Moving to Grand Lake - Need your advice

[123mommy]

Originally Posted by Minx

I really like Grand Lake. I got a bit scared when I heard the forest is brown from Pine Beetles, but surely there is still a lot of greenery? I love it because its small, snowmobiling is very good there I hear, you can fish, and I don't want neighbours right next door. Snow and riding are very important for me as I'm moving from a place that doesn't even have snow, and the different living experience is what I'm looking for. I looked at Estes from the post made earlier but its too touresy and no where near enough snow for my liking.

I grew up in Grand Lake and have a much better idea of the area than all the tourists who are responding. I lived there for 18 years, came back every summer during the college years, and now I make the drive from Greeley (for the past 8 years) to Grand Lake with my husband and 3 kids at least 2 weekends a month. If not for my husband's job, we would have moved up there years ago, regardless of the pine beetle. Even now as my family and I walk down the street in the summer during the peak of tourist season we run into people that have known me since I was a baby. So you still have the sence of small community even with all the tourists.

The local residents mostly live in surrounding areas, not actually in the town of Grand Lake. Some people live in Columbine Lake up towards the National Park, and then on many of the county roads that off shut from hwy 34 going from Grand Lake toward Granby. The local residents vary from long timers (like my parents for over 30 years) who still live and work up there to new familys who are looking for a better place to raise and school their children. Of course there are always the people who come in for seasonal work durring the summer months, and then a lot of the winter ski workers like to live closer to Granby and Grand Lake because housing is cheaper than living in Winter Park. With that said, almost all the people you encounter are friendly and still enjoy the close sence of community. If you want to be envolved in the community they will welcome you with open arms. As others have pointed out. There is a small but growing population of 2nd home owners up there. The realivly afordable cost for a mountain home is what is starting to atrackt 2nd home buyers. Many 2nd home owners find a way to get involved in the community. For example, during my high school years, a major collage football coach who had retired had a 2nd home in Grand Lake (and still does). For fun, he coached our high school football team before he left for the winter.

Summers have unlimited outdoor activities with hiking, camping, fishing, boating. The locals don't boat that often on Grand Lake. Most of the locals boat on Lake Granby or Shadow Mountain Lake. I have even water skiied on Lake Granby (with a wet suit of course). My family enjoys it all.

Winter is my favorite time in Grand Lake. I grew up snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and iceskating on a space the town cleared of Grand Lake(they don't do that anymore, now they make a rink on the beach) My whole family kids included ski winter park throughout the season. We don't mind the drive from grand lake. It only takes us 40 minutes. Grand Lake truly becomes a winter wonderland durring the winter. The town allows snowmobills to drive down mainstreet and grooms trails from the town to many locations outside of town. I even had a boyfriend in high school who drove his snowmobile from town out to Lake Granby to pick me up for a date. Where else can you do that!? The town of Grand Lake offers many winter programs for the locals such as the local melodrama which features all locals, winter concert series, and cabin fever events in January and Feb. Durring the Christmas season the town puts up a big tree right in the middle of mainstreat. The town hosts a full moon cross country ski for almost every full moon durring the winter. If you are not familiar with some of these winter sports, you can take lessons and rent equipment from the Grand Lake Golf Course which turns into a cross country ski and snowshoe course throughout the winter.

The weather stays very consistant. Snow from about mid November through March and April, then comes what the locals call "mud season" as the mountains thaw out. Next is summer with very mild temperatures. You will get used to always carrying a jacket with you in your car even during summer. There is the occational cold front in the middle of summer that brings a snow shower, but those are few and far between. You can always count on a slight rain shower in the late afternoons durring the peak summer months. The Fall is outstanding with a grand show of aspen trees turning golden on the mountain sides. The western slope of the rocky mountains is frequently refered to as "The Wetter, Better Side" and it is definatly true. It gets much more snow in winter and rain in summer than the eastern slope (front range) side of the mountains. The weather tends to follow a 10 to 15 year cycle with the heavyer amounts of moisture being on one end of the cycle and dryer years falling on the opposite end. But that is like most places.

As far as shopping goes, there are 2 grocery stores in Grand Lake, both carry anything you would need. It is a little more expensive so most of the locals use that for the quick items they need, but the big shoping is done at the new Citi Market just outside Granby. Most of the shops in Grand Lake are owned and opporated by local. The work mad hours durring the summer tourist season so they cut back to skeliton crews in the winter and shorter hours. As long as you get involved in the community you will know when the restaurants are open during the winter. We eat out frequently in Grand Lake, year round.

Many people responding to you have mentioned the pine beetle. It is bad, and it is going to get worse still. Many home owners are already clearing thier property of dead trees. The ones that remain are mostly in the national forest and the national park. If you love the area then I would not let that be a deturant. The views are still breathtakeing. New trees will grow and aspen trees will fill in some of the dead areas.

On the plus side, because of the pine beetle, the property values are going down some. This is good news for buyers. The prices have just started to turn. If you are looking for something, don't be afraid to be agressive. With the loan crunch there are some home owners who are in a bind with arm mortgages and there are many deals to be had, but this is just starting to happen up there. Keep in mind, you will be competing with 2nd home buyers who are just starting to realize the gem of Grand Lake living.

Good Luck, I hope this provided some good information to you. (Just a note, if you are going to be looking for a job up there, the good ones are hard to come by)

My advice is to go up there for a weekend and check it out yourself. If you are looking for a realestate agent go to Donna Ready, owner of Mountain Lake Properties. She is the best and a very long time family friend.

[Idunn]

Estes Park and vicinity is too dry. Without really knowing, even though it is on the wetter side, I'd question just how great the snowmobiling would be around Grand Lake, either. You might want some local, on the ground, input on this first.

In winter one might see snowmobiles near the top of the pass on US 64, between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla, NM. Even if often drier down below, there always seems to be a good deal of snow in that area. A few winter enthusiasts, but particularly in winter the pass is lightly traveled.

North of Tierra Amarilla, Tierra Amarilla being someplace you probably do NOT want to live, is the small town of Chama, NM. Its main claim to fame is as the western terminus of the narrow gauge railroad operating between there and Antonito, CO during the summer and fall. But I've heard there may be some good snowmobiling in the vicinity.

If such recreation is one of your prime considerations you might check with a snowmobiling association or something to determine where it is really best.

Another possibility would be West Yellowstone, ID. Apparently Yellowstone National Park allows controlled access to snowmobiles, and there may be a lot of options outside the park as well. In travel the closest airport of any size probably in Idaho Falls, and that likely a commuter aircraft into a regional hub. From that standpoint maybe better air service out of Jackson, WY, but then a question of logistics.

As for Grand Lake, no exaggeration the extent of trees now dying or dead. Entire mountainsides are affected. Thankfully it appears some few trees will survive, but even now the scenery of the area very different. One can see this from the highway, never leaving the vehicle. In one sense or another, sign of the times.

[123mommy]

Trust me on the snowmobiling in Grand Lake. It is considered some of the best in the country! There is a local snowmobile club you can join to take some very awsome trips up in the national forest areas were few people ever see!

[Minx]

Thanks to all with your input and advice. It has been invaluable. Grand Lake seems to have everything I enjoy in life and will be my choice. Thank you to all once again.

[jfy]

I agree with 123mommy. My family is one of those that has had a home on the lake for over 100 years. Snowmobiling is fabulous.

[GEEKAFIED]

I have lived in Grand County for almost 30 years, and have several good friends in Grand Lake. It's money is made from the tourist business that goes back and forth over Trail Ridge pass to and from Estes Park. So in summer it's full of tourists. In winter you'll have snowmobiles and ice fishermen but not near as busy as summer because Trail Ridge is closed. The weather there is harsh, if you look into history books it's called the Never Summer mountain range and it was called that for a reason. Snow stays there longer, and arrives faster than most anywhere else in the county. It has three awesome lakes with great fishing and boating.
It's no longer a quiet little town I'm afraid as it once was. The huge homes and condos are piling into every nook and cranny there is. The beetle kill has overrun the place and much of the beauty of the pine trees are now gone.
Most of the locals I know there struggle to survive with jobs and rising prices of cost of living and there is one small grocery store at one end of town.
Much time is spent in the local bars there because once winter sets in you got two options, hibernate or go socialize at one of the bars. Most of the neat shops close and go play elsewhere for winter on the profits they made off the tourists over the short summer.

[Ticky909]

That region has been my main camping spot for years, Seriously, the pine beetle IS devastating, I was there before it came, and after it came. You'll see alot of tree's and brush and whatnot, but nothing will compare to you rounding a corner and seeing a RED MOUNTAIN in the daylight due to all the beetle kill, huge lumberpiles along the roads, nothing but blow down and dead tree's. You can keep your fireplace going pretty easily though...