Not to make you guys feel worse, but I definitely understand. Each weekend in houston, my wife and I would have a few choices (at best) for entertainment for us or the family...and usually, we were recycling ideas.

Here, there are WAY more things to do--so much so, we are always having to decide between 2-3 really fun things ... We started out this summer trying to maximize our activities afraid we'd miss something good. We gave up a few weeks into June...just too much to do. We'll get to the festivals/events/activities that we missed this summer in the next several years. Just too much. It's crazy.

Just accepted a job today that will relocate us to CO Springs from Houston. Will probably be up there by late September! We could not be more more excited. Hope to run into some of you fools.

Congrats, you'll love it. I'm leaving town on Tuesday after 3.5 years. Really wish I would have been able to stay. Hoping to be back here in 3 years. Let me know if you have any questions.

Been here since 06 with a three year stop in Casper,WY.

It's a great place to live but stay off the Denver board, it's better than Colorado Springs. That place is for the hipsters.

I feel the same about hobbies here. Love everything but have to down select for monetary purposes. Damn I can only afford mountaineering, mountain biking and skiing. It's a great problem to have.

Don't forget about the beer budget! I think about $2k in 2014. Then kids came

We can't wait to get up there. Unfortunately we're gonna have to endure all of the summer, but I'm looking forward to having my seasons back. And lots of beer. I will say, there are worse spots than Houston to get some decent beer.

Jock & DB - shoot me an email (username @ gmail)

Would love to get some insights before we head up.

I live in Colorado Springs, I'd be happy to send you an email if you like.

We moved up here last fall from Houston as well (not to The Springs, but Castle Rock). Best. Move. Ever. Ok, the physical moving part sucked, but we could not be happier here.

PS - do not believe what you hear about overcrowding in Colorado. I'm sure if you grew up here, what it looks like now is a cattle call in comparison. But coming from Houston, you will appreciate the traffic!

Dub, yes please!

My wife and I will be up there Thursday-Friday on a "house-hunting" trip. We have already been in contact with Gary Jordan and Ann (Aggie Club) and plan to be at the happy hour Thursday. Hoping to meet some good Ags.

We've got friends in Castle Rock and stayed there about a month ago. Awesome town. Glad it's been positive for y'all.

Hey y'all! Don't wanna take over the conversation, but my fiance and I are wanting to make the same move to have a more outdoor lifestyle.

The end of May I was let go from my engineering job in Houston. I was hoping to see if I could get some networking support since I am out of state. If anyone knows any companies in a hiring phase or loves Aggies. My background is in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

Thanks and Gig 'em!
Erik Fogle '12

I would also post on the Denver A&M Club Facebook page and start networking there. It's a pretty active group.

Excellent! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll get on and post there tomorrow.

We are about to head therr for our annual Co vacation... Already dreading the trip back to Houston

Any of you folks have access to Rockies tickets by any chance?

We've been so busy with all of the relocation things going on that I didn't realize my Cubs were in Denver while we're down in the Springs house hunting. Would love to take in the game Friday night. Would be my wife and I.

Try StubHub. You can probably walk up. Rockies games don't sell out. Ever.

They definitely have walk up tickets. Also like was said check stubhub. I don't go to that many games but usually get first row club level seats for $40 each on stubhub. Much cheaper tickets to be had but I like those seats for the view and they are usually available.

Hoping for a bit of advice...

My job allows me to live pretty much anywhere within an hour or so of an airport. I have built the business enough that the family is now starting to plan a move away from DFW. I will just retain an office here for contracts, mail, etc.

So we are looking at Golden, Genesee, Evergreen as one area. What do you all think? Need good schools for a 5 year old, I need to get to DIA easily, winters need to be at least OK, and need a good home for under 600k.

Genesee and Evergreen are really pushing your hour limit from the airport since DIA is in BFE (it's 30 min from the airport to downtown). If there is any weather, the West side of Denver/front range get more snow for sure which can make it difficult to get to the airport.

No idea on schools in any of those areas, but a $600k budget for a house is solid. There is a ton of competition for homes up to maybe $450k, but then it slows down in my opinion. Also, the house you get for $400k in Denver may not be much and likely needs some work, but for the extra $200k, you can actually get something pretty decent. Especially further away from downtown. Just don't expect a house like you'd find in Texas.

quote:

---

Genesee and Evergreen are really pushing your hour limit from the airport since DIA is in BFE (it's 30 min from the airport to downtown). If there is any weather, the West side of Denver/front range get more snow for sure which can make it difficult to get to the airport.

No idea on schools in any of those areas, but a $600k budget for a house is solid. There is a ton of competition for homes up to maybe $450k, but then it slows down in my opinion. Also, the house you get for $400k in Denver may not be much and likely needs some work, but for the extra $200k, you can actually get something pretty decent. Especially further away from downtown. Just don't expect a house like you'd find in Texas.

---

+1 on all of this

So with the airport on the NE side of Denver, something like Woodland park or Manitou would be a really long drive, right?

Although I think they have a train from Springs to DIA, still bet it takes forever.

Boulder is too expensive, maybe I need to look at Ft Collins.

Anywhere else I should research?

If you're not concerned with actually being in Denver or really close to it, I think you may want to look in to Parker (SE of Denver and shorter drive to airport), Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines/Castle Rock (both South of Denver). Great communities/areas and solid commute to airport. Fort Collins is a nice area as well and you will likely get better bang for your buck up there on housing.

the springs to DIA is well over an hour so Manitou or woodland park would be probably close to 2 hours to DIA, unless you're talking about proximity to COS, then Manitou would be doable but woodland park would still probably be over an hour. as previously mentioned both of these locations are right on the front range so you'll get more snow in the winter, especially up in woodland park. there is no train that runs between the springs and Denver but there are a couple of shuttle options but the hours aren't the greatest on those

It sounds like you are looking to live somewhere in the hills based upon your questions so far. Not many places are going to be set up to get you to the airport in an hour on a consistent basis since the airport is on the other side of town.

Castle Rock would work, though you'd be paying tolls to and from the airport. Parker - the further south you go, the lots get bigger and feels more like the country but it definitely not in the foothills. Highlands Ranch (where I live) is suburbia. We are 45 minutes from the airport.

Golden might work but the city really is encroaching on Golden. One benefit is that you can probably ride the light rail all the way from Golden to DIA, but I'm not sure about that or how long it would take.

Gennessee and Evergreen are nice and you *might* be able to make it all the way across to the airport in an hour at times, but there will be many times you can't and you run the risk of bad weather on I-70 in the winter being an issue at times.

I think if I were looking for areas outside the normal suburbs, that I could get to the airport in an hour...I'd look at areas south of Parker, areas outside of Castle Pines & Castle Rock, and maybe the areas around Chatfield Reservoir.

I'm not as familiar with the northern areas.

If you are looking for a bit smaller but still close to an airport you should check out some of the mountain towns. I'm in the same situation where I need to be close to an airport and my home airport is Eagle. Because of the resorts I can go direct to most major big cities. In the summer the directs are to Houston (where my office technically is) and Dallas.

I have two in elementary school here and its great. We are liking it way better for them than the Texas schools.

Houses are pricey but don't forget to factor in property taxes and homeowners insurance which are much less here (at least they were for me coming from Houston).

If you still want the more urban life Denver is the way to go but I wanted to throw that out there as an option.

Castle Pines might make the most sense. Nice views/woodsy spots & 40-50 minutes to DIA and COS. Also, the south side of Highlands Ranch as it borders Castle Pines is cool.

Parker also would be nice if you want a huge house but don't mind being 15 minutes from many good shopping/dining (Park Meadows/Tech Center). There's some nice neighborhoods backing up to open spaces... the area near Black Bear Golf Course comes to mind.

For $600k you may be able to get in foxfield. 20-30 min to airport and large lots and hilly. Very close to plenty shopping and restaurants.

Von Miller lives there.

Golden is awesome. I work out here and would love to live here. Capped growth forces the cost even higher than other areas, but I bet with that budget it is workable. Golden to airport is about 35 minutes usually for me.

Also, are we gonna be bringing the hate somewhere on Saturday for the game?

There are watch parties at the Icehouse Tavern downtown. I want to say 18th or 19th and maybe Wazzee?

Txag11 - can you recommend any good lunch spots in Golden? I work over by Colorado Mills and head to Golden every now and then on Fridays for lunch. Usually hit Miers Deli, Bob's or D'Deli on occasion.

BQ,

I think Amira or Ali Baba is good if you're up for Mediterranean. I also love Yak & Yeti off of Ralston and Wads (a bit further), but they have a SOLID lunch buffet from 11-3 everyday. If you can't make it that far for the indian/tibetan style, Sherpa House in Golden does a similar buffet every day too. The little Thai place close to Bent Gate isn't too bad either.

Cool same place as last year IIRC.