To those who live in Colorado

U.S.A. Colorado

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Hello!

My hubby & I have decided California is probably the worst place to raise a child. And with our 1st little one on the way, we are beginning to look at other areas to move to.

I currently work in ICU (mostly cardiac) and am completing my BSN to further my marketability. My husband is completing his education to be a Respiratory Therapist (Registered).

We were thinking somewhere between Colorado Springs & Denver would be a nice place to live. The reason I'm thinking in between is it seems there's a lot more hospitals in Denver. Hubby used to be a truck driver and drove through Colorado all the time and would never shut up about how beautiful it was.

How do you all think Colorado is? Are nurses treated well there? How are the public school systems? I'm aware the economy is horrible right now, but I wouldn't be able to move anyway until hubby is done with school, which is about 3 years down the road.

Thanks!

Specializes in Trauma, MICU, SICU, ED.

We moved to CO from TN so that I could attend medical school. We live in Parker, CO (Douglas Co.) which isn't a bad place to live in terms of raising a family, etc. However, if I didn't have to be in this region for education, I most certainly would not have moved here as a nurse.

Prior to moving here, I took a travel nurse assignment down in the Springs (Colorado Springs) at a really good hospital in my opinion based on 15 years experience as a nurse (LPN and RN). Anyway, the first thing that raised a flag for me as it relates to the nursing was the low pay even for a travel assignment which suggested that the company was low-balling or the area just didn't pay well and they generally don't. My wife who's also a nurse had to take a $4.00 pay cut to work at the same company that was in Nashville when she transferred. The cost of living here is higher especially in Douglas, Co.

I strongly suggest doing extensive homework before making the move and get objective views. I'm not from here, and loved Nashville because there is no state income tax, a good place to raise kids, and pay nurses a hell of a lot more. Have you considered TX or WA? Get some quotes or take a travel assignment to recon the area before making the jump.

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Specializes in Trauma, MICU, SICU, ED.

Correction: My wife went from $27.50/hr in Nashville as an LPN to $19.25/hr with the same company (transferred), meanwhile house keeping makes $17.50/hr. As a RN I made $40/hr in Nashville and $27/hr in Colorado Springs as a traveler. Cost of living is higher here vs Nashville but compensation is less.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Wa is my hometown, very beautiful, but if your custom to Sunshine, you won't get much of it.

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Colorado is a very desirable state to live in therefore the pay can be less. When I moved here MANY years ago my salary (I was teaching) dropped $9,000!

A new hospital is opening in Lakewood, Colorado (Jefferson County); VERY close to the foothills. It's part of St. Anthony's I believe (www.orthoColorado.com) . Those of you thinking of moving to Colorado may want to look into this new facility. I'm going to a JobFair this weekend to check things out. I'm a CNA now but taking pre-req's for Nursing School.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Washington is beautiful, I have lived there as well in Spokane. The problem there I have heard is no nursing jobs there and pay is even lower.

I am aware of the paycut. I didn't realize TN was paying higher than CO, the research I have done had indicated the opposite, but a cheaper cost of living as well. We keep hearing contradicting information on the few states we are interested in, so I believe either Traveling or road tripping for a couple months may be our best bet to find our new "home."

And we may be moving up the date sooner, all the California colleges have cut so many classes because of budget cuts; my husband has had trouble getting into any of his prerequisites. He would try to get four signed up for...and lucky if he could get into two of them. So as soon as I finish the BSN next June, we may be high-tailing it out of here! Hopefully even in a down economy 2 years of ICU will help me find something somewhere.

I appreciate all the info others have given!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Your story sounds eerily familiar! :) I was raised and lived until age 31 in California, then moved to Colorado when my first child was 6 weeks old. Stayed there for 9+ years. Now I am back in California but visit CO once or twice a year for several weeks.

I really can't speak to current job availabilities, as others have already given you some great info, so I'll just say what my experiences were living in both states. We moved to Colorado in the first place also because of lifestyle issues you alluded to and what kind of environment you want to raise your child in.

You mentioned your focus on the area between Colorado Springs and Denver, however there are areas north of Denver that you might consider. These areas are an easy commute to Denver, some have sizeable hospitals already there, and public transportation is excellent.

Disclaimer: although it sounds like I work for the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, I don't. :)

First, where we moved. Boulder. It has everything you could possibly want, imo. It's very community oriented, near a university, has a ton of culture, and the most city owned open space and bike trails in the country. It's in a foothill area against drop-dead beautiful mountains called the Flatirons. The schools are excellent, and the general population of highly educated parents very involved.

There are several campus-like federally owned complexes of NOAA, NCAR, and the Dept. of Commerce. Downside= open space has effect of walling off the area so prices are way high. You will definately get more for your money someplace else, but it's worth it to some.

If you go a bit east, about 15 min, there are Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont. They are more affordable, but that area is growing by leaps and bounds. Lacks the atmosphere of Boulder.

If you drive west of Boulder into the Canyon following the Creek , short drive 3000 feet higher, you'll hit Nederland, a funky mountain town. The drive down gets dicey in the winter.

Just one more I would mention that I love is Golden. That actually is northwest of Denver but close enough to drive. The "Land of the Sky Blue Waters" Coors. Uhhh. . no sky blue water but very cute town and still affordable.

I better stop here, lol. Just now realize after writing this I really miss Colorado!! Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Your story sounds eerily familiar! :) I was raised and lived until age 31 in California, then moved to Colorado when my first child was 6 weeks old. Stayed there for 9+ years. Now I am back in California but visit CO once or twice a year for several weeks.

I really can't speak to current job availabilities, as others have already given you some great info, so I'll just say what my experiences were living in both states. We moved to Colorado in the first place also because of lifestyle issues you alluded to and what kind of environment you want to raise your child in.

You mentioned your focus on the area between Colorado Springs and Denver, however there are areas north of Denver that you might consider. These areas are an easy commute to Denver, some have sizeable hospitals already there, and public transportation is excellent.

Disclaimer: although it sounds like I work for the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, I don't. :)

First, where we moved. Boulder. It has everything you could possibly want, imo. It's very community oriented, near a university, has a ton of culture, and the most city owned open space and bike trails in the country. It's in a foothill area against drop-dead beautiful mountains called the Flatirons. The schools are excellent, and the general population of highly educated parents very involved.

There are several campus-like federally owned complexes of NOAA, NCAR, and the Dept. of Commerce. Downside= open space has effect of walling off the area so prices are way high. You will definately get more for your money someplace else, but it's worth it to some.

If you go a bit east, about 15 min, there are Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont. They are more affordable, but that area is growing by leaps and bounds. Lacks the atmosphere of Boulder.

If you drive west of Boulder into the Canyon following the Creek , short drive 3000 feet higher, you'll hit Nederland, a funky mountain town. The drive down gets dicey in the winter.

Just one more I would mention that I love is Golden. That actually is northwest of Denver but close enough to drive. The "Land of the Sky Blue Waters" Coors. Uhhh. . no sky blue water but very cute town and still affordable.

I better stop here, lol. Just now realize after writing this I really miss Colorado!! Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

You just described a lot of my town, or how I feel about it anyway. LOL I have lived all over the country, and although I still think the Northwest is the most beautiful, I love it here for all the reasons you mentioned about Boulder! I have been to Flatirons mall a few times! :p

This is a hard state to beat :D I go to Cali still often, my parents live in San Diego so I road trip with the kids once or twice a year.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
You just described a lot of my town, or how I feel about it anyway. LOL I have lived all over the country, and although I still think the Northwest is the most beautiful, I love it here for all the reasons you mentioned about Boulder! I have been to Flatirons mall a few times! :p

This is a hard state to beat :D I go to Cali still often, my parents live in San Diego so I road trip with the kids once or twice a year.

I like Fort Collins, too. In fact, it might be a better area for newcomers. The entire area between Boulder and Denver has exploded in the last 10-15 years. It's starting to resemble the drive between LA and the OC, where it all merged into one giant developed area. You can still see cows when you drive from one town to the next, but their numbers are dwindling. Poor cows! :)

I liked to take these long, meandering drives with my son in his corificeat, I saw lots of cool places that way, both into the mountains and out in the plains. When my son was older and more aware of the world, I was on one of the drives, up to Gold Hill, I think-- he said, "I thought we were going to the store!!" Oh, my Gosh, :lol2: Uhh. . . did I say that??? Busted!! So I told him it was a shortcut. He seemed to accept this. Fun times. :)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

We're going to be relocating to CO next month, after several years in central AZ. :) Ideally, I'd love to live in Boulder or Oldtown Ft. Collins, we are planning on living in the north Denver suburbs for the first few years. Can't wait!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Best wishes on your move, klone! Arizona is a beautiful state, too. When we moved from Southern California to Colorado, it was my first experience with actual seasons! Also driving on snow and ice! That's the not-so-fun part.

I made my first friends in CO because our landlady gave me a brochure for a volunteer run new mom support group called Mothers and Babies. It really helped me integrate and feel part of the community. I actually ended up becoming a leader. Not sure if they are still around, but it's a great resource for new moms you may encounter, and the diversity of viewpoints made the moms feel very welcome, as well as a forum to talk about our babies nonstop without annoying the cr*p out of non-parent type friends.

We often kept groups together graduating from infant seats to play dates. Have fun in CO!!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Thank you so much for the well wishes! When we move out there, I plan to check out the local La Leche League group. My 2yo no longer breastfeeds, but I'm a retired Leader of many years, and I know it's a good way to meet like-minded moms in the area, just like you did.

I'm SO excited. Where I live now is a bastion of conservativeness, and I long to be near other outdoorsy people who have similar political leanings.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
=klone;4159356]. . . . . I'm SO excited. Where I live now is a bastion of conservativeness, and I long to be near other outdoorsy people who have similar political leanings.

Then if you do end up in Boulder, you will feel very much at home. :) The state as a whole is more conservative than Boulder, which is a treasure trove if you are politically active. However, one of our pediatricians and the dentist we bought our second house from moved out of Boulder for the same reason! :lol2:

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