Thanks everyone so much for your responses! We are in the early stages of *considering* a move to Colorado
We moved to Florida last year from Indiana & I am absolutely miserable- that being said, Colorado was 2nd on our list of places we'd like to live. It's much more like IN (than FL at least) so I get back some things I miss & get a few extras, like the gorgeous mountains! I also miss the seasons so much. Our biggest gripe with IN was in the winter where you could do really nothing but wait it out. CO is great because we can go skiing! DH is very active & I stay fit although I don't really get out alot here in FL exercise wise. I love hiking & trails & all that outdoor stuff. I hate humidity-it's too much for me in South Florida. Plus there are people on top of people here. I just can't take it. I'm a small town girl but I do like close proximity to a Super Target, LOL!
I have 2 little ones so it's really important we find somewhere to settle in for the long haul. If it's not Colorado, it will be back in IN, where our families are. I want to get them settled into schools & find a great community of people.
DH has business in Englewood & travels there a few times a year. Plus he would need to fly out of Denver a few times a year. Not regularly so living directly in Denver isn't extremely important. Our friends back home lived in Littleton for several years & they just raved about how much they liked it there.
I have spent hours doing online research already. Next would be some trips out there to explore however, I'm looking for a location that is a little 'out of the way'. Not remote but out of the hustle & bustle where my kids can run & play, fly a kite or just scream (you know how kids are outside
) without worrying about disturbing neighbors. Right now, I have to keep going outside to tell them to quiet down. Our elderly neighbors live not 20 feet away
ush: Not worth it for living on the ocean.
From what I've learned, my top candidates are
*Golden
*Evergreen
*Parker (voted #1 on money mags. best places to live 2007)
Just want a small town feel, where you know your neighbors but large enough that you don't know EVERYTHING about your neighbors. Some acreage (but I don't need 40 acres) Good schools, near the mountains & an acceptable distance to Devner airport.
Thanks again for your replies. I'm so glad to hear such wonderful things!