by myself as ever being a reality. School funding is a huge crisis in CO. OH schools are funded twice as much money per pupil as CO schools are, and it sounds like it's not getting any better any time soon. Like I said, I love it, but I worry about being able to last here long term budget-wise. I just want you to know what you're getting into!
Thanks for the insight, Harrison21! It's nice to hear about this from someone who is from Ohio. I am in my 9th year of teaching in Ohio and will be making about $54k next year.....I feel like I'm crazy for wanting to move! But I'm in a small-town about an hour West of Cleveland and I'm SO bored. The lake is nice in the summer, but you know how the other 9 months are here! I have been to Denver a few times and have even spent entire summers there - people seem much more open to friendships in Denver and more people are into the activities that I am into. Plus - the mountains! Maybe I'm hitting a quarter life crisis (I'm 32 and single..), but I feel like I'm ready to take the pay cut (or find another job) and move out there. Looks like I'll need to find some roommates....

As an addition - I got through the first round of interviews, but didn't make it past the 2nd. (This is why I don't like Skype!) Looks like I will try again next year! Maybe this is God's way of telling me to save more money! haha

Last edited by Azure Ray; 07-17-2015 at 09:23 PM..
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Old 07-17-2015, 08:39 PM
 
Location: lakewood
572 posts, read 548,211 times
Reputation: 317
When you and your teacher friends are looking for a house, if its an indepdent owner,ask about an adjustment for being a teach.... I've known of folks who managed to secure discounts for stuff like that - of course, it's owner dependent...
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Old 07-17-2015, 08:47 PM
 
Location: Arvada, CO
13,824 posts, read 29,797,901 times
Reputation: 14418
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure Ray View Post
Thank you so much for the links on taxes and car registration! I had heard that car registration was much more expensive, but luckily I don't have a super fancy car! (2004 Jeep Liberty)
I have an 06 Liberty, and I think my registration was like $80. Just don't buy new. That's where they get ya. It was closer to $300 when it was newer.

This should be no change for you, but: washer fluid.

Also, water is expensive, so do your best to get into a situation where you don't have to pay for it.
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