Talk me into (or out of) moving to Denver...

[Eric Perry]

Hey all,

I'm in Denver right now for a few job interviews today. Denver is a FAR cry from Scranton, PA. I'm got lots of mixed emotions on moving here. I've got my pro and con list... But I want some input.

Help me out guys. Anyone that can offer ANYTHING on Denver, Colorado. Please give me any info you can, good AND bad!


THANKS VERY MUCH!!!!!

[MakiSupaStar]

Access to the Rockies. It's a great playground. But you'd have to get your fat gerbil-loving @$$ in shape.

[Eric Perry]

I've seen your paunch in all it's glory on tv, homie.


...Have you met Kettle?

[MJ5150]

They have all four major sports teams, which is a plus in my book. The Broncos are an AFC team, so you'll have a chance to see the Steelers when they come to town.

I thought their light rail system in downtown was cheesy, but everything was easily walkable.

If you like the outdoors, go for it.

-Mike

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

They have all four major sports teams, which is a plus in my book. The Broncos are an AFC team, so you'll have a chance to see the Steelers when they come to town.

I thought their light rail system in downtown was cheesy, but everything was easily walkable.

If you like the outdoors, go for it.

-Mike

Thanks, Mike. All of that was definitely on my "pro" list, especially the Broncos and Nuggets thing.

I'll experience the light rail later on tonight. Looking forward to checking out downtown...

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Eric618

Looking forward to checking out downtown...

My wife and I walked around downtown a couple nights, it is really nice down there. Very clean, friendly people, and great little places to eat or grab a drink. We were in town during football season, and the place was all Bronco'd out like PGH gets. The art museum was just opening, so we checked that out. That whole area is really nice. I'll post up some pics when I get home from work. The capital building area is real nice too.

If you skateboard at all, they have a killer park downtown just across the railroad tracks from Coors Field.

-Mike

[Eric Perry]

Thanks again, Mike. I'd love to see the pics.

[jive1]

I lived and giged in Denver for about 6 years. I loved living in Colorado, and I still miss it.

Pros:
- Great place if you are into outdoor sports. Hiking, Skiing, Fly Fishing, Camping, Biking, etc.
- The weather is great, best weather I experienced. 300 Sunny days a year, and never gets humid. All 4 seasons, and they are all mostly mild.
- People are pretty laid back, and the pace is slower.
- The scenery in the Rockies is absolutely breathtaking.
- The city of Denver is pretty cool too. Some decent clubs and culture.
- Good sports town
- Health conscious area
- Higher altitudes require less booze or other intoxicants to catch a buzz.

Cons:
- Male to female ratio favors females. More men than women.
- Nightlife is not as vibrant as other major cities. I found Colorado to be full of "day people" where most folks went home at midnight.
- Job market can be tight compared to the cost of living
- Music scene could be better
- Climate may be too dry for some folks. Use lotion.
- Denver has poor public transportation
- You are literally hundreds of miles from another major city, so touring and travel can be difficult.
- Lemmewinks may not be able to handle the altitude.

Regardless, Colorado was a great place to live.

[Eric Perry]

You made it all the way to the end, before you turned into a toolbag!

Thanks Jong. What's the music scene like for someone new to the area? Any good resources for checking out clubs, bands, bassists-for-hire, etc?

[Phalex]

I've never been to Denver, but I refuse to live someplace where you have to follow the special instructions printed on the box of macaroni and cheese that were put there specifically for people who live in such places.


It ain't natural!!

[MAJOR METAL]

Eric if you are up for any more graduate study the University of Denver is a highly respected institution of higher learning.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by Eric618

You made it all the way to the end, before you turned into a toolbag!

Thanks Jong. What's the music scene like for someone new to the area? Any good resources for checking out clubs, bands, bassists-for-hire, etc?

Like many music scenes, it's tough out there. But keep in mind, that was about 7 years ago. Things could have grown.

There's pretty much one major booking agency, whose name escapes me at the moment. There's a lot of small clubs, but they seem to be spread apart. They pay isn't that good. $400 a night for a weekend is a good gig. Many pay in the $200-250 range. I'd steer clear of Boulder as there are too many bands that play for free around there. I made more money busking than gigging there. Ski resorts have good money and perks, but they are very far away. 2 hours is the shortest commute, and 6-8 is not uncommon. And you have the potential to get snowed out, literally. One gig, half the band made it through the over pass, while the rest got turned away when the road closed.

A lot of bands are entrenched, but the area is still pretty new and developing that a new band or player can still make a dip. one of my best friends is still active in the music scene out there, and may still be looking for a bass player. I'd be happy to forward your contact info to him.

But like I said, I haven't gigged there in years, so things could have changed. But, based on my experiences, the music scene is lacking for a major city. But, in it's defense, there are many people out there that like good music. They just seem to go home early, so they can wake up early to go hiking. And if you saw the scenery, you might not blame them.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

Eric if you are up for any more graduate study the University of Denver is a highly respected institution of higher learning.

Thanks, Kevin. I'm actually looking into a few schools out here for my Ph.D. The U of D and the U of C D are both being checked out.

Originally Posted by jive1

Like many music scenes, it's tough out there. But keep in mind, that was about 7 years ago. Things could have grown.

There's pretty much one major booking agency, whose name escapes me at the moment. There's a lot of small clubs, but they seem to be spread apart. They pay isn't that good. $400 a night for a weekend is a good gig. Many pay in the $200-250 range. I'd steer clear of Boulder as there are too many bands that play for free around there. I made more money busking than gigging there. Ski resorts have good money and perks, but they are very far away. 2 hours is the shortest commute, and 6-8 is not uncommon. And you have the potential to get snowed out, literally. One gig, half the band made it through the over pass, while the rest got turned away when the road closed.

A lot of bands are entrenched, but the area is still pretty new and developing that a new band or player can still make a dip. one of my best friends is still active in the music scene out there, and may still be looking for a bass player. I'd be happy to forward your contact info to him.

But like I said, I haven't gigged there in years, so things could have changed. But, based on my experiences, the music scene is lacking for a major city. But, in it's defense, there are many people out there that like good music. They just seem to go home early, so they can wake up early to go hiking. And if you saw the scenery, you might not blame them.

Yeah, if you could find out, I'd appreciate it.

I'm hoping to god those numbers you posted are for individual players and not the band as a whole!!!

[Thor]

Pros: It's better than Scranton

Cons: They roll up the sidewalk at 8PM. Even the muggers get up at 4:30 AM to catch the jogging crowd.

Conclusion: Get a job near South Beach.


-------
RRRRRRAAAAANK

IF I use the word 'Thong" repeatedly, will it trigger a cool
Google Banner ad? Thong. Bikini. Thong. Hot.

This has been a test of the emergency hot bikini thong South
Beach Google Broadcast system. This was only a test.

[Eric Perry]

^^^ LOL

[MJ5150]

The last gig I played for money in Tacoma was $250 a night for all four of us. That was two years ago. I'm sure it is the same or less now.

-Mike

[GregC]

My dad's lived in Denver for 30+ years (since my folks divorced), so I've been there quite a bit. I don't know the music scene at all, but I would otherwise echo Mike and Jong's comments.

Denver is a great sports town, for the most part, and they especially love the Broncos. The weather's awesome--though it can turn on a dime sometimes, from 80 degrees to snow in a couple days! The food's pretty good--not as good as Chicago, but probably better than Scranton. The light rail isn't great, but it has its uses. And while Boulder may not be a good place to make money playing, it's a cool place to hang out. It's about a half hour from downtown Denver, right up against the mountains, and it has that crunchy, college-town vibe. Finally, prepare to be sleepy and drink lots of fluids until you get used to the altitude/climate.

And duh, the outdoor activities are endless. I don't even ski and I enjoy it there.

I could live there, no doubt. Dang, now I'm ready to plan my next visit.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

The last gig I played for money in Tacoma was $250 a night for all four of us. That was two years ago. I'm sure it is the same or less now.

-Mike

Mike don't tell me that! I was making that myself in Scranton.

[cheezewiz]

One reason not to. Avsmonkey fans. The biggest front runners in sports (except Minnesota Viqueen fans, who are even worse)

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

One reason not to. Avsmonkey fans. The biggest front runners in sports (except Minnesota Viqueen fans, who are even worse)

Eh, I'm not a hockey fan.


...I even had to look up avsmonkey