Hi there. I'm originally from California and am thinking about moving to Colorado. I like living in CA, but it's so expensive to live here. I pretty much need a good-paying job if I want to keep living here. How's the quality of life there? Any nightlife? Are jobs pretty easy to find there? Which parts of the Denver should I avoid?
2007-04-12 10:50:11 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Denver
With all due respect, people in Colorado DO NOT like Californians. I really cannot exaggerate the disdain with which we view you folks. You will encounter a very hostile environment if you come here.
Nevertheless, if you do choose to come to Denver, know that the quality of life is great. It's beautiful with great people. Jobs aren't too hard to come by (though most are business and techonology related).
Here's why you won't like it...
Nightlife: You're joking, right? You must have been watching too much Real World. One local columnist humorously noted that "if New York is the city that never sleeps, Denver is the city that needs a good eight hours."
Weather: I was talking to a friend from Santa Barbara the other day. He's planning on leaving next month because the weather is so tough for him. The winters are cold, the snow is heavy, and the air is soooo dry. Some get used to it, some don't.
Culture/Politics: You're from California. You're used to a pretty liberal, open-minded, West Coast way of life. Colorado is not that. The reason why most Coloradans are so resentful towards Californians is that it seems like many Californians come to Colorado and rather than trying to fit in, try to Californiacate our state. You vote California, you dress California, you talk California, you act California--if you like that damned state so much why don't you stay there?? We're still kind of cow-towny. It's not the Wild West but it sure isn't Wild Nights at a Mile High, either. Culture in Colorado usually means take kids to soccer practice, take kids to soccer game, go to Wal-Mart, go to church, go to Bible study, then finish weekend with football game.
Don't get me wrong, I love the place--born and raised! It's just that I think I love the place for the very reasons you would hate it. Maybe I'm wrong. I know lots of OC folks who came here looking for exactly that Colorado culture of faith, family, and football--and they love it here. But seriously, don't just come here to pollute our mountains and party the night away. We have enough of that already thanks to your not-so-Golden State.
2007-04-12 13:56:12 · answer #1 · answered by YourMom 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Five Points is actually the neighborhood that you will want to avoid if possible. (although it is coming around and property prices are going up there) I've lived in KS, CA and Denver. I choose Denver over CA because it is more affordable. It is beautiful here and the people are pretty great.
Check out NW Denver/ Highlands area. It's hip and has a lot of fun bars and places to shop and eat. There is a lake to hang out at and plenty of great rentals in the area.
Good Luck...I think it's a great move.
2007-04-15 03:32:59 · answer #2 · answered by Bleachlady.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quality of live is great. Weather rocks even though this year was a major snow storm that some complained about. But those of us downtown cross country skied to our favorite bars and restaurants. The nightlife is great and there are a ton of places to choose from.
Check out these best of links for neighborhoods and decide what is important to you.
It is too tough to copy in all the results so just try the link below. Good luck and have a great move. Check out the Central Platte Valley, my favorite.
2007-04-15 12:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by urbanite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denver rocks. I'm from the midwest, this is a humongous improvement for me. The attitude is chill, lots of single people (although actually meeting them is a chore for some reason), mild weather (even winters, because it's not humid here, and the altitude makes the sun warmer, and melts the snow relatively fast, and of course the sun shines a lot)...ok yes it's wicked dry, but I like that. Traffic is reasonable for a city this size, and the light-rail system is growing (I personally don't use it much but I *always* vote yes on funding in). Cost of living is reasonable, and Denver proper is solid Blue (liberal) and quite open-minded. Nothing extreme though (with the exception of Boulder). Pretty good local music scene. Lots of things to do (indoors and out)...art galleries, sports, etc. The mountains are 45 min away if you wanna get away and cool off.
Neighborhoods: I live in Baker (just S of downtown), which I definitely recommend if you like nightlife (I do), but don't like pretentious bars (blech!): tons of dive-bars, restaurants, thrift shops, local bands, coffeeshop, even an independent movie theater. Other cool 'hoods are: the Highlands (NW downtown), Colfax (over by Bluebird Theater, but beware there are some sketchy areas remaining there), Capital Hill, and Uptown. LoDo (lower downtown) is good if you're trendy/young/pretty...but not my thang...that's where Real World Denver was shot. The apartment/loft buildings there are loud and non-stop parties. The suburbs are typical suburbs, not much to say there: nice clean safe new family-oriented and quite sterile/void of character. Avoid Aurora.
2007-04-12 18:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by sttacey2001 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think colorado is a great place. The night life is ok, not like New York or anything but you can find some good places if you try. Denver is a great city, it is really pretty. You shouldn't have trouble finding a good job here. I love it here!
2007-04-14 11:17:33 · answer #5 · answered by moxie1352 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Metro Denver has a lot to offer, jobs, weather, lower cost of living than Ca. and NY. I don't regret moving here from Jersey 16 years ago. I live in Castle Rock, 30 min. south of Denver. Don't believe that , "we hate Californians " thing.
http://townofcasrlerock.org
2007-04-12 14:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by xjoizey 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Im from San Diego now in Denver. I HATE THIS PLACE!!!!! Im only here for school then its back to so cal for me this place EATS! night life SUCKS!!! this place has no class whatso ever! its a 2 bit cowtown in a fly over state that tries to act like LA or something! its ridicules! cost of housing is going thru the roof! I cant wait to leave!! maybe you should look into Oregon I hear its not to bad there
2007-04-15 09:04:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denver is great. There are a lot of jobs and it is much less expensive than California.
2007-04-12 13:35:11 · answer #8 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u should avoid montbello down here they call it montghetto cause every day there is sum one carrin a gun and shootin it cause they do alot gangs lik bloods crips and kkks and **** lik that so avoid montbello and green vally ranch cause they call it ghetto valley ranch so i hope i helped u wit ur dicison
2007-04-15 12:51:55 · answer #9 · answered by L!L_T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋