Moving to Denver area from Florida (Aurora, Lakewood: leasing, mover, townhome)

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

I spent some time in Tampa as a student at the University of Tampa in the late 60s. Couldn't wait to get out of that place. I've never been back to Florida since then, nor have I ever had a desire to go there. What a miserable place to live...for me anyway. No offesne to those who love Florida. It just ain't my cup of tea.

Yep never really understood it. I was in West Palm Beach last February for work and it's pleasant at that time of the year and it was fine to visit, but the summer is horrific.

[zman0457]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

I spent some time in Tampa as a student at the University of Tampa in the late 60s. Couldn't wait to get out of that place. I've never been back to Florida since then, nor have I ever had a desire to go there. What a miserable place to live...for me anyway. No offesne to those who love Florida. It just ain't my cup of tea.

Tampa's come a long way since the 60's. There is a lot to like, but there is also a malaise that permeates the area and too many, shall we say, undereducated people.

[CosmicWizard]

I was referring specifically to the miserable Florida weather. The city of Tampa itself was OK. I actually liked the city. I lived over on Davis Island. That was back in the day when the big game in town was a University of Tampa football game. No major league teams back then. Leon McQuay was the hero of the day during the pre Matuzak era.

[swcolorado]

I agree with the above posters. When you come, you need to have at least 6-8 months worth of living expenses saved up before you move. For the most part, everything in the "scenic" areas of Colorado is way more expensive than what you are used to in FL.

[Chicken5446]

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Denver on October 1st. We've been talking and planning for about a year, but are not going to be able to afford to visit before hand. We are going to drive a Uhaul up there and stay in a motel/hotel for a week or so (however long we can keep the uhaul) while we search for a rental. I have found that having a landlord rather than renting from a leasing agent is favorable. Unfortunately, most landlords aren't advertising online. I do not know anyone in the Denver area to assist me in looking for local rentals. We would like to spend no more than $800 a month and have looked into areas such as Cherry Creek, Westminster, Littleton, Aurora... pretty much any middle class area with public transit. We share a car, so Public Transportation is very important to us. We only need a one bedroom, but would like 2 for visiting family. We currently live in a spacious 3/2 townhome one block from the beach in Destin, Fla....... so we know that this move will be a dramatic lifestyle and climate change. Bring it on! We are very excited/motivated and are up for the challenge and adventure. He works in sales and I'm currently a waitress, but would like to get out of the restaurant industry.... HELP!

[Chicken5446]

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Denver on October 1st. We've been talking and planning for about a year, but are not going to be able to afford to visit before hand. We are going to drive a Uhaul up there and stay in a motel/hotel for a week or so (however long we can keep the uhaul) while we search for a rental. I have found that having a landlord rather than renting from a leasing agent is favorable. Unfortunately, most landlords aren't advertising online. I do not know anyone in the Denver area to assist me in looking for local rentals. We would like to spend no more than $800 a month and have looked into areas such as Cherry Creek, Westminster, Littleton, Aurora... pretty much any middle class area with public transit. We share a car, so Public Transportation is very important to us. We only need a one bedroom, but would like 2 for visiting family. We currently live in a spacious 3/2 townhome one block from the beach in Destin, Fla....... so we know that this move will be a dramatic lifestyle and climate change. Bring it on! We are very excited/motivated and are up for the challenge and adventure. He works in sales and I'm currently a waitress, but would like to get out of the restaurant industry.... HELP!

[rusty289]

What a small world! My husband grew up in Ft. Walton Beach! We just moved back to Denver after moving back to Fort Walton to be closer to family. Only problem was that pesky problem of not being able to eat due to NO jobs! Oh well, we really liked it in Colorado anyway so back we came. When we arrived back we had a hard time finding rentals. We wanted a temporary since we thought we would find something to move into right away. Then my husband's office location changed to across town so good thing we didn't commit right away. Since you don't have jobs yet you might think about a temp. place. Crossing Denver to work can be a pain in rush hour. BRE has properties that let you rent month to month. Not sure of prices for a 1 bed room but check their website. You could then take a month or two to figure out where to live. Most individual landlords I have found have been on craigslist but you have to be careful of scams. Some will put signs in the yard. I've been looking on rentals.com and have found more that way but I'm looking for a house. I haven't seen many apartment listings. I think you'd need to check the books at the grocery store for that. BTW, I really miss how beautiful Destin is, especially driving over the bridge, but I don't miss the humity or palmetto bugs! Good luck on your move.

[Nav]

Finding something in your peice range shouldn't be a problem.
Tell us what type of place you are looking for and what ammenities you 'd like to be near and we can probably steer you where to look. (Saying "Centrally located walking distance to shops and restaurants, wont help much. Rather say "want to near down town in a reasonably priced up and coming neighborhood close to the light rail...or "we dont want urban, but more of a suburban feel within a mile or so of shopping". This will make it a lot easier)

Nav

[the3Ds]

Originally Posted by Chicken5446

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Denver on October 1st. We've been talking and planning for about a year, but are not going to be able to afford to visit before hand. We are going to drive a Uhaul up there and stay in a motel/hotel for a week or so (however long we can keep the uhaul) while we search for a rental. I have found that having a landlord rather than renting from a leasing agent is favorable. Unfortunately, most landlords aren't advertising online. I do not know anyone in the Denver area to assist me in looking for local rentals. We would like to spend no more than $800 a month and have looked into areas such as Cherry Creek, Westminster, Littleton, Aurora... pretty much any middle class area with public transit. We share a car, so Public Transportation is very important to us. We only need a one bedroom, but would like 2 for visiting family. We currently live in a spacious 3/2 townhome one block from the beach in Destin, Fla....... so we know that this move will be a dramatic lifestyle and climate change. Bring it on! We are very excited/motivated and are up for the challenge and adventure. He works in sales and I'm currently a waitress, but would like to get out of the restaurant industry.... HELP!

We did the same thing 2 years ago...moving from Florida (Tampa) to Denver for a job transfer and not having the time to come to the city before we arrived with the moving truck.

What we did, however, wouldn't likely work for you but the good news is that you don't have kids yet, so good schools don't have to be a priority.

Look at the RTD routes and live as close as possible to one of the main stations. You CAN take the bus but RTD is much faster and for the most part, you won't be sitting out on a bench in a blizzard waiting for the bus to come by your neighborhood. Most RTD stations have nice covered waiting platforms.

We live in Aurora, but way out on the far end (SE Aurora). I wouldn't live out here without a car and the parts of Aurora that are accessible and more central are not great. I'd scratch Aurora off your list.

[chilicheesefries]

Originally Posted by the3Ds

and live as close as possible to one of the main stations. You CAN take the bus but RTD is much faster and for the most part, you won't be sitting out on a bench in a blizzard waiting for the bus to come by your neighborhood. Most RTD stations have nice covered waiting platforms.

RTD is the bus operator! I think you mean light rail.