Where Coloradans Come From (Denver: property taxes, live in, title)

[JrzDefector]

Coming from Jersey, I just don't get the whole "native" thing. I come from a state where large swathes of the population are first-generation immigrants, and most of the people I grew up with were third-generation or second-generation at the furthest back, not to mention the people from other states. Ironically, I also knew a few people growing up whose families had been here since well before the American Revolution, including one of my uncles.

If I ran around NJ with a t-shirt that said "Native," pretty sure I'd be roundly mocked for it, even though my family roots in the state go back over a century on both sides.

In any case, I was struck by the fact that there were only a few New Jersey folk moving here. I suspect that it may be because when you're from NJ, you get used to having several major metro within a few hours' drive. I grew up visiting Boston, DC, NYC, Philly and Baltimore - museums, historical sites, aquariums, theaters, etc. Yeah, I miss that aspect of it, but I do like the weather and the more laid-back vibe, and Colorado has it's own great museums and arts.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

Coming from Jersey, I just don't get the whole "native" thing. I come from a state where large swathes of the population are first-generation immigrants, and most of the people I grew up with were third-generation or second-generation at the furthest back, not to mention the people from other states. Ironically, I also knew a few people growing up whose families had been here since well before the American Revolution, including one of my uncles.

If I ran around NJ with a t-shirt that said "Native," pretty sure I'd be roundly mocked for it, even though my family roots in the state go back over a century on both sides.

In any case, I was struck by the fact that there were only a few New Jersey folk moving here. I suspect that it may be because when you're from NJ, you get used to having several major metro within a few hours' drive. I grew up visiting Boston, DC, NYC, Philly and Baltimore - museums, historical sites, aquariums, theaters, etc. Yeah, I miss that aspect of it, but I do like the weather and the more laid-back vibe, and Colorado has it's own great museums and arts.

My wife and her family are from Jersey. They moved here about 30 years ago.

[RareLocal5280]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDenver

To me, it's not the Highlands . . . it's North Denver. I'll always use that term. It's the old Italian neighborhood. I had no problems with the way the area was 15 or even 34 years ago when I was transferred here by the Air Force.

To me, the new Gaetano's sucks . . . I miss 3 Sons being at 44 and Tennyson . . . I miss Pagliacci's since they closed down . . . I'm glad Carl's is still there and so is Patsy's.

Certainly there are some changes that aren't for the best, but change is never the less inevitable.

I really don't get hung up on names of the neighborhoods. Forever we called it North Denver or the Northside, but I have no issue with people breaking up the sections and calling them different names. I know some people hate the term LoHi, but honestly the look, the feel, the age of that section of the neighborhood is very different from much of the Highland, so I think it does a fine job a) segmenting a portion of the neighborhood that differs from the rest b) providing a more precisely defined area/segment of the neighborhood. There are certain people who LoHi would be a great fit for, that wouldn't like many other areas of the Highland.

[RareLocal5280]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

In any case, I was struck by the fact that there were only a few New Jersey folk moving here. I suspect that it may be because when you're from NJ, you get used to having several major metro within a few hours' drive. I grew up visiting Boston, DC, NYC, Philly and Baltimore - museums, historical sites, aquariums, theaters, etc. Yeah, I miss that aspect of it, but I do like the weather and the more laid-back vibe, and Colorado has it's own great museums and arts.

Interesting post. Never really thought of that, but it's probably true. So many choices there within a few hours if you're looking to spread your wings and leave the home state.

[RareLocal5280]

Originally Posted by robertgoodman

Agreed. Some other long time residents don't like those answers, but I do. I remember growing up here you could get from US 36 and Sheridan to I25 and Colorado in 20 minutes during rush hour, but other than the major and minor leagues sports teams you had almost no reason to stop anywhere in between those two points. I'll gladly take the trade-off of better transit options and vastly improved vibrant city for the traffic and parking woes a lot of other locals/natives/curmudgeons want to complain about.

Completely agree. What turns me off the most are people who also moved here from other states and now complain about more people moving in. It makes no sense. I don't like natives complaining but at least they have a little more ground to stand on.

Can't wait for public transit to really get built out. Just hope more people from other big cities move here so it gets used. I fear the current crowds who won't use it, because it doesn't leave exactly when they want, or lacks the exact same convenience as a car. Is it right for everyone? No. Is it an option for way more people than it currently serves. No doubt.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by Timmyy

I couldn't agree more. We are all still a part of the same country.

Better yet, we are all part of the same planet, and same universe. People who proudly proclaim themselves as "natives" with some entitled sense of superiority seem to like to find other ways in which to prop up their fragile egos, as well, and usually by being as divisive and exclusive as possible. "If you're not like me, you must be BAAAAD."

I'm from Illinois. It's where I happened to be born. I like Colorado better. Big whoop.

[mic111]

Originally Posted by RareLocal5280

Completely agree. What turns me off the most are people who also moved here from other states and now complain about more people moving in. It makes no sense. I don't like natives complaining but at least they have a little more ground to stand on.

Can't wait for public transit to really get built out. Just hope more people from other big cities move here so it gets used. I fear the current crowds who won't use it, because it doesn't leave exactly when they want, or lacks the exact same convenience as a car. Is it right for everyone? No. Is it an option for way more people than it currently serves. No doubt.

I think were rapidly approaching the time where people will be forced onto the public transit as there will be no more rush hour, non-rush hour times. Thankfully folks persevered when they were planning the train system and everyone wondered, Who will ride it? It is faster to drive.

Thankfully they redid most of I-25 through downtown/Cherry Creek areas. That has helped alot. Now they are focusing on the approaches north and south I-25 and 36. But your right in that people need to adjust to using public transit with the numbers we now have in the metro area. I would hate to see the road system developed to support 20 lane highways.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

In any case, I was struck by the fact that there were only a few New Jersey folk moving here. .

Interesting. When I moved here in 1982 the majority of people I met (and befriended) came from the east coast - mainly NY and NJ. Many of them are still here, only one moved back to care for his elderly parents.

[RareLocal5280]

Originally Posted by mic111

I would hate to see the road system developed to support 20 lane highways.

Couldn't agree more. That is one of the things I hate the most about Houston - they built ugly massive highways, and guess what, traffic still sucks!!

[RareLocal5280]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

I'm from Illinois. It's where I happened to be born. I like Colorado better. Big whoop.

My favorite people from out of state are from Illinois, usually so friendly and well mannered. . . but shhh don't tell