Pagosa Springs (Denver, Grand Junction, Durango: appointed, ski resort, real estate)

[guidedhere]

I am researching Pagosa Springs as a potential place of relocation. In my search, for information about cost of living, I have conflicting information.

I currently live in Asheville, NC. I was drawn here for the beauty and eclectic life style, also outdoor activities. Asheville has outgrown me, so I am seeking another haven (so to speak). A relocation calculator indicates that the cost of living in Pagosa Springs is 13% cheaper than Asheville. Housing being the main reason and being 30% cheaper than Asheville.

I already have a lead on a job, in a local day spa. I love the idea of a small community, lack of commercialism, natural beauty, the hot springs, local and outdoor activities and more. Also, my son and his family live in Denver.

I am a West Coast girl, born and raised, who ended up in the East. I hate the heat, humidity, mold and mosquitoes! I love the four seasons and winter. So, I think Pagosa Springs would be a good fit for me.

I am a single woman, in my early 50's, youthful, outgoing, fun-loving. I am renter, not a homeowner. Not knowing the income potential in a local day spa, I am not sure what I could afford for rent, yet prefer $500 to $600 range.

I would like any local information that you can provide. I welcome both positive and negative points of view. Thank you.

Victoria

[jmmcnally]

I am in love with Pagosa Springs. I've been there numerous times, but never lived there and am young (22). I don't know a lot about property prices (but am definitely trying to learn, as I am about to graduate from college).

I do know that Pagosa Springs is 30-45 minutes from Durango, which has a small mall, great restaurants, ski resort and many things to do.

I know that if you are into horses, Parelli Horsemanship is centered in Pagosa Springs and his ranch is not far outside of town on the way to Durango.

Pagosa has a bunch of great restaurants, a decent grocery store, a great atmosphere, and lots of little unique shops. There are stunning views and Wolf Creek is only a 30 minute drive.

I hope you find a happy life there. I would love to live there, too.

[jazzlover]

As is the case in almost all of rural Colorado, your income is likely to be lousy. It's just a fact of life here. Pagosa Springs is in a beautiful setting, but it has numerous problems--its tourism/real estate dependent economy being the main one. The county government is still in precarious financial condition, as well, which will likely affect public services (i.e. roads, etc.) for years to come.

Housing is cheaper around Pagosa than in most resort-type areas in Colorado, but it is no bargain whatsoever compared to local incomes. Things like food and fuel are also more expensive than in Colorado's metro areas. If medical care is an issue, the area is fairly isolated. The nearest well-equipped hospitals are either in Durango--60 miles away, or in Alamosa--90 miles away. Both can be a hazardous drive in winter. Like most of rural Colorado, specialized medical treatment usually means going to the Front Range of Colorado or to Albuquerque--200 miles plus away in both cases.

The Pagosa area also has a cultural mix that many people find somewhat uncomfortable--a lot of Texans, some fairly wealthy, and local Hispanics, many fairly impoverished. Relatively few people living in Pagosa Springs, other than the local Hispanics, are long-time residents of either Pagosa or even Colorado. Many, in fact, aren't even year-round residents of the community. Personally, I find those kinds of towns socially unpleasant and not what I call a typical friendly, small town atmosphere. (I will say that I get along better with and have greater respect for a lot of those local Hispanics than I do for the "carpetbaggers" who have overrun Pagosa from someplace else.) I know of several long-time Pagosa residents who have moved away from Pagosa or are planning to as soon as their property sells because they do not like what the place has become.

As I have posted before, I would be very careful about reading much into posts on this forum about a community when the poster has done no more than drive through the place once or twice. That will tell you little about it. In my case, my experience with these communities goes back around four decades and my work and recreation has allowed me to know most every significant community in rural Colorado quite intimately.

[CosmicWizard]

Pagosa Springs was on my short list 4 years ago when my wife and I relocated from Virginia Beach to Grand Junction, CO. No doubt about it, having access to the hot springs would be a big plus. I know I would love it! The town itself is also quite pleasant. BUT....and this is a big BUT....like you, my wife and I are working class hereos, so we need JOBS to support ourselves. During the week we spent in Pagosa, it became quite obvious that the job situation was not that hot ( and this was back in the go-go days of '06 ). I can imagine that the job situation has only deteriorated since then. IF you have a definite job that provides a sufficient income for your lifestyle...go for it, but base your calculations on your current expenses in Asheville and don't believe the BS that it will be 13% to 30% cheaper than Asheville. If anything, it's apt to be even more expensive living in Pagosa Springs than living in Asheville. Good luck whatever you decide!

[debbie at bouontiful]

I was just on the real estate sites for Pagosa Springs which would be a very nice place to live. It seemed reasonable to me for living in Colorado. I am looking at Trinidad, Pagosa Springs or Chama NM. In another few weeks, I'll be in all 3 locations and this time I think I'll take a better look at home prices. We are looking to retire in another 2 years and I am about to put my OK ranch up and it should take that long to sale.

[wanneroo]

For the OP, $500-$600 rent isn't going to cut it, unless you plan on roommating with someone.

$1000 at a minimum, maybe higher depending on how nice of a place you like.

Asheville is definitely cheaper, as is any small city in the USA, compared to mountain Colorado. In any isolated community like Pagosa, prices for everything are higher and to get anything outside of basic goods, Pagosa is a long way from a variety of shopping and services. I'd say Asheville and western NC are a relative bargain from what I have seen over the years.

Jobs? Well one thing to keep in mind is that you'll have to deal with seasonal living and for Pagosa most of the business revolves around the summer. So you have to make hay when the sun shines.

Basically any of these towns in mountain or near mountain Colorado, you either need to have wealth/income or bring your job/business with you. If you are dependent on local income, I think you'll find most people in your position last about a year or two. An adventure yes, but not the path to prosperity and comfort. You'll also need to be prepared to have multiple jobs or work extra during the busy season to tide over the slower times of year.

Part of the problem is that living in the Colorado mountains is expensive and everyone and their brother wants to do it. Hence all these towns are dime a dozen with personal services people. Massage therapists, dog walkers, personal trainers, real estate agents, you name it. Some even have multiple professions on their business cards.

As long as you accept the above with being prepared to do anything, whenever, whatever to get by and ready to deal with long winters, then you will do OK. I think if are expecting an inexpensive place to live with plenty of work and 4 mild seasons, you will be disappointed.

Like with anything, I would visit first. Stats and figures are great, but seeing it in person is another.

[BCG8]

my 2 cents, Pagosa is an adorable commercialized town. I live about 45 minutes away (Durango is just over an hr away from Pagosa) and spent lots of time there this summer. It was pretty crowded on some wknd days. I moved to Co from the east coast. For me, cost of living is cheaper here than it was in my tourist hometown of Pa. Definitely plan a trip, look for a job, and then decide. People do live there year round, it IS possible! good luck.

[Ziasforever]

Originally Posted by guidedhere

I am researching Pagosa Springs as a potential place of relocation. In my search, for information about cost of living, I have conflicting information.

I currently live in Asheville, NC. I was drawn here for the beauty and eclectic life style, also outdoor activities. Asheville has outgrown me, so I am seeking another haven (so to speak). A relocation calculator indicates that the cost of living in Pagosa Springs is 13% cheaper than Asheville. Housing being the main reason and being 30% cheaper than Asheville.

I already have a lead on a job, in a local day spa. I love the idea of a small community, lack of commercialism, natural beauty, the hot springs, local and outdoor activities and more. Also, my son and his family live in Denver.

I am a West Coast girl, born and raised, who ended up in the East. I hate the heat, humidity, mold and mosquitoes! I love the four seasons and winter. So, I think Pagosa Springs would be a good fit for me.

I am a single woman, in my early 50's, youthful, outgoing, fun-loving. I am renter, not a homeowner. Not knowing the income potential in a local day spa, I am not sure what I could afford for rent, yet prefer $500 to $600 range.

I would like any local information that you can provide. I welcome both positive and negative points of view. Thank you.

Victoria

You won't be able to find much in the way of a rental in PS for $600.00. If the job pays anything, you're looking at commuting which isn't fun in the winter. I had a job offer up there with a local government in the 2007. It paid pretty well but not enough to get a decent rental.

You might be able to find rent like that in Trinidad but wages also reflect the cost-of-living which may or may not be more expensive than NC. The South has always been relatively cheap to live in and now that real estate prices have come down to more reasonable levels you might find California living easier than Colorado. At least whatever job you find out there is likely to pay more in relative terms than what you could find in Mountain Colorado.

Now, if you don't need to work and the spa job is beer and gas money, that's a different story.

[debbie at bouontiful]

We will not be working other than maybe volunteer work to get out of the house and meet people basically. We're looking for a retirement home that has lots of outdoor activities going on but on the other hand we going into our 60s now and might need a doctor sometime down the road. So I worry about healthcare. Of course here where I live now on a ranch, if something happened, we would have to be helecopter to a city too.