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As to best or worst places to live in Colorado, does anyone have any thoughts about the Ridgeway/Ouray area?
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They are relatively close together but distinctly different. Both are small but there is almost certainly more development now in the vicinity of Ridgeway. This possibly in large part because there is room for it.
Ridgeway is more or less on the flat in an area of small hills. Kind of broken mesa country and verging on semi-arid, but with enough precipitation to enjoy good pasture in the vicinity. It has grown some but the town proper about the old town square has a western picturesque charm; I believe this also the location where they filmed a portion of John Wayne's 1969 movie 'True Grit.' I've also heard that the late actor Dennis Weaver, who used to own an earthship house above Taos, NM, later relocated and built another earthship house somewhere near Ridgeway.
Ridgeway is at the intersection of US 550 and CO 62, and if taking CO 62 towards Telluride even before leaving town one has begun to ascend hills then mountains towards the divide down into Placerville. It is all lovely country if it suites you; certainly some expensive ranches in the direction of Telluride. Even if not exactly in the mountains, from most anywhere you would enjoy a panoramic vista of the rugged San Juan mountains to the south. Ridgeway is also fairly close to a large reservoir, and such recreation.
Of the two towns, I'd think you would find the least expensive housing in Ridgeway. It has developed but one might still find something at a relatively modest price, possibly. Something more problematic would be employment, as not many options in either Ridgeway or Ouray. If enterprising, you might come up with something, only not as many options as a larger community would offer.
In sum, I'd say if you want to play cowboy or otherwise don't want a bunch of neighbors horning in on you, Ridgeway might be a great place.
There is a large wooden sign just south of Ouray, up on the mountainside above town, that says Ouray is the 'Switzerland of America.' It was probably put up by the town fathers, but in this instance such hyperbole is actually true, if somewhat understated. In many respects Ouray and the mountains surrounding it does look like something out of Switzerland.
For one thing, Ouray is at the head of a box canyon, and even as the road north passes through a canyon that becomes less high the further from town, it is some distance until they draw back to allow the narrow valley to spread out into verdant pasture. The effect in town is to be surrounded on all sides by very tall and steep mountains. More or less in a small uneven pocket, little of Ouray is actually flat but rather most streets and houses on gently sloping hills.
It is a naturally beautiful setting with the Uncompahgre river flowing through the center of town and out to the north. Directly south of town US 550 begins winding up into the mountains towards Red Mountain Pass and eventually Silverton. A short ways south of town the road passes through a small tunnel and also nearby Bear Creek Falls, which I believe the location of the old tollbooth, as the highway initially a toll road. There is a lot of history in the region.
Ouray is also notable for the natural hot springs which issue from the very heart of town. Several different motels not only heat their rooms but also outdoor hot tubs with this natural spring water. The town itself also has a large round public pool which is sourced from hot springs.
Ouray is an old mining town, and even as it has largely disappeared there may still be a little hard rock mining still done. Most all these mines were way up in the mountains, with a rich history associated with them. Even if primarily a tourist town now, Ouray still bares the imprint of its past, perhaps most notably in the many brick and wood Victorian businesses and houses still evident. In many respects, and particularly as to scenery, it is a picturesque town.
While a few tourists come winter, most of them evident during summer. Then, lots of activity, perhaps notably Jeep rides, either as a tour or private, along several challenging 4x4 roads near town. As there is no downhill skiing nearby, Ouray largely slumbers come winter, often under a thick blanket of white snow. Due the location, never as much sun as another local even in summer, and certainly less come winter. There will be, but counted in hours; more a case of watching the sun touch the high peaks above town to pass perhaps all too briefly across the town proper before ascending yet more mountains on the far side.
Many retirees make Ouray home, and for many of them possibly near ideal. Certainly a beautiful, largely tranquil place. Someone with other interests or needs, like work, might find it challenging. Again, if intent on it and creative one might find a way to work there; the most likely route as a business owner catering to tourists. But also bare in mind that Ouray does not, nor likely to, have the breadth of shops, activity and energy that someplace, similar but diametrically different, such as Telluride would. Different worlds in many respects, even if in geographic situation similar.
Ridgeway or Ouray, and particularly Ouray, certainly worth a visit. Whether one might remain longer to actually live perhaps dictated by happenstance, fate and desire.
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Ridgway/Ouray area
Ridgeway & Ouray
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