A (Potentially) Crazy Idea....

[thegiraffe]

Recently, I've been flirting with a crazy thought. Last weekend, the idea of moving to Colorado (or somewhere out west) to teach crossed my mind. I didn't think much of it, and kind of ignored it for the week. Then, today, I ran across an article that lists Denver as an affordable place to live. Affordable is good on a teacher's salary. It would be at least a year and a half before I went somewhere, but...I feel like I need a change. I've lived in central Florida for almost 18 years. My entire life is here, but I feel like it's time to start over. It's hard to really start over when I'm still living in the same small city, in the same house, with the same people I've been with since I was in elementary and middle school.

I don't know anyone in Colorado, or out west at all. Maybe it would be good for me? Force me out of my shell? I have no idea. I feel like it's almost time for me to leave the area - leave the nest per se. I don't want to teach anywhere in Florida except for Seminole county. We're the best school district in the state, and even we have big problems. I can't imagine what the other counties are like. I LOVE Colorado - it's a gorgeous state. Of course, that would necessitate having to learn to drive in snow, and likely selling my car and getting a 4-wheel drive (but...they do make Elements in 4-wheel drive, so that's a definite plus!), investing in enough winter clothes to outfit an army - since I like to layer, but those all seem like minor factors. Moving 2,000 miles away is the biggie though. It would be scary, but it would be kind of like starting college all over again - moving to a new place (relatively) far from home where I didn't know anyone. It's scary and exhilarating all at the same time.

I dunno, guys...I dunno.

[XCashier]

Speaking as someone who moved from Phoenix AZ to Eugene OR earlier this year, I can attest that a change in environment can do a person a lot of good.

Just remember, Colorado is coming into the bad weather season right now. I'd almost recommend you just take a week and vacation there, see if you can handle the cold.

If you can handle the cold, you don't have anything tying you to your current home, and you can afford to move, why not?

[thegiraffe]

We were there for a week March '06. The cold will take getting used to, but I adapt quickly. The lowest we saw as 8 F (we had a rental car with the temperature gauge thingy in it - quite handy!).

[chops]

GolfCart34 and I moved to Virginia from New Hampshire a couple of years ago. We ended up hating it; the weather was better in the winter, but worse than we could get used to in the summer. Add to that the fact that we moved from a small town to right next to a medium city, and we just couldn't get used to the change in environment.

However, Colorado is a different story. She has relatives out there, and we visited a couple months ago. Depending on where in Colorado you go, we found it's not as bad in Virginia; the weather is similar, the heat is drier and thus more tolerable than the humidity of the East Coast, the snow is something we're used to already, the drivers we've seen actually know what that lever on the left of their steering wheel does and how to properly use it, for the most part...the hardest part for us to get used to was the altitude.

That said, I agree with XCashier. You've gotta try it first.

[monolayth]

I have lived in every climate in this country... lived in both florida and alaska.....i am currently in nebraska. i like this place, but the cold is something new. i reccomend re learning to drive when there is ice and snow on the ground and investing in having a lot of hot chocolate in the house. but other than that go for it. it seems like all the signs are there that it is where you are meant to be.

[NightAngel]

Denver is beautiful! The drivers are better there and there are some interesting things to do in Denver- even when you aren't dead. (cookie reference!)

However, that kind of cold can really wear on you after awhile.
So can snow shoveling, your car being a sled, etc.

Guess you won't know if you don't try though. You only live once- I say go for it if it's what you want!
Also, if you hate it you can move away as easy as you moved to- remember that. ;)

[thegiraffe]

However, that kind of cold can really wear on you after awhile.
So can snow shoveling, your car being a sled, etc.



That's true about the cold, but I've lived in Florida for 18 years. The heat starts to wear on you after awhile, too haha.

As far as the shoveling, I would live in an apartment, so the shoveling wouldn't be a huge deal (the property manager would likely hire someone to do the shoveling).

The major concern I have is the driving. I would absolutely get a 4-wheel drive. I would feel like I have more control. As I mentioned in my OP, they make my car in 4-WD. That's awesome, because I love love love my car. However, Denver isn't "in the mountains" per se, so it would be significantly easier to learn to drive in snow where it's relatively flat, vs. on a 14,000 foot mountain pass. I also have two friends who are looking at moving out there (coincidence) who know how to drive in snow, so I could always ask them to teach me.

If worse comes to worse, I could always walk lol.

[Rubyred]

Ya know..bf and I had the exact same though a few months ago.

End result- We're moving to Denver next September. Lol.

If you find yourself in need of roommates/someone to hang out with when you get out there let me know. Lol. :)

[Giggle Goose]

The drivers are better there and there are some interesting things to do in Denver- even when you aren't dead. (cookie reference!)


It's a movie! It's a movie!!!!!!! It's called "Things to Do In Denver When You're Dead!" Gimme mah cookie!!! Boozy, look, I finally got one! GO ME!!!! :party::bounce:
-Giggle Goose, who never gets the references

Go for it. I can drive in snow and ice in my Cavalier. It's no biggie. I just hate slipping on ice and stuff when walking. And shoveling snow. Usually some kid will do it for me for 5 bucks. I actually heard, though, that Denver is really expensive. :confused: But you only live once, right? I'm graduating and thinking of moving, also....I just don't know where.

[thegiraffe]

Giggle -

Denver may be expensive, but it's cheaper than Orlando (where I am now - in a nice suburb of Orlando at least). I would shell AT LEAST $800/month for a 1-bedroom apartment here. I don't want roommates because of the hours I keep - I go to bed early, and I have a low tolerance for undue noise. Also, being a first year teacher, the work load will be INCREDIBLE, and I'll need a quiet place to get it done.

Denver, on the other hand, appears to have decent apartments in the 6000-650 range. Still not cheap, but way WAY cheaper than 800. You can also open the windows and all for more than 2 weeks a year there, so that'll save on heating/cooling.

The 4WD is more for the mountains and the hills. It's not an absolute necessity, but I would feel more comfortable having one....with the terrain how it is out there. I wouldn't STAY in Denver - I'd venture out to Aspen and Vail and Breckenridge and other places every now and then. Not to ski, just take in Colorado's absolutely breathtaking beauty. A huge plus is that I absolutely love my car - a 2WD Honda Element, and they make it in a 4WD for not much more money. That, AND the 4WD version comes with a huge, removable sunroof. Always a plus :)

And thanks, Ruby! The EARLIEST I would be going is June/July/August 2009. I would want to have plenty of money saved up, because I'm NOT moving all my furniture out there. It would just be cheaper to buy it there than ship it. Yikes....moving a bed and desk and couch and table and etc. from Florida to Colorado. I could put that money to much better use out there (and my room is the guest room at my parents' house, so....it'd kinda have to stay that way).

[XCashier]

A huge plus is that I absolutely love my car - a 2WD Honda Element, and they make it in a 4WD for not much more money. That, AND the 4WD version comes with a huge, removable sunroof. Always a plus :)
Strong suggestion: if you're going to upgrade your car when you get to Denver, get a model with rear window defogger and wiper. Always a major plus in cold weather environments.

[Amethyst Hunter]

Speaking as someone who's done the big-pick-up-and-move across country, here's my .02.

If you can afford both the time and the money, try spending a short period out there (say, a couple of weeks to a month or more, depending on your budget) to get a feel for the general environment (weather, people, politics, etc.) and how you adjust to it. What may seem like an ideal vacation spot might turn out to be a major drag if you commit to something more solid and find out AFTER the fact that you don't like it.

For instance, I *used* to like Florida, because we'd vacationed there about every Christmas for a good decade, for a week to two weeks. And that was fun.

Then we moved and spent a year and a half down there, and we HATED it. It damn near led to my parents divorcing (not the sole cause for that mess, but definitely a catalyst for it), and it will be a long, long time before I even consider going back to that state - if ever. That's how much I wound up *loathing* it. Do I regret my time down there? In a way, no - it had its good points. But those weren't enough to counteract the misery I experienced on a near-regular basis living down there.

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth the pound of cure, so before you make a move as big as this, be certain you really want to go through with it.

[ArenaBoy]

For the snow and cold: Best way to keep warm is to wear a hat that covers your ears. It may not seem like much but it helps big time. Also, stock up on a few good jackets, shoes meant for the snow, gloves (Your fingers will thank you for it), scarves (Not necessary but feels nice) and a hat. In actuality snow is not that bad but it's the cold and the patches of ice (Although it's fun ice skating) that'll get to you. Don't worry though, you'll adapt.

As for driving on snow, it takes a few times to get used to it but after that it becomes instinct. Get a rear defroster and a rear windshield wiper because it comes in handy.

Also take a trip out there, I spent a few weeks in Toronto and I loved it but I'll have to try it in the winter and see my thoughts about that. :lol:

Good luck!

[NightAngel]

It's a movie! It's a movie!!!!!!! It's called "Things to Do In Denver When You're Dead!" Gimme mah cookie!!! Boozy, look, I finally got one! GO ME!!!! :party::bounce:
-Giggle Goose, who never gets the references


YEA!!!! :D

Your first cookie reference is special so MANY COOKIES!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/Nokomys/Gourmet_Cookies.jpg

[Jester]

My older sister, The Witch, moved to Denver from New Jersey several years ago with her then-husband (recently divorced). She absolutely LOVES the place. I hope for your sake, though, that you don't run into her...I've told you how "pleasant" she is. :lol:

But big moves can be a good thing, especially if you feel like your getting stuck in a rut in your current place, which it kind of sounds like you are.

Lil Sis moved to England four years ago (when she married her Englishman), and she couldn't be happier.

I know that my life changed for the better when my parents moved us all out to Arizona (the first time--the 'rents have now moved to Arizona FOUR times!). I also know that my life improved again when I landed in Key West. And I have no doubts that it will improve that much more when I finally leave here (summer of '08, I hope) and head back to Zona.

Good luck with the whole moving thing....you seem to be planning it out much more thoroughly than I ever did...I'm sure you'll do fine! And if you ever venture from the mountains down to the desert, look me up...we'll have a few cold ones! :cheers:

[Nephy]

Colorado ROCKS. I've lived in and around Denver/Boulder for 4ish years now, and absoultley love it.

It may be cold, but the weather also kicks butt in the winter a lot of the time. My birthday is on December 10th, and one year we were able to go to the zoo without jackets or anything. Nice and sunny.

Also, I happen to have an extra room. So if you buy me dinner and/or porn, and give me your not-a-serial-killer certification papers, I might consider making said room available if you're interested in coming for a trip to get the feel for it.

[The Gatekeeper]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


If you don't like it, you move back, and lesson learned. If you don't do it, then down the road all you have is "what if".

No regrets, try anything once!

GK who hates regrets.

[Giggle Goose]

YEA!!!! :D

Your first cookie reference is special so MANY COOKIES!


Mmmmm....yummy! I like that you actually live up to your promises, NA. :D

I have to Netflix that movie now.

[FuzzyKitten99]

The 4WD is more for the mountains and the hills. It's not an absolute necessity, but I would feel more comfortable having one....with the terrain how it is out there. I wouldn't STAY in Denver - I'd venture out to Aspen and Vail and Breckenridge and other places every now and then. Not to ski, just take in Colorado's absolutely breathtaking beauty. A huge plus is that I absolutely love my car - a 2WD Honda Element, and they make it in a 4WD for not much more money. That, AND the 4WD version comes with a huge, removable sunroof. Always a plus :)


Ok, 4WD only does one thing for you in winter: gives you an added bit of grip and pulling force when you are stuck or going through snow drifts more than 7" deep for long distances. It does nothing for you on ice, especially black ice. Never ever use it on plain pavement, even if you think it is icy or slippery because it won't do you any good and you'll burn out the transfer case. That is SO not cheap, especially that you have an import. Keep a couple of sandbags on each side of the vehicle, as much on the wheel wells as possible.

When you are driving an SUV in inclimate weather, don't get too confident in your safety. One wrong (even ever-so-slight) over-correction and you'll end up on your roof or in a ravine somewhere. Stopping in snow with that heavy of a vehicle becomes something of a practiced skill. Drive like an old-lady on Florida's Hwy 4 when you first start driving in snow out in CO... better to get there late but safe than not at all because you're in a hospital or dead.

If you do decide to go out there, make sure you have a decent winter survival kit (see the thread that was started here a while ago) in your vehicle. Invest in a nice scraper/brush/squeegee combo. You get what you pay for.

Make sure your tires are rated for snow. Many people here in MN will put winter tires and summer tires on their vehicles.

Also, you might want to look into winter driving lessons there. I know that MNDoT here offers them. They take you out and put you through all sorts of scenarios in real life, to give you a feel of what it is like to spin out of control (yes, they put you into a spin and you have to correct yourself!), get stuck, etc.

[Pedersen]

From my own years in Denver, some notes that might help:

Altitude. It's called the Mile High City for a reason. This leads to several things to take care of.

First, the air is drier. Drink fluids, lots of them. Especially right after your move, you're going to need them.

Second, the air is thinner. Take it easy. Your body is getting less oxygen than it's used to, and needs to adapt. Those football teams don't take extra oxygen to Denver just because it's fun to carry, I promise.

I don't know if it's because of thinner air, or altitude, or what, but the sun seems to shine brighter there. Buy a decent pair of sunglasses, and use them. You'll be happier for it.

Within a few months, your body will adapt, and these issues will fade into memory. Watch them as you move, though, or you will be sorry for it.

Driving. Four wheel drive. Many people think of it as a license to be stupid in the snow. It's not. It's a way to get yourself unstuck more easily when you do get stuck. It will not correct for ice, black ice, slippery roads, etc.

Get it, it's good to have. Just be forewarned that it will not save you from sliding. Don't expect it to, or you will have a bad accident.

Weather. You've heard the joke from most everywhere: "Don't like the weather? Just wait a few minutes, it'll change." in Denver, it's not a joke. I had a friend visit while I lived there. At my place, it was snowing. 10 minutes away, it was not snowing. The weather seems to run at random intervals as to what you will get.

Neither good nor bad, just what is. Accept that, or don't go :)

Distances. Maps are deceiving. I lived in Louisville, which is about halfway between Boulder and Downtown Denver (LoDo, it's called, Lower Downtown). For me to drive from where I was to the south end of Denver (which is actually slightly south of Columbine, as memory serves) took about an hour, and that's without traffic. For Denver locals, my definition of south end was that huge mall on I-25 which, basically, was the last stop in the Denver metro area before heading south to Colorado Springs, though I forget the name.

With traffic, it was noticeably worse.

Research your desired apartment/job carefully, as you could easily find yourself with an hour commute each way without having meant to do so.

Attitude. This is a cultural thing. People in Denver area are a lot more laid back than, say, New York and New Jersey. Coming from this area, with all of the high pressure on life, and moving to Denver, was a culture shock. Just be prepared for that.

Oh, and don't forget that the locals call it "The People's Republic of Boulder" for a reason. Working in the Boulder area is like stepping onto a different planet :)

Conclusions. Colorado is beautiful. I found myself needing to not live there for my own reasons. But I'd go back and visit in a second. There's lots to do, lots to see, and lots of fun to be had. Just be ready for those points above, as they can definitely impact you.

[NightAngel]

AltitudeSecond, the air is thinner. Take it easy. Your body is getting less oxygen than it's used to, and needs to adapt. Those football teams don't take extra oxygen to Denver just because it's fun to carry, I promise..

Oh, yeah! That adjustment period sucks. Years ago we vacationed in Denver when we checked into the hotel the clerk asked how long we'd been at that altitude? I said maybe an hour and he said, "Well, when you wake up in the middle of the night just remember you are NOT really dying."
I didn't get it then and thought, "Okay, weirdo..."
But I did get it when I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air, limbs tingling from oxygen deprivation and feeling EXACTLY like I was going to die.
Fortunately, it doesn't take too long to adjust past that. I was fine by morning.

[Pedersen]

Fortunately, it doesn't take too long to adjust past that. I was fine by morning.

True, but the whole package is two pieces: There's an initial adjustment period where your body basically says "What the hell did you do to me?!?!?". That part is a very quick adjustment.

Then there's the longer term adjustment, which usually takes a couple months. Basically, you will feel more sluggish, tire more easily, sleep more (both often and longer), and generally have a slightly harder time keeping up with people who have been there long enough to have completed that adjustment period.

That's the one that most people miss. I had to be told about it by locals when I moved there, too. And even then didn't believe it until a few months later :)

[NightAngel]

I can totally see that but I was only there for a few days.

The Rocky Mountains are so very beautiful- it really is worth it just to see them. I completely and totally understand the song Rocky Mountain High. Driving through them is awe inspiring.

[Pedersen]

I can totally see that but I was only there for a few days.

I do understand. I just didn't want to let TheGiraffe think that it would be normal to completely adjust immediately. Very few people do (I won't say none, because I don't doubt some do, but I'm pretty sure it's less than 1% of everybody who moves there adjusts overnight).

The Rocky Mountains are so very beautiful- it really is worth it just to see them. I completely and totally understand the song Rocky Mountain High. Driving through them is awe inspiring.

I'm trying desperately not to hijack this thread, but must point out something: If you visit Alaska, you'll find yourself hard pressed to decide between them. Alaska is every bit as awe inspiring as Colorado.

Just don't go in winter unless you're prepared to spend most of your week without *any* sunlight :)

[NightAngel]

Okay, Pedersen- maybe we should both drop the thread and back away slowly since I know I could go on also... ;):lol:

Back to your regularly scheduled thread...

[thegiraffe]

Haha....wow guys!

I'm going to try to answer everything in one. If I miss you, forgive me!r

Ok - first things first. I spent a week out there in March '06. We went all through Colorado, and slept at about 8,000 ft (a ranch on a mountain). I've had the nosebleeds and the sluggishness, etc. I've lived at 50 (at the MOST) feet above sea level for 18 years in a state as flat as a pancake. I expect some adjustment, but I'm fine with that.

As far as the car goes, I drive a very small SUV (a Honda Element). If finances allow, I plan on upgrading to a 4WD in Denver - as that would help me in the mountains during summer also. The back window does have a defroster and wiper, so that's all taken care of :). My dad grew up in the Midwest and Virginia (and once parallel parked a car by pulling the E-brake and turning the wheel...), so he could teach me to drive on ice/snow. I could also hire somebody or ask a friend. I plan on moving in summer, so I'd have SOME time before I'd have to drive in the white stuff. I'm also a....cautious driver as it is - I don't drive like an idiot because I know that's the express lane to buh-bye. I'm not going to do anything idiotic because I have a 4-WD. As the saying goes, a 4-wheel drive is good for getting stuck in places you can't get to in a 2-wheel drive. I don't plan on experiencing that haha.

Snow tires (or all-season/all-weather) would be an absolute must out there. Dinky 'lil road tires wouldn't cut it with the terrain. I also know better than to pour hot water on an icy windshield (a girl in HS did that....she's lucky she didn't break it), and am sure I can handle scraping a windshield. I'm quite self-sufficient lol.

I'm good at listening to my body and what I need, be it sleep or food or water or....whatever.

My major reasons for contemplating the move are:

1. I'm TIRED of 95 degrees DAILY for 10 months a year. Some fitness gurus have said that you're not exercising strenuously until you sweat. Well, we must be pretty fit in Florida. You walk down the driveway to get the mail and back and you're soaked lol.

2. I want to know what it's like to have Spring and Fall. I've kind of forgotten what they're like. We have two seasons: Summer and almost Summer.


3. Colorado's insanely beautiful. Florida looks the same everywhere you go. It's flat and has buildings. Woo hoo. I'd miss the beach, but...I rarely go.

4. Colorado's schools are MUCH better than Florida's. MUCH.

5. The people are so freaking nice! Everywhere has a nutjob or two, but...they're amazing! I also like how conformity isn't....required. Orlando is very cliquey. I don't do cliques. I'm odd, I know it (though I'm cute, so I get away with it lol). I want that to be seen as a positive character trait, rather than a "we'll deal with it because we have to" one.

6. Can we say cheaper?

7. I kind of want a change of pace. I'm working in the same school district as where I went to school. K-12. I've never known any different.

8. I think I'm ready to find some new friends. Not that the ones I have are bad, but I've grown apart from so many of them, and I don't have opportunities to meet new ones. It'd be kind of nice to start over for once.

9. What's wrong with change? I'm 22. Chances are that I won't HATE it. I don't really get homesick. I handle change OK. I've been through incredibly tough things in my life - I'm strong. If I want to do it, it's going to happen one way or another.

10. The idea of taking a weekend drive out into the Rockies just blows my mind. To have one of God's incredible creations out my back door would just...amaze me. I've always thought one of the neatest things to see is a big city with mountains in the background. It's just so...surreal. It's like two entirely different worlds melded into one. How crazy.


Alright, so that list is longer than I thought it would be, but...those things happen sometimes lol.

[thegiraffe]

Oh! I forgot to mention one of the BEST reasons!

I can use my electric blanket more than 10 nights a year!

Woo-hoo! :)

(on the flip side, it SUCKS getting out of bed with an electric blanket. But oh so cozy WITH it!)

[Pedersen]

2. I want to know what it's like to have Spring and Fall. I've kind of forgotten what they're like. We have two seasons: Summer and almost Summer.

Heh. Well, the seasons in Denver don't include Spring and Fall. In Denver, you've got Summer, Football, Winter, and Mud seasons :)

[FuzzyKitten99]

Heh. Well, the seasons in Denver don't include Spring and Fall. In Denver, you've got Summer, Football, Winter, and Mud seasons :)

Here we get winter and road construction... otherwise known in our own house as slow season and busy season...

[chops]

Basically, you will feel more sluggish, tire more easily, sleep more (both often and longer)
I can agree with that. I slept like a freakin' LOG when I was vacationing out there.

And I did have a lot of trouble breathing when I was trying to climb up a hill at Rocky Mountain National Park. But it was so worth it, because then I got to tap the Rockies! (http://pics.livejournal.com/thatchopsguy/pic/00044619/) (That's me on the left, with my gf's dad and brother, respectively.)

[GolfCart34]

I can agree with that. I slept like a freakin' LOG when I was vacationing out there.

Then there was me, having to wake up at all hours of the night and scurry for an inhailer! :p

My aunt and uncle moved to Colorado several years ago, along with my two cousins. One cousin now lives in Utah, but everybody else still lives right outside of Boulder (cousin in Lafayette and aunt and uncle in Longmont). Actually, the cousin in Lafayette was the reason why chops and I got to go to Colorado as she got married this past September.

One thing I noticed about Colorado was that they have very interesting weather patterns. One minute you'll be getting a thunderstorm and the next minute it's a fabulous day again. I went to Steamboat Springs to go skiing a couple of years back and we had the strangest snowstorm ever! In the morning it looked like a raging blizzard outside and we ended up getting nearly a foot of snow at the condo. By mid afternoon, everything had melted and the roads were perfectly dry.

As for having 4wd in your car... I've lived in New England for most of my life and I have never needed 4wd. A good set of snow tires (they'll usually cost you between $500 and $600 for a set of 4) and some cautious driving should get you by just fine. Just take it slow and you should be fine. I also try to avoid driving in the snow if I can at all help it. If my other cousin can survive Colorado and Utah winters with a Honda Civic then you should be fine in your Element.

And don't be surprised if you have trouble adjusting to the altitude. A friend of my cousin is originally from Minnesota and she said it took her a full 6 months to really adjust.

But I agree with everybody else: take a couple of weeks and visit to see if you really like the area.

[XCashier]

Your reasons for leaving Florida are exactly the reasons we left Phoenix! And believe me, I wish I'd done that when I was your age.

I've never been to Denver (would like to go someday), but hubby and I went to Durango and took a trip on the Durango-Silverton railroad. Absolutely exquisite scenery. I heartily recommend it for a fun, relaxing trip. :)
Attitude. This is a cultural thing. People in Denver area are a lot more laid back than, say, New York and New Jersey. Coming from this area, with all of the high pressure on life, and moving to Denver, was a culture shock. Just be prepared for that.

Oh, and don't forget that the locals call it "The People's Republic of Boulder" for a reason. Working in the Boulder area is like stepping onto a different planet :)
Eugene is just like this, too! Very laid back, lots of old hippies, they joke about it being "The People's Republic of Eugene" too! :lol: A T-shirt I picked up at the Saturday Market says it all:

[Rapscallion]

I can use my electric blanket more than 10 nights a year!


I just use myself - I often wake up too warm.


Woo-hoo! :)


Not something heard coming from my bed, I can assure you.

Rapscallion

[Tanasi]

It's good to get these traveling bugs out of your system while you're young and unattached. After you're married and have a few babies it's a lot harder to do these things.
For the car 4WD in a passenger car is almost a joke, it's just enough to get you into real trouble and not nearly enough to get you out. I would suggest something with AWD (all wheel drive and there is a difference) and traction control. You less likely to loose control and you don't have to worry about the running gear working or not because it's being used the whole time (unlike 4WD). I've found FWD is generally enough to get around on flat ground but throw in hills, curves and such stuff you need 4WD or AWD to get around. Heck anyone (with a little sense) can drive on flat ground.
Don't forget there are more mountains in the US than the Rockies, try on the Smokies, the Good Lord knows we need some good teachers up this way.

[thegiraffe]

Well, it's not quite a passenger car lol.

http://automobiles.honda.com/assets/images/2008/element/customize/base_car/RE_lx2wd_34FRONT.jpg

That's my car :). They make then in "real-time 4WD". However, I have no plans of off-roading, I would just feel more comfortable with it. Both the 2-WD (what I have now) and the 4-WD have traction control, so I'm good that way.

And yeah, I've been to the Smokies too. I was actually born in VA, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. They're pretty, but there's something magical about Colorado and the Rockies. It's awe inspiring.

Honestly, everywhere is in need of good teachers. Too bad I'm only one person...

[Jester]

Giraffe, I am planning on moving back to Arizona sometime in the summer of 2008. I know you said you weren't going to be making this move till 2009. However, if you decide to do it earlier, or I (once again) get delayed in MY plans, we might want to think about doing a convoy from Florida to the West. Sort of sag support for each other, not to mention decent conversational company, etc. I just think roadtrips are always better with more people.

Just something for you to think about. :)