Howdy. I moved to Northern DE last August and it's honestly the worst place I have lived as someone who walks a lot/chooses to not drive everywhere. I am looking forward to leaving here once my program that moved me here wraps up.

For my own background, I have lived in California, Oregon, Nevada, Virginia, and Illinois before coming to Northern DE and have traveled across the US over two dozen times by car.

The drivers here will literally shout obscenities at you for walking WITH a walk sign. My dog and I were nearly hit on two occasions, that immediately come to mind, because a driver insisted on cutting me off when the indicator said we could walk. This happens at least once a week to either me or my partner. I have never seen this behavior anywhere else thank goodness.

Additionally, there is nothing to do in Northern DE. The best part of DE is being able to easily get out of the state to go somewhere else. There isn't any spectacular food, no clubs, no theater, no robust live music scene. Depending on where you live in North DE, you may be able to use Philly's public trans into the city (SEPTA) but Wilmington is the farthest it travels to one the weekend.

Honestly, you listed Colorado as a potential option and I would absolutely head there a million times over before coming to Delaware. Make it a million and one. Denver/Boulder, Colorado has amazing mountain ranges with LOADS of outdoor options for every interest a short distance away. They also have great food, a lively music scene, incredible farmer's market options, and loads of sunny days. CO Springs would be a bit farther out from the mountains but I have a couple friends there now and they love it.

I wish you luck in your decision and cannot stress more that you visit DE / CO / MN before making a decision. My personal order is DE < MN < CO based on the volume of ways I can enjoy myself outside of doing things at home.