First hand knowledge of Denver, CO appreciated!?

Question

I'll be moving to Denver, CO on Jan. 1st 2009 and would appreciate more information because I'm hearing different things from everyone I ask.

1. I drive a Mitsubishi Spyda convertible in Hawaii and would love to take it with me. I don't mind shipping it if it is "smart" to drive there. I know it snows but I've heard the amount of snow days are few and 300+ days of sunshine. The vehicle is FWD also.

2. Is there a Chinatown? Yeah...I'm asian so would love to know if one exists there.

3. What is the current minimun wage?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Your car should be okay. Every few years, we get bad snow storms where not even the four wheel drive cars can make it out of the garage, but that hardly ever happens. People drive all sorts of cars here, but like the previous answer tells you, FWD can be very tricky in snow. I have a RWD toyota and that still can't make it up the hill directly behind my house sometimes, which isn't very steep. I have an alternate route though, so it's okay. Once you get here and experience the snow/ice, you may feel like you want a jeep grand cherokee or something a little bigger to battle the winter.

Usually though, Denver especially is always sunny. I swear, WE need to be the sunshine state, and not Florida.  

Denver doesn't have a Chinatown, but like any city, there are plenty of Chinese restaurants and areas to check out.

Minimum wage in Colorado is currently $7.02, but it looks like you'll be coming right in time for an increase in that for inflation.

If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to email me. I can try and answer any question you have. Overall, I can tell you that Denver is very close to the mountains, so day trips into the mountains are common. It's very outdoorsy and was again named the healthiest and leanest of the 50 states. There's rock climbing, skiing, river-rafting, mountain biking, hiking and PLENTY more to do. You'll find something that interests you. Even if you're not into the whole sports thing, the mountain towns are really great to check out. I love them.  

Answer 2

Your car will be just fine here.  But if you haven't ever driven in snow before, you may want to seek some guidance.  AAA offers classes that would be helpful.  FWD in snow/ice can be challenging.  

There is nothing I would classify as Chinatown in Denver.

Current minimum wage in Colorado in $7.02, but increases annually so it will be slightly higher on Jan 1, 2009.  

Answer 3

Your car will do just fine here, as long as you drive carefully in the snow.

There are plenty of asian areas, Denver is a very diverse place, but there is no Chinatown like there is in San Francisco.

And the minimum wage is 7.02 but will increase when you get here.

Denver is a great place as well as the state of Colorado, you will love it here.

Answer 4

Any FWD vehicle is fine in  metro Denver. What you heard about the weather is true. The mountains are a different story. I have a little Ford Focus , never had any problems. All you need are good all season tires.

  There is an Asian area in Denver, but like a China town in NYC or LA.

Min. wage is $7.05  but  you can get a job at any fast food for  at least $8.50 -$9.50 an hour.

Answer 5

well we do have on off weather for instints its raining alot in augest and sometimes it barely snows in winter but colorado is known for the quick change of weather but as far as a converitable i think it'd be fine but hard in snow but thats almost all cars...and i have heard bad things about shipping cars really bad things like it be stolen and riped off and what not so thats up to u but ive lived in denver my whole life and theres not a china town great chinesse food but no china town sorry and right now the current minium wage is 7.02 an hour for most jobs but alot start higher than that but hope ive been of some help...

Answer 6

There is China town it is south west of downtown.  It is on a street named Federal.  You want S. Federal though, (the street is very long)

In Denver the first snow usually is on Halloween.  It tends to melt the next day.  It will snow some in November, but mainly just cold.  It will snow more on December but rarely is there snow on Christmas.   January - April it will snow at least once a week. March and I think is the snowiest month.  then it starts to warm up.  60's then 70's all the way up 100 in July.

You're car will be fine as long as you have heat.  Car stereo do get stolen out of convertibles, so keep a close eye on your car.

There is a paper called the Westord, it is free.  You'll find it gas stations at grocery stores by where they put the apartment guides.  The Westword has all concerts, community, food etc.. that go on in

Denver.  

I was born and raised in Denver, it is a great City.  Good luck to you and your move.

Answer 7

You might want a winter car, I wouldn't drive a convertible in the winter, but then, I live in the Mountains.  Still, I never see anything like that driving about in the winter months, not even in Denver.  Maybe I just don't see it.  You at least need a backup plan in case there IS a nasty storm, but everyone does, even the guy with the Hummer who lives next door won't be able to get out if they can't get the plows down your street. (every year, for about a week, Denver gets snowed in)/.  

No china town, per se, but there are a lot of Chinese restaurants.  Bunch of Thai along East Colfax, and the "Hoh Chi Minh Trail" between Alameda and south about 2 miles or so along Federal Blvd.  There are a profusion of Vietnamese restaurants along the strip, and a couple of Asian markets and shops, churches, lots of billboards in Vietnamese, so lots of businesses that cater...and a couple of churches.  Also, noticed while I was visiting in Wheatridge near Harlan (a few miles to the north, and west a couple of miles) that there is a huge, brand-new Church or Temple of some sort with Vietnamese signs.  Several newer restaurants in that area as well.  That population is clearly spreading out.  

I'm not sure what the minimum wage is in Denver.  No one would dare pay less than about 11 or 12/hour where I live.  (about an hour west), so I doubt you would find anyone being offered less than $10 in Denver.