Thinking of moving: CO or CA. Opinions?

[George]

I've lived on the south side of the Denver metro area for eleven years now. My wife and I originally wanted to move to middle to northern California but real estate prices were so much cheaper here - although still staggeringly high, compared to North Carolina, at the time.

I can tell you for the last couple of years in the Denver area, houses sell within a few days of being listed, and often for higher than the asking price. I've done no actual market research to verify this, but I often hear people say that the Denver area has some of the highest rental costs in the country right now, as a result of there being too few houses on the market. Surely that's also tied to the cessation of home building that started after the crash of 2008 and lasted until perhaps a year ago, when I started to see new neighborhoods being built on the edge of the metro area on land that had been prairie.

If I can answer any specific questions, either here or via PM, just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

[21Kid]

I've lived on the south side of the Denver metro area for eleven years now. My wife and I originally wanted to move to middle to northern California but real estate prices were so much cheaper here - although still staggeringly high, compared to North Carolina, at the time.

I can tell you for the last couple of years in the Denver area, houses sell within a few days of being listed, and often for higher than the asking price. I've done no actual market research to verify this, but I often hear people say that the Denver area has some of the highest rental costs in the country right now, as a result of there being too few houses on the market. Surely that's also tied to the cessation of home building that started after the crash of 2008 and lasted until perhaps a year ago, when I started to see new neighborhoods being built on the edge of the metro area on land that had been prairie.

If I can answer any specific questions, either here or via PM, just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

Chicago has a pretty high rent also. At least anywhere I'd want to live. I've looked at Denver and it's pretty similar. We were looking in the Stapleton area, west of the city, and there were not many homes on the market. And most of them were new construction. There seems to be a lot of growth. How do you like the City? We recently visited Denver, however it was winter and we weren't able to get out much. It seems like there is a decent amount to do though.

One thing I like about Chicago is the amount of outdoor activities in the summer. It seems like there is quite a bit to do in Denver too?

Denver is too big. It took 45 minutes just to drive to the airport from the Jordans' old house.

The airport itself is 30 minutes out of the city for some reason. And the Jordan's live pretty far south of the city as well. The city seems designed better than Chicago from my experience.

[mk]

I'd go with self sufficient energy.

Things may change.

[Cam]

My own personal preference steers me away from large cities. Having lived in So Cal for several years, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Good weather, but air pollution. Lots of stuff to do and see, but poor public transportation. Mountains nearby, but have to sit for hours in LA traffic to get there. Some nice people there, but lots of vapid, plastic people too. Outrageous housing costs. LA was good to us, but I would not want to live there again.

Maybe consider a smaller city, one that is not so expensive to live in? For example, Columbia has been nice to us, it its not a super-big city and it's cost-effective to live here. It's dang hot in the summer though. Greenville is a nice, fast-growing city that's close to the Smokies, with a slightly cooler climate. I think it's worth exploring other options that might not be on your radar. Throw a dart at a map.

Denver is too big. It took 45 minutes just to drive to the airport from the Jordans' old house.

[Kchrpm]

Cincinnati is awesome, and *almost* the south?

[Crazed_Insanity]

As far as hospitals are concerned, I'm not totally sure, but LA should have better and more prestigious hospitals, right?

Also weatherwise, LA can't be beat. Not sure about Colorado winters, but they have thunderstorms during summer!

I think the only thing I love about Colorado is the people. They seemed really friendly compared to people in LA... based on vacationing there last summer...

Another thing to consider would be housing prices. LA is probably has the cheapest average for California cities compared to SF or even San Diego, but probably still more costly than Denver? Unless the housing shortage George mention is really that serious in CO?

Still, housing in good school districts will still cost a lot in LA. Personally, I'm even thinking about leaving Los Angeles when my daughter reaches high school ages..., just not sure where I want to move to yet... we have awesome 'diversity' here, but it's also easy for kids to get influenced in a bad way easily...

Anyway, I'd just see which job offers me the highest pay after adjusting to cost of living and go there. I personally like both places. I wouldn't mind moving to Denver if I can get a better paying job and bigger house and faster car...

However, if weather/climate is the main driver in your decision making process, then LA is the obvious choice.

[thesameguy]

Definitely Better.
Plus there are more sunny days and less humidity.

Also, more weed, more Subarus, more flannel, more mountains and more George. I'd rock it.

[21Kid]

Also, more weed, more Subarus, more flannel, more mountains and more George. I'd rock it.

Also, more Nigel/Chris/Ian/Zach.

[George]

Also, more Nigel/Chris/Ian/Zach.

Are any of those guys still active at this forum? I met a couple of them but then it seemed they all disappeared from the forum soon afterwards.

...more flannel...

Don't forget snap-button western shirts. Cowboy up!

http://designobserver.com/feature/th...oy-shirt/7187/

[Jason]

Denver