Denver to DC

[Anonymous]

We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

I've heard that the traffic to get to the mountains has become insane; basically the rush hour everyone loathes is Sat morning trying to get 'outside'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

I've heard that the traffic to get to the mountains has become insane; basically the rush hour everyone loathes is Sat morning trying to get 'outside'

Yep. It took us 8 hours once to get to Vail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

PP here. You hit the nail on the head about Colorado. I feel way more connected and engaged with people in my boring Fairfax suburban community than I did living in the Denver proper.

Also, the suburbs are definitely cheaper in Denver (though not the Cherry Creek School district), but I found the schools to be super lacking. We thought seriously about moving to Stapleton, but it's such a mess because the development grew so quickly that the schools and infrastructure couldn't keep up. You weren't guaranteed a spot in a specific elementary school, but rather one spot in one of the many schools scattered through Stapleton. My friends have kids who are bussed across the neighborhood even though they live across the street from a school. It's bonkers.

And the job market thing was the biggest killer. Employers pay way less than market because it's a desirable location. But housing costs have risen, traffic is worse, and I found myself wondering why bother. So, we moved to DC, tripled our income, live modest but comfortable lives and are perfectly happy.

[Anonymous]

If you don’t love Denver and don’t have kids, then I’d make the move. You have nothing to lose and you can always leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

I've heard that the traffic to get to the mountains has become insane; basically the rush hour everyone loathes is Sat morning trying to get 'outside'

Yep. It took us 8 hours once to get to Vail.

That should be like a drive to Shenandoah — about 1.5 hrs. Is there any point if you basically get there at the end of the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

I've heard that the traffic to get to the mountains has become insane; basically the rush hour everyone loathes is Sat morning trying to get 'outside'

Yep. It took us 8 hours once to get to Vail.

That should be like a drive to Shenandoah — about 1.5 hrs. Is there any point if you basically get there at the end of the day?

Insane traffic during holidays usually( everyone is going to the mountains), many Texans coming and can't drive in the snow, icy roads( they don't put salt on roads in Colorado, not like in Midwest). But 8 hours it's a rare thing of course, but 3-4 during peak times( holidays,weekends).

[Anonymous]

It took me less than an hour in the evening to come back from Keystone to south Littleton, right after Christmas. Less than an hour in the morning there. On I-70. The good thing if you live in Denver, is that you go for the day and if traffic is bad, you are generally easy going and can return. Nothing is life and death, here, everything is life and death. How old are your kids, OP? Do you have kids? If you have a bit older kids, they will hate your guts for moving them here.

[Anonymous]

personally, I think Denver sucks so I think moving to DC is an improvement. Overall, DC is way more expensive. Denver has pockets of high real estate but you can still find places/areas that are reasonable.

I think DC has lots to offer in the way of culture, diversity, education and opportunities that Denver does not have so it made the move so worth it for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left Denver to move to Northern Virginia. Yes, it was jobs but our family is in the area and while there are a lot of great things about Denver our salaries tripled when we moved here. Jobs pay less there because of the quality of life, but housing is crazy. There is a shortage and honestly looking at Stapleton our budget was basically the same as in Fairfax 650K.

I actually enjoyed the weather and outdoors, but I found people in Denver to be very, very flaky and self-involved. People are definitely into their hobbies and stuff, but we didn't make good friends. It was very surface experience.

I lived right by Cheesman Park. We miss it and the gardens, but it's so much better being closer to family. My mother helps us out and my in-laws come down as well.

I grew up and Denver and still visit at least once a year but have been in DC for 20 years now.

With the explosive growth in Denver the last few years traffic has really worsened and some of the coarseness and frustration that dominate public discourse here has started to creep in there - nowhere close to what we have here but it is starting to happen.

I also agree with the comment about not making good friends - people in CO are very outwardly friendly but also much more guarded and private. I find it is really hard to get into interesting conversations with people when I visit about much beyond the Broncos (and the Broncos dominate local sports in a way that is hard to describe if you live out here) because people are just guarded about talking about things but here it is never hard to find smart and well read people who will engage. But it is also nice that people don't immediately talk about their jobs.

If you are into the urban experience and like diversity, walkability, and livable neighborhoods and otherwise engaging with people DC is head and shoulders a better place to live but if you are going to live in a generic suburb Denver has nicer weather and is more affordable and less stressful.

But on the stuff to do metric it just isn't even close - DC has tons more culture and stuff to do and there are also so many more places you can reach quickly from DC or even half a days drive away. Even on the outdoors stuff there really isn't that much more to do in and around Denver - the skiing and hiking/backpacking are better but there really are no things to do on the water and DC has better urban options in terms of parks and hiking/biking than Denver.

PP here. You hit the nail on the head about Colorado. I feel way more connected and engaged with people in my boring Fairfax suburban community than I did living in the Denver proper.

Also, the suburbs are definitely cheaper in Denver (though not the Cherry Creek School district), but I found the schools to be super lacking. We thought seriously about moving to Stapleton, but it's such a mess because the development grew so quickly that the schools and infrastructure couldn't keep up. You weren't guaranteed a spot in a specific elementary school, but rather one spot in one of the many schools scattered through Stapleton. My friends have kids who are bussed across the neighborhood even though they live across the street from a school. It's bonkers.

And the job market thing was the biggest killer. Employers pay way less than market because it's a desirable location. But housing costs have risen, traffic is worse, and I found myself wondering why bother. So, we moved to DC, tripled our income, live modest but comfortable lives and are perfectly happy.

Another Denver native here, been in DC about ten years but visit family in Colorado 2-3x per year. These posts nailed it for me. Nobody ever believes me when I say this irl but Denver is pretty boring, on a lot of levels. The mountains are beautiful but realistically due to traffic and cost I only ever got up there once a month or so, and now I still go a couple times a year plus I do road trips around DC constantly. Overall my quality of life here is loads better. It's all just personality though I guess. People here are my people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30% increase isn't enough unless you're already pulling down $120K+ in Denver.

And even then, your standards of living will need some adjustment downward. Quite a bit in fact, because you can't get the kind of home in the DC area you can get in Denver for even 3x the money.

Making 180k base now. What kind of homes are you talking about though?

Well, an equivalent $300,000 home in Denver will cost you more than $900,000 here. And I know what $300k gets you in Denver. Here $300k gets you a townhouse in a sketchy neighborhood in MD or VA, with a one hour+ commute. Or it will get you a one BR condo in a cheaper, older building in the city.

I think you are a little bit out of touch with Denver real estate prices. 650k will give you a bungalow in Wash park in Denver, or a condo in Cherry Creek.

This. And I even think your assessment is wayyy generous.

Id say that DC is maybe 10% more expensive than Denver. So after taxes you'd come out marginally better, but no way in HELL worth moving from Colorado. Nope nope nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It took me less than an hour in the evening to come back from Keystone to south Littleton, right after Christmas. Less than an hour in the morning there. On I-70. The good thing if you live in Denver, is that you go for the day and if traffic is bad, you are generally easy going and can return. Nothing is life and death, here, everything is life and death. How old are your kids, OP? Do you have kids? If you have a bit older kids, they will hate your guts for moving them here.

This is so much projecting. I grew up in Littleton and despised it. Moved to the east coast for college and never looked back. Now that I'm older with kids I see the appeal of a place like Littleton and even occasionally consider moving back, but it's totally not true to say kids will feel one way or another. Denver is homogeneous, landlocked, sprawling and boring. If you don't love skiing or rock climbing, you feel like an outsider.

[Anonymous]

This thread really highlights how different people are.

I loved Denver and hated DC. I could have loved DC with a third less people in it and a little more sunshine. But how anyone can denve boring is beyond me—and I didn’t even ski.

Ulitimately it just boils down to what you’re into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread really highlights how different people are.

I loved Denver and hated DC. I could have loved DC with a third less people in it and a little more sunshine. But how anyone can denve boring is beyond me—and I didn’t even ski.

Ulitimately it just boils down to what you’re into.

I posted earlier as a Denver native who has lived here 20 years and regularly visits again now that we have 2 kids and we find Denver to be incredibly and numbingly boring. We live in DC and we are always going out and doing stuff and in Denver are always straining to find anything to do. The Mint, Botanical Gardens, Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, Natural History Museum, Tiny Town etc aren't really all that interesting and after that there just isn't much else to do. We do get up to the Mountains and go back-packing and are looking at a longer trip this summer to get to the SW part of the state (which is really far from Denver) but that is not day to day stuff you can do.

But what gets me is that no one (family, friends with and without kids) ever wants to do anything either - everyone just wants to hang out at home and sit around and maybe go to a movie.

And except for a couple of neighborhoods near downtown no neighborhoods are really walkable though there isn't much to walk to.

Though I will say the dining scene is much better than it used to be though along with that Denver has lost much of the funkiness it used to have.

Look if you are going to live a car oriented suburban lifestyle and don't care about diversity Denver is a great place to live - it is a bit cheaper, it is beautiful, the weather is fantastic and it is generally a much more positive place to live.

But it really is boring.