My husband and I are wanting to move to CO in about one year. I will be a RN at that time. We currently live in Dallas. We are not sure where in CO we would want to move, but would like to be close to a big city but not in the city. We love the outdoors. If anyone has a suggestion where they would recommend please let me know. Thanks.
Castle Rock, Parker. If you are farm folk then some land out in elizabeth. If you go westward towards the mountains the prices of homes does go up.
What sort of housing budget? That is a big factor. I live in Colorado Springs and it's very affordable - small town but close to Denver (big city) and has lots of amenities for families. You can buy a suburban home (nothing fancy but respectable and safe) for anywhere between $175k and $250k - and pretty much everything in between.
I loved Boulder but it's extremely expensive (average home price for an actual HOUSE is well over $300k) but it's beautiful. The satellite towns (Arvada, Highlands Ranch, Thornton) range in cost but I would say an average home in Denver is at least $350k.
Good luck!
I moved to Denver 13 years ago from Chicago - I'll never go back. You will LOVE it here :). I would check out Ft. Collins/Loveland area as well as the west/south side of town... Littleton (west part) and Castle Rock, CO (south). They are building a new hospital in Castle Rock (FYI).
Best of luck with the new adventure!
Love Colorado! I lived in Longmont. It's near Loveland, and Boulder and Denver. So much to do! The mountains are not far, beautiful land, friendly people. Good luck in your move, you are so lucky! I'd love to move back :)
I love the area of Colorado that is West of Denver. It is close enough to get to the airport and "big city" but still far enough away that you can't hear jet engines as they go overhead to land.
There are numerous smallish towns in these areas. They do tend to be snow towns though. In season they are bustling and frantically busy with people who just want to rush downhill on narrow strips of wood...lol. But the rest of the year it is small town best.
I think Denton is a lovely town. We have relatives in Flower Mound and often go to eat in Denton when we are there.
The smaller towns would be very similar to the style of life you have where you can do a day trip to Dallas/Fort Worth for serious shopping and get home by dinner time.
I live in Parker and like it pretty well. It is fairly close to Denver and not too far from Colorado springs. It depends if you want more mountains or what you are looking for. Have you been able to find jobs, or is that not a worry. Colorado Springs is very lovely but can be a drive to Denver. Or would you like a mountain town? They are gorgeous but very expensive. My brother lives in Westminster, which is north of Denver and likes it quite a bit. Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch is a nice area also. Good luck!
I second Longmont, even Frederick or Firestone! Loved it spent five years there. However, be careful and know your budget well. Do not think for one second it will be cheap! Colorado cost of living is skyrocketing. We made decent money but a family of four we soon found ourselves drowning just to pay for daycare, food, housing!
I would live close to where you work within 20 minutes. Traffic can be a nightmare the closer you get to Denver!
I lived there for 5 years. Would second Castle Rock or Boulder/Longmont area. You could even go with Golden or something in the foothills. Boulder is expensive but areas around it aren't too bad. Castle Rock used to be very expensive but home prices have come down and it's much more reasonable. FYI...I remember traffic being a bear so you might also want to consider where you'll be working.
There aren't too many places in CO that don't blow Dallas away for being outdoors. My parents retired to Lake City, where the nearest "big city" is Gunnison in the southwest part of the state. Just be sure you're prepared for real winters, snow and the cold.
