Is moving to Colorado really for me? (Denver, Boulder: appointed, transplants)

[Lucy29]

You are right. People here are bit less "in your face" since the financial downfall. But I feel that it's just a matter of time, once things get better, they will all go back to being the their snobbish brown nosing ways. It's just how NY is. And I feel that I can give up some of the things I love about NY like great restaurants and those designer shops for more peaceful and less stressful life. And yes, I remember my 18th b-day and it feels like ions ago.

[Amery523]

Mike from back East on page 1 gave a very good suggestion which also worked for me. I was in So Cal, looking to move to either Denver or Colorado Springs (where my in laws live). I listed their address and phone number on all resumes and got several calls. When I had listed CA information....nothing. During my interviews I asked them point blank if they would have called me if I had listed CA info, and they replied, "probably not". I know it depends on your field of work, but it certainly cannot hurt you in the least to list local contact information. Have your sister say, "She's not here now, can I take a message" and then have her call you right away.

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by Lucy29

I have a good paying job, but as I'm getting older (I'm 29 years old), I come to realize that money is really not the most important thing in life.

Very good point. I'm starting to realze that too.

Originally Posted by Lucy29

People in NY are quite brutal, no one looks out for anyone else but themselves weather your on line in a grocery store or a new job. I'm growing more and more unhappy here, dissatisfied with my work, with the stress that comes with it, with people being nasty and rude and ruthless to other people. What I love about Co are the laid back people, friendliness, and of course I'm not talking about the beauty of Co.

There's good peoples in both NYC and CO. Pace of life is different in both. The rewards & penalty for failure (in business dealings) are greater in NYC than CO thus the pressure cooker syndrome. You'll make friends in either location but east coasters (NYers) bond a bit better and tighter (from experience).

Originally Posted by Lucy29

But what I'm really scared off is finding work. I work as an Administrative Assistant in finance.

Work will be a huge factor. Prime reason why I left CO and went back east. A permanent steady job is a make or break factor IMO. Good jobs very scarce in CO realtive to NY metro (in any economic climate).

Originally Posted by Lucy29

looking into relocating to Thornton, Denver Metro Are, DTC. Tks.

My opinion is that Thornton could be a bit boring and sleepy for singles. But at least family is there which is important.

Originally Posted by Lucy29

People here are bit less "in your face" since the financial downfall. But I feel that it's just a matter of time, once things get better, they will all go back to being the their snobbish brown nosing ways. It's just how NY is.

Some words of CAUTION here, and I stress CAUTION. "In your face" IMO is good, its how I like it (i.e. straight up) versus one being circuitous or back-stabbing. That's the thing about NYers (and east coasters) I prefer. In a confrontational (or hostile) mode they'll prefer "in your face" vs. circuitous or back-stabbing (but not to exclusion entirely). Out west I found the EXACT OPPOSITE. And trust me there out west people brown nose A LOT, big time. New York metro yes can be tough but its not hell. Colorado is beautiful and awesome but certainly not a utopia or paradise.

Just do your research, ask around and see what feedback others provide.

[Lucy29]

Originally Posted by Amery523

Mike from back East on page 1 gave a very good suggestion which also worked for me. I was in So Cal, looking to move to either Denver or Colorado Springs (where my in laws live). I listed their address and phone number on all resumes and got several calls. When I had listed CA information....nothing. During my interviews I asked them point blank if they would have called me if I had listed CA info, and they replied, "probably not". I know it depends on your field of work, but it certainly cannot hurt you in the least to list local contact information. Have your sister say, "She's not here now, can I take a message" and then have her call you right away.

This can only work if I'm like moving to Co in a week or something like that. If they want to see me for an interview this can't work unless I"m already in the process of moving. (I think)

[Lucy29]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

Very good point. I'm starting to realze that too.

There's good peoples in both NYC and CO. Pace of life is different in both. The rewards & penalty for failure (in business dealings) are greater in NYC than CO thus the pressure cooker syndrome. You'll make friends in either location but east coasters (NYers) bond a bit better and tighter (from experience).

Work will be a huge factor. Prime reason why I left CO and went back east. A permanent steady job is a make or break factor IMO. Good jobs very scarce in CO realtive to NY metro (in any economic climate).

My opinion is that Thornton could be a bit boring and sleepy for singles. But at least family is there which is important.


Some words of CAUTION here, and I stress CAUTION. "In your face" IMO is good, its how I like it (i.e. straight up) versus one being circuitous or back-stabbing. That's the thing about NYers (and east coasters) I prefer. In a confrontational (or hostile) mode they'll prefer "in your face" vs. circuitous or back-stabbing (but not to exclusion entirely). Out west I found the EXACT OPPOSITE. And trust me there out west people brown nose A LOT, big time. New York metro yes can be tough but its not hell. Colorado is beautiful and awesome but certainly not a utopia or paradise.

Just do your research, ask around and see what feedback others provide.

I don't want to sound like everyone in NY is a horrible person. There are nice people here, but what I"m trying to stress is that there is a 1 to 100 ratio of nice vs. mean. I guess I'm burnt out, I'm not sure. I feel quite lonely in this city, going thru failures or successes - I go thru them alone (ok I have a fantastic boyfriend) and if it wasn't for him, I would probably be more miserable than I am now. But I'm not happy here anymore.

As far as the job market goes in Co - in NY even now one can find work pretty easily. Maybe a pay cut or even change of a career might be necessary but one can find work. I"m not sure if the same goes for Co. My sis suggested Denver metro Area, DTC but I still can't find much info on what jobs do they offer. Any suggestions?

[5280milehiguy]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Then go for it, give CO a shot!

Do what YOU want to do! The only way you'll escape the stressful life in NYC is if you leave it behind. Vote with your feet!

Don't worry about finding a job, it will happen for you in due time. You'll get paid less, but you won't need all that extra money anyway, you won't have to pay for sky-high rent, tolls, cabs or subways here.

I left Southern CA for the exact same reason: stress. Looking back, I don't know how I dealt with the traffic, lack of seasons, and insane cost-of-living.

Can you believe that there are people there (CA) that are willing to drive two hours each way to work? (I'm sure people in NYC do just as silly things!) Insanity. Seems like such a foreign idea to me now, living in CO has certainly opened my eyes up to how life should be.

Just curious--how long have you been in Denver and how has it been for you? Any regrets?

[5280milehiguy]

Originally Posted by Lucy29

and just to add- I would like to have children in the future. I don't see myself having children in NYC. They are just as mean and rude and the adults.

Yeah - I'm seriously losing my sanity here. Change is what scares me, I just need to get over that I guess.

Change can be good. Don't be afraid of it, embrace it.

I am almost at that point where if I don't change now (where I live, what I'm doing, etc.) then I will be in a terrible, terrible mess if I continue.
And yes, I've done this before, moved to a faraway city, with no job, it always seems to work out ok.

[5280milehiguy]

Originally Posted by Lucy29

You are right. People here are bit less "in your face" since the financial downfall. But I feel that it's just a matter of time, once things get better, they will all go back to being the their snobbish brown nosing ways. It's just how NY is. And I feel that I can give up some of the things I love about NY like great restaurants and those designer shops for more peaceful and less stressful life. And yes, I remember my 18th b-day and it feels like ions ago.

You would be surprised how you can still get those nice restaurants and designer shops in Denver anyhow, who really needs NYC? If you've never been to CO, you should, I lived in the East too, 16th Street, is sort of a mini NYC, but you can still find everything you need, probably for less $ too, lol.

Oh, and try Craigslist Denver, you can find jobs there too, just be careful with what you respond to. Some ads are just phishing for email addresses. Or you can use a secondary gmail address just for responding to craigslist ads, then it won't matter how much spam you get. Just some of the things I do :-)

[5280milehiguy]

Originally Posted by Amery523

Mike from back East on page 1 gave a very good suggestion which also worked for me. I was in So Cal, looking to move to either Denver or Colorado Springs (where my in laws live). I listed their address and phone number on all resumes and got several calls. When I had listed CA information....nothing. During my interviews I asked them point blank if they would have called me if I had listed CA info, and they replied, "probably not". I know it depends on your field of work, but it certainly cannot hurt you in the least to list local contact information. Have your sister say, "She's not here now, can I take a message" and then have her call you right away.

Use the family address, or even get a box at the UPS store, I'm using the one at 1550 Larimer St. I put that address on my resume. I also use a 303 wireless phone #. Then when I'm in Denver, I check my mailbox. Nobody has really called for interviews though. I'm not worried, this summer I should be there for good. Wish me luck!

[Count David]

Originally Posted by SLCrising

Just curious--how long have you been in Denver and how has it been for you? Any regrets?

If I make it to June 1st, it'll be two years.

Denver has been great to me overall, it was rough-and-tumble for my first four months or so, but that was only because I was underemployed and underpaid.

I love having so much to do here, one can never be bored. I like exploring the city and even the suburbs. I like being able to go to sporting events, and it not being a big pain in the butt. I like being able to get around without having to deal with insane traffic. I like the variety of weather, with snow in April and 60's in January. Denver is just a really relaxed place, where there's no reason to not be happy about life.

I found a great job here, that is unfortunately having me move away from Denver, to Spokane, WA. My move has been delayed for a moment, but probably won't be delayed much longer. I've been secretly hoping the move gets delayed permanently, but it won't.

I'm very sad to leave Denver, it is a great city that I've grown to love immensely.

As for moving to Denver, I have no regrets. It was the best decision I have ever made.

As for leaving Denver, I'm regretting it already, and the jury will be out until time proves whether it was a good decision or not.

Good luck to you.