Anyone live in Colorado?

[Martin]

Hi- I may move to the great state of Colorado next year, and need to know some stuff, if you would be so kind

How's the massage biz?
hows the energy workers biz?
hows the teaching massage biz?

what's the crime rate like? (I'm from Detroit...)
what's the weather like?
what's the housing market like?

what are the people like? stressed, casual, hippie-dippie, all type A?
what's there to watch out for that a newbie would need ot know?

Thanks!
Lisa

 

[Charles C]

Anyone live in Colorado?

How's the massage biz?
I guess this depends on which area you are in, and if you plan on being self employed, or an employee. You may get some good gigs in the resort areas, Telluride, Aspen, Vail... but I bet competition for those jobs is tight, and I couldn't tell you what the off season would be like. In an area like Denver, you could probably do well in your own business, given time to grow. Boulder is an area that seems like a high concentration of MTs, but I don't know too much about the scene there, as far as jobs go. Here in Colorado Springs, it seems like there are A LOT of MTs trying to do their own business, and I think the spa/resort jobs are few & far between. I work as an IC at the clinic where I went to school, and while I make a high % there, my actual pay is quite low due to the fee we charge. I also do what I can to build my own clients, in my home office.

hows the energy workers biz?
Sorry, don't really know much, other than even around CoS, I see lots of ads for reiki and some other types(?) of energy work.

hows the teaching massage biz?
Given the number of schools between Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and even Pueblo, not to mention all the other mountain towns, I would imagine it's pretty good. This is not hard fact, tho. :altwink:

what's the crime rate like? (I'm from Detroit...)
Seems pretty low, but I have jokingly called my town Stab-orado Springs, because of the constant news of overnight stabbings. Crime is probably higher in Denver, but mostly likely lower and less violent crimes in the smaller towns. Apart from some gang activity spreading into the smaller towns, most of the crimes seem to be personally motivated.

what's the weather like?
Depends if you are in the mountains, or on the plains. Here in CoS, I think we get 300 days out of the year with sunshine. The seasons here are pretty moderate. Even in the winter seems like we get visited by spring, most times snowfall is melted off streets and yards after a few days of sun. I guess if you were to go somewhere like Steamboat Springs, you can expect to see snow from October to April.

what's the housing market like?
You're not going to be able to buy houses here for 3,000 or anything like that. Seems like the housing market is pretty stable here. As in... prices of the homes are not bottoming out. If you have cash, you could probably get a decent house in foreclosure for around 80,000. Houses that aren't in foreclosure seem to be holding their value.

what are the people like? stressed, casual, hippie-dippie, all type A?
Casual Colorado. Go out for dinner in jeans, sweatshirts, tennies, and ponytails (if that's your preference). Again, depends on the area I think. Here in CoS, it seems like the christian right and the military really color the vibe here. From the outside, it seems like the culture would feel more like Boulder, or even Austin, TX... but instead is pretty white bread & homogeneous. Denver is a better mix, probably of everyone... and then the college towns like Boulder, and Ft. Collins a little more toward the granola flavor.

what's there to watch out for that a newbie would need ot know?
Generally, this is a nice state to live in. If the only reason you are moving here is to be a MT, good luck. If you are moving here because you love it here/ have another opportunity here & also happen to be a MT, you will probably love it. The people here seem pretty nice. And if they are really judgmental, I think most of them are pretty good at keeping it to themselves. If you are into winter sports, there is a lot to do. And of course, almost anywhere you live would be really great hiking in the spring, summer, & fall. In general, it seems like most of the people I've met here are really into outdoors things....fishing, hiking, climbing, camping, skiing, etc. It seems like in general, people who live here tend to care about their health & being active.