Living in Denver myself, I have more issue avoiding cigarette smoke than I do people actually smoking weed outside (illegally, I might add)--where are you in the city that you have allergic reactions every time you leave your place?
The largest part of the problem is my apartment complex. The ratio of stoners to non is pretty high, so the smoke just soaks into everything. I live near Glendale, but it's the same everywhere I go. I'm aggressively trying to find a new job outside of the state.
Another minor issue is the smell of the grow (ware)houses. There's about a 5 mile stretch on 25 that reeks of them on my way to and from work every day. Same on the east side of 70.
Sure, the tax money is nice for some people. But I see zero benefit from it, and a lot of annoyances.
The wildfires are probably the biggest issue with living in Colorado period though - as with many of the western states. Getting just beyond the state boundaries won't help there - you'll want to move somewhere less arid.
Gotcha! Yea, that sucks. You might talk to your landlord about it or ask your neighbors to be more considerate/seal their apartments better. I live in one myself and have similar gripes. Even as a regular smoker of weed, it's gross as hell to smell smoke all the time. I also agree on the statement on 25, they could really move the grow house.... like anywhere else.
> I'm aggressively trying to find a new job outside of the state.
This seems eager for a problem that seems unique to apartment complexes; even having outside entrances to the apartments helps a lot.
However, have you checked out duplexes/houses? It's actually quite easy to find renters who are looking for non-smokers—not just in the fulfilling the lease kind of way. There are plenty of families in the city who will have similar (or stronger) reactions, and many people just don't like being around smoke.
I guess I'm surprised you find this problem dominates your experience of the city; I have more issues trying to find a way to socialize without drinking, something objectively FAR more harmful than smoking (let alone any of the other even healthier ways to intake) weed.
Sure, I can find exactly the place I want to live - as long as I'm willing to pony up the cash.
>drinking, something objectively FAR more harmful than smoking ... weed
This is a weird argument to me. I'm making statements about how other people using affects me, and this is talking about how my using affects me.
So—it's not really Denver, it's cheap housing complexes in Denver. Furthermore, I know for a fact that there's plenty of affordable housing over in e.g. Lowry with family living (read: no centralized air, outside entrances, reliable utility costs), so I can't imagine this is your only option.
> This is a weird argument to me. I'm making statements about how other people using affects me, and this is talking about how my using affects me.
I'm not trying to address your needs, I'm simply pointing out that on the list of all the unhealthy things about denver, weed smoke has got to be behind social attitudes toward drinking, smoking, the high altitude, the high density of cars/people, and high rent on the public transit lines. Realistically, you could easily avoid weed smoke if you wanted to, and I frankly don't buy that it would be more expensive. There's a reason the non-smoking clauses are in all the leases—it's a liability and depreciates your property.
>I'm not trying to address your needs Changing the frame of the debate doesn't change the points made. In the case of alcohol, an individual is in control of how it affects them. In the case of smoke (pot or cigarette), the individual is at the mercy of the general populace.
I should have been clearer and said "leave the metro area".
I live in an apartment, too.
I could complain about the fact that my neighbors smoke tobacco in their apartments and that it slowly but surely seeps into mine. But I don't. I put weather stripping on my door that faces the hallway and have my windows opened slightly whenever it's warm enough to allow for it.
You have to make compromises when you live in a building shared by 400 other people.
You're part of a community. Learn to live in it.