Salida, Cotopaxi, and Westcliffe area (Colorado Springs, Pueblo: relocating, real estate, incomes)

[banshee24]

I was looking into relocating to the Salida, Cotopaxi, or Westcliffe are, but what I am wanting to know first before we move is if there would be work for my husband. I work from home, so there would not be a problem for me, but my husband works in the Heating and Air Conditioning industry. I would like to know if there is that type of work in the area, he does not do any repair, but basically installs and replaces. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Cotopaxi is a REALLY small town, Westcliffe a little bigger, and Salida the biggest of the three (but still not very big). In Salida you would also have business from Poncha Springs and Buena Vista.

Why did you pick those three?

[banshee24]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Cotopaxi is a REALLY small town, Westcliffe a little bigger, and Salida the biggest of the three (but still not very big). In Salida you would also have business from Poncha Springs and Buena Vista.

Why did you pick those three?

We really liked the area when we went to visit, we drove most of the Southwest and those three towns are what stood out, we are looking for a small town, I can't stand big city life, been there done that and now we are in AZ and it's just way too hot and I don't like all the reptiles. I really liked Westcliffe the best, it seemed really quaint. We also noticed that we could find a reasonable priced home with some land within that area, that's what we really want. I have read some posts about Woodland Park and that seems like a nice place too, I might look in that area next.

[justsomeguy]

lol. "way too hot and I don't like all the reptiles." very funny to me for some reason.

[jazzlover]

I've posted this a zillion times, but here goes one more time. Rural Colorado, if you have to rely on the local economy for a living, can be a tough place to live. That said, there is always demand for knowledgeable tradesmen who are willing to work hard. The problem is that wages and/or income for those trades tends to be lower in rural Colorado than, say, on the Front Range. At the same time, living costs, ESPECIALLY HOUSING, can be the same or even much higher. For most skilled trade jobs (other than mining, which is pretty much disappearing; and oil and gas field work--not common around Salida), the old rule of thumb was that wages in rural Colorado were generally about half what they were in metro areas. I think that the gap has narrowed some, but still no where near "parity."

Salida, that is the subject of this post, has seen a HUGE increase in real estate prices in the last few years. You can bet your bottom dollar that local incomes haven't come close to matching those increases. Westcliffe and Cotopaxi are very small towns. Most specialized services of any kind for them come out of Salida (limited), Canon City, Pueblo, or even Colorado Springs.

[banshee24]

We live now in a rural part of Arizona, so we know what a difference the wages can be in the rural areas. We would like to be in a more rural place than where we are now and in an area that is pleasant to look at. Low wages, as long as it isn't too much lower than where we are now, wouldn't be so bad, since mine wouldn't change because I work from home and can take my job anywhere. I'm just tired of the desert life.

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by banshee24

We live now in a rural part of Arizona, so we know what a difference the wages can be in the rural areas. We would like to be in a more rural place than where we are now and in an area that is pleasant to look at. Low wages, as long as it isn't too much lower than where we are now, wouldn't be so bad, since mine wouldn't change because I work from home and can take my job anywhere. I'm just tired of the desert life.

Westcliffe happens to be my favorite place. But jobs are a problem. There are many in Westcliffe that communt to Pueblo for a job, even to Canon City but better job hunting in Pueblo. All I can say is try looking the job market for you husband before you decide. There has been a great deal of building in all the areas you mentioned and in Pueblo and Canon City. Heating is certainly used in all, but for cooling, I really don't know about Westcliffe, or even Salida, some sure but really not a big market, I would not think. Pueblo, that is a given. Gets hot down there. Been hot in Canon City, this yr but many of us use swamp(evaporate coolers) but certainly not everyone.

[lclydesdale]

Salida is very nice! There are HVAC businesses there who generally service the entire Chafee County area.

Originally Posted by banshee24

I was looking into relocating to the Salida, Cotopaxi, or Westcliffe are, but what I am wanting to know first before we move is if there would be work for my husband. I work from home, so there would not be a problem for me, but my husband works in the Heating and Air Conditioning industry. I would like to know if there is that type of work in the area, he does not do any repair, but basically installs and replaces. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[mhouse2001]

Jumping on this bandwagon...

I too live in AZ but want to get out in nature. Fell in love with the area from Buena Vista to Canon City and down to Westcliffe. I wish the land could grow something useful but it's too cold for that. Even trees have a hard time in the bowl valley Westcliffe sits in. I'm seriously considering this area, but I want to live below 6,000' where I can actually plant a food garden to be self-sufficient. Also considering New Mexico now since the weather is much warmer. Unlike others, I don't mind 50 days of 100 degrees.

[SheridanL]

Canon City!!! I am going back there in 6 weeks.
I moved to Vero Beach, Florida (on the beach) last May. Huge mistake!!

I do love having the ocean out my door but, NOTHING compares to Canon City!
I am soo glad my home didn't sell ....I miss it!!

The DOC (Department of Corrections) is huge in Canon and, they have many openings for heating and cooling jobs.

Canon City is called the "climate capitol" of Colorado. It is a banana belt.

Most have ditch water, irrigation...for their homes. I could go on and on...I think it is the best town in Colorado!!