Chose between a job offer in Denver or staying in my small town - picked wrong?

I had a choice six months ago between a solid IT job in Denver paying $72k or keeping my remote gig here in rural Kansas for $55k. I went with Denver thinking the money and city life would be worth it, but I've been lonely and the cost of living ate up that raise real quick. Has anyone else made a big move for money and regretted it, or did it eventually work out?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_jenkins1mo ago

Rent in Denver is like 60% higher than what you were paying in rural Kansas, plus state income tax eats more of that check. I know three people who moved to Denver from smaller towns in the last two years and two of them moved back home within a year because they couldn't save any money. Maybe give it another 6 months and try joining a local meetup group or something before you call it quits.

west.richard1mo ago

Heard a podcast last month saying Denver's actually losing population now for the first time in years.

olivia_moore1mo ago

That podcast might be quoting a short dip from 2023, but the Denver metro area has been bouncing back since early 2024. I know several folks who left during the big spike and are now moving back because jobs are still plentiful here. The rental market is definitely cooling off too which is making it more doable for people to stick around.