What is the absolutely best/worst place in CO? (Denver: equity, zoning)

[english_teacher]

Everyone knows at least one 'this-is-an-armpit' and an 'I could live here forever' place in Colorado. Which is yours?
Not everyone can afford to live in Boulder and many would not even want to go anywhere near Denver, but there have to be places that are fabulous and others we all need to avoid.
What are they?

[McGowdog]

Anyplace north of New Mexico but south of Wyoming, east of Utah, but west of Kansas is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any place in America is pretty cool. If you want an armpit, go to bordertown Mexico.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by english_teacher

Everyone knows at least one 'this-is-an-armpit' and an 'I could live here forever' place in Colorado.

Estes Parks would be a good place to live. Greeley may qualify as the armpit, though there are smaller towns that would also probably qualify.

Originally Posted by english_teacher

Not everyone can afford to live in Boulder

That assumes everyone wants to live in Boulder. Not! A nice place to go to college, but not to live and definitely not to raise a family IMO.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by gpraceman

That assumes everyone wants to live in Boulder. Not! a nice place to go to college, but not to live and definitely not to raise a family IMO.

I agree.
And I think Denver, with its many green spaces, is a nice, livable city, though it's becoming a bit congested.
We saw some towns in southwest Colorado that might be considered armpits, but to me they had a 50's charm about them.
Greeley can be pretty stinky.
I dunno, when it comes to best/worst, it's awfully subjective.

[sunsprit]

That depends upon what's important to you about the places you'd live.

The only places that are less desirable ... and that's changing ... are the areas that are somewhat economically depressed for various climate, access, or cultural reasons. For the most part, the state is booming. Recreation abounds everywhere ... what's your pleasure?

I'd take Greeley/Fort Morgan area anytime over the Denver metroplex.

Wouldn't want to live in the Free Republic of Boulder now (lived there 1964-1969), it's a snapshot of the ultra-left liberal invasion of college towns in the US. They were snobby enough about it to limit development and building permits quite a few years ago, resulting in limited supply and high demand for housing and business growth (read: instant windfall to property owners) ... all done, of course, in the name of protecting the area from too much growth and buying up "open spaces" for the children to enjoy. The big house I bought and sold for $30K is now valued around $2mil. They've destroyed the agricultural base and equine base in the county with their noise, dust, and smell zoning/complaints. Made me a lot of money in 1998 when the overflow development made the property I owned adjacent to the county line skyrocket in value ... enough sudden equity to pay for my ranch in Wyoming in full.

I wouldn't live in the premier mountain ski resort towns where the centi-millionaires are being forced out today by the truly wealthy. That's a real personal choice because I bought a large home on acreage in 1980 in one of those areas, and the house is now fully paid for. Great down valley mountain views, live seasonal stream in my front yard with a pond, etc. Other than working on it now and then, I haven't stayed in it for years. Thanks for the cash flow to my good tenants ....

Perhaps you could be a bit more specific about what you're seeking ....

[skigirl]

I've always heard of Craig referred to as the "armpit" of Colorado lol. I lived there for a few months and I'd have to agree. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're looking to live in a place with some of the coldest temperatures in the country, a terrible job market, and a major drug problem!

Since I'm not sure exactly what you are/aren't looking for, here's my take on a few places:

Places I'd never live:
Craig (for reasons listed above)
Greeley (stinky and bad crime rates)
Cortez (just not an attractive town to me, but it may have changed since I was there last)
Delta (seems very run-down to me)
Gunnison (Freaking cold and not a great job market, close to one of my favorite ski resorts Crested Butte though)

Places I'd live in (depending on certain factors):
Front Range (If you need to work, pretty much from Colorado Springs north to Fort Collins is for the most part nice, including much of Denver)
Grand Junction
Durango area (including Bayfield)
Pagosa Springs (gorgeous but not a great place if you need a job)
Glenwood Springs area
Resort towns like Steamboat, Aspen, Vail (If you need only a so-so job market, are an avid skiier, and can afford it)

[Nomad123]

Worst: Boulder/Grand Junction (Way too many liberals for me)

Best: Durango
Castle Rock
Colorado Springs

[Avaria]

We lived in Boulder for almost 2 years –

The town itself is pretty – except for all the trailer courts. The flatirons are exquisite, and the campus is beautiful.

You'll love Boulder if you like:

Overpriced houses

Over priced trinkets in small boutiques

Lots of tie die bong shops

20 quack health care provider on every corner (there are an over abundance of unlicensed, untrained, and unethical people claiming to be healers in Boulder)

1000 Slum lords charging top dollar for rent

New Yorkers (there are tons of them in that town - yet everyone wants to blame Californians for Boulders problems - yet I ran into very few. Most people there are from the East Coast)

Snooty, snobby, stuck up people

Yuppies

Coffee snobs who hang out at Vics all day (Doesn't anyone have a real job in that town?)

Meat Eating Vegetarians

Closet Republicans

“Faux” liberals

Kids in brand new Range Rovers pan handling for drug money

Drug addicts harassing you for change

Poor people who want to trade for everything (hey man, I’ll give you a massage for that sandwich)

Bratty college kids

Pot Heads

Weird unsolved child murders

[gpraceman]

Don't pull any punches now. I have to agree. Yet, some people like all that. Go figure. The republicans have to stay in the closet. If they came out, they would be stoned. So much for "open mindedness".

It was a nice place to go to college, but I wouldn't want to live there and definitely not raise a family there.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I was taking a sip of hot tea when I read Avaria's post, and almost lost it!
I agree with gpraceman that Boulder is a great place to go to college, or just be a young person.
But that's about it.
And I'm not even a closet Republican!