In reply to murray:
I moved to Colorado 12 years ago - ostensibly for two years, but didn't hesitate to stay on. Still here now. I also lived in Santa Cruz for a while, so close to the Bay area.
Good summary from Duncan. Just to add my own perspective:
Pros: The weather, the adventure, the climbing, ski-ing, surfing, the weather, general positivity amongst people you meet - and did I mention the weather?
Cons: It's expensive all round, things like groceries, daily stuff - is not far off 3 times the price of the UK. Climbing gyms are 3 times the cost. I would hope you get health insurance as part of the package.
Traffic in the Bay area is pretty grim. However, if you want to go to the mountains you just get going at 4am and get it done. Distances to decent climbing areas are big, but you soon get used to that. As they say - "Americans think a hundred years is a long time - Euros think a hundred miles is a long way"
American bureaucracy is a bit of a nightmare at first when you have to get things like driving licenses, social security numbers, pay your taxes etc. - but hopefully the university is geared up to help with things like that.
With all that said I wouldn't hesitate to take the opportunity.
Post edited at 00:06