Our Story of Trading New York City for Denver
Another perfect day in Denver
Last Saturday Catherine and I took off for Colorado again; another four day trip. If you’ve been following along that is 4 trips to Colorado already this year. Everyone must have thought we were crazy to continue to go back and spend all that money on the same trip, but there was a method to our madness.
You see, my wife and I had decided to move to Colorado and during these trips we were working with our Realtor on finding the perfect place. We had been looking all over Denver and had narrowed our sights on the East Wash Park neighborhood. Surrounding a Central Park-esque park, Wash Park was exactly what were were looking for- young families, tree lined streets, fantastic investment and easy access to Denver and the surrounding areas. We were sold!
Between the flexibility with my job and my wife’s job opportunities we decided to go for it, to trade the Big Apple and its concrete jungle for Mountains and its insane quality of life. We found the perfect place on one of our trips, it had just come on the market during the weekend and we quickly made an offer. After negotiating down on price we were under contract and the fun part started. The house we choose was a 1930′s bungalow, very popular during the turn of the century in Denver (two types of homes were very prevalent- the bungalow and Denver square). The reason we picked this home was, first, for its awesome location- four blocks to the park and walking distance to South Gaylord Street which is a small town center with shops and restaurants. Second was for the opportunity to do a renovation and addition.
Once under contract we started talking with builders and architects as we wanted to add a second floor to the house and renovate the existing space. With the help of our awesome Realtor we found a dream team of talent and have designed the house of our dreams. We closed on Tuesday. Architecture plans are almost done. Construction will begin in August and we should be moving, fingers crossed, by the end of the year.
Our new house in Wash Park, after construction
I am so excited to make the move to Denver. The people, quality of life, lifestyle, opportunities, running, major sports teams and other attributes are like nothing I have ever experienced. I love New York City and will always consider it an insane experience, but it is time to create a new path, to re-imagine everything. It was reassuring to see today an article that placed Denver in the top 10 cities to relocate to.
This past weekend Catherine and I ran the Leaves of Hope 5k/10 in Wheat Ridge, which is about 20 minutes from downtown Denver. It was a smaller race, I ran the 10k and Catherine ran the 5k. The course for the 10k was awesome, it took you through residential streets for 2 miles then through Crown Hill Park. Loved running the park, was a fantastic course winding through the wildlife sanctuary.
I ended up finishing 3rd in my age group with a 47:20. Not my fastest 10k, but I was happy with my effort as it was at elevation. I figure I have plenty of years to get comfortable with the changes in elevation and dominating races, like the NYC Marathon, at sea level.
Re-imagination, completed. Time to execute.
Have you ever made a big life changing move? Where did you move to and why? Would you trade New York City for Denver?
- Scott
I feel like I have made several life changing moves already and I am sure there are more to come. Historic Boston to small town Wyoming; peaceful Wyoming to traffic-filled, humid, Houston, TX; and then Houston to Virginia. I would trade NY for Denver any day of the week, no questions asked!
Wow, that is a lot of changing! But good for you to see the country, too many people don’t spread their wings and see other places here.
Congrats!!!! I actually wondered if you were thinking about moving to Denver based on your recent posts, but didn’t realize you were doing it right now. That is wonderful! I hope to make a similar move like that someday in the not-too-distant future. I recently moved from NYC to Jersey City which was definitely a step in the right direction (both literally and figuratively). I know you will love it there and be so happy, and I can’t wait to hear about your Denver running adventures.
You are moving in the right direction, something nice about finally making the exit from NYC after many years.
We’re moving from NY to Atlanta in 3 weeks. To say we’re excited is an understatement. NYC is great..but I’ll visit.
Hope you move went smoothly, it is always a tough time.
Congrats to you! What a cool move you are making. I would absolutely love to live in Colorado. Should be a perfect location for your lifestyle
Looking forward to taking advantage of everything that Denver has to offer.
When I turned 18 I decided to leave Germany for the US. I wanted to live here and imagined a life in the pursuit of happiness. I love it here and now have spent almost 20 years here (south Florida). I have built my life, career, and family here. I’m a pilot and have seen a lot of cool places all over the world.
The key is to dream and imagine what you want, and then, go after it and make it happen!
Grab the bull by the horns, right!?!
Nope. I practically live in the neighborhood I grew up in! I do love Colorado, though. It is easy to fall in love with! Congratulations!
Thanks!
Welcome to the Rockies. My wife was born and raised here, but we met in California. When she started to get homesick and asked me if I’d be interested in moving here it took me all of two seconds to say “Sure!” (obviously, I had been out to visit / meet her parents etc so I knew I’d like it here).
It is easy to make the trade for Colorado from anywhere it sounds.
Congrats! Sounds like a fantastic move! I lived in NYC for 7 years and while I loved it, I can easily see trading it for the Denver lifestyle!
NYC is great, but I think we all have a “shelf life” here. At some point it is expired.
Absolutely living your dream. This makes me emotional, not sure why, but could not be happier for you. You went out there and did it! So happy for you!
And you still managed a great race time…you would, lol
Congratulations! That is REALLY exciting news! I think Colorado is the epitome of active living.
If we could live and work in the states, the Denver area would be one of our top two choices.
Hi I stumbled upon this blog. I too am contemplating this move and visiting Denver next month to determine if it is a place I could envision living. How is it going for you a month later?