RVM

My wife finishes law school this year here in CA. Frankly, while we love California, we need a change. My wife's brother and father were both killed over the summer. That combined with the stress of her job and last year of law school, plus two upcoming BAR exams is just wearing her down. We want to start new somewhere and our first choice is Colorado. She's visited there and absolutely loved it. Everywhere except Denver anyway!

I'm researching places to live in CO and was hoping to get some advice. Once we get a better idea of where in CO we'd want to live she'll start looking for firms in the area she might be interested in working for. We don't want to live where it is supercrowded. We don't want to live in an area where the vibes are all negative and depressing. For reference, we're living in Sacramento now.

A middle-sized city would probably be best. Obviously, close to the best mountains is always a big plus. I've been a SB instructor in Tahoe and wouldn't mind continuing with that.

I'm looking for any input and opinions here, whether I asked specifically for them or not!

Thanks

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There is no substitution for human competition.

JeffreyCH

I don't have any specific info on living in Co. been there dozens of times, love Summit county. Thought it might help you out to know where all the resorts are. I found this map while researching my board trip for this winter. Map of Colorado Ski Areas | SkiReport.com At least that way you can see where all the resorts are and what cities/towns are close to them. If it was me I'd look at the Breck/frisco/dillon area, it's 3 small towns close together so it would be like a middle sized city just more spread out. Great vibes all around, and of course some of the best riding in the country. Good luck with the move, sounds like you guys need a change of pace.

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snowklinger

The 3 towns mentioned above are going to be your best bet for a middle sized town.

The problem if you want to be away from the crowds, obviously, you will have to find a job in a smaller town. You have some options like Steamboat, Aspen and Durango which are all prohibitively far from Denver for most of the crowds and as such have less (but way smaller towns).

If you DO decide to make Summit county your spot for riding, you will have many more options of where to live/work. Denver has alot more in common with Sacramento then it does with LA fwiw, and there are alot of nearby towns and suburbs with their own vibe. Evergreen is a great spot, but similar options are conifer, genessee, boulder, golden, idaho springs, georgetown. these 'burbs so to speak are all on the western side of town putting you close to your jet up i70 but within easy commuting of anywhere in Denver.

I realize you said not Denver, but Colorado is alot like Nebraska and Iowa with mountains. There ain't shit outside of the main town. Now of course this is entirely untrue, but you have to appreciate the tradeoff. Its always going to be easier to find housing and work in a metropolitan area like Denver. Summit county works but during the season is more hectic then Denver is anyway.

People like snowolf don't like CO at all, and I love it, so take it fwiw. A little info on my geographical biases: grew up in Manila, Philippines (20+ million) with a home base in SoCal and relatives in Amador county (near Sacramento). Went to college in Santa Barbara, then lived for 6 years in Chicago and 6 years in Omaha. Now been in Littleton (southwest Denver right against the hills) for 5 years and have no intention of ever leaving (other than perhaps moving up the mtns a little to one of the towns I mentioned). Denver is a chill town and CO is a pretty chill state. Mid season can get pretty hectic but shit, summit county probably sees more visitors/season than anywhere, there are just tons of acessible mountains.

Dont be put off by summit county crowds either. Places like Copper and Loveland never get the crowds that Vail and Breck get, are loved by locals and highly underrated. I purposely work weekends and ride weekdays, also a consideration.

TLDR: Durango would probably be your best bet, but much more challenging logistically. Dont be scared of Denver it has everything for everyone, lots of nearby towns with their own vibe. You guys are gonna love it here.

Chef Jer

I agree with much of what snowklinger said...

Denver is very comparable in size to Sacramento. Having lived most of my life on the East Coast (upstate New York and Miami) I was amazed at how different the vibe is here... laid back and much more positive than I was used to back east (people actually say hello here). Boulder is an interesting large town/small city and is about the same distance as Denver to the resorts.

Durango.. is way the hell in the middle of nowhere. My fiancee sister lives there and its a cool town... but I am not living 7 hrs from the nearest major population center!!! (but to each there own).

I've moved around a lot for work and always recommend to anyone considering a move to visit before moving anywhere.

Unfortunately, a mid-size city right near the resorts just isn't possible in CO.

SHREDDER97

out of all the places ive been to in colorado steamboat would be my first option. Good vibes ( even tho those cowboys can get weird), and a great mountain is always a plus.

WasatchMan

I know I sound like a broken record but Salt Lake City, Utah sounds like just what you're looking for.....



http://i.imgur.com/1ohjV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Cyqmp.jpg

Chef Jer

I've always been intrigued with SLC... just don't think I could do without all the wicked micro brews we have in CO.

RVM

Except I'm a liberal, religion-hating atheist who also happens to be something of a Socialist.

__________________
There is no substitution for human competition.

Chef Jer

You sound like a perfect fit for Boulder

hikeswithdogs

I can relate to your problem, u want to live somewhere you can ride every day but need a corporate/big city job well good luck.I don't know of any city in the countries SLC where you can do that, love the terrain, vibe ,lifestyle in CO but you can't beat the snow and mountain accessibility in Salt lake. No it's not as cool or ttendy as CO but my work parking lot and suburban middle class home is 15 minutes from alta/snowbird/Brighton/solitude, 35 minutes from 3 resorts in park city and 3 more resorts in Ogden an hour away