Visiting Denver in 3 wks from Ohio. Questions... (Aurora, Arvada: best neighborhood, transplants)

[willsmd]

Hi Everyone!
My wife and I currently live in Northeastern Ohio and are in our late 20's. She has lived the majority of her life in Los Angeles, California and I, in NE Ohio. We are visiting Denver in 3 weeks for about 6 days.

The reason? Because we have heard so many wonderful things about Colorado and every person we have talked to in person have all loved living there, we are really interested in moving there.

We both enjoy hiking, rafting, camping out, sports, etc...thinking it would be a good blend of CA/OH. CA in terms of seeing the sun, mountains, outdoors and OH due to more reasonable cost of living than CA, good people, families, seasons, etc...

She is a nurse and would probably need to work at the Children's Hospital in Aurora in the PICU and I am in retail/manufacturing with a finance/planning background and my potential field of work is more open ended.

Questions...we are going to spend the first few days of our trip getting to know the Denver area, getting a feel for the areas and where we would like to live should we decide to move there, then spend some time in the outdoors.

Keeping in mind that my wife would be working in Aurora and I within the Denver area, where are some good areas around Denver to live?
Looking for a good area, friendly people, good schools, etc... probably in South/Southeast/Southwest Denver.

How is the morning commute into Denver from South/Southeast Denver?

Where are some places you would suggest visiting to help us get a great feel for the city and its people overall?

What are a couple of good, picturesque day-hikes to go on keeping in mind we'll only be there for a few days?

Anyone have any apartments/condo suggestions to rent were we to move there?

Are there any good Lebanese/Meditteranean restaurants to go to while we are out there? How about Sushi?

Is it pretty easy for new transplants to adjust to CO? Welcoming people, etc?

For nurses, if you have any information on the Children's Hospital, I know my wife would appreciate it. Acuity levels, status of the hospital, research hospital? management? etc....

Finally, any experiences in moving from Ohio to Denver? LA to Denver? Your thoughts are appreciated...

Sorry for all the questions...I'm sure we have more but just a start I guess.
Anything else you can add to this would be great. We truly appreciate your time and your help! Thank you and take care...

-M

[suzco]

Mike from back east compiled a great Denver Index Thread.

You can get a good start in your information gathering by looking at that thread and clicking through to existing threads that discuss some of your questions.

[Katarina Witt]

For nurses, if you have any information on the Children's Hospital, I know my wife would appreciate it. Acuity levels, status of the hospital, research hospital? management? etc....

I work in a pediatrician's office in Boulder County. Children's Hospital is MECCA! That is where we refer most of our patients when they need a specialist. It is affiliated with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Edit: I am from the Pittsburgh area (Beaver Falls). Howdy, neighbor!

[Mikieo415]

I moved here from the Youngstown Ohio area back in November. I will never go back. You will be very happy. The weather is great, people don't have that chip on their shoulders... I know you know what I am talking about. Don't rule out some of the northwestern areas, like Arvada and Westminster. The drive to the hospital in Aurora isn't that bad from there. I have driven to that area during rush hour on occasion.

A day trip to Red Rocks Amphitheater is a must. Take the ride down the 16th street mall downtown. You can visit the US Mint also. There are a lot of fun things to do. I hope it works out for you! Denver and NE Ohio are in two different worlds!

[danthach]

You wont have any trouble meeting people around your age here. Most likely they will be transplants also. I only know 2 people who grew up here in denver. everyone else is from all over the country. Many Ohioans are out here, and they hang at crocs, the OSU alumni bar. Im a Ohioan also.

I've been out here for 6 months, and met great people out here. Wasnt hard for me to get adjusted at all. Just get on craigslist, meetup, or head to the bar and meet the freindly people.

Ive only had one place for sushi, which was "sushi den" which supposedly imports fresh fish from japan daily. Around my neighborhood there is 2 sushi restaurants - Fontana Sushi (534 E Alameda Ave) and Taki Sushi (420 E Bayaud Ave).

Im not a fan of the burbs, but if I had to recommend one, I would say Westminister/Broomfield, only cuz of the Pacific Ocean Marketplace grocery store and all the Pho restaurants.

What would I reccomend you do here? Go get some cheap bikes off craigslist, and take a ride from REI downtown, following the creek trail, hitting downing street, and finally arrive in wash park. From there rent a paddle boat and enjoy a sunset on wash park's lake.

[kristenfromdenver]

Damascus is Syrian, but is the BEST around. Fabulous freshly made pita, excellent baba ganoush and hummus. You will love it. It is around Colorado and Evans. Ali Baba in Golden is good too, but Damascus is better in my opinion - YUM!

[tfox]

Shish Kabob Grill in Capitol Hill/E Colfax (Colfax & Grant) is very good for middle eastern. There's a whole row of Middle Eastern places on S. Colorado Blvd (The aforementioned Damascus is one of them).

As for Sushi, there are many good choices, Sushi Den on Old South Pearl in Platt Park, Sushi Sasa on 15th & Platte, Sushi Hai at 32nd/Lowell in the Highlands, Sushi Tazu in Cherry Creek.

As for where to live, I suppose it depends on what you want, and how much money you have to spend. Stapleton (a new-construction infill site) is probably the best neighborhood close to the Fitzsimmons hospitals in Aurora (which is NOT in a good area). Park Hill, Lowry, Mayfair, are other east Denver neighborhoods that would be relatively close to the hospitals. A little further than that (mostly southeast) would be doens of Central Denver neighborhoods discussed in detail, take your pick.

[Dorthy]

Beruit Grill in Old Englewood is awesome. It's Lebanese and I *think* owned by the same people who own Damascus. Fresh homeade pita, creamy hummus. It is so good. It's at Hampden and Broadway.

[Katarina Witt]

There is a place called Jerusalem near DU. My daughter likes it.

[Augie Daugie]

All of my favorite mountain hikes are usually covered in snow thru May...but there is nothing like hiking 12,000 or more feet above sea level.

Since you have never been here before, I'd suggest walking around neighborhoods where you might want to live. My favorite neighborhood hike is taking 17th Ave Parkway at Monaco west into City Park - fabulous neighborhood into City Park's fantastic views.

For restaurant and other business recommendations check out San Francisco Restaurants, Dentists, Bars, Beauty Salons, Doctors.