Castle Rock, Colorado

I'm an A Type and reality based. I don't look at pretty pictures and salivate. No place is perfect so I dig deeper to find out what's really going on, including talk to natives and transplants. There's no such thing as a perfect place. I lived in Denver, CO area for 3 years and relocated to another state in 2014. The entire state has gone downhill so fast it's not funny. I saw it happening when I was there and got out before it was as bad as it is now. I would never even visit again.

My personal safety is absolute paramount to me. The weather is another factor. As an aging person I'm not trying to live where I have to shovel myself out every year. Winters are cold, snowy and brutal, a lot of thunder storms and rain I'm OK with the rain not the thunder, tornadoes in nearby communities/states which freaked me out, very hot summers of 100 degree averages, limited sunshine but the tourist board says they get as much as CA, no they don't I lived in So. CA for decades and CO doesn't compare - it's more like 1/2 a day.

My first summer in June I went to the grocery store a mile away, it was so hot and dry (100), came back, began putting groceries away, saw in my peripheral white stuff, turned around and it was snowing! Huge snow flakes that were already covering the ground! It cooled off quick and melted the next day. June!!!! I loved the snowy Xmas' that was amazing since I hadn't seen one in 30+ yrs. I didn't like the hail storms and tornado warnings.

The state is so incredibly beautiful. I enjoyed not seeing a lot of progress in the way of building happening, the ability to see a lot of green space and lots of hills and mountains on 1 side of the state, the other was flat prairie land which just said "tornado country" to me. They are close to WY and KS and get the tornadoes through parts of CO. If you don't care about some of the things I mentioned which are my personal experiences from living there, then go for it. Otherwise I suggest visiting during inclement weather so you know what you're getting yourself into.

But you'd better be prepared to take your own safety in your hands, if you have never lived in or driven in snow, you should go when it's bad weather to visit for sure, rent a car and learn how to drive in it first. Their snow fall is very heavy. The closer you get to Ft. Collins (Loveland, WY border areas) and CO Springs (Castle Rock, the Peaks) the heavier the snow fall. It can be quit dangerous creating white out conditions, that will quickly land you in an accident due to visibility, a snow drift or off of a 2 lane road you can't see the road or sides of them especially in more rural areas. Some of them drop off into deep ravens with no guard rails. I drove them during warmer months, and made a mental note never to do so in winter.

One day I landed in a snow drift that I never saw, didn't realize I was stuck because I never felt it. It wasn't even a high one, but I couldn't get my car to move. After many drivers rode by LOL a couple young guys helped me get my car out. I was so embarrassed! I'm from snow country and never saw anything like that before. I rode the train to downtown Denver where I worked going forward. Their public transportation system is outstanding! Only other place I lived with transportation like that was Chicago.

You could be stuck on the 25 freeway in bad weather for hours! I hate traffic and really don't like being stuck in it due to weather. If it's too snowy they close down the 70 freeway which gets you to the mountain communities like Breckenridge and Vail ski areas. The weather changes so much the locals will tell you to keep lots of water in your car, take a jacket, pants, closed in shoes, keep emergency food and other types of supplies in your car. You never know when you'll be stuck without emergency services when traveling during bad weather in CO.

I took the advice even in the summer. It's a good habit to have no matter what state you live in. Anyway, that's my take on CO, I could go on because I lived in many areas and traveled around the state quite a bit. It's not that big and the 25 freeway goes through the whole state into WY and NM. I just never did the touristy stuff in CO Springs but wish I had. Loveland, Broomfield and Weld County are my favorite areas.

I strongly recommend visiting because every states weather is very different. Being caught off guard is not fun after you decide to move and live there. Even though I'm from a cold weather state, ours was nothing like I experienced in CO. I'm too much into being outdoors and being able to travel by car wherever I want, to be in a state where weather will pin me in and cause cabin fever.

I'm looking for a state with some humidity, I know I'll have to deal with certain weather conditions. I want to be near an ocean again or lake, but minimal to no snow. I can handle the cold but not digging myself out annually. Happy hunting because I'm still hunting too!