moving to Durango, Colorado (Montrose, Cortez: apartment, rentals, how much)

[Becky!]

My man and I are looking to move to Durango, Colorado around September/ October of this year. We have no jobs or apartment lined up. From researching online we have found it to be expensive to live in Durango. We find that Durango really fits our personalities; we love the mountains, hiking, kayaking, biking, & skiing. Is there anywhere close by that is cheaper than Durango, but a lot like it? We don't need a large apartment, we have a cat, and are looking to pay, at most, $600 in rent. We are visiting Colorado at the end of July to check out some areas. Any information would be appreciated!!

[CosmicWizard]

Bring lots of money with you to tide you over while you are job hunting. The economy is really slow right now, and jobs are in short supply. If you can find somone to watch your cat for you while you are getting settled in, it'll make things easier for you. Best wishes for a smooth relocation.

[jazzlover]

Expect to pay double what you hoped for in Durango for rent--for anything halfway liveable. In fact $600/per mo. will rent you fairly little most anywhere in Colorado--save for some small towns on the Eastern Plains.

Expect lousy pay outside of the metro areas for any entry level job. $10/hr. is consdered high-paying in most of rural Colorado, with a cost of living higher than the national average--way higher in recreation areas like Durango. Read my other posts on the "Paradise Syndrome"--you are trying to live it. Probably 90 out of 100 people who try it fail at it--I've been watching it happen here for over 40 years. All the recreational opportunities in the world mean little if you can't put food on the table.

[Becky!]

Also, I have my bachelor's in Anthropology and I want to work in Archaeology. Anyone know of any dig/field opportunities? and
Is there anyone who could tell me how long it takes to get from Durango to Farmington with traffic and all. I could transfer my job to Farmington, but would like to know how much traveling it would be.

[ShellKing]

Montrose will be a little cheaper than Durango, but still near all that great stuff. Rental classifieds from the newspaper: Montrose - Classifieds (http://www.montrosepress.com/classifieds/real_estate/rentals/ - broken link)

Alpine Archaeology has an office in Montrose. Alpine Archaeological Consultants: Registered Professional Archaeologists

[PokerMunkee]

The Sky Ute casino has quite a few jobs available, not very far from Duragno. I was just there a few weeks ago and the place is very nice.

www.skyutecasino.com

[DOUBLE H]

Eric is right. Never stayed there, but had a good buffet meal there once. It IS a drive though, as it is the halfway point or thereabouts from Shiprock to Cortez, and it is another 45 minutes to Durango from Cortez.

[Cyborg13]

Sky Ute Casino is in Ignacio, about 25 miles southeast of Durango...opposite direction as Cortez. You are thinking Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc. Montrose would be about 2.5 hours from Durango, not a commute option. Farmington to Durango can be done in about an hour depending which way you go (550 vs La Plata highway). I lived in Farmington and worked in Durango for almost 2.5 years. You can get used to it, but it will still be infuriating at least until they finish making 550 4 lanes. Expect the Coloradoans in that area to drive 10-15 MPH under the limit.

[swcolorado]

Originally Posted by Becky!

Also, I have my bachelor's in Anthropology and I want to work in Archaeology. Anyone know of any dig/field opportunities? and
Is there anyone who could tell me how long it takes to get from Durango to Farmington with traffic and all. I could transfer my job to Farmington, but would like to know how much traveling it would be.

As someone who lives in Durango, I will try not to be too discouraging......
Plan on paying at least a $1000 a month for an average 2 bedroom, 1 bath home. We have tons of rentals around but no one is even bargaining on the price; it's pretty much take it or leave it.

This town is full of people that come here for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor pursuits and quickly find you can't "eat" the scenery. I am not aware of any digs going on in this area that aren't all ready overstaffed. Many of the organizations doing digs will expect your to volunteer your time and then maybe will hire you at a later date.

Travel time from Farmington to Durango is at least an hour on a good day. In the summer, you have to fight the motorhomes, campers, etc on the small two lane road once you hit the Colorado side. In the winter time, I have seen it take over 2 hours due to road conditions and slow drivers. Aztec is a cheaper place to live and much safer than Farmington. Farmington has HUGE gang and drug problems which surprises a lot of non-local people. My friend on the gang task force down there and has said they even have a MS13 contingent in town now.

Most people in this area have to work more than one job since the pay vs cost of living is really upside down. My counterparts in other parts of the state make at least $15k a year more than me. Gas is more expensive ($2.69 a gallong right now) and food is always more expensive.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade but people come here with a really romanticized vision of what living in Durango would be like. If you don't come with a nice nest egg, maybe you should reconsider!

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by Cyborg13

Sky Ute Casino is in Ignacio, about 25 miles southeast of Durango...opposite direction as Cortez. You are thinking Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc. Montrose would be about 2.5 hours from Durango, not a commute option. Farmington to Durango can be done in about an hour depending which way you go (550 vs La Plata highway). I lived in Farmington and worked in Durango for almost 2.5 years. You can get used to it, but it will still be infuriating at least until they finish making 550 4 lanes. Expect the Coloradoans in that area to drive 10-15 MPH under the limit.

Oops, you're right! Must have had buffet on my mind last night, sheesh! Thanks for the correction! Regarding 550, there is still a ways to go before they finish it, will be glad when they do. I've seen some bad wrecks there. I like the La Plata route, it's a little out of the way as you backtrack to Hesperus, but it's a lot less traveled.