Grand Junction suburbs? (Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley: for sale, houses, buy)

[silverfox0308]

Ok, well my husband and I are fairly settled that we will move from Loveland to GJ area. We are hoping to go down in the next few weekends and check out the area. What I am interested in are the surrounding areas. I've found some decent homes in the Whitewater, Delta, Fruita and Cedaredge areas. What can anyone share about these areas? I'm not opposed to living in the actual GJ but the houses seem a bit more affordable in the suburb area. We have a 10 month old so schools are of importance as is overall safety of the area. Thanks in advance!

Jill

[delta07]

The schools in Fruita and Whitewater are part of the Mesa Valley School District. The District overall is decent, although it really depends on where you live as to whether you will find a good elementary school. Fruita would be my first choice (I am an elementary teacher in GJ), followed by Whitewater. Fruita is much prettier in terms of scenery as compared with Whitewater.

I don't know much about the schools in Delta or Cedaredge. They are both part of the Delta school district, which is pretty small. You may be in for a shock moving from Loveland to Delta. It is a very small, rural western town, although it is growing.

Good luck with your move!

[jazzlover]

I know the Grand Junction/Delta/Montrose area pretty darned well (lived in that area for a lot of years before leaving--still have family there and visit there frequently for extended periods), and I know Loveland pretty well, too. If I were you, I'd stay in Loveland.

As for Delta and Montrose, they are OK towns, but hardly "suburbs" of Grand Junction. The schools in both are probably OK, but I know for a fact that both towns starting to have gang problems. A lot of locals in both towns (and I have friends in both) are still in denial about some of that, but the "tagging" (that I have personally seen, in quite a few places in both towns), growing property crime, and other evidence is pretty plain. As a good friend, who has lived in that area for many years says, "It ain't 'Happy Valley' anymore." One of the busiest businesses in the area is a home security and alarm company--this in an area where 20 years ago or so, hardly anyone locked their doors or took their keys out of their cars.

[silverfox0308]

[ Fruita would be my first choice (I am an elementary teacher in GJ), followed by Whitewater. Fruita is much prettier in terms of scenery as compared with Whitewater.

Good luck with your move![/quote]

Thanks. I like Fruita from photos and agree Whitewater seems a bit lacking in the scenery department from what I saw. We're coming down this weekend so will check both out. Thanks for your advice!

Jill

[silverfox0308]

[quote=jazzlover;2439220]I know the Grand Junction/Delta/Montrose area pretty darned well (lived in that area for a lot of years before leaving--still have family there and visit there frequently for extended periods), and I know Loveland pretty well, too. If I were you, I'd stay in Loveland.

Given a choice we would absolutely stay in Loveland. We love Loveland. Unfortunately hubby hates his job and there aren't a ton of options in his field...all require moving. I'm a nurse so I'm lucky but he's not. I've heard a lot from people about gangs and violence which is why I wanted people's opinions. We have friends who live in Delta but they haven't been there long and don't have kids so they don't know about a lot of this stuff. Thanks for your advice!

Jill

[Mgcranky]

I would really love some information about Montrose. We are thinking about retirement in the GJ area and see Montrose and Fruita as possibilities in addition to GJ. Any information would be appreciated.
Also, how would you compare Grand Junction, Fruita, Montrose area to
the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greely area?
Thank you

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by Mgcranky

I would really love some information about Montrose. We are thinking about retirement in the GJ area and see Montrose and Fruita as possibilities in addition to GJ. Any information would be appreciated.
Also, how would you compare Grand Junction, Fruita, Montrose area to
the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greely area?
Thank you

From what perspective? FC, Loveland, and Greeley are a lot closer together than GJ, Fruita, and Montrose. Fruita's an easy drive from Junction, but Montrose is 60 miles away - it'd be like driving from FC to Denver.

Additionally as I've said before I wouldn't want to drive Highway 50 between GJ and Montrose in a blizzard. The road isn't particularly challenging but it's somewhat desolate country.

[CosmicWizard]

Of the places you listed, Fruita would be the easiest commute into Grand Junction if you are going to be working there. There are many homes for sale ( that have been on the market for a long time ) right in Grand Junction. You might be able to pick up a good buy ( if you are willing to risk a further drop in values ), and not have to commute at all. Living close to work saves time and gas money ( in the not too distant future, you can almost count on gas costing much more than it currently does ). To my way of thinking, it makes sense to live as close to work as possible and drive to the recreational places once per weekend instead of having a long commute everyday. My wife and I almost settled in Fruita but chose Grand Junction instead. We're glad we do not have to commute to and from Fruita everyday.

[_Charles_]

Umm the notion of commuting to/from GJ to "suburbs" doesn't have much meaning. The OP might want to actually visit GJ to see what I mean.

If you're retired, will be telecommuting to a good job elsewhere or already have a portable income for any other reason. GJ could be nirvana for you.

If you plan on looking for work and living on the GJ payscale - better go visit first before moving there.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

From what perspective? FC, Loveland, and Greeley are a lot closer together than GJ, Fruita, and Montrose. Fruita's an easy drive from Junction, but Montrose is 60 miles away - it'd be like driving from FC to Denver.

Additionally as I've said before I wouldn't want to drive Highway 50 between GJ and Montrose in a blizzard. The road isn't particularly challenging but it's somewhat desolate country.

Oh, please. Yes, it's 60 miles, but it is in the desert where snows are relatively infrequent and the roads don't stay bad for long when it does snow. If you're worried about a blizzard, go somewhere where the worry is justified--Wyoming, the Dakotas, Montana. Also, there is way less traffic between Montrose and Grand Junction than there is driving through 60 miles of suburban horse**** between Denver and Fort Collins. Driven both roads in the many hundreds of times. No comparison--none at all.