Why I Left Denver: A Journey from the Rockies to San Antonio
Denver, the Mile High City, was once my home for 28 years. However, after a series of challenges and personal growth, I decided to move to San Antonio. In this article, I share the reasons behind my decision and why I embraced a new life in a more familiar and culturally rich environment.
Challenges in Denver
Living in Denver was not always easy. I faced numerous weather challenges, including altitude smog and dryness. My ENT specialist even noticed that I had more sinus infections than most, leading to frequent use of antibiotics. This health issue, coupled with my experience of working in cold weather conditions, made the decision to leave even more clear.
Specifically, in March 2021, I had to work in 13 degrees below zero weather, a condition that I deemed inhumanely cold. This experience solidified my determination to no longer endure the snow and cold weather in Colorado. As a result, I moved back to my hometown, where the climate was more familiar and the environment was less harsh.
Moving for a Purpose: Healing and Solitude
I chose to move to the Denver area for a specific reason—to heal. The ample space available in the mountains provided me with opportunities for solitude and introspection. I found hiking in the constant snow to be wonderful and enjoyed the diverse hiking trails. Denver has a high concentration of transplants, many of whom do not have deep roots, creating a somewhat liminal feeling for me.
Denver is a very masculine city with many people engaging in outdoor activities like hiking. Although I appreciate the natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities, the intense focus on mountaineering and hiking often felt at odds with my preference for simply sitting and reflecting. The mountains and trees are sharp and pointy, symbolizing a place of self-sufficiency and sometimes isolation.
Living in Colorado made me a stronger and more resilient individual. However, it also became increasingly challenging to cope with the altitude and the dry air. These factors exacerbated my insomnia and led to constant dehydration and itchy skin and hair. The relentless discomfort of living in such an extreme environment had a significant impact on my well-being.
Searching for a New Identity
After three years in Denver, I had the opportunity to visit friends in Louisiana and experienced a profound emotional shift. On my return flight to Colorado, I was overwhelmed with emotions, shedding tears and feeling a deep sense of disconnection. Coloradans are indeed friendly, but their connections often felt more "cognitive" than genuine. For someone from the South, this realization hit hard, making me realize the tremendous impact Denver had on me and my desire to return to a more familiar place.
The food in Denver was described by me as lacking soul, and the “doing culture” stifled deep conversations. Diversity, while important to me, often felt stifled in such a homogenous culture. The altitude was a constant battle, and the dry air left me feeling parched and uncomfortable.
A Fresh Start in San Antonio
Recently, I made the move to San Antonio, a city that feels like a breath of fresh air. It is not my hometown, but it has provided me with an almost overwhelming sense of comfort and familiarity. The city offers a strong family environment and a vibrant culture, which was a stark contrast to the more solitary and intense atmosphere of Denver.
I am grateful for what Colorado did for me, including helping to shape me into a stronger individual. However, I am even more thankful for the opportunity to return to a place where connections are meaningful, and the community is warm and welcoming. San Antonio has become my new home, and I look forward to embracing the rich Southern culture and the familiar environment.
As I continue my journey, I am grateful for the lessons learned in Denver and the new opportunities that San Antonio offers. Whether it is the natural scenery, the people, or the unique cultural dynamics, I feel a deep connection to this new chapter of my life.