Calling all Colorado Moms 
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive January 2007:
Calling all Colorado Moms
Before moving to Southern California almost 6 years ago, we had often thought about relocating to Colorado. I still have the desire to move, and hubby would be up for it if...we had some land and bought some quads for the kids!
*well that could be arranged* LOL
So, I guess I am just wondering what parts have the best schools, and employment,and friendly people.
TIA
Stori, Stori, Stori.....have you learned nothing from Cat and her recent posts?? Or just the regular news channels?? Colorado is FULL of SNOW!!! Do you really think you can go from CALIFORNIA to COLORADO?? Shudder!!
Sorry, I reallllly hate snow and would dearly love to live somewhere snowless!
Either Heidi or Deanna is also pondering just such a cold move...maybe you can all brainstorm and come up with some good research. Good luck!
It looks beautiful, Stori! Good luck with the research! (BTW-My Grandmother is from Denver)
When you enter Colorado on I25 from Nebraska the sign says, "Welcome to Colorful Colorado". They just fail to mention that means white most of the time! lol Jk Yes, we are getting a lot of snow this year but in the 5 1/2 years I've lived here this is by far the most we've gotten and I think it's the exception, not the norm. And honestly, when dh retired from the Air Force almost a year and a half ago if we didn't love it here we wouldn't have stayed.
As for schools, I can really only tell you about the Colorado Springs area. From what we know of this city and from what others told us when we moved here, you want to stay on the north or east side for schools. Districts 20 and 49 in the city are supposed to be the best. Monument is north of the Springs and they have good schools, too (I don't know the district number). Remember, the further north you go the more expensive the housing gets. However, moving from California that probably won't be an issue. I have a friend that moved here about 6 years ago and outright bought their house ($300k+) from what they made on the sale of their house in California.
Employment--there are jobs out there. If your dh has a specialized field I'd suggest he look online first to see if there's a need here for it.
I do have to say this is one of the friendliest places we've been. Of course, we lived just outside of DC (twice now) and that was one of the UNfriendliest places, EVER! The people here for the most part are really nice. The worst I've seen is in Sam's club. Those shoppers will run you over! lol The subdivision we live in (if you want to call it that--we're really a town) has grown tremendously over the past 4 years or so. I can't tell you how many people are out here (I don't know) but there are two elementary schools out here. One is only our housing area and the other is kids from our housing plus the ones further north (what's considered rural). They both have over 800 kids, K-6. They are building a new high school and when it opens the middle school will move into the old high school and then the 6th graders will go back to the middle school (6-8). Right now the current middle school isn't big enough for all three grades. BUT, with all these people we still have that small town feel. When you go up to the local Safeway or Walgreens, the cashiers know everyone (or seem to!) and treat you like a friend.
If you want to email me for some more specifics I'd be glad to help you out or tell you what I know. cathylizme at falcon broad band dot net
Heidi is talking about moving here, but they're from Colorado so she knows what she's getting in to. It really is a beautiful state and there's so much to see and do here. I get to wake up every morning and see Pikes Peak and the mountains. Dh's sister was just here this weekend from Texas (that's another post in itself!) and she said it's like living at the beach and getting to see the ocean every day. Who wouldn't love that? Anyone else??? If we get enough, Colorado moms could take over! rofl 
Stori, the HGTV home giveaway is in Winter Park, Colorado. I am positive I will win this year... lol And then you can come stay with me. The house they built this year is absolutely gorgeous. Be sure and sign up for the contest. If you win, I will be one of those visitors that overstays their welcome. ;)
We love Colorado. My kids all want to move there. Which is shocking since I like warm weather?? lol
May I be nosey and ask why you are considering leaving California? I was just discussing w/ dh that I want to live somewhere that we can live on a lake, be a short drive to the mtn's (skiing) and be a short drive to the beach... He said we would have to move to California for that. Is that right?
Good luck and have fun researching.
My sister moved to Colorado a couple years ago and she just loves it. She is in Golden. She doesn't have kids so I can't tell you about school districts, but she does love where she is at. BTW, she moved from Phoenix and much prefers the Colorado weather.
LOL! Colorado is actually the least "cold" place I've ever lived!! I was born and raised in Parker and then north Boulder.
Every town is so different...
Ft. Collins, where I went to college, is one of my favorite towns. It has enough culture so that you can do something different every night or weekend (bars or camping) yet it maintains a "hometown" feeling.
Boulder is more granola-like. The outdoor mall at Pearl Street is the best.
Highlands Ranch, which is where we're considering moving to, is a great location. It's right off C470, which goes straight up to I70 and then the mountains.
Colorado Springs has lots of views of Pikes Peak but, in my opinion, lacks a lot of culture and old town feel. But, lots of jobs are around that area and Christian schools are abundant.
Castle Rock is a place where you can get a lot of land and house for less money but you're more east and south.
Denver or Aurora is a good place too. You're close to the downtown Denver area which has NFL football, Rockies baseball, and NHL Avalanche Hockey.
Littleton has great bike trails and Chatfield dam where you can bring your family for fun summer times by the lake. Fishing is great there too.
Golden is wonderful too...(can you tell I'm in LOVE with Colorado?) it's right up in the mountains but I'm not sure about the work environment. It's where the Coors brewery is so I'm sure your hubby would love that!
What type of work is your DH looking for? That's where I would start...email me
heidi henkel a t htmail dot cahm
Wow, thanks everyone! I didn't expect such great feedback so quickly.
My DH and I are just looking into it. I'm not sure why we came up with Colorado but we did. We have talked about it for sometime.
California is beautiful, I'm sure I would miss it but honestly I've been here almost my whole life and its time for a change.
We would probably be able to buy a house and pay cash, so that's also an incentive. I guess it depends on where you go, but it seems that there are some beautiful homes in a great price range.
If our bills were less, my husband would love to start his own company. It is something he has always wanted to do.
At this point it is still up in the air but anything is possible. Who knows lots of us could be neighbors..LOL
*On a total side note, I really want to pick my dream house and it seems that the houses we have had have always been what we could afford, not what we really want.*
Conni,
Sorry I forgot to answer your question. California is beautiful, we live an hour from the mountains, and 30 minutes from the beach, I have a lake down the street from us. LOL
I guess I really do take California for granted..*blushing!!*
lots of people have moved from California to Colorado actually. although, in the 90's the housing market allowed for that. nowadays, it's just as expensive unless you want to live out in the country, away from the mountains.
If you want mountains, beaches and lakes, come to New England! We have it all. It is all within a few hours drive. However, the cost of living here is high.
|
Members
