Alright, So Ive decided to pick my shit up and move to the Boulder/Denver CO area at the end of May. Anybody that currently lives out there and can give me some insight to the job market, Id greatly appreciate it.

Ive been working in the Nuclear industry (BSME) but Ive never found it really interesting. I want to move into more of an energy engineering role, LEED type stuff. I have some friends that live out there currently and Im gonna crash with them for a while until I get on my feet. I also have about 6-9 months of money saved up so should I decide to not do jack shit when I first get there, I can more than get by for a long while.

Any insight other than your usual "ATTN USERS WITH LESS THAN 1000 posts" are also greatly appreciated.

4/9/2012 4:01:08 PM

Man, I want to go back to Boulder. Been a couple of years. I know Ventyx is out there. Good luck.

4/9/2012 4:53:39 PM

I just got back from vacation there. I ran into several State alumni (due to wearing my State gear) which was pretty cool. Can't speculate on the job market other than there were a ton of amazing homes out there so it can't be too bad right?

4/9/2012 5:05:34 PM

Boulder has an absolutely massive startup community.

4/9/2012 5:42:12 PM

^thats what it seems like through my numerous googles and conversations with my friends out there. Thankfully my salary requirements are pretty low considering this would be a a start in a completely new industry. I need to get networking with some other State grads.

4/9/2012 6:25:23 PM

I would live there in a skinny second and desire to work at the National Severe Storms Laboratory. *drool*

4/9/2012 6:47:45 PM

not a boulder fan. been twice. it seems smug and upity--and im an easy going guy who could talk to a brick wall. the folks seem a bit fake there too. denver is pretty big, but i like it from going three times.

4/12/2012 12:44:02 AM

I moved to Boulder five years ago - I'm finishing my Ph.D. at CU in a couple of months. I'm a chemical engineer, so obviously my job market is different than yours, but in general here's the deal:

There are "outdoorsy" people all over this country who would love to move to the front range of Colorado, so that in general depresses salaries here. I've heard this from several different sources in different industries, but take it with a grain of salt.

I'm specifically in the biotech industry (before and after grad school), and we have Amgen with a large facility, then Array, Covidien and the former Roche Colorado plant that are smaller, and then there's a bunch of tiny start up that only want to get acquired. Most people start out at the start-ups and try to work their way up to the majors to actually get paid.

As an example, a couple of Ph.D. grads from my group took bachelor's-level positions at an API manufacturer, making ~$55,000 a year. After a few years experience and making contacts, one of them got a job at Amgen, and now probably brings in six figures.

I love this area and really want to come back, but it's a tough place to start a career. I got a job in RTP making really nice money because the large number of companies pushes salaries up IMO. I hope to relocate back to Boulder/Denver in the future because it's such a great place. Good luck to you in your job search. Grab a (pitcher of) beer at the Sundown Saloon if your money gets tight.

4/12/2012 8:27:46 AM

Im not too worried about my salary right now seeing as Im single and would be starting out in a completely new field. I make a nice living right now but dislike what I do, so I figure if I actually like what I do, less money is actually addition by subtraction. A lot of the jobs Ive seen in the LEED/Energy Engineering require experience in REVIT and other software like that. Push comes to shove, Ill take some class at the local C.C. and take certification tests for that stuff so I caqn put it on my resume. Or at least thats the plan right now.

4/12/2012 10:59:01 AM

Denver area is easier place to start a career than Boulder that's for sure. Denver is only 15 miles further from the mountains than Boulder. Granted both are going to get you nowhere fast in your career as most people live out here for quality of life, not progression in career. If you want to move up fast, stay on the east/west coasts. I was doing fine working my way up in Charlotte, then in DC. I moved out to Denver and it's like my career just plateaued. I'm ok with it though as it means I leave work at 5pm and go for bike rides, go skiing, etc. If you're interested in LEED this is a great area for it, there's a lot of architecture firms and a lot of interest in sustainability. It's just a matter of whether companies have money in this economy to spend on LEED/Sustainable consulting. (I'm an architect in Denver with LEED AP BD+C)

[Edited on April 12, 2012 at 12:43 PM. Reason : /]

4/12/2012 12:42:02 PM

Yea, I shouldve probably labeled this thread Boulder/Denver CO.

Im initially moving to Boulder because thats where my buddies live, and itll just be easier to to get started with some familiar faces around. I plan on searching throughout that whole area for work.

Ive found a few positions online, Im just hoping Ill be able to find something similar when I get there in 1.5 months.

IF NOT...

Its back to the Wholes Foods meat department, my last non-engineering job.

[Edited on April 12, 2012 at 2:36 PM. Reason : ;]

4/12/2012 2:34:30 PM

Big Blue has a huge office there, RTP-like. Not exactly engineer industry.

4/15/2012 8:21:57 PM

when captain trips hits that's where I'm heading. well, either there or vegas.

4/15/2012 8:27:00 PM

seeeeebola!

4/16/2012 1:40:58 AM

Anyone here familiar with the mechanical engineering job market around Denver? Attempting to make the move, but it's been tough to land an interview as a non-local. I may end up having to save up and move first.

4/1/2014 10:44:20 AM

just moved to fort collins, not a bad area.

4/1/2014 2:06:03 PM

And already a dirty hippie, I bet.

[Edited on April 1, 2014 at 3:18 PM. Reason : ]

4/1/2014 3:12:06 PM

I got some berkinstocks and i now do all my shopping at SPROUTS!

4/1/2014 5:15:03 PM

You can always just sell weed for a living...

4/1/2014 11:19:00 PM

velez75 are you going to get rid of a lot of your shit prior to moving and how are you getting your stuff out there?

I've been thinking of moving to the PAC NW. A lot of people are heard sell their stuff here and just buy new stuff out there to save on moving. I in the last year bought some good furniture, have a good bed, 2x big screens, etc. Thus I think i'd be justified in getting a truck. If i'm getting a truck though i may as well bring all my shit along....

[Edited on April 2, 2014 at 8:52 AM. Reason : a]

4/2/2014 8:52:01 AM

Just moved to Denver in August. I LOVE it here. I like Boulder but it's a lot pricier and there's less (city stuff) to do. I graduated in Mechanical Engineering but work for a small software company here. Denver is definitely a great area for startups. There's a huge tech boom here.

I can't really speak to engineering here as I'm now in technology/consulting/software but the quality of life here is amazing. It was recently ranked number one by a Pew Research poll for cities people want to move to:

http://denvercofinestrealty.com/denver-real-estate-blog/denver-tops-pew-research-poll-on-places-people-want-to-move

The weather is spectacular as well. There's 300+ days of sunshine and there's no mosquitos and low humidity. 100 degrees in Denver feels better than 80 in Charlotte. There's a ton of outdoor activities too. I've been skiing almost every weekend this season and I plan on being in the mountains almost every weekend this summer for mountain biking, backpacking, and rafting. The view of the mountains where ever you are in Denver is awesome!

As far as cost of living it's slightly higher than Charlotte or Raleigh but it's not horrible. Much more reasonable than similar sized cities in the US. You have certainly made a great decision. I don't think I know anyone who's regretted moving here. Now you just need a Subaru, a bike, a dog, and a taste for awesome craft beer and you're set. Oh and marijuana is legal too. Which is pretty awesome.

-Also just noticed this thread is old and you already moved here. Hope you're loving it as much as I am!!!

[Edited on April 2, 2014 at 10:49 PM. Reason : s]

4/2/2014 10:46:15 PM

I guess on that note do you still live by City Park? My girlfriend and I moved in with a coworker and his friend in August to save a little money while we got situated and my girlfriend searched for a job. We're currently in Lakewood which kind of sucks but it's closer to the mountains. We're moving closer into the city in July to be closer to our respective jobs. I work near Colorado and 25 and my girlfriend works at the Denver Botanic Gardens near Cherry Creek.

We're considering west Wash. Park, South Broadway, South Pearl Street, and maybe further north in Capital Hill. We'll probably start seriously looking in May/June.

We're hoping for a 2 bedroom newer apartment duplex. We've got a dog so a yard would be awesome but most places we've found with a yard that are in our price range aren't the newest and we certainly don't want to live further out as we both want to bike, take transit to work.

[Edited on April 2, 2014 at 10:56 PM. Reason : s]

4/2/2014 10:54:44 PM

Your girlfriend is totally gonna cheat on you with both of your roommates.

I would if I was her.

4/2/2014 11:42:04 PM

Haha that's funny. We make jokes that they're kinda like our kids.

4/3/2014 10:31:32 AM

Any cross country moving advice?

4/3/2014 3:45:24 PM

Think that depends highly on how much stuff you have, if you're willing to do your own work, and if your company is paying for it. When we moved out here we didn't have too much stuff. We fit everything in a medium sized Penke truck and put my car on a trailer behind it. My company was also paying for it so the cheaper we made the move the move money we had to spend on stuff when we got here.

If you don't have a lot of nice stuff I'd do it yourself. It's pretty easy and kinda fun making the drive cross country. If you've got a family, lots of stuff and have the budget then yeah pay a moving company.

4/3/2014 3:50:20 PM

All I have is shitty ikea furniture so I'll probably just pack whatever I can in my Escape and sell the rest.

4/3/2014 4:05:37 PM

Boulder Free Zone.

4/3/2014 9:33:44 PM

^ha... i just realized this was an old thread, and i had originally made a "The Stand" reference when the thread was new. At least i'm consistent.

4/3/2014 11:34:05 PM

I got a good bed mattress, nice sofa paid $700 for last year, two flat screens, grandma's nice hutch, and since i'll be taking my cat he'll require a bit of my car space to roam/shit/nap on the way. Thus I think i'll need a truck. My only thoughts were hiring a moving truck anyway, should i just bring all my shit.

4/4/2014 9:37:00 AM

4/5/2014 5:03:29 AM

June 16th I move

4/10/2014 1:51:55 PM

Did you get a job?

4/10/2014 2:10:50 PM

Nope! I have money saved and will find one when I get there. I figured I shouldn't wait around if I'm going to do it. Too hard to find anything as a non-resident.

[Edited on April 10, 2014 at 3:44 PM. Reason : .]

4/10/2014 3:42:45 PM

I've only passed through myself, but I can attest to the jail there being really nice.

4/11/2014 1:28:06 AM

i went to boulder recently (but before total legalization) and could not believe how many weed-stores there were. and i live in berkeley, ca. so it's got that going for it, which is nice.

4/11/2014 11:25:30 AM

How bad are the Boulderites? I keep hearing yuppie horror stories.

Also how would Loveland be for a 27 year old single person? May have a job opportunity.

4/21/2014 8:31:56 AM

Live in Denver!

10 minutes from my apartment:

5/2/2014 1:45:38 PM

do the weed stores actually have any really good weed? that shit is super expensive relative to black market, it better be really great shit.

5/3/2014 6:54:46 PM

I've only been to a couple but they've had a great selection and it's cheaper than black market. Not as cheap as medicinal but it's getting there.

For example the "good shit" I got in Raleigh for 40-60 an 8th is the norm at most stores. There's much pricier stuff too.

5/3/2014 7:35:19 PM

wooooo Boulder!
yay startups!
yay the stand!
yay mountains!

I've turned into a total Boulderite!

Job market is tough, rent is high, houses sell quickly, food is yummy and healthy, Chautauqua is just an extension of Highway 36 on the weekends, happy hours are what Boulderites do best, startups are everywhere, everyone knows everyone, dating becomes incestuous, everyone has a yogispritualhealeryesitakemyherbsandusemyoils

okay so the last one is only half true

5/6/2014 8:44:03 PM

Firefly!

5/7/2014 1:13:21 AM

Think we're about to move to the Highlands next to confluence park. Can't wait to be in the middle of everything and take the light rail to work every day.

5/7/2014 10:43:23 AM

^ Get a paraglider!

http://www.flyozone.com/paragliders/en/

5/7/2014 1:01:45 PM

1.5 months! Can't wait.

5/7/2014 1:47:37 PM

My buddy was making fun of Boulder the other day and said people don't "own" their pets. They are their pets "caregivers". Haha.

5/7/2014 3:43:24 PM

Actually changed our mind. Moving to South Broadway! Closer to work and really close to Wash Park and the Pearl street area. Two of my favorite parts of Denver.

5/8/2014 12:35:14 PM

TreeTwista! how ya been?

5/8/2014 2:33:46 PM