Live near the Rocky Mountain states? Need opinions!

[Melonfeud]

The problem with Vail is that it becomes really busy in the Skiing months. Really busy.



Cripple Creek, Victor, Hartsel, Cañon City, Telluride, Grand Junction.

There isn't a shortage of great places with phenomenal views. Populations range from the hundreds to tens of thousands depending on what you're looking for. I'd even consider Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Colorado Springs is rather too populated for my taste, but the view of the Rockies and for nostalgia reasons (for me at least).

You definitely want a vehicle that can handle high altitude and very snowy conditions though.

Way cool,,,as I'd forgotten to mention some of those as I'd usually hammer on past ,but about grand junction?,,,LoL the other truck driver that I'd freight half of the home floor with up from the factory in Phoenix lived in G.J. & about 75 yards from the Colorado river, I park my rig after a delivery in his back yard & lay over for the nite drinking with him& his ol' lady sometimes ,,,I'd slip down to the river and watch the frickin' BEAVERS doing their thing,,,which was SLAPPING THAT TAIL ON TOP of THE WATER & disappearing when they saw me (THAT'S STRAIGHT TRUTH)

 

[SMASHMOUTH9473]

The most beautiful scenery I've seen is in Harriman, Tennessee. Drove up and down Brushy Mountain. Henderson, Tennessee was OK. Nashville too. Enjoyed eating at Prince's chicken. Overall beautiful landscape all around. Lots of history on the east side of America. Tall trees, mountains, rivers....what else would one want ? Hell, come to Texas.....we have pretty much everything covered....landscape, weather, terrain, economy

 

[Melonfeud]

The most beautiful scenery I've seen is in Harriman, Tennessee. Drove up and down Brushy Mountain. Henderson, Tennessee was OK. Nashville too. Enjoyed eating at Prince's chicken. Overall beautiful landscape all around. Lots of history on the east side of America. Tall trees, mountains, rivers....what else would one want ? Hell, come to Texas.....we have pretty much everything covered....landscape, weather, terrain, economy

yes,I like Tennessee as it is a beautiful piece of country, But I know nobody wants to hear of my most memorable exploits that was experienced in that state.I talk too much while there's still juice in the jug.

 

[nobody]

I have looked at Telluride, Grand Junction, Durango and a few others and they all seem like good areas. My only concern about Colorado in general is that it is growing in population and I wonder how long before some of those cities start to surge in population.

I have friends that live in the larger cities in Colorado, but I really just don't care for the large cities any more. I don't mind visiting them or even staying in them for a short period, but I really don't want to live in them long term.

I have already been looking at replacing switching to an SUV with AWD and will definitely do that before I move.

That population growth is being experienced nearly everywhere. But most of that growth is going to be in metro areas with easy access to things. That's why some of those towns mentioned are a better choice. People think "They're in the mountains, they must be horrible in winter!" Idiots.

 

[Montanalo]

I have looked at Telluride, Grand Junction, Durango and a few others and they all seem like good areas. My only concern about Colorado in general is that it is growing in population and I wonder how long before some of those cities start to surge in population.

I have friends that live in the larger cities in Colorado, but I really just don't care for the large cities any more. I don't mind visiting them or even staying in them for a short period, but I really don't want to live in them long term.

I have already been looking at replacing switching to an SUV with AWD and will definitely do that before I move.

We moved to Larkspur, Colorado about 4 years ago ago. Larkspur is located in the foothills west of the I-25 corridor about mid-way between Denver and Colorado Springs. We chose this area because we were able to acquire a 5 acre tract of land in a relatively rural area and still be within 30-60 minutes of first-class medical facilities, shopping, Denver airport. There are ample hiking and biking trails. We love this area, But....

As mentioned above, this area is growing like crazy. The nearest city, Castle Rock (about 20 minutes away) has grown from about 50,000 10 years ago to nearly 100,000. Because we live in Douglas County which encompasses both Castle Rock and South Denver, we've seen a lot of ballot measures to raise property taxes to support the growth. There are concerns with water supply amidst this growth and the on-going drought.

Having said all this, we are very happy here. HOWEVER, if we were starting over, we might focus on western side of Colorado or Idaho as many others have mentioned.

Good luck... We had a great time visiting may of the same areas you are investigating and trying to imagine what it would be like to live in each.

 

[Reality]

That population growth is being experienced nearly everywhere. But most of that growth is going to be in metro areas with easy access to things. That's why some of those towns mentioned are a better choice. People think "They're in the mountains, they must be horrible in winter!" Idiots.

I know population is growing in many major cities and because housing demands are rising as a result, the costs are pushing people to move to surrounding cities which is why I don't want to live right next to a big city either. It would probably be fine for a few years, but I am looking for somewhere more long term.

 

[Reality]

We moved to Larkspur, Colorado about 4 years ago ago. Larkspur is located in the foothills west of the I-25 corridor about mid-way between Denver and Colorado Springs. We chose this area because we were able to acquire a 5 acre tract of land in a relatively rural area and still be within 30-60 minutes of first-class medical facilities, shopping, Denver airport. There are ample hiking and biking trails. We love this area, But....

As mentioned above, this area is growing like crazy. The nearest city, Castle Rock (about 20 minutes away) has grown from about 50,000 10 years ago to nearly 100,000. Because we live in Douglas County which encompasses both Castle Rock and South Denver, we've seen a lot of ballot measures to raise property taxes to support the growth. There are concerns with water supply amidst this growth and the on-going drought.

Having said all this, we are very happy here. HOWEVER, if we were starting over, we might focus on western side of Colorado or Idaho as many others have mentioned.

Good luck... We had a great time visiting may of the same areas you are investigating and trying to imagine what it would be like to live in each.

I was looking at Castle Rock a couple of years ago, but as you stated, I saw the population was growing rapidly there. In fact, it was at the top of my list back then as it seemed like the perfect place given its proximity to both Denver and the Springs.

For now, I am planning to do some traveling after the first of the year and I will be checking out several places in Colorado along with the other mountain states.

 

[Montanalo]

I was looking at Castle Rock a couple of years ago, but as you stated, I saw the population was growing rapidly there. In fact, it was at the top of my list back then as it seemed like the perfect place given its proximity to both Denver and the Springs.

For now, I am planning to do some traveling after the first of the year and I will be checking out several places in Colorado along with the other mountain states.

If your travels take you to the Castle Rock area, i would welcome the opportunity to buy you a cup of coffee and discuss this area or, heavens forbid, the Cowboys.

 

[Reality]

If your travels take you to the Castle Rock area, i would welcome the opportunity to buy you a cup of coffee and discuss this area or, heavens forbid, the Cowboys.

I will be in that area in the spring as I have plans to visit friends in Colorado Springs then.

 

[Chrispierce]

Got a wife and kids or just looking to go full Jeremiah Johnson mode in the boondocks?
It’s not going to be all Prime Rose Lane...and anyone telling you it is...is not to be listened to. Really do your homework before finding your spot bro.

 

[Reality]

Got a wife and kids or just looking to go full Jeremiah Johnson mode in the boondocks?
It’s not going to be all Prime Rose Lane...and anyone telling you it is...is not to be listened to. Really do your homework before finding your spot bro.

I have lived in cities and the middle of nowhere so I am quite used to the types of areas I am considering. That said, I am not looking to move away from everyone. I simply want to find a smaller town rather than a mid or large size city.

 

[lukin2006]

I recently moved from a medium size populated area to a rural small town...best decision I've made in a long while. And the town folks are so much friendlier than where I lived before. I grew up in a small town and move to a medium-size city at 22 and spent the next 30 years in medium-size cities...never again. I love living in small towns ...

 

[Hoofbite]

I've lived in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Can't really go wrong with any of them. Idaho is easily the most "rural" of the bunch. 30 minutes from Denver, and you're pretty much still in Denver. 30 minutes from SLC, you're pretty much still in SLC. 30 minutes from Boise and you could in the mountains, in the desert, or in the middle of farmland. A few years back I traveled to various workplaces throughout the Boise (and surrounding) area, and there are some very rural settings within a short distance of Boise. Kuna is close (20 minutes from Boise)...although I don't know if feels all that rural anymore due to how fast the area has grown. Emmett, ID is about as rural as I would ever get, and it's probably 40 minutes or so from Boise. If you aren't in the Air Force, just stay away from Mountain Home.

If you really want to be 1-2 hours from a "bigger" city, you might take a look at Twin Falls, Idaho. 120 miles from Boise and about 220 miles from SLC.

I did spend some time in a small town near Four Corners. Cortez, CO. I kind of liked he feel, but it was awfully far from any major population center.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Idaho resident here. Depending on who you ask, this region is either Pacific Northwest or Mountain West. Either way we do border the west side of the Rocky Mountain range. Honestly, I know the stereotypes Idaho gets, but this is a very wonderful place to live, especially if you're looking to not live in a big city. Boise is the biggest city in Idaho, by far, and it is more of a medium sized metropolitan area. It is growing like crazy here though. What kind of geographic area are you interested in living in? There is pretty much everything here. High desert, farm land, forest, mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes. Only thing we are missing is ocean-side property. Weather here is also a 4-season guarantee.

I posted a thread a few months ago talking about my desire to live in a big city, but honestly, Boise is fantastic (it's heading to big city status anyway haha). Idaho is fantastic. If you have a family it is super safe here. If you like the outdoors Idaho has everything you could ask for. It's a very progressive state.

Too much violence up there.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I hear Utah is beautiful but that is one state I have yet to experience. I think it might be a bit too remote for me. Couer da'lene, Idaho is a nice area as well.

One of my developers lives in Park City, Utah and he loves it. Though he lives sking and mountain biking.

 

[Melonfeud]

I've lived in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Can't really go wrong with any of them. Idaho is easily the most "rural" of the bunch. 30 minutes from Denver, and you're pretty much still in Denver. 30 minutes from SLC, you're pretty much still in SLC. 30 minutes from Boise and you could in the mountains, in the desert, or in the middle of farmland. A few years back I traveled to various workplaces throughout the Boise (and surrounding) area, and there are some very rural settings within a short distance of Boise. Kuna is close (20 minutes from Boise)...although I don't know if feels all that rural anymore due to how fast the area has grown. Emmett, ID is about as rural as I would ever get, and it's probably 40 minutes or so from Boise. If you aren't in the Air Force, just stay away from Mountain Home.

If you really want to be 1-2 hours from a "bigger" city, you might take a look at Twin Falls, Idaho. 120 miles from Boise and about 220 miles from SLC.

I did spend some time in a small town near Four Corners. Cortez, CO. I kind of liked he feel, but it was awfully far from any major population center.

HooFie, you rock Bro! I'd did about a week's worth of work up in EMMETT ID( I was sparking on a cute little convenience store check out girl up there).,,,MOUNTAIN HOMES is kind of a drag long term( I spent most of my free time evenings down at the biker bar)

And my Mother grew up as a little girl in CORTEZ CO. it's rocky low rolling hilly country where the old homestead was, there was a butte up behind the crumbled ruins of the "love shack" cuz' gramps was bizzy, mom had 4 other sisters and everyone of them were ' good lookers' from the old photos I've seen,,,the kicker is,,,up on top of that butte's exposed bedrock top, there's still laying out in lined up squares little fist sized rocks where the girls would play house& like they'd laid out a town or something it was remarkably neat to see something still laying there untouched since those 8-12 year old girls stopped playing up there,last time I was up there was around 2008.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Pagosa Springs CO.
Flagstaff AZ.
Moab UT.
Eureka CA.
Yakima WA.

Bigger cities, but Boise ID. and Salt Lake City UT. are great towns. My wife and I are working almost exclusively from home now and considering a move when our son finishes school. These are the towns we've considered.

 

[Melonfeud]

Pagosa Springs CO.
Flagstaff AZ.
Moab UT.
Eureka CA.
Yakima WA.

Bigger cities, but Boise ID. and Salt Lake City UT. are great towns. My wife and I are working almost exclusively from home now and considering a move when our son finishes school. These are the towns we've considered.

Man,the locals say that SALT LAKE CITY traffic has been a complete nightmare P.I.A. ever since they hosted some Olympic games, And when I rolled thru there a couple years ago around 8am on a Saturday morning,,, I bet it took an hour& half to traverse that burg on the INTERSTATE

 

[Xelda]

I drove through Durango Colorado many years ago. The scenery was breathtaking. This is where grass still grows on the mountain side. Fenced off areas where horses ran wild. Farther up the road (heading to Denver) was a tiny town of colorful wooden houses in not quite 3 rows alongside a mountain stream. The area seemed too sacredly beautiful to photograph. Farther north were the ski villages. I had altitude sickness in Denver and felt like hell the entire time.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yakima WA.

Great wine region. That alone is a good reason to move there!

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