Considering moving to Southern CO in the fall, seeking info

[Ambery W]

Thanks for the advice re.motels, etc. We will have to look into and call some prior to when we leave here, unknown timeframe but likely the fall. We want a change, lots of wild areas, a state that has more funding, less poor, so attracted to Colorado. Have visited some in the past when I used to RV travel for years on my own. In the past, we both lived near Ruidoso(Bent)and worked in Ruidoso in the past. Enjoyed it, was lovely, but want somewhere new, hubby even more so than me. Want to be nearer to the 4 corner adventure places again mostly. Desiring more of a central location, and 1 day closer on my yearly drive up to Canada to see my only parent left. Having a 3 day drive north to BC, rather than 4 days helps some.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by Ambery W

Thanks all for you valuable insight and thoughts here in the forum, will consider all info and areas. I was glad everyone was kind to me, as have seen occasionally on forums people being a bit sarcastic and discouraging. Enjoying the research, but feel it's even better to get real Colorado people's personal experiences and info they have gathered. Will come out in the fall, and explore much further once we pick a base camp motel, wherever that is. (SE or SW Colorado perhaps). Extended stay places are a bit harder to come by and we have 2 dogs. (1 old mellow husky, one rat terrier/basenji dog, both housetrained and well behaved)
Any ideas on an affordable place to stay with the dogs? Ok with a simple place with a basic kitchenette setting(or just a frig/microwave),furnished of course or a cabin, for say perhaps 2 to 3 months. Many motels charge the same rate no matter the length of stay, not affordable for a few months.(could easily work out to be 2000 to 3000 a month that way, too much. ) Can't sign a year lease for an apt as won't be that long for our intended transition stay.

That's because you come without impossible expectations, which helps.

Even being able to consider Pueblo is telling on your part. This place doesn't get a lot of good publicity, but in this already upside down world, it's not so bad after all.

Decent advice in here already, I'll just add, if you consider near the town of Pueblo, you may want to look seriously at Pueblo West proper and even the Mesa area of Pueblo east of town, but down in the Lanes, not lower east side.

Rye, Colorado City, and San Isabel would not exist without being very close to Pueblo for services, so keep that in mind. Being just 24 miles south on a 75 mph I-25 is what separates you from shopping, hospitals, etc. Pueblo West puts you closer to airports and being closer to the Front Range which is CoSprings to Fort Collins.

Check out some Pueblo/Rye/etc. picture threads if you get bored.


https://www.city-data.com/forum/15431933-post22.html

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Ambery W

My hubby and I are seeking a new area to buy a home in Southern Colorado. Currently living in Southern NM, where the heat has gotten too much to bear, so want a place at least a bit cooler in the summer, but having a mild to moderate winter. Canon City, south and west of Pueblo and some areas near Grand Junction, like Mesa, and then also Crawford (bit colder but maybe ok),seem possible (via some research) Wanting more input on climate, social climate, cost of living, access to nice scenic hiking areas, and a quiet country feel.

You might escape a little of the heat by moving to the Lower Arkansas Valley, but summers can still get toasty here (low-mid 90s, sometimes near 100). Cost of living here is below the national average; you should be able to find something for your budget somewhere in the valley between Canon City and Pueblo. I think there are homes with small acreages in Pueblo West in your price range. Canon City has wonderful hiking in three directions, and a beautiful riverwalk that is several miles long. There is a small but growing art scene in the valley, and the Springs, with all its amenities, is less than an hour away.

I'm not really familiar with the western slope, but it is also definitely worth a look according to many people on this forum.