http://www.jimmys-adventures.net/family-hiking-in-colorado/
What is living on Colorado like?
My husband and I were thinking about moving to Colorado once he gets out of the Air Force, and I was just wondering, what are some nice neighborhoods for young families? My husband has had the chance to visit there a few times and he loves it, but I wanted to know what the standard of living was. I’ve looked at a few houses and neighborhoods and they all seem gorgeous, but is the cost of living high? And what is the job market like?
I also have grown up near the ocean all my life, so I’d like to live near a body of water, if possible, and I love the outdoors, so I’d like to be near some nice places my husband and I could go camping or somewhere we could go hiking occasionally. I plan to visit before I make any major decisions, but I wanted to see if anyone actually living in Colorado could give me a few nice places to think about. Thanks!
Living in Colorado is awesome! I grew up here, 19 years now and still love it! The cost of living is not too bad. Tax is roughly around 7%. There is not much water, but the water you do find is always a fun getaway. There are rivers to fish and raft and reservoirs to enjoy as well. In the front range, you have the three major cities of the state as well as many other towns to enjoy nearby. You can find a nice town home or apartment in a safe well kept area from $500-$800/mo for a 2 bedroom. Houses in these areas range from $700-$2000/mo. Like the rest of the country, the economy has had an effect here too, so finding a job is a little tough right now especially without experience. Many employers look at your experience and a great personality before they consider you for employment. There are workforce centers and staffing agencies to help you look for work as well. Fort Collins was recently named in the top 10 best places to live by Money Magazine.
The capitol of Denver is a good, beautiful place to live with lots to do, but you also have the big city stuff that comes with it like traffic and crime. Cherry creek state park is a nice place to enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, swimming and water sports in the Denver metro area. For the most part, neighborhoods in the suburbs of Denver like Westminster, Cherry Creek, Wheatridge, Thornton, Brighton, Commerce City, Littleton, Centennial, Broomfield, Arvada, and Aurora are all great places to live and are relatively safe. Metro Denver, western Aurora, parts of Englewood and Lakewood, and sections of Colfax Av are cheaper to live in, but there is also more crime in these areas. Boulder to the northwest is great to visit as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also raft in Glenwood Canyon or ski at any of the resorts along I-70.
My home town of Colorado Springs 45 minutes to the south is also a great place to live at the foot of Pikes Peak (America’s mountain). But traffic here is also a pain sometimes. You can drive, hike or take a train to the top of the 14,115 ft peak to experience the beautiful scenery. Manitou Springs & Old Colorado City are nice historic places to live and visit on the west side. If you like to dance or go clubbing , downtown has it all as well as shopping and dining. Here as well, the better places to live are on the outskirts. Parts of the west, south central, and south east sections here have more crime and are cheaper. Rampart Reservoir in the mountains to the west out of Woodland Park is about 1 hour away where you can camp for a fee, hike, fish, and boat. Rosemont Reservoir on Gold Camp Road is also nice to enjoy for free camping, hiking, and fishing. Pikes Peak also has 3 reservoirs to fish at.
And Pueblo to the south is cheaper to live, but not as close to the mountains. There is a river walk, dining, and shopping to enjoy in downtown and Pueblo Reservoir to enjoy to the west. West of Canon City in the mountains is the Royal Gorge(worlds higest suspension bridge) and some world class rafting! Monarch ski area outside of Salida is 1 1/2 hours away.
Where ever you choose to live, there is something nearby to enjoy. And the cost of living is relatively cheap. There are many things to enjoy in the outdoors. Hope this helps.
2010 Payne Family Hiking Trip – Colorado