Base Camp? (Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: rental, home, purchase)

[Red_48]

Folks
We're looking for a place to rent while we explore Colorado, and would like to shortlist some areas to make camp for a month or two.

We're lucky enough to be paddling under our own steam for a while, so we don't need to be located near a big metropolis, but we must have broadband for research, communication, and any work (www) that might come our way.

We're two thirty somethings with a 2 year old daughter, and would like to find a clean 3bd, 2ba for around the $1000 a month mark.

If we like life in CO the end game might be the purchase of a family home and maybe an investment property if we can manage.

Our perspectives so far come from West London (13 years in Hampton Wick near Kingston Upon Thames) so we are looking for a small to medium sized town thats safe to raise our little one.

All suggestions appriciated

[sunsprit]

Do you have any particular interests that would best be suited by good access to the Front Range cities, or is a more rural lifestyle on the plains OK, or would the mountains be more to your tastes? All have their unique attractiveness and costs ... some more, some less ....

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by Red_48

Folks
We're looking for a place to rent while we explore Colorado, and would like to shortlist some areas to make camp for a month or two.

We're lucky enough to be paddling under our own steam for a while, so we don't need to be located near a big metropolis, but we must have broadband for research, communication, and any work (www) that might come our way.

We're two thirty somethings with a 2 year old daughter, and would like to find a clean 3bd, 2ba for around the $1000 a month mark.

If we like life in CO the end game might be the purchase of a family home and maybe an investment property if we can manage.

Our perspectives so far come from West London (13 years in Hampton Wick near Kingston Upon Thames) so we are looking for a small to medium sized town thats safe to raise our little one.

All suggestions appriciated

Canon city is pretty central on the eastern slope. Small town good weather,. Apt small clean 2 bedroom for around 600 per mo. 1 mo lease little cheaper for longer. there are others too of coarse. Just don't know their terms and sizes. Good place for kids. Least I think so. I raised all mine here. Canon city is in Fremont county. So try google. If you want more info. You can Direct Message me if you wish.

[Red_48]

Thanks guys
We both lead an active lifestyle. We're in the gym everyday, and enjoy Mountain Biking and Ski every year. We love the mountain lifestyle but also don't want to feel isolated, so I guess we're looking to be close to a medium sized community in the Mountains?

I think we're aiming for <20mins drive from a decent sized shopping area, school/nursery, cinema, bars, coffee shops whilst being <20mins from decent MTB trials, rafting, hiking etc. As for Skiing, we're currently lucky if we get 2 weeks every year so we wouldn't mind driving say 2 hours to the nearest resort.

As for weather, we love the snow, and sun, but not so keen on wind and rain.
I shall start researching Canon City, thanks Nadine!

[Fuzz]

Evergreen perhaps? Seems like a good compromise -- close to Denver, but also set in the mountains with great outdoor opportunities right in your backyard.

[sunsprit]

Many smaller communities along the Front Range would meet your needs.

The corridors West from Denver into the mountains along I-70, or Conifer/Evergreen area, or the Western Fort Collins area ... all are possibilities with ready access to the outdoor activities, skiing, shopping & hospitality that you want.

Probably best to start by checking into the available rental housing costs and tour the areas.

[Wyomiles]

Grand Junction or Glenwood Springs might be worth a look.

[vfrpilot]

I would suggest the small towns outside of Colorado Springs. Monument, Palmer Lake, Manitou Springs, and Woodland Park all fit your what you're looking for. All have nice forested areas with access to Colorado Springs within 20 minutes. All are small towns with their own characters. I think they'd all be worth a look.