Tell me about Buena Vista! (Canon City, Salida: real estate, housing, rent)

[postermom]

Someone recommended Buena Vista to me as a beautiful small town that doesn't get a lot of snow and is a nice environment. Anyone have anything more specific to add? I had been thinking of New Mexico but am still open to other places for early retirement. I am from Michigan so I know cold but prefer milder climates. I lived in Phoenix and Tucson and the summers are too brutal and too long. I cannot afford super luxury but just want simple comforts in a friendly place that has something beautiful to view (mountains, lakes, etc.) All responses are much appreciated!!!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Buena Vista is a nice LITTLE town surrounded with gorgeous mountain scenery. It is the center of a lot of companies that run rafting trips down the Arkansas River. Right down the road about thirty miles is Salida, which is rapidly growing as a retirement community/arts community.

Both BV and Salida enjoy mild winters, which is one reason that they are attracting retirees. The main industry in BV is tourism and the prison. Not too much else going on, so if you are not looking for employment you will be ok.

We are currently looking at real estate in BV. We have found some lovely homes with great views for the upper $200's. Of course, right now is a buyer's market, so people may be willing to take any reasonable offer. There is a new development of 600 homes currently in the planning stages, with build-out expected over 10 years. If even half of that happens, I think you will see some big changes in town.

[BillRadio]

I also like BV a lot! It has breathtaking scenery, relatively mild weather and closeby outdoor recreation. However, it is very small and does not have great amenities, like a supermarket. Salida and Canon City are similar and are much livelier, each having better stores, activities and health care.

If you want to get away from the crowds, BV is a good place to do it. But if you're looking for a town with a productive and active "community", BV is too small. My wife has several friends who retired to BV but who moved after a few years because it was "too quiet".

[JDean]

Other than the prison as a major employer, what does average John Q Public do for a living in BV? I'm a carpenter living in SW Missouri that visited BV last May and fell in love with the area. I just need to know how to make that mortgage payment out there.
Any info would be nice.

Thanks
Dean

[tgkelly]

I use to live in BV, and my parents still do. The mountain views: well you just can't do better. My folks live in a place called Trail West Village, about 10 minutes from the town, right down from a Young Life camp. Right out there window is a breathtaking view of Mt. Princeton, there house sits on the base of Mt. Harvard. Gorgeous! As far as work, small town job, and like others have said the prison. But its a darn cute town, with art galleries, (more in Salida) small time restaurants, and a couple grocery stores (city market)Its completely livable, and actually doesnt get that much snow (not as much as u would think) Its in a banana belt, as my folks always say. I would love to live there someday, my memories are fond of good old BV. The little town trys hard with putting on BalloonaVista a fair in the summer, even a small fireworks display on the 4th. It is generally a active summer, and a quiet winter.

[gsxrmoto1]

You can ask the Colorado Guy for his opinion on Buena Vista. I'm pretty sure he lives there. Here's his website COLORADO GUY: Colorado Photos, Web Cam, Funny News Articles, Videos, Forums, Trivia Game (Based in Buena Vista, Colorado) Keep in mind he seems to put on a very entertaining show for the website.

[BillRadio]

It is a question I asked the "cowboys" at the horse stables last summer. The biggest employer is the state, not just for the prison, but also for highway workers. The rest are either the small store & service owners and their poorly-paid employees. Good tradespeople can do well, but need to do a lot of self-promotion before they are "trusted".

Get the local paper and find out who's hiring, and look at the state listings, too.

[Market Mama]

It's a bit too small town, in attitude and lack of amenities, for me. But it really is in a beautiful setting.

[djharry16]

Originally Posted by JDean

Other than the prison as a major employer, what does average John Q Public do for a living in BV? I'm a carpenter living in SW Missouri that visited BV last May and fell in love with the area. I just need to know how to make that mortgage payment out there.
Any info would be nice.

Thanks
Dean

If you are a carpenter, you just need to get your business card out there and meet some locals. There is so much housing going up, you could easily be a subcontractor for any builder and if you are good and reasonable, could easily make a go of it. You could start with a foreclosure, live in it, fix it and sell it for that first big check. I am in wastewater and the jobs at the small plant seem to be locked up or I would move there in a second. We have a small second home on Cottonwood Creek and spend about 7 weeks a year there, but it's not enough. Need to be there 50 weeks a year.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by tgkelly

...Trail West Village, about 10 minutes from the town, right down from a Young Life camp. Right out there window is a breathtaking view of Mt. Princeton, there house sits on the base of Mt. Harvard. Gorgeous!

Oh yeah. Just got back from there. The place is even nicer than it was 3 years ago;