Relocating to Fraser or Leadville....... (Vail, Winter Park: ski resort, real estate, rentals)

[~Blue Sky~]

which community would you say is family friendly and has a great home town feel?
We are from a small town in Wyoming and have 2 more children to finish raising. We own a new mobile home and thought maybe we could have it moved? It's a corporate move, so if we we needed to rent, is there anything available? I understand Fraser is somewhat of a resort town.
Just looking for some local advice.
~Blue Sky~

[b.adams]

I think maybe Leadville might be a little more mobile home friendly. I'm not sure its good for kids, but it sure is beautiful. Living at 10,000 ft, make sure you can handle the elevation before moving. Some people have health issues. I can imagine winter is probably pretty harsh, but Fraser is know as 'the ice box' of Colorado ... so you must be tough to consider either of them. Personally, I'd go with Fraser, as the schools would be better and there would be a little more to do for the kids. The ski and tourism dollars might equate to better amenities for you as well.

[~Blue Sky~]

Originally Posted by b.adams

I think maybe Leadville might be a little more mobile home friendly. I'm not sure its good for kids, but it sure is beautiful. Living at 10,000 ft, make sure you can handle the elevation before moving. Some people have health issues. I can imagine winter is probably pretty harsh, but Fraser is know as 'the ice box' of Colorado ... so you must be tough to consider either of them. Personally, I'd go with Fraser, as the schools would be better and there would be a little more to do for the kids. The ski and tourism dollars might equate to better amenities for you as well.

Thank you for the help. We will consider the elevation issue...
~Blue Sky~

[Fuzz]

Isn't Fraser (and nearby WP) much smaller than Leadville? CD stats say that Frasier + WP = 1,500 people, while Leadville = 2,800 people. The few times I've driven through/by/near Fraser, there doesn't seem to be much there, other than the ski resort amenities at WP? Leadville seems to be a bit more substantial of a town with a decent base of permanent residents and regular amenities.

Not that population size necessarily has a direct correlation with quality of life. But maybe more people = more amenities?

Since you live in WY, you really should make a trip to visit both places.

[BillRadio]

I have 2nd homes near both. I agree you need to visit and compare. The two towns are very different in several respects:

Leadville is so high in altitude, there are few trees and little to block the wind. It is a fairly "gritty' town in that much of the vacant areas are covered with tailings from mines. Fraser has lots of trees (although some are dead) and is more scenic. There is little difference in weather.

Leadville is very 'blue collar' and more ethnic, however, it fosters more of a "wild west' feel and the festivals they have during the year promote that. The biggest event is Burro Days, and is a lot of fun. Fraser is more 'white collar' and the kind of people that support that population. However, that also means a lot of 2nd homes, and fewer occupied dwellings. There are few events in Fraser, they support all the festivals in Winter Park instead.

Fraser is on the bus route to world class skiing. Leadville you can drive to Cooper which is very cool, but very small, or Vail & Copper Mtn are almost an hour away.

Both towns are home to people who work in the ski industry. There are far more rentals available in Fraser and I don't know if either community would allow a trailer to be brought in. Neither has a Wal-Mart. Rent & real estate are cheaper in Leadville.

Fraser gets livelier in winter, slower in summer...Leadville is the reverse.

i am surprised this is a "corporate" move without a little more support. But these types of moves are more common in Fraser.

[~Blue Sky~]

Originally Posted by BillRadio

I have 2nd homes near both. I agree you need to visit and compare. The two towns are very different in several respects:

Leadville is so high in altitude, there are few trees and little to block the wind. It is a fairly "gritty' town in that much of the vacant areas are covered with tailings from mines. Fraser has lots of trees (although some are dead) and is more scenic. There is little difference in weather.

Leadville is very 'blue collar' and more ethnic, however, it fosters more of a "wild west' feel and the festivals they have during the year promote that. The biggest event is Burro Days, and is a lot of fun. Fraser is more 'white collar' and the kind of people that support that population. However, that also means a lot of 2nd homes, and fewer occupied dwellings. There are few events in Fraser, they support all the festivals in Winter Park instead.

Fraser is on the bus route to world class skiing. Leadville you can drive to Cooper which is very cool, but very small, or Vail & Copper Mtn are almost an hour away.

Both towns are home to people who work in the ski industry. There are far more rentals available in Fraser and I don't know if either community would allow a trailer to be brought in. Neither has a Wal-Mart. Rent & real estate are cheaper in Leadville.

Fraser gets livelier in winter, slower in summer...Leadville is the reverse.

i am surprised this is a "corporate" move without a little more support. But these types of moves are more common in Fraser.

Thanks for the written "tour " of these cities.
It's a smaller company and they just do the moving, as far as real estate, we're on our own. This is our third move with them and all these small towns have such high housing costs it's unbelievable. That's why we had to buy the mobile home here, there was only one house available.

We found out last week it's Fraser for sure. We're not having fun trying to rent a home. We sold our mobile home and need to move around the 28th. It's looking like a storage and hotel Christmas.
~Blue Sky~

[~Blue Sky~]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Isn't Fraser (and nearby WP) much smaller than Leadville? CD stats say that Frasier + WP = 1,500 people, while Leadville = 2,800 people. The few times I've driven through/by/near Fraser, there doesn't seem to be much there, other than the ski resort amenities at WP? Leadville seems to be a bit more substantial of a town with a decent base of permanent residents and regular amenities.

Not that population size necessarily has a direct correlation with quality of life. But maybe more people = more amenities?

Since you live in WY, you really should make a trip to visit both places.

Thanks Fuzz...the decision was made for us. We are heading up there tomorrow (9th) to house hunt.