International move - wanting mountain town feel (Denver, Colorado Springs: relocation, real estate)

[Norgy]

Hi everyone,
Along with my American wife and two (so far ) children I'm cautiously considering a transatlantic relocation from Norway to the U.S. The mountain and semi-mountain towns west of Denver are high on the list, and we're preparing a more detailed set of possible locations where we'll contact real estate agents and other professionals to help us decide. I've also done some research on the forum and elsewhere.

Now, I've been to Evergreen once and liked it (as does the wife), we looked at some houses there in 2002. Obviously the market's gone up since then, but price-wise it's still an option. However, I was wondering whether the place has changed a lot in terms of development (i.e. McMansions in bizarre locations, like off the side of a cliff on stilts) or if it's mostly the same as back then.

Also, are there other mountain towns within a reasonable distance of Denver or Colorado Springs (2-3 hour drive one way) that have a similar feel and sense of community, and that also might provide employment?

I'm an office manager /records manager with about 10 years experience mostly from state and local government agencies, the wife is an artist who does murals and some fine art (predominantly acrylics). I'll dig ditches for a living if I have to, but I have this notion that it doesn't pay too well . At some point I hope to switch to martial arts instruction for an income, but the failure rate for such businesses is very high and I need to do local research before starting up, so in the meantime I'm dependent on nearby businesses of a certain size or government offices for employment. I think we all know how much artists make , so my job will have to pay for pretty much all the bills.

IF we decide on a permanent move and sell all or part of our property here, housing costs are pretty much a nonissue, we'd be able to pay cash for all but the most extravagant of properties, or at least have a mortgage that would be manageable on a 45-50K salary which seems to be the going rate for office admins in CO unless I've got my info wrong.

We'd like to not needlessly contribute to the ballooning real estate prices though, and would be happy to buy an older house outside of the really fancy enclaves, that needed serious work done to it (have experience with that). Obiously we'll let the realtors sweat over this, but does anyone have a take on what could be had for, say 200-300K in a semi-rural area in or close to Evergreen or a similar location? Vague I know, but there it is...

While I'm at it; my wife will probably be going to Denver/COS, renting short-term accommodation for herself and the kids (1 and 0), and trekking around with the realtors, since I can't leave my job for that long at a time. Is it unheard of/unsafe, or horribly pricey to rent accommodation for 1-3 months in those two locations?

Sorry for pestering you with all this, but as I said I haven't been able to find concrete answers to these questions in previous posts. If you know of posts where this stuff has come up, I'd be very grateful for links

[vfrpilot]

Norgy-
Manitou Springs has a large 'artsy' community. In fact this weekend is 'Artwalk Weekend' featuring 14 galleries. It's on the west end of Colorado Springs and snuggled up against the base of Pikes Peak.
We live north of the Springs in Monument. Because of the elevation our neighborhood has lots of mature pines. The commute to the Springs or south Denver is reasonable from here. Most of the homes here are built on 1/2 acre or larger lots and can still be had in your price range. We looked at a 3100 square foot home on 1/2 acre down the street that was listed for $302k. It is owned by a bank and needs some work, but most of the area is $400k and up.
Our home was built for a lady from Finland. Two of our neighbors are from Germany and Sweden. We met another neighbor who is an artist, successful enough to allow her husband to quit his job and take care of her business needs.
Good Luck

[Norgy]

Odd, I thought I put another reply in here. Oh well. Thanks for the info - Manitou Springs was already on my list, nice to know there's an art community there. Do man yof those artists cater to the needs of the ski towns in the area (i.e. make house calls to do murals, do a lot of commissioned works and so on), or do they make what they like and then market it through galleries?

[vfrpilot]

Do man yof those artists cater to the needs of the ski towns in the area (i.e. make house calls to do murals, do a lot of commissioned works and so on), or do they make what they like and then market it through galleries

I don't know about the art community in general, but our neighbor does all that.

[alexis2005]

I just finished house hunting in the Evergreen/Genesee area and was really impressed. Nice houses and some come with over an acre lot. Genesee is a little pricey but in Evergreen you can get something under 300K. Nothing under 225K. If you can spend between 300 to 400K, your options really open up. I currently live in Dallas and can't wait to move! Good luck!

[Katiana]

While I'm at it; my wife will probably be going to Denver/COS, renting short-term accommodation for herself and the kids (1 and 0), and trekking around with the realtors, since I can't leave my job for that long at a time. Is it unheard of/unsafe, or horribly pricey to rent accommodation for 1-3 months in those two locations?

There are motels that rent suites for short term living, Residence Inn is the name of one chain.

[Merlianne]

My husband and I live in a relatively small town in the southwestern part of Colorado. It's called Montrose. We have approximately 25,000 people. It's a great place to live and the view is beyond anything that most people can imagine. Check it out. You won't be sorry.

Merlianne

Originally Posted by Norgy

Hi everyone,
Along with my American wife and two (so far ) children I'm cautiously considering a transatlantic relocation from Norway to the U.S. The mountain and semi-mountain towns west of Denver are high on the list, and we're preparing a more detailed set of possible locations where we'll contact real estate agents and other professionals to help us decide. I've also done some research on the forum and elsewhere.

Now, I've been to Evergreen once and liked it (as does the wife), we looked at some houses there in 2002. Obviously the market's gone up since then, but price-wise it's still an option. However, I was wondering whether the place has changed a lot in terms of development (i.e. McMansions in bizarre locations, like off the side of a cliff on stilts) or if it's mostly the same as back then.

Also, are there other mountain towns within a reasonable distance of Denver or Colorado Springs (2-3 hour drive one way) that have a similar feel and sense of community, and that also might provide employment?

I'm an office manager /records manager with about 10 years experience mostly from state and local government agencies, the wife is an artist who does murals and some fine art (predominantly acrylics). I'll dig ditches for a living if I have to, but I have this notion that it doesn't pay too well . At some point I hope to switch to martial arts instruction for an income, but the failure rate for such businesses is very high and I need to do local research before starting up, so in the meantime I'm dependent on nearby businesses of a certain size or government offices for employment. I think we all know how much artists make , so my job will have to pay for pretty much all the bills.

IF we decide on a permanent move and sell all or part of our property here, housing costs are pretty much a nonissue, we'd be able to pay cash for all but the most extravagant of properties, or at least have a mortgage that would be manageable on a 45-50K salary which seems to be the going rate for office admins in CO unless I've got my info wrong.

We'd like to not needlessly contribute to the ballooning real estate prices though, and would be happy to buy an older house outside of the really fancy enclaves, that needed serious work done to it (have experience with that). Obiously we'll let the realtors sweat over this, but does anyone have a take on what could be had for, say 200-300K in a semi-rural area in or close to Evergreen or a similar location? Vague I know, but there it is...

While I'm at it; my wife will probably be going to Denver/COS, renting short-term accommodation for herself and the kids (1 and 0), and trekking around with the realtors, since I can't leave my job for that long at a time. Is it unheard of/unsafe, or horribly pricey to rent accommodation for 1-3 months in those two locations?

Sorry for pestering you with all this, but as I said I haven't been able to find concrete answers to these questions in previous posts. If you know of posts where this stuff has come up, I'd be very grateful for links

[Norgy]

vfrpilot, again thanks for your help! It's nice to know there are possibilities in the art business.

Alexis2005, we used to live in Plano, so apart from the extreme shopping convenience, I can understand your being eager to get away from DFW

pittnurse, thanks - we'll check out the chains!

Merlianne, I looked at some pics on Google and on the Montrose tourist website - although the views are very nice, the town and the immediate surrounding area looks a bit flat (no offense meant) to me, and I get a little agoraphobic unless there's at least a 1000ft hill behind me . Do you know offhand if there are possibilities to live in the foothills of the surrounding mountains?

[brightdoglover]

I get a little agoraphobic unless there's at least a 1000ft hill behind me . Do you know offhand if there are possibilities to live in the foothills of the surrounding mountains? (regarding Montrose)

Heading out 550 towards Ridgway/Ouray, you get into the foothills and magnificent mountains. It's about 30 miles from Montrose to Ridgway. However, the prices go up about as much as the altitude. Yes, Montrose is pretty flat. There is a lot of sprawl-like housing going up.

It's extremely unlikely (if not impossible) to find any kind of house or property in the foothills, that is, Ridgway area and on up, in the $300 price range.There are certainly a lot of artists in the area, but I think they are all married to people with "real" jobs. Jobs and work are the huge issue in that mountain area, less so in Monrose. Without question, Ridgway/Ouray is the prettiest place I've ever seen. However, I am told by a local guy that, due to the gorgeous mountains so close by, it gets dark around 1pm in the afternoon in the short days of winter.

It's an area well worth trying to fit into, but the numbers can be quite daunting, for work and housing. Good luck.

[Norgy]

Now, Rigdway has me tottering on a knife edge of indecision. On one hand, someone on a different thread said it's full of evangelicals - such people would provide me with a constant source of migraines, so I'd like to avoid them. On the other hand, it appears there are "clothing optional" hot springs there (again, according to a different thread). Whatever shall I do??

Seriously, thanks for the advice - I checked real estate prices in both Rigway and Ouray, it seems that they are a little too costly for what they offer. The darkness is an issue for my wife, she dislikes the short winter days here (we're about on the same latitude as Anchorage), so that's something to take into consideration as well.

vfrpilot, if you're seeing this - is there a similar "problem" with early sunsets in Manitou Springs as well? If it's just a month or so in winter it's not a huge problem, but it'd be unfortunate to be stuck at the bottom of a sunless valley all year ...