Boomtime for Denver with influx of young families

[LOS ANGELES] Lyndsey and Sameer Lodha had their pick of cities to call home after Sameer, a former equities trader who's now a hand surgeon, got several job offers upon completing his residency.

The couple passed on New York, where Sameer lived when he worked at Goldman Sachs Group, and San Francisco because both were too expensive. They chose Denver, moving into an apartment with their 16-month-old daughter in August.

"We wanted green and outdoor space but we don't want to live in the suburbs," said Lyndsey, 34, an anaesthetist. "Denver has both. Lots of open spaces, great school options and a very vibrant city life. And it's affordable."