Spring break is right away the corner and if you call Denver home, you don’t have to book a flight to have a killer spring break trip. Whether you’re traveling with college pals or taking the whole family on a trip, there are plenty of spring break destinations just a few hours outside the city. From local ski resorts to a mild outdoor excursion in Utah, we’ve got a few spring break destinations that you can reach by car in under ten hours.
Aspen, Co Aspen is a four-hour drive from Denver and great for snow bunnies who pretty much just want to ski the entire vacation. Aspen has four distinct ski areas all within the same lift ticket, so there is something for everyone regardless of skill level. This legendary ski town has plenty of snow this spring and nothing beats skiing in March when the sun is out. Plus, Aspen Snowmass is hosting free concerts all of March as part of their Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series. Colorado Springs, Co It only takes two hours (or less) to get to Colorado Springs from Denver, though we’d suggest taking the four-wheel drive on this trip because vacationing in Colorado Springs is all about outdoor activities. Pack up and take a drive through Pikes Peak Highway — which is a safe mountain climb that lets you view the city’s beauty from up high. Colorado Springs is also home to Garden of the Gods and its breathtaking red rock formations, which is a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. If you’re feeling fancy, stay at the historic Broadmoor resort and check out nearby Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls with nearby hiking trails that have been dubbed “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” Steamboat Springs, Co Steamboat Springs is a quick three-hour jaunt from downtown Denver, making it the perfect ski getaway — even for a weekend. Steamboat Springs has a hidden attraction that the other ski towns like Telluride and Aspen don’t — geothermal hot springs. Hot springs are said to have therapeutic properties, so a long soak does a body good after a full day on the slopes. The popular Old Town Hot Springs has eight pools, including water slides. Telluride, Co Telluride is further out than most ski towns, but the six-hour drive is worth it. Telluride feels like taking a step back in time to the Wild West and many consider it to be the best Colorado ski resort. Downtown Telluride is the best spot for soaking up history and partying at night, but if you’re traveling with little ones, Telluride’s next door neighbor Mountain Village is newly developed, safe, and close to tons of child-friendly slopes, sledding hills, and the ice rink. Santa Fe, New Mexico If you want to ditch the snow, Santa Fe, New Mexico might be where it’s at. Crossing state lines takes six hours by car and it’s worth it to experience this unique melting pot of Hispanic, Anglo, and Native American cultures. Southwest food, the art scene, and Pueblo-style architecture reign supreme in Santa Fe, plus the city has the 3rd largest State Museum system in the country. Rapid City, South Dakota Rapid City, South Dakota is a great place to stay if a visit to nearby Mt. Rushmore is on the itinerary. Though most people visit the national monument in the summer, spring is a great off-peak time to visit and beat the crowds. Cruise down the U.S. Highway 385's scenic drive through the Black Hills and Badlands as you pass waterfalls, canyons, and creeks. As for Rapid City itself, you can experience the downtown art and culture scene or head to the outskirts and get up close and personal with nature at Reptile Gardens or Bear Country USA. The entire drive from Denver is a little over six hours. Moab, Utah Moab, Utah is situated just outside Arches National Park and its more than 2000 natural arch-shaped rock formations. Though Arches is the real draw here, Moab, Utah is also home to sites like Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge, where you can see authentic dinosaur tracks. Early spring is the best time to visit Moab, as the weather is cool but mild and it’s just outside peak season. It takes a little over five hours to drive here from Denver. As a Realtor it is always important as a Buyer to pay attention to overly high HOA fees. This is be a sign that there is a special assessment that is causing the fee to keep going up. Pay attention if the HOA is over $280 no matter what. You’re right to take homeowner’s association fees into account when buying a property. They represent the ongoing obligation you’ll have as an owner to pitch in on the costs of building and maintaining common areas and in some cases parts of your own property, such as a shared roof or walls.
The possibility exists that these fees will rise. The trouble is, that possibility exists whether the fees are high now or not. In fact, unusually low fees are sometimes a sign that the association hasn’t been able to talk the owners into paying for needed maintenance, repairs, and improvements. The day will come when they can’t put this off any longer, and you may have to pay some whopping special assessments along with the usual fees. Too-high fees can also be a problem, of course, particularly if they exceed some owners’ ability to pay, resulting in disputes and foreclosures. You’ll definitely want to do more than take the existing monthly fees at face value when considering buying a home in an HOA. Check out: 1. Whether the HOA is embroiled in any financial or legal disputes – or soon to be. This means they are being sued. Be cautious of this. Check the title work correctly. 2. The dollar amount that the HOA has in reserve (it needs money to draw on if a sudden repair or emergency arises) 3. Under what circumstances the HOA can impose special assessments or other fees, and whether it has done so recently, and 4. The number of owners who are paying the fees that they owe (if more than 15% of them aren’t complying, the HOA may be in trouble already) As you read this, you may realize that you’ve probably heard this information before. Would you accept our invitation to re-visit these ideas with an open mind and an intention to help yourself alleviate the damaging effects of prolonged stress? There is unanimous agreement among healthcare professionals that stress can make you sick, reduce your quality of life and in some cases, even end your life. High blood pressure, insomnia, digestive disorders, premature aging, and depression are just some of the risks of unmanaged anxiety. What is also true is that it is often insidious. We get accustomed to the internal “buzz” that stress creates, and it just becomes integrated into our every day experience. We may tell ourselves that we are fine, or even feel pleased about getting through yet another day of pressure without having a meltdown. We might not even notice that we are living our lives in “fight or flight” mode – when we have a strong stress reaction, the chemicals secreted by the brain stay with us, even when the acute stress has passed. Many people accept that this is just a fact of life – you may tell yourself that you are a caregiver, a corporate executive, a parent, an adult child of a declining parent, a small business owner – and that stress is just part of that kind of responsibility. Maybe so – but there are strong indications that the residuals of constant stress need attention for us to stay well. Each of us has the ability to do something about it. Maybe preventing it entirely is unrealistic – but can you improve how you of handling these moments? Although this is not new information, it might be helpful to pause, and take a look at the influence that stress is having on your life. Maybe there is nothing to do about the actual stressors – they are real and often not in your control. Don’t give up - the process doesn’t end there. Consider that trying to reduce or change the cause of the stress may not be the only answer and that managing your response to it might be another option. Trying to change the fact that your Mom has dementia, or your adolescent kid is defiant and difficult with you, or that the company you work for is being sold and your job security is up in the air – well, that’s a pretty tall order. But what could you do? Following are some suggestions. Why not take 60 seconds, take a breath, and read them with an open mind? Is there just one thing on this list that you might try to reduce what are known to be damaging chemical responses in your body? Any of these strategies might change your habitual response and help your nervous system cope with the effect that stress inevitably will have on your well- being. Challenge yourself to pick just one and notice any difference in how you feel.
Try at least one of these for a month (take it a day, or a moment, at a time). It is unlikely that you will not discover some benefit in taking better care of yourself. As we’ve all heard “This is not a dress rehearsal”. It is our only chance to enjoy this life. No matter what season you choose to visit the Mile High City, you’ll be greeted with plenty of options. Denver, Colorado is home to numerous types of entertainment, from outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing to shows and concerts at venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Though it may be cliche to say, Denver is a city that truly has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Denver anytime soon, here are some of the must see and do things. Sights The city of Denver offers visitors many amazing sights to see. From the heart of the city, you can catch a beautiful view of the city skyline with the towering Rocky Mountains in the background. While downtown, there are a number of other must visit attractions that should be added to your list. The 16th St Mall is one of Denver’s best sights. No matter what time of day, there is always something going on here. The city has closed off a large section of street to vehicles, creating a pedestrian mall. Wandering around exploring the variety of different stores and shops can be a fun way to experience Denver. The city’s LoDo district was once in shambles, but in recent years has become a hot spot for residents and visitors alike. Like the 16th St Mall, it is a very walkable part of the city. No matter what you are craving, there are tons of bars and restaurants to choose from, ensuring you’ll be satisfied. Should you choose to get out of the city, a quick drive to the top of nearby Mount Evans can be incredibly rewarding. Those that make the journey are treated with a unique look at both the city and the surrounding peaks. Accommodations Located in one of Denver’s oldest residential neighborhoods and in close proximity to the spacious City Park, the Warwick Hotel in Uptown makes for a great place to stay. It’s close enough to downtown to enjoy the city’s numerous breweries but just far enough from downtown to avoid many of the crowds. The Warwick features a rooftop bar and includes free bike rentals, making it even easier to explore the city. If a hotel isn’t your style, Denver is full of vacation rentals. Check out AirBnb to see if there is something that meets your needs! Restaurants Like most other major cities in the US, Denver is full of amazing restaurants, offering dishes from every corner of the world. With a strong Hispanic influence, there are a number of must hit taco shops, but El Taco de Mexico off of Santa Fe Drive stands alone as Denver’s king of tacos. Looking for something to cure a hangover after a long night out downtown? Head over to the Breakfast King where you can enjoy coffee and a tasty, filling breakfast in this retro style diner. If you’re wanting a true Denver experience, be sure to opt for a green chile smothered meal! Transportation Unlike many other major cities, Denver is very spread out. Getting around can be tedious, unless most of your itinerary includes stops in the downtown area. However, like most major cities, traffic and parking can be a major headache. If you’re staying downtown, but have other plans throughout the city, a luxury car makes for a great way to get around. Should you opt to leave the city and head to the nearby mountains for a hiking or skiing excursion, a truck or a midsize SUV may be the ticket. With better clearance and four wheel drive, the larger vehicle may be a pain while in the city, it opens up a number of options once you get off of the beaten path. The city has a number of other ways to get around if a car isn’t an option. With rentable scooters from companies such as Lyft and Bird, bikes you can check out via an app, plenty of ride sharing services, a great bus system and a light rail, it is very easy to get around Denver without a vehicle. Attractions Featuring easy access to the mountains, a vibrant downtown and thriving music scene, Denver has a multitude of attractions to choose from. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, located just a short trip from the city center, is a must visit for any music fan. Surrounded by sandstone rock formations that naturally amplify sounds, Red Rocks plays host to a number of world-renowned musical acts throughout the year. Colorado is home to one of the country’s best craft brewing scenes and Denver can be considered the epicenter. A brewery tour in downtown Denver will take you to a variety of different spots where you can try beers of any type. US News & World Report lists Denver as the third best place to live in the U.S., and we’d like to add that it’s also the best place to raise a family. City ranking sites like Niche.com continually list Denver as a top city to raise a family and the mile-high city definitely deserves that distinction. Denver is a bustling metropolitan city surrounded by serene suburbs nestled in the shadow of the beautiful Rockies. You can eat, dine, shop, play, hike, and snowboard all in the same day. Plus, the medium home price of $421,500 in the Denver area can’t be beat, considering that access to culture, nature, and city-life is all within reach. Families love Denver because there’s always something to do. Take the kids to the Denver Zoo, which is modeled after a Kenyan nature preserve or to a Colorado Rockies baseball game at Coors Field. Parents love the Denver Art Museum, a sleek ultra-modern complex featuring classical and contemporary art, but take their little ones to the Children’s Museum of Denver for fun, interactive exhibits. Other fun outings in Denver that are great for kids are the Elich Gardens Theme and Water Park, the Downtown Aquarium, and Dinosaur Ridge, which is a short drive from the city, but you can touch the bones of Allosaurus and Stegosaurus where they were originally discovered in the late 1800s. If you want to save some money, take a stroll through Washington Park in the summer — which boasts several gardens, jogging paths, two lakes, paddle boats, and a rec center — or take the family on a hike through Red Rocks Park. Your teens will have fun hanging out at 16th Street mall, which is an outdoor mall filled with shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. At night, the whole family can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage up and down the busy street. Your kids might also like the 50,000-square-foot Denver Skatepark, which is free and even fun for parents to do some people watching. If you’re looking for good date night options, head over to Larimer Square for upscale dining and drinks in a historic part of the downtown. Or parents can get a sitter and try one of Denver’s many breweries (like the legendary Coors Brewery) or try one of the city’s fun walking brewery tours. Denver is a beautiful city to live in if you want to experience all that the changing seasons have to offer. The summers are warm and dry which many Denverites spend in the parks or at the Denver Botanic Garden, and the winters bring such gorgeous snowfalls that many families like to go snowtubing — with snow tubing and sledding areas just an hour and half drive from the city center. The schools in Denver are fantastic, no matter what age your child is. Denver Public Schools offer preschool programs to three and four-year-olds, but if you need childcare options for your infants and toddlers, there are plenty of private preschools to choose in Denver. For example, The Cadence Academy has five locations across Colorado and will enroll children as young as six weeks old. Expertise.com noted that Denver has 135 preschools, so you’ll have no trouble finding one you love. As far as K-12 is concerned, Denver has everything from private religious schools, to art schools, to public schools with Gifted and Talented programs, plus a variety of private and charter schools all over the Denver area. We mentioned the median Denver home price above, but if you move out to the surrounding suburbs, the average price of a home drops. Suburbs like Centennial have homes in the mid $200,000s, the medium home price in the neighborhood of Montebello is $304,600, but Windsor is perhaps the most affordable suburb and has more condo options than any of the other neighborhoods. Denver is a diverse, progressive city surrounded by beautiful suburbs which makes it the perfect place to start a family. With a variety of outdoor activities to suit anyone in your brood, a wide range of schooling options, and affordable home prices — we can’t think of a better place for your family. If you find the idea of moving by yourself overwhelming, how much more if you’re doing it with a family in tow? Family moves are tougher than single moves because more of you are relocating. This means you have to consider more desires, emotions, concerns, and challenges throughout the process. However, it’s still possible to have a great family move without losing your mind and ruining your relationship with your spouse and children. Read on this article as we’ll provide a few tips to make your first family move successfully. 1. Get everyone involved. If you’re planning a move with your family, make sure you get everyone on board with the decision and commitment to make the relocation a success. First and foremost, talk to your partner about the plan and explain the reasons for moving. It’s essential that both of you be empowered to move not just for yourselves but for the whole family as well. Moreover, don’t forget to involve your children in the process. Depending on their age and maturity level, allowing them to take responsibility for some decisions and other areas will make them feel more invested in the move. By doing this, you’ll be able to help them adjust more easily to their new environment. 2. Take note of timing. If you have school-aged children, timing can be an essential factor in your first family move. For instance, relocating at the end of the school year is beneficial as it prevents them from becoming a new mid-year kid in class. Also, it’s best if you let your kids digest the news and prepare to say proper goodbyes. If you can’t control the timing of your move, think of some creative ways where you can get the most out of your options. Generally, teenagers require more support to cope with the transition while the younger children can easily adjust after a move, which is why use these factors to schedule your official move-in date. 3. Set realistic expectations. Before the moving day, it would help if you think about the implications of the move as well as how you’ll handle them as a family. Discuss your expectations with your spouse and children when it comes to health and physical well-being, social life, support system, home environment, career/work, and friendships. Remember, having these discussions prior the move can help the entire family to be on the same page and expect challenges along the way, resulting in fewer surprises and tensions. 4. Pack early and efficiently. If it’s your first family move, packing can be a tough job for everyone. That said, it’s essential to create a packing plan that will help you organize every aspect of your move. Encourage all members of the family to participate in the packing. If you let the whole family join in the process, you’ll be able to pack all your belongings as smooth as possible. Here’s how you can pack early and efficiently:
5. Hire a professional moving company. Whether you’re moving with your family locally or internationally, it’s vital to hire family-friendly movers to handle your move for the first time. After all, seeking help from a moving company can be truly beneficial for you and your family. With numerous companies available, finding a mover can consume much time as the relocation itself. From exercising due diligence to verifying their licenses and reading online reviews and testimonials, the search really takes time, effort, and hard work. Moreover, make sure you know what each mover is offering in their quotation. That way, you’ll have a better idea of how much money you should set aside for the relocation. Conclusion Planning your first family move can be incredibly intimidating. With all the things you have to accomplish before the big day, contacting professionals like Movers NYC can be the best option. From packing to the unloading of boxes, they can assist you in getting settled as quickly as possible. While nothing can make your family move completely easy and smooth, keeping these tips in mind can help you avoid some challenges along the way. Are you moving to a new house and looking for a fresh start? If yes, then you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. As soon as you know you’re relocating, there are some things that you should prioritize to give your new home a new look. After all, decorating your new abode can be a fun and exciting experience you and your family will definitely look forward until your official move-in date. Read on this article as we’ve come up with a list of decorating tips you can consider before moving. 1. Know your decorating style. Before your moving day, it’s essential to figure out the design style you want for your new home’s interior. Here are some of the most popular home decorating styles to choose from:
2. Make a decorating plan by room. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when moving to an empty new home. Thus, you’ll be trying to decorate the entire house at once. However, this process can be incredibly intimidating. That said, it’ll help if you prioritize what rooms should be renovated and create a design plan for each of them. Maybe, you can begin with the bedroom, living room, and then the laundry room depending on what room you spend most of your time in. Just be sure you decide on a unifying element to all rooms like the color or a décor item, for instance. 3. Give your new home a good clean. Once you’ve come up with a decorating style and plan, cleaning your new abode will be the first thing you should do before you get settled. It can be an excellent way for you to feel more at home and help you with your next decorating options. Remember, getting your new place cleaned up can help you determine what makeovers you’d like to make from a decoration point of view. 4. Allow your new home to have a fresh coat of paint. The fastest way to decorate your new house is by painting it. When doing this, make sure you think about the light that comes through the room. If you feel like uplifting a dark room with a light color and a brighter one with dark tones, then do it. However, if you like an interesting touch, you can have your new home coated in white. For the painting, it’s best to look for a professional painter who can do the job for you. 5. Design your new home with items you already have. When moving to a new place, you always want to add some personal touches so it’ll feel more like your old home. That in mind, you can take a second glance at your old stuff and figure out what you may use to decorate your new house. Whether it’s an old painting from your grandparents or an antique center table from your mother, you can utilize these items as home décor. Before the big day, seek help from professionals like Movers NYC in transporting all of these items to your new home safely. 6. Add houseplants. Your new home will be as warm and cozy when you add some plants. These living things, for instance, can be a great home décor because they bring beauty, energy, and texture to your new house. With these beautiful greens all over the place, you can also brighten up space, turning it into a lively home. Conclusion
If you find the idea of moving by yourself overwhelming, how much more if you’re doing it with a family in tow? Family moves are tougher than single moves because more of you are relocating. This means you have to consider more desires, emotions, concerns, and challenges throughout the process. However, it’s still possible to have a great family move without losing your mind and ruining your relationship with your spouse and children. Read on this article as we’ll provide a few tips to make your first family move successfully. 1. Get everyone involved. If you’re planning a move with your family, make sure you get everyone on board with the decision and commitment to make the relocation a success. First and foremost, talk to your partner about the plan and explain the reasons for moving. It’s essential that both of you be empowered to move not just for yourselves but for the whole family as well. Moreover, don’t forget to involve your children in the process. Depending on their age and maturity level, allowing them to take responsibility for some decisions and other areas will make them feel more invested in the move. By doing this, you’ll be able to help them adjust more easily to their new environment. 2. Take note of timing. If you have school-aged children, timing can be an essential factor in your first family move. For instance, relocating at the end of the school year is beneficial as it prevents them from becoming a new mid-year kid in class. Also, it’s best if you let your kids digest the news and prepare to say proper goodbyes. If you can’t control the timing of your move, think of some creative ways where you can get the most out of your options. Generally, teenagers require more support to cope with the transition while the younger children can easily adjust after a move, which is why use these factors to schedule your official move-in date. 3. Set realistic expectations. Before the moving day, it would help if you think about the implications of the move as well as how you’ll handle them as a family. Discuss your expectations with your spouse and children when it comes to health and physical well-being, social life, support system, home environment, career/work, and friendships. Remember, having these discussions prior the move can help the entire family to be on the same page and expect challenges along the way, resulting in fewer surprises and tensions. 4. Pack early and efficiently. If it’s your first family move, packing can be a tough job for everyone. That said, it’s essential to create a packing plan that will help you organize every aspect of your move. Encourage all members of the family to participate in the packing. If you let the whole family join in the process, you’ll be able to pack all your belongings as smooth as possible. Here’s how you can pack early and efficiently:
5. Hire a professional moving company. Whether you’re moving with your family locally or internationally, it’s vital to hire family-friendly movers to handle your move for the first time. After all, seeking help from a moving company can be truly beneficial for you and your family. With numerous companies available, finding a mover can consume much time as the relocation itself. From exercising due diligence to verifying their licenses and reading online reviews and testimonials, the search really takes time, effort, and hard work. Moreover, make sure you know what each mover is offering in their quotation. That way, you’ll have a better idea of how much money you should set aside for the relocation. Conclusion Planning your first family move can be incredibly intimidating. With all the things you have to accomplish before the big day, contacting professionals like Movers NYC can be the best option. From packing to the unloading of boxes, they can assist you in getting settled as quickly as possible. While nothing can make your family move completely easy and smooth, keeping these tips in mind can help you avoid some challenges along the way. |
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