RN thinking of traveling to Colorado...need advice

U.S.A. Colorado

Published

I'm going to start travel nursing next Spring/Summer....around June. My wife is a Physical Therapist Assistant and we have a 5 1/2 who will be 6 years old son.

We live in Florida now and want to desperately get out of here. We are just looking to get into a new lifestyle away from what we have done here all our lives.

The one state that we both constantly read about that is regarded as gorgeous and outdoors friendly (year round) is Colorado. We haven't made any decisions that are set in stone, but we are heavily leaning towards packing up and heading that way.

However, we know nothing about the state or potential cities to consider living in during my assignment. We do know though what things interest us and want to have as options for living.

#1. A small town feel that is family friendly. We want it to be small enough that it's not in a major city, but big to support us. Obviously a nice hospital is a must since that will be the reason for being there. My wife may or may not work so hopefully some rehab facilities in town would be great.

#2. An abundance of recreational activities. I'm a Triathlete and my wife a runner. We love exercise, biking, and camping. This is also very important to us as it's a huge part of our lifestyle.

#3. Lastly, we are potentially looking for a future city to move to in a couple years after traveling. We'd really like to live somewhere that could be somewhere we could see ourselves coming back to....for good. Good economy (ya i know it's tough all over right now), good community, and good lifestyle.

I'd like to hear about everyone's experiences and suggestions. I would greatly appreciate some suggestions or ideas on hospitals as well. I know it's still half a year away, but i need something to look forward to and plan for.

Thanks ahead of time smile.gif

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Boulder is super friendly to triatheletes (many of the olympians train there) and it's absolutely beautiful, family friendly? Maybe not because of the college students there. There are many nice cities around there. Super outdoors friendly and A LOT of recreational activities. It can be rather expensive to live in the Boulder/Louisville area, but I guess that wouldn't pertain to you if you are doing traveling nursing. Some of the good hospitals are Good Samaritan in Lafayette, Avista Adventist around that area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

Canon city is a small town. I moved here 13 years ago. It is considered to be in the banana belt of Colorado. the winters are pretty mild and it is within commuting distance from Colorado Springs and Pueblo. My husband is a runner (has done ultras and marathons) and has started biking. There is a large group who bike (road) weekly and are starting a running club.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How funny...I was just about to suggest Canon City and then saw micco's post! I grew up in Canon. It's much larger now than it was when I lived there (I graduated from high school in '79) but it's a great size and a great little town. The winters are generally pretty mild, but summers can get pretty dang hot, I think.

I loved it there. I miss it a lot sometimes!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For my two cents. Fort Collins was voted the best place to live for 2 years in a row by Fortune Magazine. Small, family friendly, not very expensive and growing. There is a college there too but the community is still very nice. Boulder is okay. If you like to ride bikes that is a great place to be. Many people in Colorado consider it to be the "hippie place to live". University of Colorado is also located in Boulder so many, many college students and little town is gearing toward those college students. Castle Rock is between Denver and Colorado Springs, south from Denver but only a 20 minute commute to Denver and SkyRidge Hospital. Castle Pines is a really expensive area but Castle Rock is not too bad. Castle Rock has that old town feel with movies on the rock in the summer with lots of parades and great shopping in small town stores. Not such a great commute in the winter time to Denver, but that's only when it snows, which suprisingly is not that much in Colorado. The mountains are okay to live in too but not too many job opportunities since that is such a popular place to live and not very many residents, etc. Super expensive as well. Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We haven't been here long, but I am really enjoying Glenwood Springs. Nice hospital - Valley View Hospital.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I recommend Salida, CO. Awesome little town with a brand new hospital and recreation coming out of the Wazoo. Hiking, Biking, Mtn. Biking, Whitewater, Skiing, XC, the list goes on. It is a small town with access to the big city if you need to go there. I'd like to move there when I finish nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment