Colorado HELP! - Appalachian Trail

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#1

Hey everyone! Miranda and I are moving to Colorado in a few months and we need your help. We’ve been looking at Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder. I’m a computer engineer and she’s a nurse. We need your opinion on areas, good places for us to work, neighborhoods to avoid, etc. Basically, any info you can give us would be awesome! You can e-mail us privately if you feel more comfortable with it.

We wanted to hear from the trail forums community because you guys are a good bunch of people that have a good opinion. Thanks for any help you can provide! HIKE ON!

Dave and Miranda

#2

Can’t speak for Denver or the Springs, but Boulder rocks! I’m something of a geek myself, and get the impression that the job market here is about the same as any other metro area, Mags probably will have more input on that front. insert rant about quitting/losing computer tech job last week here Can’t speak for the medical industry. There are lots of small companies and some big players in the tech industry around here- IBM, Webroot, and Seagate off the top of my head. Not really any bad neighborhoods in Boulder, although there are some definite party neighborhoods around CU campus. TONS of stuff to do outside. You can literally walk out my front door (right in town, and like 5 houses down from Mags :slight_smile: ) and be on a dirt path within about half a mile. From there you’ve got all kinds of options from flat, smooth trails to steep ~3000 foot climbs to excellent technical rock climbing within a few trail miles. There is a really nice network of bike paths that will get you anywhere in town with relatively little riding on roads (and many of those have a bike lane.) Public transport can take you directly to a ski resort from downtown Boulder, or to DIA. Lots of people, including myself, get around entirely by bike/bus and do just fine. The only negative things I’ve got to say are the cost of living is a bit high, and the culture here in Boulder is a little strange (doesn’t bother me, more of an entertaining thing than a bad thing.) The culture here is hard to explain, it’s kind of a rich, liberal, college town atmosphere combined with LOTS of outdoorsy people and eccentric personalities. Anyhow, feel free to email if you have more questions or whatever!

Skittles 03

#3

Of you 3 choices, I would probably suggest The Springs, as the locals call it. With Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy and NORAD, it IS a military town, but it also has Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods and the cost of living would be lower than Boulder. It is enough of a metropolis to keep you busy, but close to nature - with mountains to the west and prairie to the east.

Avoid living in Denver; it’s not healthy for nature lovers. :x

Wild Hare

#4

Some people love the Springs…some don’t. Nice place to raise a family.

However, since I do not have a family, I like Boulder better. In my opinion, my outdoor fun things to do than the Springs. The springs has an older demographic than Boulder/Denver…may or may not be an issue for you. I grew up in the Northeast, so the cost of living was about the same believe it or not. If you move to Boulder, Skittles and I would be your neighbors. That may or may not be a good thing. :wink:

As for medical jobs…it is the same as anywhere. Medical professionals are in large demand. Period.

But, I’ll agree about thing…avoid Denver! :slight_smile:

Mags

#5

I don’t know much about The Springs except that I’m sure it would be more conservative than the other places. Boulder is a great town with lots to do and eat and it definitely has excellent access for outdoor sports. I get the feeling that the yuppie vibe is pretty prominent but of course that’s just one of many that are there. Some are good, some aren’t. Denver is cool but it is pretty huge. If you like the big city, it’d probably be ideal.

I want to put in a plug for Salida. I only passed through for a couple days on the CT, but I got a really good feeling about it. It’s a little under 10,000 I believe, but I felt that it had just enough diversity of people and activities.
It’s a great location with several major ranges all around and basically, I just thought it was a great balanced place.
Check it out…

zach attack

#6

I have to agree with Wild Hare about Colorado Springs. We spend 6 months of the year on a fire lookout overlooking Pike N.F.Denver has a brown cloud over it most of the time.Boulder is a great town,a little pricey.There are lots of outdoor activity in the Springs area.Pikes Peak,Helen Hunt Falls,the Zoo is great,built on the side of the mountain.Easy driving distance to old mining towns.And of course the military bases.The Air Forse Acadamy is really nice.I had 2 children there in the 70s.Anyway good luck on where ever you choose,and come see us on Devils Head Fire Tower out of Castle Rock.It’s off off Rampart Range Road.Happy Trails,Tattoogranny:)

tattoogranny

#7

This is a great help guys. We REALLY appreciate all of your input. With our situation, we are both fairly fresh out of college and have lived in small-ville Maine our whole lives. We are ready for change and move activity (ie, IT’S TOO SLOW AND BORING HERE). We are both anxious to get someplace where there is more to do than movies, eat at local chain, bowling, and drinking.

For those who are suggesting Boulder or Colorado Springs, can you elaborate on what you like to do there or what there is to do? How is the living conditions? General personalities of the people?

Thanks again for all the help!!

Dave and Miranda

#8

Hey Guys,

glad to hear you are doing well. I lived out a little west of vail for a season and feel in love with the colorado outdoors. it has so much to offer. I did not spend much time in either Springs or Boulder but I do know that SPrings is very, very religious and conservative. Good luck

camel:mad :mad :frowning: :frowning:

Camel

#9

I am biased…but I think if you are in your twenties, Boulder may be a better fit for you than Colorado Springs. As I said, Colorado Springs is a wonderful place to raise a family…but I don’t have a family I want to raise currently. :slight_smile:

Let me tell you my typical day in Boulder. I’ll give two days as an example.

SUNDAY 5/1: Woke up at 8am. Went on a trail run in the foothills with friends. The trailheads was in Boulder! Went out for two hours and made a loop…in town! After the run, relaxed in a bagle place with some of the people I ran with for 2 hrs. Talked, had a good time. At 6:30 PM, went to another friend’s house for dinner. Four of us planned our adventures for the summer.

TUES 5/3: Went to work for 8am, got out at 4pm. Prepared for my sunset hike. Walked from my house to a trailhead less than 1/2 hr away. Some friends and I hiked to the saddle of the First Flatiron, watched the sunset over the Continental Divide while making chocalte fondue. (Seriously!)

Here’s are teaser pics from the open space in Boulder. These places are minutes from my house (by bike!):

http://gallery.backcountry.net/Co03/aas
http://gallery.backcountry.net/Co03/abc
http://gallery.backcountry.net/Co03/abe

Then there are the places 45min - 1 hr away by car!

The people of Boulder are like any other college town. You have the students, you have the granola yuppies, you have the trustafarians. You also have a a group of people who love the outdoors, will help you move and work on your house and are awesome friends.

Well, you get the idea. :slight_smile:

Mags

#10

Isn’t that a red state??? Oh god. You’re seriously moving to a RED STATE?!@?!?! Careful out there.

Ok, seriously people. I was kidding. Just kidding. Okay? No…no wait. Stop. Deep breathe. Ahhhh…there you go.

Leki-Less

#11

If you are a Republican pick the Springs. A Democrat, opt for the People’s Republic of Boulder.

steamboat