All my Colorado people

[1 Slow Stang]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to ask a quick question. I am looking to move to CO in about a year or so. I am looking for a larger city with good amounts of snowfall. I work in the I.T. industry so I am looking for a city with good employment options.

I wanted to go to Denver, but I have been reading about the winters being mild and the snow melting faster because of the drier air. Same thing with Boulder. They say it snows a lot, but doesn't stay around for very long.

I was born and raised in Michigan and have been in Florida for 3 years now and it's just too damn hot and humid. It's already 90 degrees with about 85% humidity and May just started!! I never thought I would miss snow... but man it's just not the same when the Christmas Holidays roll around and you have to have the ac on because it's too hot. So I am looking to buy a Jeep Wrangler and a snow mobile (keeping the Focus of course) and heading out there.

Any suggestions? Where I grew up at in Michigan, we averaged about 33 inches a year of snow. So I would like to find a place that has more than that.

Thanks
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[Sponsor]

[..:: sleestak ::..]

Being in I.T., you are better suited to stay on the Front Range - Denver and Boulder are prob the best options, although there is a bit of work in CO Springs (lots of aerospace, HP, and millitary jobs w/ clearance) and also Ft. Collins.

CO Springs - More a sprawling sub-urb w/small downtown revolving around millitary bases.

Denver - well, its denver. large enough that there is plenty of culture and always something to do, yet not overbearing like a large city.

Boulder - nestled up against the foothills, known for its college hippies (or trustafarians as we call them) and very green healthy living. great climbing, biking, etc right on the edge of town.

Ft.Collins - College town. Smaller, more like the springs but no bases or über conservatives. Great and not-as-crowded trails and such right outside town.

It's true the snow doesn't stick around in front range towns, it snows and sticks around a day or so then it clears up. But you drive an hour up into the hills and you could still be snowmobiling/skiing today. From Denver, its a straight shot up I-70 and you are there. This makes for nice weather for your commute and daily life with the option to take a day off and drive into the hills for your playground.

If you are into mtn biking, rock climbing, hiking, etc., there is plenty for you to do just on the outskirts of any of these cities. You just drive to the foothills and get your after work session. Here in the springs we have some pretty sick mtn biking right in town. All these cities are bike friendly - green ways and paths.

Let me lay it out to you this way....this year we had great amounts of snow. In the mountains you will see 280 - 400+ inches of snowfall, depending on the area of the state.
Right now, the resorts are closed (except a-basin which will stay open through june!), but the backcountry is still rideable and will be for a few more weeks. I hike glaciers in August, pack a lunch and set up camp...hike and huck all day while getting tan and havin' a beer.

In spring you can stand in a front range city w/ shorts on and watch it dump snow on the mountains. Go mountain bike afterwork, then go snowmobiling the next day. So don't worry, you will get your snow fix.

The most jobs will be found in the denver/boulder area. There is also an area in between (louisville area along highway 36) where there are a lot of business parks.

Do it, just be ready for your car to loose about 20-30 hp, altitude is no joke :)

[ImCuteiThink]

I grew up in denver, but the economy there is really bad right now, in grand junction colorado ( a valley ) theres a good bit of snowfall but not as much as the rest of the state, but the oil fields are booming right now and you could find great work in GJ if you're interested in that sort of thing. Snow doesnt stick long there either, but it's a beautiful place :)

[grillmaster13]

Colorado is great! I've been here my whole life, so I really wouldn't know the difference. I'm on the south-eastern plains where we get a lot of snow that stays for long periods of time. The clouds unload on the plains and foothills before dumping their weight to get over the mountains. Two years ago a massive blizzard hit, over four feet on the ground, the national guard came out, and there was quite a bit of damage. If you'd like to see snow fall in October and May, the south east plains are for you.

Probably won't have much luck with the career though. Your best bet is Colorado Springs or further West for a tech job. The economy in the small towns in my valley is really weak right now. If rural living is for you this could be the place, just land the job before you move. There's only a handful of I.T. jobs, and the pay doesn't seem like much, but neither is the cost of living.

Have you checked out salary.com yet? It used to have an average cost of living to average pay analyzer, that can help you determine the level of comfort you'll be able to afford, not just the dollar amount you'd earn. Best of luck to you. I hope you find Colorado comfortable. I know it's got to be better than Cali or Texas.

Oh, It's hot here too, 94 degrees on our weather reports, but humidity is only at 11 percent.

[Puscifer]

Come to Colorado Springs... that way we have more people for a meet up as well :)

[Discord]

I second the have a job first approach.

Been looking for IT jobs also so I can come back and live stateside full time. Nothing much coming about in recent months.

[Puscifer]

www.comcor.org

[Kettenhund]

I'm in Colorado Springs, working for a DoD contractor. IT in Colorado is most likely going to require a clearance. Some companies will sponsor you, although it's becoming more and more rare. Unfortunately, the high snowfall areas are not heavy IT areas. Check in Cripple Creek. You can work for a casino... They pay well.