Garfield County... Yea or Nay? (Denver, Grand Junction: for sale, apartments, rentals)

[referencegurl]

I am looking to relocate to Garfield County. I have been through the info on this site but there are somethings that can't be answered with crime statistics and census data. Below are some questions I had about the area for those who live there now or in the recent past.

1. Are there many places to rent besides apartments? I am looking for a house to rent but have been unable to locate a reliable site online for this.

2. What is the cost of living like?

3. Is there an active LGBT community? Also, how is the LGBT community treated in this area?

4. Is there anything to actually do here? Besides fishing, hunting and skiing that is.

Thanks

[jazzlover]

1. Probably, but they will be expensive, especially anywhere near Glenwood Springs.
2. High, and--unless you work in the gas fields--not commensurate with typical wages.
3. Can't answer that one.
4. Some culture up in Aspen, but outdoor recreation is the big drawing card for the area.

[Dogmama50]

Here's a place to start for LGBT in the Roaring Fork Valley. Aspen & Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund

Glenwood to Aspen is pretty progressive as far as LGBT, the further west and north you go it becomes more rural and less progressive.

Garfield County is an unusual place to relocate to without a job or ties to the area. Have you visited? Check craigslist for the High Rockies and the Western Slope for some ideas on rentals, also the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

[referencegurl]

I might possibly have a job in Garfield County. I've already had an interview and am waiting to here back. In the meantime I'm trying to locate housing there but haven't had much luck as of yet.

I do like the isolation of the area as I'm moving from a big city where I have had a lot of negative interactions. I grew up in a small town and miss the atmosphere.

[Dogmama50]

There are ton of rentals listed on craigslist, craigslist: western slope classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events Without knowing where your job is located I typed in New Castle, Rifle & Glenwood Springs, lots of houses and town homes, anywhere from $800-well over a $2,000.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by referencegurl

I do like the isolation of the area as I'm moving from a big city where I have had a lot of negative interactions. I grew up in a small town and miss the atmosphere.

As a resort town, Glenwood Springs does not have a typical small town atmosphere. Most of the people there are from big cities originally and they bring that attitude with them. The other towns west of Glenwood are more typical small towns, though Rifle, in particular, has more of the oilfield town vibe--with a somewhat transient population.

There are few places in the whole "I-70 Sacrifice Zone" (to quote the term coined by the late Denver Post columnist Ed Quillen) from Denver to Grand Junction that have a true small-town social makeup. They are more like just a cartoon version of small towns.