How is it a living in Denver, Co? (Arvada, Westminster: middle-class, transplants)

[parks71]

Wow, why is water so much???

[Count David]

Originally Posted by parks71

Wow, why is water so much???

You may have just opened up a can of worms....

I suppose because it is scarce.

[formercalifornian]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

When I rented a 2200 sq ft house, our electric/gas bill was about $100-$150. But so was our water bill.

Good gracious! Our water bill (Denver Water) for an 1800 sq. ft. house is only about $70 bimonthly. Our highest monthly power bill (Excel Energy) was $190, but over the course of the year, it averages about $70/month.

[Marina1686]

What about universities? Does Denver have good law and/or journalism schools?

[Scott5280]

Originally Posted by Marina1686

What about universities? Does Denver have good law and/or journalism schools?

Best law school in Colorado is CU-Boulder, but the University of Denver is very well respected too. I have a few friends that received their JD there. Again CU-Boulder for journalism, not sure about Denver schools in that field.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by formercalifornian

Good gracious! Our water bill (Denver Water) for an 1800 sq. ft. house is only about $70 bimonthly. Our highest monthly power bill (Excel Energy) was $190, but over the course of the year, it averages about $70/month.

Yeah, my water came from Aurora Water, and that was monthly, family of 4, and I let the rain/snow water the grass. The high water bill at the apartment was some third-party company that I don't recall the name of.

At the house, the Xcel bill averaged $100 or so over the year. We're in an apartment now, and the Xcel bill so far has averaged about $70-$80.

[steveindenver]

Yeah, my water came from Aurora Water, and that was monthly, family of 4, and I let the rain/snow water the grass. The high water bill at the apartment was some third-party company that I don't recall the name of.

Aurora water does cost more than Denver. You also have to pay for trash pick up in Aurora -- whereas it is included as a basic service including recycling with free bins (you can have multiple -- just ask). The beauty of living in an urban part of Denver where you have dumpsters is that if you can fit it in that sucker, they will take it.

Both Aurora and Denver are fortunate in that unlike many areas to the south there is a known supply. I would suggest anyone thinking of moving to the south or southeast of Denver first take a look at the water situation and projections.

As a side note to all of this; I recall a few years back when DPS put us all on water restrictions. These restrictions worked so well that they subsequently jacked our prices up because they were not selling enough water. Damned if you do ...

Most families use around 2000 gallons of water a week. You can find water rates on your providers website and figure out your cost.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

Aurora water does cost more than Denver. You also have to pay for trash pick up in Aurora -- whereas it is included as a basic service including recycling with free bins (you can have multiple -- just ask). The beauty of living in an urban part of Denver where you have dumpsters is that if you can fit it in that sucker, they will take it.

Both Aurora and Denver are fortunate in that unlike many areas to the south there is a known supply. I would suggest anyone thinking of moving to the south or southeast of Denver first take a look at the water situation and projections.

As a side note to all of this; I recall a few years back when DPS put us all on water restrictions. These restrictions worked so well that they subsequently jacked our prices up because they were not selling enough water. Damned if you do ...

Most families use around 2000 gallons of water a week. You can find water rates on your providers website and figure out your cost.

Great info.

I'll add, that along with living in Aurora, you have to choose your trash company, there is no municipal service that you must use. And if you want to "go green", you'll have to pay for it, both a monthly fee for recycling pickup and possibly an initial fee just to get the bins. Some companies require you to use their bins, when others could care less what your recyclables in. I recommend Pro Disposal, and would recommend anybody to run, not walk, away from Waste Management.

I'm within the city/county limits of Denver now, but since I'm in a condo complex, trash is taken care of by the HOA's common use dumpsters. In this particular complex, if you want to recycle, be prepared to horde your recyclables, as there is no way to do it from home (which I'm sure is the case in other complexes as well).

[steveindenver]

I'm within the city/county limits of Denver now, but since I'm in a condo complex, trash is taken care of by the HOA's common use dumpsters. In this particular complex, if you want to recycle, be prepared to horde your recyclables, as there is no way to do it from home (which I'm sure is the case in other complexes as well).

Denver will not provide recycling services in buildings with more than seven units -- but I know for a fact that they do not always enforce this restriction.

As to the above, I believe a friend paid 70 bucks for the bin and pays 5 bucks a monoth to recycle in north Aurora.

It's also worth reading what you can and cannot recycle. Some things might surprise you -- no plastic bottle lids for instance - and no grocery bags (those can be dropped off at the supermarket in almost all cases).

Accepted Materials

Also interesting are the participation rates. Those hippies in Stapleton have us all beat.

Participation Rate by Neighborhoods

[Count David]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

Denver will not provide recycling services in buildings with more than seven units -- but I know for a fact that they do not always enforce this restriction.

As to the above, I believe a friend paid 70 bucks for the bin and pays 5 bucks a monoth to recycle in north Aurora.

It's also worth reading what you can and cannot recycle. Some things might surprise you -- no plastic bottle lids for instance - and no grocery bags (those can be dropped off at the supermarket in almost all cases).

Accepted Materials

Also interesting are the participation rates. Those hippies in Stapleton have us all beat.

Participation Rate by Neighborhoods

LOL, there appears to be conclusions that might be able to be drawn from that list.

At least my neighborhood is at 67%.