11 Things I Quickly Learned After Moving to Colorado
Eight months ago, we did something I never thought we’d actually do—we left our home state of Jersey and flew 1,800 miles west to Colorado, the state we now call home. We officially made the move on October 31.
While I had always entertained the idea of moving out of Jersey and starting fresh, the reality of leaving behind family and close friends was tough. Moving meant saying goodbye to our support system, and when you have kids, that’s not something you take lightly.
It also meant I had to tell my employer that we were headed west, as my husband had accepted a job promotion that was too good to pass up. Luckily, my employer offered me a remote part-time position, which was a huge relief—looking for a new job and navigating daycare during a pandemic was definitely not on my to-do list!
Adjusting to life without family nearby was challenging, but after settling in, we’ve realized that moving here was the best decision for us. Matt and I are both career-driven individuals who believe in seizing opportunities when they arise. Although I had to turn down a job promotion (I’m so thankful for the remote position I kept), we trusted that everything would work out—and it did. Just last month, I accepted a full-time role with a local company, and we’ve made amazing new friends in our neighborhood. Despite the miles between us, we’ve stayed connected with our friends and family back in Jersey, many of whom are planning to visit us soon.
Welcome to the Centennial State!
Visiting every state in the U.S. has always been on our bucketlist, and Colorado had long been at the top. Our friends and family who had visited raved about the natural beauty and endless outdoor activities, and their stories gave us the confidence to make this big leap.
Now that we’re here, we can totally see what they meant. Colorado is absolutely stunning, and there’s always something fun to do. In fact, I’ve probably been more active in the eight months I’ve lived here than in all the 32 years I spent in Jersey!
As we settled in, we started to notice the little things that make Colorado stand out. Every state has its quirks, some of them a bit odd and others really interesting. And I’ll be honest—if the tables were turned and someone moved to New Jersey from Colorado, they’d probably notice a lot of differences in how we operate too! It’s not to say one place is better than the other—every state has its unique charm—but these differences certainly caught me by surprise.
Check out the infographic below to see the 11 things I quickly learned after moving to Colorado. It’s a fun way to compare what I expected versus what I experienced when I first settled in.
Moving to a new state is a huge change, and even though it can be challenging, it’s also exciting to see how different life can be in another place. Whether you’re considering a move to Colorado, have already made the leap, or are just planning a visit, there’s so much to explore.
Have you ever moved out of state? Or maybe you’ve visited Colorado and noticed some differences? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—leave a comment below!
