kodokan

There's usually still a premium to pay, though. For example, with hubby's employer our share of the premium (deducted pre-tax via payroll) is $170 a month. For that, we get an insurance policy with a deductible of $2.6k - ie, we pay everything until we've spent that much - and then above that the insurance picks up the tab. Therefore the max we can spend each year is about $3.6k (12 x 170, plus the deductible). In practice, I've never had the insurance kick in - even with my child breaking what's starting to seem like her annual bone, we don't usually get anywhere near the cut off.

Many employers also offer dental and vision insurances, which are separate, and in my experience run to about $30-$40 a month for both, for a family of 4.

pejp

Hi, I had to register a new account as I havent posted in a while and I was registerd with my old work email address.

I don't want to put anyone off of moving here or scare anyone, but I wanted to offer some advice...Denver is one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the US, and rental increases have gone through the roof in the last few years. 76k is by not 'huge' for Denver, and the idea of easily finding a nice apartment for 1000-1200 per month, as some have stated, is pretty optimistic. Centennial is a outside of the central Denver, so I'm sure it'll be a little more affordable, but I'd definitely look into it.

I consulted reddit.com/r/denver quite a lot before I moved, and it was very useful. I moved here about 6 months ago after 8 years in NYC, and I was surprised how expensive it is. You'll be able to do it on $76k, but the person who said that was a huge salary for Denver is maybe a little out of the loop on how much costs have spiraled here in the last few years. Among 'natives' it's one of the main topics of conversation. As I say, I don't want to scare you, but I feel the previous posts have been a little rose tinted.

BrownBandit

Thanks for the reply, I have been doing my research on places to rent and in the area I am looking, 1200-1500 is about average so that is what I have been budgeting on.

Been speaking to some colleagues over there as well as following the same subreddit and they have mentioned much of the above as well and how so many people have been moving to Denver in the last few years. So I hope I am prepared for it now!

pejp

Where are you moving from? I'm enjoying it so far. Denver itself isn't much to write home about. It's pleasant enough, but not the kind of city worth visiting unless you had a specific reason, but the quality of life is great, and the main thing is being so close to the mountains and outdoors. The weather is amazing as well. Pretty much constant sunshine.

BrownBandit

I am moving from Belfast, the weather is one of the main things I am looking forward to, glad to have some sunshine in my life again!

scrubbedexpat099

I was down that way on Saturday, snowing.

As others have said the Denver market is hot and I would doubt you could get much worth having for the bottom end of you range.

Tarkak9

.... pretty much the front range (esp northern) is very hot; its nuts. Yes, supply and demand driven; rents have shot through the roof and inventory is quite tight and competitive, many places are rented through people's spheres. 1200-1500 doesn't get much anymore so be prepared for sticker shock.