we want to move to colorado (Colorado Springs, Boulder: ski resort, fit in, house)

[claudlili]

Hi, im 39,my husband is 43 and we have a 4 yr old son and twin 1 1/2 yr old daughters. We moved to Brevard in western NC a year ago from nyc. The place is gorgeous but we've made no friends our age,with kids(only some lovely retirees),we miss NY,the very very religious aspect of the people here is a little strange to us,and we're democrats in a blue state. We don't fit in.
We're looking to move ,maybe near Boulder? asap Any suggestions or advise will be GREATLY appreciated.
Schools,community,jobs,music,art, any info, what neighborhoods have kids,we'd like to be on at least an acre of land ,maybe a view of a mt. Is this realistic?
thanks for your feedback
Claudia

[2bindenver]

views are easy to find, near boulder is also do-able, our lot sizes are smaller than that, but if money is no object, than neither is an acre of land.

There are 70 3 bedrooms, 3 baths on an acre or more. $375,000 to $5,750,000 with mountain views.

[claudlili]

we can afford about 400 maybe a little more(depending on what we get for our house now)
the neighborhood would take priority over the house. Our house here is beautiful,but there are no kids in the neighborhood.

[Crackerjack]

Claudlili, also look into Durango, Colorado. A small city but growing city, in southwestern Colorado and is mostly a liberal, Democrat city but people are friendly regardless of what you are, such as there are quite a few from the Green party and Independent party there too. There is more info in this Colorado forum about Durango but a city you might look into since you would fit in and the median age is 29, so a lot of younger people there. It has a vibrant busy downtown and yet you can go into the mountains in minutes and not see anyone.

[MidniteBreeze]

Boulder is definitely a nice, liberal city, but it's also (aside from the posh ski resort towns) one of the most expensive places to live in Colorado.
Ditto above on Durango. The western slope of Colorado is solid democrat territory. You might also want to look at Grand Junction, which is also growing and a little bigger than Durango (though I think Durango is more charming.)

If you're very "blue", you might want to avoid Colorado Springs. Lovely city but probably the most conservative in Colorado with lots of military and religious influences (the Focus on the Family headqaurters is there.) It's not "oppresively" religious or anything, but not exactly a mecca for liberals either. If you do decide to look there, I might recommend the Manitou Springs neighborhood (just west of CS proper). Charming older homes in the foothills, good schools and a lively "new agey" artsy scene.

[claudlili]

thank you so much everyone! this is exactly the kind of info i was hoping to get.

[orling]

Both of my Sisters live in Colorado... One in Woodland Park ~ up elevation from the springs by Pikes Peak and the other Boulder.

Boulder is awesome but a bit $$$ You should look into Golden Co. it is close to Boulder. You still can get a good buy on property.

Woodland Park area still has great deals on large lots of land. It is beautiful!

[Micktooth]

My family and I moved to Louisville about 10 miles south of Boulder from New Orleans. We have 2 kids 10,12 and love the schools. The community is great. Louisville and Superior have more affordable housing than Boulder. I wish we had moved sooner.