Anyone from Colorado??

[sunkist]

So, it may be that I''ll be moving to Colorado soon. I guess Boulder or Colorado Springs area. My boyfriend is considering a job transfer there, and he just got back from Colorado and absolutely fell in love with it! He brought home housing brochures and real estate magazines! And tons of pictures

It''s actually really cute to see him so excited!

If you live around this area, can you tell me how much you love it? or don''t love it...??? I am hoping for good stories though

I''m really nervous and scared to move. I live in So. California, always have! I''ve visited the snow, but never lived in it. I''ve never lived more than an hour away from the beach! I''ve never lived an hour away from my family!! We''re not married yet, we''re planning on being married by the end of the year though. And once we''re married and living together, then hopefully I''ll feel differently about moving.

I''ve never been to Colorado. I''ve never known anyone from there. Just please tell me it''s not the boonies! Thanks!

 

[AmantdeChat]

Although I do not live in Colorado, I am right next door and have visited alot!

Boulder is awesome! It''s a college town with an artistic vibe to it (if that makes any sense

) and it is considered one of the healthier cities to live in. In fact, Colorado as a state is very pro health, exercise, clean living, etc.

We go to Boulder for pro volleyball tournaments. The weather in the summer is really nice, but I am not sure how the winters are (but they can''t be much worse than ours!)

I have relatives in Colorado Springs and it is another really nice city (although I favor Boulder). Both are right at the foot of the mountains with Colorado Springs being farther south of Denver and Boulder being just north of Denver.

I can''t imagine not being able to find something to do, whether it is snow skiing, hiking, exploring, etc.

It''s not the boonies! They now have running water and indoor plumbing...

Anyway, I don''t think you will be disappointed. It is a very beautiful state (at least the western side is) and most people are very friendly and inviting.

Good luck!

 

[Rhapsody]

I live in Colorado, but I live east of Denver in Aurora.

I really like it here, there''s a little bit of everything. Denver, although small compared to LA, has lots of great things to do, plus you have the mountains and LOTS of open spaces with tons of outdoor things to do.

Boulder is gorgeous, a lot of it is pretty artsy, theres a lot of beautiful parks and theres a lot of theater places (the Shakespear festival is there every year). The only down side is the college students, they can get pretty annoying. CO Springs is nice in a lot of places, but some of it is very religious, right wing and I found that uncomfortable for me (just something to think about when picking where to live).

If you''re worried about snow, I wouldn''t be. Unless you''re living at a pretty high elevation (some parts of CO Springs are pretty high) or in the foothills it really only snows 5 or 6 times a year.

 

[Sundial]

I live in a neighboring state close to the Colorado border and we visit there frequently. It is a beautiful state and you will love it! Yes there is snow, but there is also a lot of sunshine and glorious weather.

 

[sunkist]

Oh, thank you so much for replying Amant, Raphsody, and Sundial! It does make me feel much better about it

So it doesn''t snow much and there are big cities (smaller than LA though). From pictures it doesn''t look like there are many trees. But you wouldn''t call it desert land, would you? I can''t think of what it would be. Is it chapparal or probably just moutain terrain?

A lot of the development there looks really new? Is this true? Do you know where the older parts of cities are? Is it cowboy country?

Heehee! Sorry for all the questions! Hope someone can answer

Thanks

 

[sunkist]

Date: 5/2/2006 4:57:56 PM
Author: AmantdeChat


It''s not the boonies! They now have running water and indoor plumbing...

Haha!

This is great news

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 5/2/2006 5:12:39 PM
Author: Rhapsody
I live in Colorado, but I live east of Denver in Aurora.

I really like it here, there''s a little bit of everything. Denver, although small compared to LA, has lots of great things to do, plus you have the mountains and LOTS of open spaces with tons of outdoor things to do.

Boulder is gorgeous, a lot of it is pretty artsy, theres a lot of beautiful parks and theres a lot of theater places (the Shakespear festival is there every year). The only down side is the college students, they can get pretty annoying. CO Springs is nice in a lot of places, but some of it is very religious, right wing and I found that uncomfortable for me (just something to think about when picking where to live).

If you''re worried about snow, I wouldn''t be. Unless you''re living at a pretty high elevation (some parts of CO Springs are pretty high) or in the foothills it really only snows 5 or 6 times a year.

It depends what you are into, if you are the outdoors type there is plenty to do. Otherwise not so much, I think Boulder has a lot more than the Springs. I''m from Colorado Springs (I go to college in Denver). Colorado Springs is very religious, especially in the Northern part. If this bothers you I would definately avoid Monument, they are fanatical in that town, it''s about 20 minutes North of Colorado Springs, beautiful area, crazy people, in my opinion. I can say that fairly having gone to high school and briefly living (4 years) in that town. I think Denver has more to do if you prefer the city-life. The Springs is also a city, but more spread out. The snow usually melts by the end of the day, unless you are at higher elevations, like Monument or Castle Rock. I don''t know too much about Bolder other than it''s a college town.

Personally I would love to go see So. California, as I''ve heard it is beautiful there.

 

[brneyedgrl]

My parents are from Colorado, and I have been there many times. I grew up and live in So California. If I were you, I would consider Boulder because it is more progressive. Colorado Springs is more conservative (Focus on the Family, Christian Coalition types, no offense to anyone belonging to those groups)... but for me personally, I like a bit more laid back environment.

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 5/2/2006 6:59:32 PM
Author: sunkist
Oh, thank you so much for replying Amant, Raphsody, and Sundial! It does make me feel much better about it

So it doesn''t snow much and there are big cities (smaller than LA though). From pictures it doesn''t look like there are many trees. But you wouldn''t call it desert land, would you? I can''t think of what it would be. Is it chapparal or probably just moutain terrain?

A lot of the development there looks really new? Is this true? Do you know where the older parts of cities are? Is it cowboy country?

Heehee! Sorry for all the questions! Hope someone can answer

Thanks

Denver and Boulder are larger cities, no not as big as LA. The Pueblo area (far south) can be desert-like. There are trees, not as lush as the more humid climates, it''s mostly pine trees and aspens. Depending on the area you pick you could even be in the forrest! There is a lot of new development in the Springs and it seems to be growing a lot. The older part of the Springs, is Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, they are more southwest areas. There are some areas of the city that are Cowboy-like, Falcon, and outside the city limits; Elbert, Kiowa. The places that have a lot of land with the property to have horses, the closest is like 20 minutes or so from the Springs. If you''re used to a more compacted city, I might take a trip out to look around before moving, if you''re in the heart of the Springs, it may feel city-like but some parts definately do not.

 

[sunkist]

Date: 5/2/2006 7:06:10 PM
Author: Sparkles22
Personally I would love to go see So. California, as I've heard it is beautiful there.

----
It is beautiful here

I hope you can come to visit it. I love the rocky hills and the landscapes that you can see here, ones that aren't developed on... The cities are beautiful too. I am getting my masters in urban planning so I love to see beautiful cities! Sometimes you just have to know how to look at them though

And then there's the beach which I love. I hate all the pollution that is dumped into the water though. I scuba dive and haven't gone for months now because the water is pretty grody

But overall, I really love So.California!

 

[Rhapsody]

Date: 5/2/2006 6:59:32 PM
Author: sunkist
Oh, thank you so much for replying Amant, Raphsody, and Sundial! It does make me feel much better about it

So it doesn''t snow much and there are big cities (smaller than LA though). From pictures it doesn''t look like there are many trees. But you wouldn''t call it desert land, would you? I can''t think of what it would be. Is it chapparal or probably just moutain terrain?


A lot of the development there looks really new? Is this true? Do you know where the older parts of cities are? Is it cowboy country?


Heehee! Sorry for all the questions! Hope someone can answer

Thanks

The terrain depends a lot on where you are. I live further east and its a lot of wide open "plains", grasses and shrubby trees. My boyfriend works further west, which is right in the foot hills and its a bit cooler there (higher elevation) and there are a lot more trees than out here.

Its been REALLY dry here the last couple of years, and that hasn''t helped the trees much. Or the grass. Boo for watering restrictions.

Colorado has had a lot of new development, and theres been some anti-sprawl movements to try and curb some of it but I don''t see it actually stopping. Not too much is actually "cow-boy country" anymore, unless you go really far east and then its all really small towns and farming areas. The older parts of each area don''t seem to follow a pattern. In Aurora its the North section of the city thats old and kinda ghetto, in west Denver (lakewood, arvada area) theres ... patches almost of old areas with newer developement around it. You''re probably better off asking a real estate agent about that though.

 

[sunkist]

Date: 5/2/2006 7:14:19 PM
Author: Sparkles22

Date: 5/2/2006 6:59:32 PM

Author: sunkist

Oh, thank you so much for replying Amant, Raphsody, and Sundial! It does make me feel much better about it

So it doesn''t snow much and there are big cities (smaller than LA though). From pictures it doesn''t look like there are many trees. But you wouldn''t call it desert land, would you? I can''t think of what it would be. Is it chapparal or probably just moutain terrain?


A lot of the development there looks really new? Is this true? Do you know where the older parts of cities are? Is it cowboy country?


Heehee! Sorry for all the questions! Hope someone can answer

Thanks

Denver and Boulder are larger cities, no not as big as LA. The Pueblo area (far south) can be desert-like. There are trees, not as lush as the more humid climates, it''s mostly pine trees and aspens. Depending on the area you pick you could even be in the forrest! There is a lot of new development in the Springs and it seems to be growing a lot. The older part of the Springs, is Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, they are more southwest areas. There are some areas of the city that are Cowboy-like, Falcon, and outside the city limits; Elbert, Kiowa. The places that have a lot of land with the property to have horses, the closest is like 20 minutes or so from the Springs. If you''re used to a more compacted city, I might take a trip out to look around before moving, if you''re in the heart of the Springs, it may feel city-like but some parts definately do not.

Yes, I would definitely like to make a trip out there before commiting to anything about moving

It sounds like a beautiful place though. My BF is very excited about it and I trust him. I really appreciating all of your descriptions, thank you!

 

[MINE!!]

OMG>>>> BOULDER!!! That place is Gorgeous!! There are wonderful places in CO.. and not so Wonderful... I loved there for a few years in the wonderful and the not so wonderful... Boulder is in the WONDERFUL catagory. If you ever get the chance ride over the pass from Boulder and Tell me what you think of the little paradise of NEDERLAND..... It's gorgeous!!!

I lived in Canon City and Florence.. what a HEAP!!! I also lived in The springs a bit and LOVED IT!... My lease favorite city in Co.. in the US for that matter would be DENVER... ugh!!! Yeck Yeck!

 

[sunkist]

Date: 5/2/2006 7:42:05 PM
Author: Rhapsody


The terrain depends a lot on where you are. I live further east and its a lot of wide open ''plains'', grasses and shrubby trees. My boyfriend works further west, which is right in the foot hills and its a bit cooler there (higher elevation) and there are a lot more trees than out here.


Its been REALLY dry here the last couple of years, and that hasn''t helped the trees much. Or the grass. Boo for watering restrictions.


Colorado has had a lot of new development, and theres been some anti-sprawl movements to try and curb some of it but I don''t see it actually stopping. Not too much is actually ''cow-boy country'' anymore, unless you go really far east and then its all really small towns and farming areas. The older parts of each area don''t seem to follow a pattern. In Aurora its the North section of the city thats old and kinda ghetto, in west Denver (lakewood, arvada area) theres ... patches almost of old areas with newer developement around it. You''re probably better off asking a real estate agent about that though.

Since I''m studying urban planning, we''ve actually been reading about Boulder''s anti-sprawl measures. It''s interesting that you perceive it''s not stopping. Well, I guess what we learned is that they''re just slowing it, not stopping it. But still, very interesting...!

I do like older parts of town, but not ghetto!

My parents live in an old orchard house built in 1929. I looked at some houses listed online, but they all looked, well, ghetto!

Other developments, that my BF took pictures of are very New Urbanist-type styles. I don''t love them completely, but they look alright

 

[sunkist]

Date: 5/2/2006 7:55:13 PM
Author: MINE!!
OMG>>>> BOULDER!!! That place is Gorgeous!! There are wonderful places in CO.. and not so Wonderful... I loved there for a few years in the wonderful and the not so wonderful... Boulder is in the WONDERFUL catagory. If you ever get the chance ride over the pass from Boulder and Tell me what you think of the little paradise of NEDERLAND..... It''s gorgeous!!!


I lived in Canon City and Florence.. what a HEAP!!! I also lived in The springs a bit and LOVED IT!... My lease favorite city in Co.. in the US for that matter would be DENVER... ugh!!! Yeck Yeck!

Yay! Thanks for sharing MINE

Is Nederland a place you can live or is it a resort? And, sorry but is "heap" a good or bad thing? (I''m feeling a little ignorant there!

) How come you didn''t like Denver? Dirty? Crowded? Nothing to do?

 

[Rhapsody]

Date: 5/2/2006 7:56:26 PM
Author: sunkist

Date: 5/2/2006 7:42:05 PM

Author: Rhapsody



The terrain depends a lot on where you are. I live further east and its a lot of wide open ''plains'', grasses and shrubby trees. My boyfriend works further west, which is right in the foot hills and its a bit cooler there (higher elevation) and there are a lot more trees than out here.



Its been REALLY dry here the last couple of years, and that hasn''t helped the trees much. Or the grass. Boo for watering restrictions.



Colorado has had a lot of new development, and theres been some anti-sprawl movements to try and curb some of it but I don''t see it actually stopping. Not too much is actually ''cow-boy country'' anymore, unless you go really far east and then its all really small towns and farming areas. The older parts of each area don''t seem to follow a pattern. In Aurora its the North section of the city thats old and kinda ghetto, in west Denver (lakewood, arvada area) theres ... patches almost of old areas with newer developement around it. You''re probably better off asking a real estate agent about that though.

Since I''m studying urban planning, we''ve actually been reading about Boulder''s anti-sprawl measures. It''s interesting that you perceive it''s not stopping. Well, I guess what we learned is that they''re just slowing it, not stopping it. But still, very interesting...!


I do like older parts of town, but not ghetto!

My parents live in an old orchard house built in 1929. I looked at some houses listed online, but they all looked, well, ghetto!

Other developments, that my BF took pictures of are very New Urbanist-type styles. I don''t love them completely, but they look alright

Boulder has been a LOT more aggressive about the anti-sprawl laws than other ares in Colorado, but theres still quite a bit of new construction there (and its all REALLY expensive). In the south-east suburbs theres still TONS of development, even though they seem to be trying to slow it down to help preserve some open areas.

North Aurora is GHETTO, highest murder rate in the state. Much nicer in south Aurora where I live

 

[MINE!!]

Date: 5/2/2006 8:01:18 PM
Author: sunkist

Date: 5/2/2006 7:55:13 PM
Author: MINE!!
OMG>>>> BOULDER!!! That place is Gorgeous!! There are wonderful places in CO.. and not so Wonderful... I loved there for a few years in the wonderful and the not so wonderful... Boulder is in the WONDERFUL catagory. If you ever get the chance ride over the pass from Boulder and Tell me what you think of the little paradise of NEDERLAND..... It''s gorgeous!!!


I lived in Canon City and Florence.. what a HEAP!!! I also lived in The springs a bit and LOVED IT!... My lease favorite city in Co.. in the US for that matter would be DENVER... ugh!!! Yeck Yeck!

Yay! Thanks for sharing MINE

Is Nederland a place you can live or is it a resort? And, sorry but is ''heap'' a good or bad thing? (I''m feeling a little ignorant there!

) How come you didn''t like Denver? Dirty? Crowded? Nothing to do?

Heap meaning "heap of Crap" I HATE it in Denver.. it is dirty, shoddy, crowded and icky.. you name it. I hate it.

Nederland is actually a place you can live.. but there are not many people who live there. You go over a Mountain and all of a sudden there is this Lush green valley below you with this great little lake. The town is VERY VERY small. But it is so yummy. There are little stores and quaint shops and homes. But, they close down the pass there sometimes and they have to have their mail helicoptered in. It is awesome.. LIke a little paradise. There must be some good skiing nearby.. But I think people probably just go there to escape.. that is what I would do!

 

[MINE!!]

Check out this webcam of the place.

http://nedcam.nednet.net/

 

[MINE!!]

Lets see if this work...

 

[MINE!!]

another

 

[MINE!!]

again... beautiful!!

 

[MINE!!]

Yummm.. heaven...

 

[MINE!!]

Ok OK .. last one..

 

[sunkist]

Ooo, great pic Mine!!! That lake is gorgeous and what a cute little town!