Possible job with Park Service in Estes Park (RMNP) (Boulder: for sale, apartment)

[jb4479]

I may (I hope) be receiving an offer for a position in RMNP. I know the cost of housing is high there and I also understand that some employees live outside the area and commute. What would be some good areas to look at? 50 yo male, unmarried, (1 fur kid - 16 yo cat), $65,000/yr. I was thinking Longmont or Loveland as possibilities.

[LHS79]

The commute would be murder since 34 is still closed.

Been on Hwy.66 lately through Lyons?

[jim9251]

I would talk to the folks who work there, ask them where they live and for tips on finding a place. Congrats on the job!

[otowi]

I would look in Estes Park first, then Longmont, then Boulder, and just expect a higher-than-average housing budget. But imho it would totally be worth it for that job - good luck to you!

[StealthRabbit]

I would house / pet sit in Estes... free housing (My hometown from decades ago)

off season rentals can be very cheap, maybe you can get one of the few jobs that have housing in the park during high season (Or live in the back country (or Lyons or Allenspark) for 3 months ) Glenhaven or Drake (as long as you can commute 'off-shift'). Summer traffic is way too bad to commute, winter brings weather challenges.

Estes Park is a very enjoyable place to live if you have a good job. Especially nice during off seaspon and a great community with adequate services (monthly trip to Costco, or better yet... have a friend pick up your stuff so you don't have to leave and deal with the hustle and bustle of front range issues. )

Estes weather (high 'crisp' winds in the winter) CAN wear you out (thus the abundant house / pet / plant sitting gigs). For starters (housing / house sitting) look near Pole Hill (Across hwy 36 from Hermit Park)

Ideally a great place would be a caretakers cottage / apartment above garage at a nice residence where the owners show up for a few weeks / yr. I know a lot of owners who have those accommodations, tho some use them for Air B&B. I make sure all my homes have 2nd living qtrs (for needy friends and family, boomerang kids, future caregivers). We stay (frequently but not FT) in just such a place on Pole Hill. Most available places, and those in need of a house sitter will be AWAY from Estes (but nearby) in rural areas (there are many!!!) You will only find them by 'networking'. Community events / churches / senior services (places where you will find 'seasonal seniors') who are not advertising to the public.

BTW: it is hwy 34 (Loveland) that is temporarily closed due to 2nd 500 yr flood in 30 yrs. I lost a lot of classmates, neighbors, and co-workers in the first flood. (Childhood home was in Big T Canyon). Nice EXCEPT during 500 yr floods and summer traffic.

[jb4479]

It's a permanent position as an IT Specialist with the park service, so no seasonal housing except for maybe a few months until summer workers flood in. There is housing available in the Park for permanent employees but I would have to wait until one comes available. I have been looking for long term rentals in Estes and some of the surrounding communities on the web but not having much luck. Any pointers toward sites would be great.

[StealthRabbit]

I always start with padmapper, (too expensive for Estes) but a local RE agent will be your most direct route.

I never use CL for my vacancies.

Try to get a minimal commitment (but in Estes, usually LT rentals are less expensive to owner (no property manager)

What is your desired budget, I will ask around.

You will never find a 'deal' advertised... just like buying a home... if you wait till something is For Sale (i.e. contact a realtor) it is WAY too late to be affordable. / good deal.

Thus, get a ST place and 'network'. The place we get is free, (we barter remodeling assistance and maint) but usually you can find auxiliary qtrs for $500 - $800 / month.

I will assure you there are scads of empty homes in Estes Park! you just need to find the right connections (a J-O-B is a BIG asset! Winters find empty cabins at many camps. summer, and but more challenging, but a NICE commute in early morning in a sports car or motorcycle. (or Bicycle!!! it is a great biking road, I used it for 20 yrs (but not commuting, but a couple times / week most of the yr))

As previously mentioned... My S-I-L has 'house sat' for the wealthy in a tourist destination (Maui) for over 30 yrs... no home required. That is possible in Estes Park (the cat is a minor challenge to that, but not a deal breaker), Her places are gigs for several months at a time, and usually the wealthy have extra living space, so there can be overlap between gigs.

[StealthRabbit]

I just noticed that Longmont has the lowest rents <$800, so... you could potentially keep a cheap place in Longmont as a home base... then stay in Estes when possible (House sitting ... ST gigs, PT empty houses). There will be a LOT of demand for fixit guys / bartering a place to stay in exchange for Maintenance. (in your free time, as you will not have a huge social life in Estes.) And working IT for the NPS you probably with have a very strict and minimally exertive 40 hr workweek. (leaves 128hrs for fun and other stuff.)


the cat...
our cats (and dogs) can stay home by themselves for several days (weeks) at a time (Farm dogs / barn cats). I think they prefer it that way! Even indoor cats seem to prefer to be left alone more often than not.

so.. find a realtor (or co-worker, or RV) if you want an Estes location before you have time to network with the locals. Once there, connect with seniors. Other owners are often very picky and PITA micro-managers... Seniors... they know it is not worth the hassle / it is nearing the end. Might as well be happy and share your beautiful home with others.

[CTC]

we lived in Estes for a couple of years about 7 years ago when my wife worked at the hospital. Pretty good place to live, just avoid the downtown during the summer which is a gridlocked tshirt shop mess. Would make trips to Boulder for The Big City experience, and I skied at Eldora which is a pretty good under appreciated mountain.

I would def look on Craigslist. We found a great older house on CL with fantastic views of the Twin Sisters on two acres which was fairly inexpensive. It had a sauna and work shop. Most landlords use Craig's List. I have been a landlordmyself and always used Craigs List to list our property when we rented it out.

Like others have said the wind in Estes is something else. It hits at night like a freight train, I took to having ear plugs handy. It would roar and literally shake the house all night long some times.

oh and you might have to get used to the Elk, they liked to hang out right on our door step. The hospital had a "code brown" for when on occasion an elk would trip the automatic doors and wander into the hospital!

[Neditate]

Hwy 34 is closed for construction in Big Thompson Canyon. https://www.codot.gov/projects/flood...mpson-canyon-1
I'd look for rentals in Lyons.