Questions about Denver
 

Dear Warpath,

So my wife calls me at work and asks me if Id like to move to Denver. I've never been there. The situation is that her father has a job offer there that would be a much better arrangement for him. He doesn't want to separate the family and move away from his kids and grandkids, so he wants to know if everyone would pack up and go. I may like colorado, and have been wanting to move for a while, anyway.

Everyone has said yes except me, and if I don't go, they won't go. No pressure, right?

Problem is I don't know anything about Denver. (Except I hate the Broncos) Anyone know in what area I might find a house within a half hour of the city that I may get some land with relatively cheap?

Also, any insight on the economy or lifestyle would be appreciated.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

So what about your job, friends, life, etc?? Well I guess you want to move away but Denver isn't exactly your choice, kinda a forced option. Man I am not looking forward to marriage...

I don't really know anything about Denver, sorry to rant.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

From what I've heard, Denver is much like Manassas on a larger scale. However the outlying areas of Denver are great.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

When my wifes parents had to move to another state I looked at it as a break. It was even better when my wife wanted to go and vist them for several days. I'd just tell her I thought that was a great idea and hoped she had a great time. That left me all by myslef home alone. Well, not for long as it was really a time to call up my buddies and have some fun. We would go golfing in the morning then hit the boat and go fishing for a few hours then hit a few bars that are on the water. So help them pack and look sad as their pulling down the street and when your wife is not looking say he!! yea. Remember to encourage your wife to go and vist them when you know you cannot get off work to go. Heck, even buy her a plain ticket to show how much you love her. Guys do need some times to have fun.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

I think Jsarno was looking pretty seriously a while back, he must have a good idea.

All I know is that people say adapting to the altitude is a big adjustment

Re: Questions about Denver
 

I lived in Colorado Springs, ~1 hour south of Denver, for 3 years. I traveled to Denver to watch the Rockies, Nuggets and Broncos play a lot. I didn't particularly like Denver the city but I absolutely love Colorado. The weather will spoil you. The low humidity makes the the cold bearable. If you're in decent shape the acclimitization isn't so bad. I went from the Gulf Coast straight to CS, which is a 6,000 ft change in elevation.

In short, I say move there immediately.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[QUOTE=canthetuna;429959]Dear Warpath,

So my wife calls me at work and asks me if Id like to move to Denver. I've never been there. The situation is that her father has a job offer there that would be a much better arrangement for him. He doesn't want to separate the family and move away from his kids and grandkids, so he wants to know if everyone would pack up and go. I may like colorado, and have been wanting to move for a while, anyway.

Everyone has said yes except me, and if I don't go, they won't go. No pressure, right?

Problem is I don't know anything about Denver. (Except I hate the Broncos) Anyone know in what area I might find a house within a half hour of the city that I may get some land with relatively cheap?

Also, any insight on the economy or lifestyle would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

I LOVE Denver. That is a great city. It's clean, it's beautiful, there are a million things to do too. It's quietly one of the greatest cities in America, and I've been to all but 8 states.
The only problem is it's hard to find jobs there. There are a ton of people for each position that opens up. If you know you'll have jobs, then you should have no worries. The restaurants are great, the scenary is amazing, the people are nice, and everything is pretty centrally located.
Of course, there is traffic, but if you go a little early, you'll be fine. I travelled into the city from Centennial at 7:15am ish, and hit NO traffic. I also travelled in from Aurora around 7:15am ish and hit no traffic there too. I had a house picked out right around where I-70 and E-470 meet. You could see the city from the new developments, and there was nothing but new houses there. The houses are going anywhere from 200k-290k depending on size. The house I picked out was around 240k and BRAND NEW, 2100 sq ft. It was literally 3 minutes to the interstate, and from there around 15-20 minute commute into the heart of the city. I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could find jobs there...but it's a catch 22. They will only hire people that are local. I guess I just didn't have faith into finding a job right away if we quit our current jobs and moved there.
If you are familiar with large cities, this city is better. Washington DC is much more cluttered and violent. I like DC, but Denver is amazing. You won't be disappointed.
It takes a couple months to acclimated to the fact that it's a mile high (literally). I live around 3200 ft high now, and it took a little while to get adjusted, but it's not hard.
Centennial is nice, but it has more people than Aurora and is more expensive. (290k-350k) You can always take the train into the city if you live there, but my suggestion is aurora...the new section. There are some poor sections of Aurora, but they are the old part of the city that is closest to Denver. The outside is beatiful and full of life and money. It's worth it.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;429986]I think Jsarno was looking pretty seriously a while back, he must have a good idea.

All I know is that people say adapting to the altitude is a big adjustment[/QUOTE]

That is true.
Coming from 0 ft above sea level to 3200 feet was an adjustment, but you get used to it and eventually liked it.

Here is a map of the denver area:
[url=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Aurora+CO/?]Map of Aurora, CO by MapQuest[/url]

Re: Questions about Denver
 

thanks. After speaking with the family last night, its up to me. We can either go to Denver, Tampa, or some city in Germany I have not enough interest in to learn the name. I'm actually leaning towards tampa. We will have a bit of a nest egg, and my wife is registered with several asset companies that are nationwide, so she can still get business, and I can always go back to being a greaseball lying sack of shit car salesman if I need some dough ;)

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Tampa is nice... I'm headed to Clearwater tomorrow. Can't wait, forecast is for the mid to high 70's all week. :)

Re: Questions about Denver
 

I've been to Panama City Beach a couple of times as a kid, but havent been back. I'm going to do some research on the economy, but it looks like with the cash down we'll have we can get a nicer house there... maybe even a pool!

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Tampa...ahh, yes...Ybor City. Brings back some pleasant memories...

Re: Questions about Denver
 

I guess the question to ask is would you rather ski in the Rockies, or swim in the warm waters of the Gulf?

Here's a decent site, with different lists of how places rank in terms of housing, jobs, crime, etc.
[url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/]Best Places to Live 2007 - Money Magazine[/url]

Oh yeah...Florida = no state income tax.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Tampa is a great place and right now is a GREAT time to buy real estate in certain parts of FL with the latest "market correction". Ybor City...wow, I get a headache just thinking about that place :-).

I have been to Denver several times as well and really liked it there. The views and people are very nice and the city is clean. I don't know about housing or the job market.

Denver and Tampa are two pretty good places if you have to pick up and move. Good luck with your decision!

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Well you will get to see the skins play once a year at our annual Tampa game.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[QUOTE=canthetuna;430222]thanks. After speaking with the family last night, its up to me. We can either go to Denver, Tampa, or some city in Germany I have not enough interest in to learn the name. I'm actually leaning towards tampa. We will have a bit of a nest egg, and my wife is registered with several asset companies that are nationwide, so she can still get business, and I can always go back to being a greaseball lying sack of shit car salesman if I need some dough ;)[/QUOTE]

I am a big FLA fan and a HUGE Gulf side fan/ Water is warm and life amore laid back. Tampa is basically just like any other city but hell you live at the beach basically. You can drive up and down the Gulf coast and find some of the nicest beaches in the world.

Biggest draw back...Snow Birds. November to April traffic gets a little slower with all the oldies clogging up the roads. Tampa probably doesn't get hit too hard with this though. We were close to moving there about 3 years ago and if the right opportunity came up I bet we'd do it.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[QUOTE=canthetuna;430222]thanks. After speaking with the family last night, its up to me. We can either go to Denver, Tampa, or some city in Germany I have not enough interest in to learn the name. I'm actually leaning towards tampa. We will have a bit of a nest egg, and my wife is registered with several asset companies that are nationwide, so she can still get business, and I can always go back to being a greaseball lying sack of shit car salesman if I need some dough ;)[/QUOTE]

Tampa is nice...I usually travel there once a year (my best friend lives in Fort Myers, FL). My only problems with Tampa is the massive amount of immigrants, and hurricanes...and I was in North Fort Myers when hurricane Charley hit. Other than that, I like the area. It's even close to Orlando, which is great place too.

ps- you can't really swim in most of the waters out there in Tampa...they either have a massive amount of Aligators, or they have a lot of sharks...once a year a school of 50-200 sharks gather right around Tampa. It usually makes the news, and the papers,...you can see it from the sky.
Either way, you'll make a good choice. If you like mild weather, Tampa is your place.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Move to Denver, life isnt as fast there. Buy yourself a pair of skis, take lessons and never look back. Denver is from what I have heard a nice place to live, and it has a relatively low crime rate. Safety and skiing perfect.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;430360]Tampa is nice...I usually travel there once a year (my best friend lives in Fort Myers, FL). My only problems with Tampa is the massive amount of immigrants, and hurricanes...and I was in North Fort Myers when hurricane Charley hit. Other than that, I like the area. It's even close to Orlando, which is great place too.

ps- you can't really swim in most of the waters out there in Tampa...they either have a massive amount of Aligators, or they have a lot of sharks...once a year a school of 50-200 sharks gather right around Tampa. It usually makes the news, and the papers,...you can see it from the sky.
Either way, you'll make a good choice. If you like mild weather, Tampa is your place.[/QUOTE]

Well alligators don't live in ocean waters and the shark issue is over blown.

Anyone going to a beach in Tampa would have a MUCH higher chance of dying in a car accident on the way there and I doubt anyone goes swimming in the swamps where the alligators are.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

tuna, i was in Tampa over thanksgiving, and would move there in a heart beat. beautiful weather, lots to do ( channel-side, ybor city, all kinds of sports, and concerts) very nice people. and St Petersburg beach is one of the nicest in the country. i went swimming when i was there, no problems. and my friends been there 18 years, and only had issues with one hurricane.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

Very interesting situation you have, Tuna. You're actually considering moving away because your family is considering it. You must either really love your extended family or are not at all attached to your current job.

That's so far opposite from me that it's tough for me to even comprehend. If my in-laws moved away I'd wave bon voyage, see you at Christmas! LOL

But if you don't mind cold weather, I hear Denver is a lovely place to live.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

schneed, what if your wife was putting pressure on you to follow her family? its a tough situation to be in

Re: Questions about Denver
 

its an interesting situation because I'm not married to my job. I can go anywhere and either do electrical work or sell cars. My wife has clients here, but recently her clients are all asset companies that are located all across the US. All she has to do is change zip codes. And my in-laws would gladly help with any incidentals that may arise unforseen. We've been planning to move to Charlotte or Ashville NC for a while, and wanted to go while the kids are young. My wife was a military girl so she likes a change of scenery from time to time.

My in-laws are actually great people and I do enjoy spending time with them. As much as they've helped us in the past, and given that Tampa seems like a nice place and I've wanted to live near the beach since I was a kid, it makes sense. I think we're gonna do it.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

tuna, this may interest you. the Tampa area is very relaxed when it comes to drinking. people were drinking the whole time i was there. and drinking just about every where. and with out any hassles

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[quote=dmek25;430383]schneed, what if your wife was putting pressure on you to follow her family? its a tough situation to be in[/quote]

Well if I was Tuna, and I liked my in-laws, and I didn't feel tied to a job, then I would move.

But for me personally, in my situation, I'd have to tell my wife tough sh*t. I love my job, there's no chance of me getting transferred since I work for a chain of hospitals here in Philly, and my own family lives around here. So following my wife's family would mean leaving my own, so that wouldn't work for me. Moving would mean leaving one side of the family, and staying behind would mean leaving the other side of the family. There'd be nothing to gain from moving, either way I'd be losing a side.

But every situation is different. Tuna's got fewer roots laid down than I do, so he can do it.

But moving is expensive as all get-out. I assume you own, Tuna? $3000-$5000 for movers, 4-6% real estate commission on the sale of your home (unless you do it by owner, but that'd be real hard in this market), $10 - $20K for closing costs on a new mortgage, plus the down payment on the new home which hopefully you can roll over from the sale of your existing home (provided the closing costs and real estate commissions don't bite you too badly).

Re: Questions about Denver
 

my wife is a realtor, and I've got an inactive license... also one of us would get a license in fl, so we would make commissions on the sale of our home, her folks home, and her sisters, and then help us all purchase new homes. It would turn out to be somewhat lucrative for us if we all moved.

Ive heard, though that there is a different class of people in the Tampa area. The insinuation was that it was a pretty trashy place. I'm not exactly a sheltered guy, but I dont want my daughters going to school in a rough place. Im paying for private school for my oldest, but was planning on switching her when my youngest got old enough for school...

anyone have any insight on the "trashiness" of the area?

Re: Questions about Denver
 

As far as my family, my mom packed up and left me when I was 17, so I have no qualms with leaving her. The only deterrent is that she has a great relationship with my kids. However, I'm not going to live my life tied to either one of them. I have always wanted to live near a beach, and hope this is an opportunity to do that and maintain a good standard of living for my family.

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[quote=canthetuna;430486]my wife is a realtor, and I've got an inactive license... also one of us would get a license in fl, so we would make commissions on the sale of our home, her folks home, and her sisters, and then help us all purchase new homes. It would turn out to be somewhat lucrative for us if we all moved.

Ive heard, though that there is a different class of people in the Tampa area. The insinuation was that it was a pretty trashy place. I'm not exactly a sheltered guy, but I dont want my daughters going to school in a rough place. Im paying for private school for my oldest, but was planning on switching her when my youngest got old enough for school...

anyone have any insight on the "trashiness" of the area?[/quote]


Greetings C, I live in Naples. I go to Tampa to see the Skins play or some other major event periodically (as Naples is to small to get the really big stuff). Seems like a nice city. Fl IS laid back. You can basically go anywhere in shorts, and flipflops. The warmest jacket I own is a windbreaker. As far as Tampa, it is a large city with large city challenges......good area's and bad. You will have to shop housing, and school district together. I grew up in Mongomery County, Maryland. I can say, I have been VERY happy with the school district my kids are in, in Naples.
The gulf beaches are the best in the US (warm water). The Keys are Bahamian like in water color. If you fish, camp, or like the outdoors, you will love it. People here tend to live outside more. You will use your lanai, or pool area like a living room in the NE
Take your time as there are many really beautiful places in Fl.

Beware! Winters are incredible!!! Summers are HHOTTTT

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[quote=Hog1;430534]Greetings C, I live in Naples. I go to Tampa to see the Skins play or some other major event periodically (as Naples is to small to get the really big stuff). Seems like a nice city. Fl IS laid back. You can basically go anywhere in shorts, and flipflops. The warmest jacket I own is a windbreaker. As far as Tampa, it is a large city with large city challenges......good area's and bad. You will have to shop housing, and school district together. I grew up in Mongomery County, Maryland. I can say, I have been VERY happy with the school district my kids are in, in Naples.
The gulf beaches are the best in the US (warm water). The Keys are Bahamian like in water color. If you fish, camp, or like the outdoors, you will love it. People here tend to live outside more. You will use your lanai, or pool area like a living room in the NE
Take your time as there are many really beautiful places in Fl.

Beware! Winters are incredible!!! Summers are HHOTTTT[/quote]


thanks,

yeah I grew up in southeast texas about an hour from galveston, so Im familiar with the 120 degree high humidity heat... not that i ever got used to it, but I remember it. Walking to my car and soaking my shirt before I could get the AC kicking really sucked...

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[quote=canthetuna;430538]thanks,

yeah I grew up in southeast texas about an hour from galveston, so Im familiar with the 120 degree high humidity heat... not that i ever got used to it, but I remember it. Walking to my car and soaking my shirt before I could get the AC kicking really sucked...[/quote]

I spent 15 years in beautiful Baytown, Tx (20 mile E of Houston). Summers are indentical, except no 747 mosquito problem. Not real buggy at all. Winters are humidity free (50%) from Nov/Dec-March/April, 75 and Sunny. Meanig no disrespect to Galveston, the gulf water is clear and the beaches are white sand. Very nice

Re: Questions about Denver
 

[quote=Hog1;430540]I spent 15 years in beautiful Baytown, Tx (20 mile E of Houston). Summers are indentical, except no 747 mosquito problem. Not real buggy at all. Winters are humidity free (50%) from Nov/Dec-March/April, 75 and Sunny. Meanig no disrespect to Galveston, the gulf water is clear and the beaches are white sand. Very nice[/quote]


I lived in Silsbee. Crystal beach sucked pretty bad. It was nice for a party... lots of drunk dirty-legs, but that's about it.

We used to play baytown-sterling I believe...