|
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
 
Location: Iowa | Hey All,
Just need some advice here!! I am just graduating from college in South Dakota and was offered a very nice job in Fort Collins, CO. However I grew up in Iowa and have everything I can imagine back home (as well as a job). Was just wondering on people thoughts on Iowa verses Colorado. I would like to bring at least one on my horses to Colorado if I choose to go. I guess I am just unsure if the move is worth giving up all I have back home although I know Colorado would have way more opportunities. |
|
| |
|
Grammar Expert
|
If you want to move, do it while you are young and don't have kids. Hay is about $12-27 dollars a bale here depending on where you go and what you buy. Gas is $3.10 to $3.80 (diesel) a gallon and goes up and down a lot. RENT in Fort Collins is not cheap. It's a liberal area of Colorado, but there are pockets of conservatives and rural areas.
Check out Mile Hi Barrel Horse for races up that way, also there is Spicer Arena that has a series whose name eludes me at the moment. There is a Spin 3 race in Colorado Springs, twice a year that's pretty big. Cheyenne Frontier Days is only about 1.5 hour a way. Skiing is close by, lakes, parks, hiking all close by. If you move here, beware of the 470 Toll pass, pricey as hell and they "send" you a bill that I rarely think is right. Hope that helps! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 972
Location: Texas! | I live in Laramie, WY an hour north of Fort Collins, I love the area. Tons of barrel racing and rodeos within 2 hours or less all year. Like posted above check out Mile Hi and Spicer's also the Riata in Cheyenne does a few series throughout the year. Summer there is barrel racing and rodeos everywhere! Fort Collins is a little spendy but get out of the college area and a little more rural and you will find something for sure! Congrats on the job what is it? (if you don't mind me asking) |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
Location: Iowa | I got a job in investments and risk managment :) so I will be making very good money but starting out I do not want to face a finacial burden at all, so just a little scared to bring the horse. I looked at lot of places that have hay included in the board which is very nice!! I just need to kinda finalize where to live and where to keep my horse. So if anyone has input on renter or boarders send them my way!! |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 80
| I live North of Fort Collins in a little town, its nice because its in the country but its still close to town. Theres the college here and Old Town is super nice, good places to eat, lots to do. There's great trail riding here, tons of open space. As far as races, Mile Hi is pretty big, but I prefer Spicers Arena which is about 30 mins from Fort Collins. They have races every Tuesday night, most weekends, and timed event series throughout the winter. I love their place out of all the races here and its great to haul to for open riding/practice.
If I were you, I'd move a little outside of Fort Collins as its cheaper for rent; however, board can be pretty pricey here depending on the place. Hay is about $200 for a 1600lb bale, gas isn't bad, and Fort Collins is a nice place overall. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| Never lived in CO, but for what its worth moved to Des Moines from Michigan back in June (grew up in Indiana) and we quite enjoy it here.
If you are in investment and risk management I would think there would be plenty of good work in the DM area with all the big insurance players? |
|
| |
|
Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | The Front Range is moving and shaking. A good place for college grads and some great opportunities. Depending on how far you want to drive to work...... North of Ft. Collins is Wellington and East is Windsor. Both are going to offer less expensive housing. For a young single person Ft. Collins offers way more in the way of socializing. A lot of music venues, out door eating, etc.. An hour away from Denver and a ton of cool things to do.
Spread your wings. Give CO a try for a couple of years. Learn to ski, hike the Rockies in the summer. You can always move home.
karen |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: Missouri | After living near Ft Collins for 40 years and moving to Missouri, I still wonder why? The Ft Collins area has incredible vet and farrier services. I have to go to OK for quality vet care... It sounds like you are checking thoroughly the economics of the area. I miss the smell and the dry air. The winters may have cold times but also warm sunny days too. 300 day s of sunshine is easy to take. There is intelligent life there and culture in Ft Collins and Denver/Boulder. I would move back in a minute except for the economics! Enjoy! Spread your wings! Not everyone is as lucky as I was to have 40 years there! (By the way, my grandparents raised me and retired there after traveling all over the US). Smart! |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: Missouri | After living near Ft Collins for 40 years and moving to Missouri, I still wonder why? The Ft Collins area has incredible vet and farrier services. I have to go to OK for quality vet care... It sounds like you are checking thoroughly the economics of the area. I miss the smell and the dry air. The winters may have cold times but also warm sunny days too. 300 day s of sunshine is easy to take. There is intelligent life there and culture in Ft Collins and Denver/Boulder. I would move back in a minute except for the economics! Enjoy! Spread your wings! Not everyone is as lucky as I was to have 40 years there! (By the way, my grandparents raised me and retired there after traveling all over the US). Smart! |
|
| |
|
 The Non Sky Diver
Posts: 9004
Location: SE Louisiana | I've been to both places... The weather is about the same except there are less tornadoes in Colorado and the mountains are wonderful to look at every day.. |
|
| |
|
 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | If you are truly serious about having a "career" and moving up in your chosen field, you should consider taking the best job possible, i.e. the one that offers the best opportunity for growth, best benefits, pay, etc. Think "long-term" -- have a plan for the future. Where can that Fort Collins job take you? How can it position you for the future and the life you want? It does sound like you are checking everything out very well and have already looked into full board for your horse. With a new job, full board, in my opinion, would be a big plus since you know your horse is going to be taken care of day in and day out. You can concentrate on your new job and not worry that your horse is getting fed / cared for..... you can just go "enjoy and ride". Sounds like a win-win to me. Good luck which ever way you go! Sounds like you have a great future ahead! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: IA | Jess--take the opportunity while you can, home will always be here. |
|
| |
|
Sideways Riding Expert
Posts: 11371
Location: ND--it snows, it floods, it snows, it floods | Turninfly - 2013-12-30 8:23 AM Jess--take the opportunity while you can, home will always be here.
I so agree. If you have nothing to tie you to home then get out and experience the world a little bit and have some fun! Get settled in and then bring your horses out. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2457
| First off - CONGRATS!! You are one of the few college grads with job opportunities!! I graduated from SDSU (I kinda hope you're not a coyote, go Rabbits!! j/k)
My first job out of college was in Laramie and we commuted about once a week to Fort Collins to work with collaborators (2009-2011). FC is a FABULOUS area as a young professional! LOTS of music, eating areas in Old Town, and it was easy to meet people even though I was only there once or twice a week!
As was mentioned above, there are lots of barrel races and rodeo events through the summer in the area - there are several GREAT venues for running barrels, roping, mounted shooting, etc
Good luck and go fly while you are young! Take a chance and I bet you'll love the area as I did! |
|
| |
Folks on-line