Questions about Estes Park (Denver, Boulder: real estate, to rent, home owners insurance)

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi, I'm still looking around Colorado for a nice town to retire to in several years. I flew out a month ago and looked around and decided when the times comes to rent until I'm sure which town I feel most comfortable in. Can anyone tell me what Estes Park is like? I didn't get a chance to visit this area and will try to on my next trip out. How convenient is it to stores, doctors, just everyday basic needs. Is this considered a safe area? Thanks for all input.

[chilaili]

Everything is a little more expensive than living down in cities like Loveland or Longmont. There is one large supermarket (Safeway) and dozens of small tourist shops, most of which close during the Winter months. There is no Target or Home Depot - you would have to drive down to Loveland to shop there and whilst it's a lovely drive down Big Thompson Canyon, it can take nearly an hour during the Summer, never mind on a wintry day when it's been snowing. There are I think several good hospitals up there, some decent restaurants, a nice looking library, LOTS of seasonal inhabitants and visitations from elk during the Summer who migrate into town from the Park and of course, the Stanley Hotel.

It is a great place to visit, especially in the Spring before the tourists start choking up the roads and hotels. The Rocky Mountain National Park is very close by if you like hiking or camping. I'm just not sure I'd want to live there all year round. Oh and it's always about 10 degrees colder and windier up there than at 5000ft.

Explore some of the local websites such as Estes Park Colorado gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park or Coloproperty.com - Your source for finding properties, real estate professionals and related real estate information in Colorado for more information.

[jkcoop]

chilaili really hit all the main points. My husband a I talked to someone a few years back who lived up there. Their main response was that it wasn't as wonderful living there full time as it would seem. Main complaint was the relentless wind.

I do love it up there, but there are certain times we avoid it at all costs because of the volume of tourists and the traffic. We went up there last weekend to go snowshoeing in the Park and it was like a ghost town, which was nice. Unfortunately, it was so incredibly windy we bagged snowshoeing. I suppose if we were on vacation and that was our only opportunity, we would have endured, but frankly, when we live only 40 minutes away, we can do it any time.

Have you considered Longmont?

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi JKCOOP,

I have not looked at that area yet. I have it down to Loveland, Boulder and areas outside of boulder, including the Gunbarrell area. The one thing that is a concern to me around Boulder is what I have been reading about flooding. I would like to find out more. I'm sure if flooding is an issue the home owners insurance and the separate flood insurance you purchase from the goverment is high. I would hate to put myself in a situation when I retire that my cost to live in a certain area is going to choke me. That's why I'm trying to do my research and find out what area is best for me.
Thanks,

[chilaili]

I don't think flooding is much of an issue in Boulder these days unless you live right on the Creek and those properties are a) very rare and b) eye-wateringly expensive. Flooding is a concern is in the Spring when the snowmelt comes down the mountains and the creeks rise and cause possible flash flooding. But I imagine a realtor would have more information. Boulder County has implemented lots of flood warning systems and produced this handbook back in 2002: http://www.bouldercounty.org/transpo...ld_protect.pdf

I'm sure some of the information is now out of date, such as contact names, but it's a place to start.

[Maybe So]

How convenient is it to stores, doctors, just everyday basic needs. Is this considered a safe area

The hospital is very, very good and is currently undergoing a massive expansion. They have many very good local doctors as well as specialists that come up from the valley on certain days. For major medical things, you probably would want to go to Denver though.

The area is very safe. And since Estes sits on the eastern slope of the Rockies, they don't get massive snowfalls that stay in town. After a big snow storm, roads usually clear in a day or two. Getting around is not a problem.

Many people that live in Estes permanently "make runs" to the Valley (Loveland, Boulder, Longmont) every week or so to stock up various things....like meat from Whole Foods or basics from Target. There are Sams and Cosco in the Valley as well.

The area is filled with retirees and many are very active within the community...social groups/clubs and volunteering for area charities/museums/libraries etc. It is true that many like to take trips in the early Spring to get out of the cold for some time. However, since it is so popular with retirees, I am assuming that living there is good.