Moving on from Denver...
Apologies in advance for my super immature username. I made it when I was an immature younger person and cannot change it now. Anyways can someone help me brainstorm places in the US that might be better for me based on the below? I (25M) currently live in Denver CO - I originally moved here 2 years ago for a job but also conveniently looked in Denver given I do enjoy the outdoors (e.g, hiking, skiing, running, really anything outside). I’ve enjoyed Denver somewhat - runs at Wash Park, skiing the Front Range, hiking 14ers have all been enjoyable and definitely satisfy my inner granola. That being said, I recently transitioned jobs and got a remote gig, and am seriously considering leaving Denver. Here are my pros / cons (thanks in advance!):
Cons
- No Hustle Culture: I’m career oriented and work in tech and finance. While I enjoy the outdoors, I am trying to make a really strong career out of what I do. While there are certainly others doing so, it just doesn’t have the same feel as where I previously lived (downtown Chicago) where you can relate to people about work, long hours, trying to elevate, etc. Most people I meet, including my friends, do not care that much about their jobs and have no intention to either. I would love to live somewhere with more of a career focused feel where most 20-something’s are also career minded so that I don’t feel alone. I’m also trying to start my own company on the side so I’ve definitely been feeling isolated because none of my friends really get it nor do they even understand the startup desire.
- Boring / Lack of Culture: While there certainly are city amenities I enjoy such as fun cafes, great music venues, bars, clubs, etc., I do feel that it just lacks this feeling that’s kind of hard to pin - but maybe it’s culture? I am from the east coast, went to a boarding school for high school, and was lucky enough to travel to many different places while I was growing up. I feel that there’s not that many “worldly” (sorry if that sounds pretentious) people here - so it’s kind of hard to relate to people sometimes. I definitely crave somewhere that’s more of a melting pot with more urban, worldly, highly educated people that I can relate to more.
- Dating: Dating scene is kinda rough as an ethnic man. Every time I go to NYC or Chicago to visit my friends, I get tons of matches on the apps from girls I’d genuinely be interested in meeting. In Denver it’s rare af. I just don’t have the same appeal. It’s also kinda rare maybe my dating app algorithm is just messed up though to find a career oriented girl who is also into the outdoors.
- Weather: I know this might shock some, but I actually don’t like the weather here as much as most. I definitely appreciate the warm days in the winter and more sunshine than most places, but I hate how it barely ever rains in a nice all day sustained type of way, I hate the smoke and air quality issues, I hate the 2-week-long spells in the summer where it feels like a hair dryer when you walk out of your apartment. I miss east coast nourishing rain where my skin wouldn’t constantly peel. That being said I do have to say this past winter was pretty awesome despite the bad ski conditions. Also I know I can’t have everything so please don’t flame me in the comments. I also hate how dry it is and would love to be near an ocean. I love living near water
Pros:
- Outdoors: I do love how I can scratch my outdoors itch so easily by living here. Whether it’s small by going to Wash or Cheesman, or something as big as camping in the San Juan’s for the weekend, I can do it all which I love. I love skiing, hiking, and running and bouldering (even though I seldom do it outside). I also like how easy it is to find friends who like the same stuff. It’s way harder to find these types of friends in Chicago, for example. That being said, I definitely need to live somewhere that has at least some access to areas that align with my outdoor interests, but like I said earlier, career matters for me the most so I wouldn’t move somewhere that has no career opportunities in tech/finance.
- Lifestyle (Kinda): So I did live in NYC at one point and while it’s teeming with culture, diversity, uniqueness, people similar to me, it’s also super over stimulating, which I did not like. Denver is much better pace wise in that I feel like I can breathe, but I almost feel under stimulated going back to my hustle culture and boring point. So I’m trying to find a good blend or both? That being said I have some friends who live in Brooklyn in NYC and that neighborhood vibe seems like I reasonable pace vs Manhattan which is where I lived when I lived in NYC. But idk, I don’t know if Brooklyn really meets my other criteria especially with outdoors access. It’s also stupid expensive but my job pays decently well so I could figure it out
Overall, it’s kinda hard to figure out where to move as someone who is career focused in tech/finance who craves a more urban diverse place with people who understand my background a bit more but also with decent outdoors access, and a pace that is fast but not crazy. Hopefully that makes sense, would love people’s thoughts!! Thank you.