There are some reasons I can think of moving to Reno instead of Denver, including no state income tax, cheap cost of living, closer proximity to mountains than Denver (no traffic getting there either), and little possibility of weather getting in the way of activities, whereas Denver can get a blizzard that stalls everything.

Also, Sacramento offers even more than both, greenery in the winter (nowhere to be had in Denver), proximity to mountains, close to California attractions such as Yosemite, Wine Country, San Francisco, and the coast.

That being, said I personally don't like Reno that much, but if I were a skiing fanatic, it might make sense.

Sacramento seemed to me to be a place I could actually live, whereas I would never consider Denver.

Maybe I just don't understand the lure of Denver. People tell me it's the mountains and sunshine, but to me there are far better places that have mountains nearby and plenty of sun.

I just found out one of my best friends is moving to Denver...
They have 6 kids and will be working in Aurora.
What's a good affordable area for a large family.
Great public schools, commuting distance and a 3500 SF newer house w/big yard? I would imagine they want to stay within a 400,000.00 range.

Aurora is very large. Lots of new housing developments there, probably many that are good for a large family. You can get more square footage for your money in Aurora, than in old Denver, usually. Some very nice homes off Parker Road, heading southeast. If that's not technically Aurora, it's still commuting distance.
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Not sure where they are coming from but $114/sq ft is not a realistic figure for new housing in the Denver area. Obviously the further out on the eastern plain that you go will be cheaper. And large yards are not a common characteristic of new housing the area. Large yards are expensive to maintain because of the climate. They need to spend some time in the area so that they have a realistic understanding of the area.

TxTravelPro - you might have them look in Parker,too, just for more options.
Betsy

I had to laugh at some posts. I grew up in Denver and lived also in Aurora, Englewood, Gunnison, Colorado Springs and Englewood again. Unfortunately I now live in the Seattle area. I miss the views and drier air and the 4 seasons. I don't like the grey skies for 10 months and too many trees (they block the views)and no skiing--awfull snow!! What they call a resort here is a joke!!
I would love to move back to Denver or anywhere in Colorado. I consider the weather great because after it snows the sun comes out! With the summer breezes we didn't even need air conditioning.
I would only consider the south or southeast part of Denver. Littleton is all shopping centers and traffic. I love Cherry Creek shopping area but it is not as nice as it was years ago due to congestion. I also lived in Wyoming (tooo backwards) and MN (too hot and humid).

It appears they have settled on Castle Rock.

Littleton is all shopping centers and traffic -- ????

You have to be think of somewhere else. Outside of Aspen Grove and some off of Federal, I don't think there is another shopping center in Littleton. And you have been on main street in downtown Littleton is some time.

I was thinking the same thing fmpden!

I live near Littleton and have no idea what is meant by traffic and shopping centers, My comment should have been that she has NOT been in downtown Littleton. In fact I think the congestions towards the SE -- Parker, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock -- is worse but since I avoid that area my assessment may not be completely accurate.

I can't agree with these statements, either:
"With the summer breezes we didn't even need air conditioning. I would only consider the south or southeast part of Denver. Littleton is all shopping centers and traffic. I love Cherry Creek shopping area but it is not as nice as it was years ago due to congestion."

Our summers nowadays are much hotter, so we do have to turn on our A/C, although we resist it as much as possible. Our ceiling fans do a great job at night, but some afternoons I relent and turn on the A/C when the sun is really beating down. I know it wasn't this warm when we moved here in the early 70s. (Can you say global warming??)

Also, we live near Cherry Creek. It's not especially congested, and is still my primary shopping center. But it's expensive housing around there.

Only to consider the south and southeast part of Denver is the biggest misstatement IMHO. I don't think the poster knows Denver today, to say that. There's Stapleton, Lowry, lots of new neighborhoods North. In fact, if the OPs territory includes Cheyenne and Jackson, maybe they should be looking primarily north. There are some nice towns north of Denver, like Niwot and Hygiene, too.

And yes, Parker road going southeast is a bear. My son does it twice a day from our house to school, so we know it well.

Other than that, her praise of Denver is well made!
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" With the summer breezes we didn't even need air conditioning"

I've been to Denver in the summer and you need air conditioning. There's a reason air conditioning is standard in new homes there.

I think that statement applies to Seattle more than Denver. Seattle is definitely a city where you don't need air conditioning.

I don't like the rain in Seattle, but I can't stand the dryness of Denver, so if I was forced to choose (and thankfully I haven't had to make such a choice), I'd pick Seattle.

I also can't understand who would not like to look at beautiful tall trees. They also help for shading, which helps keep homes cool in summer.

There should be no debate that Seattle and environs are far prettier than Denver and environs. Giant trees and greenery or a flat brown landscape....

bkluvsnda, I glad you been here in the summer so you can share your expectise with us old farts who have lived here for the past 30 to 40 years. Stay in Seattle, What you have stated is pretty superficial observation that the majority of Denver/Colorado residents would disagree with. If look to the east, pretty flat and brown especially in late summer. Look to the west, it is a magnificent view -- rugged snow capped mountains, green forests, unsurpassed skiing, great hiking. and sun shine most of the time and not the gray overcast of Seattle. And yes, you can avoid air conditioning in the summer but does require careful management of your house. Sometimes we get lazy and run it for a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Not like the midwest where turn your AC on in May and off in October. So let us that live here make the recommendations for moving even if the posting is about 18 months old.

AND you would think that Denver had no trees!!
AC is a necessity--dry or not. And 300+ days of sunshine doesn't hurt. Just as well he/she is in Seattle. Probably drives 35MPH in the left lane on I25 too. ;o)

<<...or a flat brown landscape....>>

Not exactly the Denver I know. Monday was what I consider a typical, fall day in Denver. Sunshine with a crystal clear blue sky, trees in red & gold & the mountains in the background covered with fresh snow. It was stunning. It was a pleasure driving to work with that view right in front of me.

Sorry Gretchen, I have to disagree with AC being a necessity. It is nice to have, but I only use it sparingly, mainly in July, and I turn it off at night, open the windows and enjoy the cool night air.

I'm glad I found this "Denver" post. I live in North Carolina, the Raleigh area. My husband and I will be moving to Denver in later 2008 because we want to. We're in our 50's. We don't ski but we want some kind of "view". It was between the ocean and the mountains for us. We visited Florida and hated all the sunshine and heat. We'd like a little more "mix" of seasons. Couple of comments...........(although I really hate to bring up trees again), trees aren't what they are cracked up to be. I was raised in Texas with only mesquite trees so didn't get much exposure there, but have lived in NC for 20 years now and yeeeegads I get so tired of not being able to SEE, for goodness sake. Each to his own, really. But for me, I'm ready to ditch these trees and head somewhere you can actually SEE something off in the distance. Thanks for all your comments here but I'm really having problems finding places where I can read good valuable advice for people moving to the area, other than house prices and trees. For instance, a move across country holds some challenges. I'd be interested to know how many of you just picked up and went because you'd studied Denver and wanted to be there and if so, were there pitfalls along the way you could caution about? Also, I'd love to maybe meet a "penpal" of sorts in that area who could make themselves available to answer questions as they arise. Does anyone know of any good Internet sites (safe Internet sites) where we could perhaps meet people online from Denver??

nhinson: You can email me if you would like at [email protected]

OMG... Denver is awesome. We feel the residents of Denver are darned lucky to live there!
My whole family lives in NE Texas so I am stuck here for some years to come. I may never be able to live there, but Denver (IMO) has it all. Beauty, perfect climate, nice people, flat land, mountains, water, good weather, trees, excellent restaurants, good shopping, good airport... I could go on and on.

TxTravelPro: Denver is nice, but it's not perfect.
Somethings that are really nice are: 1.Lots and lots of sunshine 2. excellent views, you can see for miles 3. very few bugs, you can leave your doors open all summer.4. although there can be a lot of snow, the next day is usually a beautiful sunny day. 5. Even in winter you usually only need your heavy jacket in the morning.

nhinson - I moved to Colorado to work at a ski area the winter after college(1975). Moved away for grad school but eventually moved back (1980). I think the biggest thing I miss is the ocean so many of our vacations head in that direction. By the way, we have no a/c but live on 5 acres at the top of a hill. It does get hot in the summer(July), late afternoon. Why don't you start a new thread if you have more questions.