Considering relocation to Eaton Colorado...any info? (Denver, Aurora: foreclosures, jobs)

[artemea]

My family & I are seriously considering a major change in lifestyle...moving from a 9 acre ranch in southern New Mexico to a smaller home in Eaton, Colorado, where we would find (hopefully) boarding facilities for our 4 horses. I really want a small-town atmosphere and a good high school as my daughter is an excellent student and very much into sports. Does anyone know anything about Eaton High School? We are considering Eaton as it appears to be a small town, more affordable and smaller than Fort Collins & Loveland, but still close to amenities and jobs. Is this true? The high school where we live now is the pits, and we are way too far away from everything, so a move to a town like Eaton would actually bring us much closer to stores, etc. (right now to do any major shopping, we must drive 100 miles...) If we moved to Eaton, how far is the commute (and how difficult) to Fort Collins, Greeley or Loveland for work? I lived in Colorado for several years in the 1990s, and was transferred out of state (to the east coast) by the company I was working for at the time. I left the Denver area in 1995, but still have many close friends there. However, I have heard that Denver has really changed in the last 12 years and I am not anxious to return to a "citified" lifestyle. Still, it would be nice to be able to go to Denver for the Botanic Gardens, etc. Does anyone have any info on Eaton or the surrounding area that would be helpful? Thanks so much!

[Brad123]

eaton is way out there, anything closer is better as far as the quality of high schools. right by E-470 is your best bet

[tfox]

When I lived in FC, Eaton was just starting to be on the map as an affordable alternative to Fort Collins / Larimer County. I think that's accelerated somewhat. Eaton is actually closest to Greeley, but I think most of the newer people who are moving there actually work in Fort Collins as Eaton is somewhat closer to FC than Greeley and points further south. I knew a young couple who moved out there at that time; they said that it was about half an hours' drive on average to Fort Collins, less if you're going to the very edge of Fort Collins at Harmony / I-25.

[artemea]

Thanks for the info. A half hour drive to Fort Collins is not bad....and there seem to be quite a few jobs in Fort Collins, so I am excited about that. We are in the middle of selling our ranch here in New Mexico, and once the contract is signed, I will be heading up there to check it out. I had considered Loveland and Berthoud, but the housing seems to be a bit pricey now that people are moving there and still working in Denver. I have a friend who works in Denver and he told me that I would not recognize the corridor from Sheridan and I-25 northward. He said there has been a tremendous amount of development since I left 12 years ago. I am hoping that Eaton will be that small town atmosphere I am looking for, yet still be accessible to jobs and things to do. Thanks for any more info you can offer.

[tfox]

To tell you the truth, I didn't go out to Eaton or Ault or anywhere out east much in my FC days and even less often now that I'm in Denver, so it'd be interesting to hear how things are going from someone who has been out there recently.

There's a lot of growth and development in many places in Weld, and in my opinion much of it is not very well planned. For a lot of people, the ability to afford a house with a backyard within striking distance of Fort Collins is a dream come true, and I can hardly blame them for desiring that.

However, when you visit Eaton, do a little bit of research into the future growth of the town. When development really hits a small town, it can come overnight and change the town forever. You'd best do your homework and make sure you'll still be happy there 10 years from now.

[artemea]

You said,
"the ability to afford a house with a backyard within striking distance of Fort Collins is a dream come true, and I can hardly blame them for desiring that."

I agree. I first moved to Colorado back in the late 70s...right out of college. To Aurora, specifically. I actually had a five acre parcel with horse facilities that I was renting....this was before they built the mall out there. It was a good life. Over the years, I was moved away FIVE times, by corporate moves (I was in supercomputing). Yet, I always returned. When I left in 1995, it was to take a job on the East Coast in RTP, NC. I was more than happy, at the time, to leave. Denver was already growing by leaps and bounds, in ways I, specifically, did not like. I did not want to raise my daughter in Denver. I wanted something else. We moved to New Mexico in 04....to a beautiful ranch, but in the middle of nowhere. My daughter will be a sophomore in high school in the fall. I want for her a great high school experience, which she can not get where we live. And I have stayed in touch with my friends from Denver from years back. I think, as you get older, you appreciate your friends, your long-time friends, more than ever. Even though we have lived here since 04, I have not made any close friends. We are pretty isolated out here on our ranch. There used to be a saying in Colorado...something about an Indian saying having to do with Long's Peak. That if you looked at it at sunrise and sunset...even though you left Colorado...you would always return. I guess that is what has happened to me. When I relocate back THIS time, I don't intend to leave. My daughter will be in college in three years. Since I am no longer married ...where I live will be a place that I intend to put down roots and stay. I know that Colorado has changed. More people have come in...growth has been rampant and not always well planned. (However, if you want to see what is real sprawl...check out Houston!) But Colorado is still Colorado. The mountains don't change. The 300 days of sun a year is still there. There are still pristine alpine meadows way up in the mountains, wonderful prairies where most tourists don't go...and still...in Larimer County, technically, you can have a horse if you want one. Weld County, though having suffered recently with the foreclosures, is still an agricultural type economy (for example...they do have FFA there, which some counties in Co don't because they are no longer "farm oriented". ) My daughter is active in FFA here, in the County Fair, in rodeos, and athletics. That is why we are looking at Eaton. And, I understand, my favorite of all time Mexican restaurants is STILL in Denver, after all these years....so I definitely intend to move back. (At one point, after moving away years ago....I actually had take out food from this restaurant FLOWN to me by coworkers flying back East!) What you say has definite merit. Where one chooses to live is important...especially if you want to stay. Dare I say, I would not live in Aurora, the FIRST place I lived in Colorado, again. So, in moving to a small town, I will go as cautiously as I can. But sometimes, too, you have to trust your gut and just risk. Noone ever gave out medals for playing it safe. That is why I, .like many on this forum, I am sure, seek to find out as much as I can, from Coloradoans who want to share. Afterall, I am suffering the curse of Long's Peak. It was not a choice to return. It was a legend and a promise.

[Tom Emmerling]

I use to live in Eaton. It is growing quite a bit but I still believe that it is a very nice community. It is 3 miles from Greeley and I could make it to work in exactly 20 minutes when I lived there. Also when I lived there I heard that they had an awesome sports team. I believe the girls went to state that year in either volleyball or basketball. It really is a nice area. You may also want to check out Ault.