Need some info. about Montrose (Denver, Grand Junction: fit in, house, high school)

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by JesseQ

Haha...you had me there for sure! I'm glad that it isn't infested by drug dealers and gangsters. Hopefully I'll be able to make a trip out that way sometime soon. Are the locals friendly enough?

Also, I am 27 years old. I would imagine that the locals are um...seasoned? Seen a few more winters than myself? What are the chances of a 27 year old, single, white male making a living for himself in Montrose? About my only work experience is in automotive repair, which I would LOVE to get away from.

The people in Montrose have always been very kind to me. I don't think you'll have any problems getting to know people there. I have heard that in recent years people have begun to buy retirement places in Montrose, but last time I drove through there, it seemed like there were plenty of younger people around.

In all due seriousness, jobs on Colorado's West Slope, including Montrose, can be hard to find right now. Apparently even the wealthy ski resort of Telluride has been laying people off. If you do decide to come out here, it would be a good idea to have a nest egg that could carry you through at least 2 or 3 months.

Good luck in your quest to move to Colorado. It's one of the most beautiful states you'll ever see.

[jim9251]

Montrose is a nice town of about 16,000. A very nice downtown area, and the typical plastic southern part that's all big box stores, but is a clean and newer area. Crime is relatively low, traffic can be insane at times, and you need to visit first. Winters there are relatively mild. Summers are warm but dry. Visit first, talk to locals at the Red Barn. Housing compaired to California is a steal. Oh, there are no jobs. Good luck to you.

[brightdoglover]

I've looked at houses for sale in Montrose and anything less than $100K tends to be very small, usually built in the 1930s or so, and walkable to downtown. Probably just need some fixing up if you want a small house (as I would). There are a few of barely-built big houses standing like islands in the middle of unfinished subdivisions on the edges of town. (Why do Western subdivisions have wide enough streets for four semi trucks to drive past?)

Driving through Montrose, it was sad to see "E-Z Payday Loans" and "Guns n' Pawn" and "Autos n' Pawn" and "Tires n' Pawn." That was on 550. Right off Main St. downtown, there's a wonderful Art Deco Theater and there are other neat urbane things.

Dunno about jobs, although my guess is not very good. I visit an elderly friend there and she seems to know a lot of older people. Lots of white hair at the Fox Theater for "Second Sunday" (indie/imported movies once a month).

If I had to move somewhere cheaper in retirement, I'd consider Montrose. But for jobs??

[JesseQ]

So doing a little more searching, it seems like every 3rd or 4th home in Montrose is for sale. I guess it was hit harder by the economic downturn than most other cities. Which I guess is understandable, being that it is such a small city.

Oh well, I guess I should start looking elsewhere.

[proveick]

Yup, things aren't to peachy in Telluride.
Luxury hotels in Telluride, Colo., to close at height of ski season - USATODAY.com
RP

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by JesseQ

So doing a little more searching, it seems like every 3rd or 4th home in Montrose is for sale. I guess it was hit harder by the economic downturn than most other cities. Which I guess is understandable, being that it is such a small city.

Oh well, I guess I should start looking elsewhere.

I had a relative that was selling real estate down that way. They were making a great living up to around 2007 and then the crash hit. I think you could probably count on one hand how many houses they have sold in the past 4 years. Apparently it's pretty dire.

I think there were a lot of people that moved to western Colorado in that era, but never put much thought into how they would make a living. Montrose was like a lot of communities in the west that overbuilt for people that never made it there or didn't stay.

Probably you can find the same all over the country. Here where I live in PA, we have a local subdivision started in 2005 with 20 lots and only 2 houses built total. Many of the lots were sold back years ago with signs put up like "Jim and Sally from Maryland bought this lot" Or "Fred and Cindy from New Jersey". All these people who probably expected to retire here and they've never made it and some of the lots have been put up for sale again.

Montrose was very much a place like that back in 2006-2007. People thought they could retire there or move there and it wasn't happening.

[proveick]

Indeed there are few houses for sale there.
Montrose CO Homes for Sale & Montrose Real Estate - Zillow
RP

[Dontr1]

I am interested in Delta, Colorado, how is it for retired disabled military on on pensions?

[DOUBLE H]

Delta is quite a bit smaller than Montrose, I like both towns equally. A little bit more blue collar than Montrose. Delta is somewhat famous for the painted murals on the side of the retail buildings going down highway 50.

When Colorado was going through another recession in the late 80's (not as bad as we have now), I spent a lot of time in this area looking for a place to retire to. Came close to picking Delta, chose the Grand Junction area instead.

I always feel a good barometer in regards to housing prices is Realtor.com. Pull up their site and then type in Delta, Colorado in the reference box. A bunch of listings should pop up.

Note: the VA hospital has expanded the last few years, it's a nice facility from what a couple friends told me. It's in Grand Junction on 25th and North. Grand Junction is 40 miles north of Delta. Not sure how the medical care is in Delta but hopefully someone will weigh in here on that subject.

Good luck!

[jim9251]

Originally Posted by Dontr1

I am interested in Delta, Colorado, how is it for retired disabled military on on pensions?

I like it here. People are friendly, and there's plenty to do. My older sister has been seeing doctors for some medical problems and I have to say I'm impressed with Delta Hospital. It's VERY clean, quiet and all the the staff there are super nice. Now it gets HOT in summer, but the humidity is low. I've also noticed parents are really involved with the school and their kids activities, and that's a good sign.