Moving to Winter Park (Denver, Berthoud: ski resorts, leases, house)

[randtbrown]

My hubby just accepted a job in Winter Park and we are moving there in a hurry from Houston Texas. Can anyone tell me more about this area (From Winter Park to Granby). We spent 2 days there last week, but that's it. We will need to rent something cheap for a year while our house in Texas sells or leases. We have a toddler as well. Anyone from Winter Park?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[Fuzz]

Views like these can't be bad...





Lots of great hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing (both in-bounds and backcountry) in the area. Just be careful never to speed even 1mph over the limit when driving through the town of Empire (on US-40 right after you get off I-70) -- the whole town is an infamous speed trap.

[kwk722]

Originally Posted by randtbrown

My hubby just accepted a job in Winter Park and we are moving there in a hurry from Houston Texas. Can anyone tell me more about this area (From Winter Park to Granby). We spent 2 days there last week, but that's it. We will need to rent something cheap for a year while our house in Texas sells or leases. We have a toddler as well. Anyone from Winter Park?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Have you lived in mountains before? Do you need to commute into Denver much? Youre in for quite a change. Quiet summers, hectic winters. Extreme temperature changes. Culture shock.

[kwk722]

Originally Posted by randtbrown

My hubby just accepted a job in Winter Park and we are moving there in a hurry from Houston Texas. Can anyone tell me more about this area (From Winter Park to Granby). We spent 2 days there last week, but that's it. We will need to rent something cheap for a year while our house in Texas sells or leases. We have a toddler as well. Anyone from Winter Park?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Have you lived in mountains before? Do you need to commute into Denver much? Youre in for quite a change. Quiet summers, hectic winters. Extreme temperature and weather changes. Culture shock.

[Fuzz]

^^^ What kwk said. I assume you'll be working in WP, and not in Denver? If the latter, then driving over Berthoud Pass in the winter can be a hassle. Winters are pretty harsh with low temps and lots of snow. But lots of sunshine helps.

Unlike other ski resorts, WP draws a lot of Denverites out for the day. So it doesn't have the extensive "amenities" at other places.

If you're into outdoor activities, it is a great place with lots of stuff to do all year round.

[BillRadio]

Yes, it will be a big transition from Houston. It will always be cool, never hot. While winter is snowy, the town gets busier and everyone appreciates every flake of snow. It is one of the few places where there is yet no Wal-Mart, part of the charm.

But the area is spectacular and outdoor activities are among the best in the world. One of the cheaper areas is Fraser, but it is one of the coldest places in the country. They have adopted the moniker, "icebox of the nation", which they took back from International Falls, MN, who forgot to register the term. The main street is named "Xerex", a promtion for anti-freeze. Farther away, in Granby, the town and weather is more palatable, but very small. There are 2 large lakes great for water activities.

I've owned in Winter Park for 15 years and we love it, however, to live full time is an aquired taste and many don't last. Even though winters are cold, they are relatively sunny, but the 'mud season', the spring and fall, the town almost closes down. Fall is even more spectacular, but if you try to garden without a cold frame, the 1st freeze can occur anytime, even tomorrow.

A big plus is W.P. is one of the few resort areas of CO that have not gone nuts...it's relatively reasonable, but by no means, cheap.