Colorado Springs/Denver relocation?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm dating an American here in the UK, and we're semi-seriously talking about moving to Colorado in 2-4 years time, looking at Denver or Colorado Springs or thereabouts. She's in the military so can either get posted there or retire and move.
Although I've worked for US companies and been to CA (many times), FL, NYC, UT and TX I have no idea about Colorado. Housing stock looks lovely and amazing value compared to the UK, love the mountain views and what I read about the lifestyle.
Are there any areas to avoid? Good places? What's the car scene like - I'm more into classic cars and hot rods? Are people sociable? I'm in IT at a fairly senior level, will I find work? Any other thoughts or considerations?
Thanks for any ideas. We plan to take a trip maybe later this year to take a look around but I've always had great advice here.
I'm dating an American here in the UK, and we're semi-seriously talking about moving to Colorado in 2-4 years time, looking at Denver or Colorado Springs or thereabouts. She's in the military so can either get posted there or retire and move.
Although I've worked for US companies and been to CA (many times), FL, NYC, UT and TX I have no idea about Colorado. Housing stock looks lovely and amazing value compared to the UK, love the mountain views and what I read about the lifestyle.
Are there any areas to avoid? Good places? What's the car scene like - I'm more into classic cars and hot rods? Are people sociable? I'm in IT at a fairly senior level, will I find work? Any other thoughts or considerations?
Thanks for any ideas. We plan to take a trip maybe later this year to take a look around but I've always had great advice here.
Caveat: I've not actually been there since '84....but our company bought a Colorado-based one relatively recently, & I have good work buddies who live there!
Perhaps one of few places I would consider if I had to live Stateside: mountains, fresh air, skiing, big cities & the folk I know have a good attitude to life!
(Sorry, not much use to you....but if it works for you, why not!)
Perhaps one of few places I would consider if I had to live Stateside: mountains, fresh air, skiing, big cities & the folk I know have a good attitude to life!
(Sorry, not much use to you....but if it works for you, why not!)
mr_spock said:
Hi all,
I'm dating an American here in the UK, and we're semi-seriously talking about moving to Colorado in 2-4 years time, looking at Denver or Colorado Springs or thereabouts. She's in the military so can either get posted there or retire and move.
Although I've worked for US companies and been to CA (many times), FL, NYC, UT and TX I have no idea about Colorado. Housing stock looks lovely and amazing value compared to the UK, love the mountain views and what I read about the lifestyle.
Are there any areas to avoid? Good places? What's the car scene like - I'm more into classic cars and hot rods? Are people sociable? I'm in IT at a fairly senior level, will I find work? Any other thoughts or considerations?
Thanks for any ideas. We plan to take a trip maybe later this year to take a look around but I've always had great advice here.
If you're going to do it, sooner rather than later. House prices are rocketing. Traffic is getting bad, and construction can't keep up. I'm in Parker and am looking to move further out next year.I'm dating an American here in the UK, and we're semi-seriously talking about moving to Colorado in 2-4 years time, looking at Denver or Colorado Springs or thereabouts. She's in the military so can either get posted there or retire and move.
Although I've worked for US companies and been to CA (many times), FL, NYC, UT and TX I have no idea about Colorado. Housing stock looks lovely and amazing value compared to the UK, love the mountain views and what I read about the lifestyle.
Are there any areas to avoid? Good places? What's the car scene like - I'm more into classic cars and hot rods? Are people sociable? I'm in IT at a fairly senior level, will I find work? Any other thoughts or considerations?
Thanks for any ideas. We plan to take a trip maybe later this year to take a look around but I've always had great advice here.
Most of the tech jobs will be in DTC and as a commute, that's getting painful, I'm glad to be working from home.
A lot of communities are springing up along the I-25 corridor for the commute in.
There's a lot of jobs available; many companies moved from CA for cost reasons...dragging a lot of their employees with them - hence the housing issues. You won't have a problem finding a job.
Matt Harper will probably jump in with helpful visa remarks, which will boil down to be married before you go, or get a job offer and visa from a US company, also before you go.
Marriage is the easy option
I like Colorado. I've been out here 12 years now - feel free to ask me any specific questions; even inside places like Parker there's nice areas and nicer areas.
Cor, my reply above makes it sound worse than it is. It's really fine, but in the 12 years I've been here, there's been noticeable growth in all areas, and to me it shows. To a newly arrived Brit, you'll think it's still quiet.
I love Colorado; I still smile whenever I see the mountains.
I love Colorado; I still smile whenever I see the mountains.
mr_spock said:
Thanks! Is there any way to build up a US credit history from here?
I struggled from the UK. Best I could do was use my Amex in the UK for everything I could and then when moving to the US I used their ‘global transfer’ program. Allowed me to start off with $30k of credit which makes a difference.When you transfer, make sure you transfer to a credit card, not a charge card.
Yes, you need to use it, to establish a credit history.
It's not 'he's got credit he can use' but rather he's got credit that he uses and can be seen to make payments on, on a regular basis. The credit bureaus want to see you making payments to show that you can afford it and have the nous not to miss payments.
It's not as essential as some might have you believe. By the time you get a cell phone, start paying bills and so on, you're already starting to build one up. Might need to put a deposit down for some things, but the thing is to speak to people once you're out there and they can usually find a way to work with you.
It's not 'he's got credit he can use' but rather he's got credit that he uses and can be seen to make payments on, on a regular basis. The credit bureaus want to see you making payments to show that you can afford it and have the nous not to miss payments.
It's not as essential as some might have you believe. By the time you get a cell phone, start paying bills and so on, you're already starting to build one up. Might need to put a deposit down for some things, but the thing is to speak to people once you're out there and they can usually find a way to work with you.
jimmyjimjim said:
Yes, you need to use it, to establish a credit history.
It's not 'he's got credit he can use' but rather he's got credit that he uses and can be seen to make payments on, on a regular basis. The credit bureaus want to see you making payments to show that you can afford it and have the nous not to miss payments.
It's not as essential as some might have you believe. By the time you get a cell phone, start paying bills and so on, you're already starting to build one up. Might need to put a deposit down for some things, but the thing is to speak to people once you're out there and they can usually find a way to work with you.
This is also true - I found that once I had one (Amex) the others flowed freely after.It's not 'he's got credit he can use' but rather he's got credit that he uses and can be seen to make payments on, on a regular basis. The credit bureaus want to see you making payments to show that you can afford it and have the nous not to miss payments.
It's not as essential as some might have you believe. By the time you get a cell phone, start paying bills and so on, you're already starting to build one up. Might need to put a deposit down for some things, but the thing is to speak to people once you're out there and they can usually find a way to work with you.
I have only had to put a deposit down for 2 things.
The first was $400 for the electric company. Just had it credited back to my account.
The second was $500 for some credit card - shouldn't have bothered in the end but it was offered to me and I was acquiring a few of the things.
Suicide77 said:
A good friend of mine lives in Denver - I live in Utah. He likes Colorado Springs. He has not spoken highly of Denver, mostly because of the traffic/crowds. I mean, it is a big city, nothing wrong with liking a big city if that is the case.
I live in Philadelphia. The impression I have of Denver is that when compared to a lot of the midwest, it's congested and busy and very city-like. Compared to the east/west coast or the UK, it's positively spacious. I've heard Americans complain of over-crowding in a suburban area with 1 acre zoning. It's all relative.I've never been to Denver but I've heard tons of good things. Personally, I couldn't live that far from the sea.
The other place I keep hearing a buzz about is Scottsdale AZ.
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