Once again: The rural Colorado living reality check (Grand Junction, Montrose: houses, price)

[brightdoglover]

Heavens. I hardly think of a five-bedroom house as "modest." But then, around eastern Mass., land is too expensive. You almost never see houses over 4,000 sq.ft., whereas I see them all the time on hgtv in the South and West- with big honkin' anti-welcoming entrances designed to make visitors feel small, I mean, "impressed."
A lot of these new houses look like bed and breakfasts to me, or a medical office building.

[smurf_goddess]

My experience was a bit different job wise. It was much easier for me to find a job once I was in town and local, than it was when I was competing from Denver with local people. It will take people a while to trust you to stay. Also, the income figure really depends on what you live on now. If you live on less, you can do the same here. I lived on way less than $1500 the whole time I was in Crestone, but I have lived on way less than $1500 my whole life. It's not too hard to figure out if you are willing to do what it takes.

I will say on the job front that once you are here and have a job, absolutely do not quit your job until another line of very steady work is guaranteed. I know many folks burned on this one, including myself. Also know that people are a bit harsher in the workplace, generally speaking, then they are in the city. Be prepared for a very different attitude about how expendable you are, and how much your time is worth.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Heavens. I hardly think of a five-bedroom house as "modest." But then, around eastern Mass., land is too expensive. You almost never see houses over 4,000 sq.ft., whereas I see them all the time on hgtv in the South and West- with big honkin' anti-welcoming entrances designed to make visitors feel small, I mean, "impressed."
A lot of these new houses look like bed and breakfasts to me, or a medical office building.

Ya got that right. I could not even imagine trying to heat and cool a house that ridiculously large. Anything bigger than 2000 sq. ft is too large for me.

[ryanek9freak]

Well for just you, yeah 2000 sq.ft would be alot. A typical family of 5 needs a house that big though. At least if your kids all want their own bedrooms.

[breaksraver13]

Well I guess that this really doesn't apply to me.......I live in Summit County and I make enough by myself to support myself, granted that I only have a 1br Condo. I am a hair stylist which are hard to come by in Summit County, so finding a job for me is a snap.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Well for just you, yeah 2000 sq.ft would be alot. A typical family of 5 needs a house that big though. At least if your kids all want their own bedrooms.

I guess in CO a typical family is 5 people. It depends on the layout of the house. I have seen 2000 sq. ft properties in the Northeast with 4 bedrooms that are all at least 12X14.

[ryanek9freak]

Yeah, I mean, my old man's houses aren't THAT big. The biggest one he builds is about 3000sq. ft. And i'm counting the rooms in the unfinished basement as well. You can elect to have them finished if you desire.

Check it out. Here's the biggest one.

[Shuffler]

Gawd, that's one ugly house. No offense, but it's devoid of character. Looks like one of those 'drive to qualify' type of places, in the middle of nowhere.

[ryanek9freak]

They're really nice inside. But yeah they are in the middle of nowhere. Just your average stucco Ranch.
How about this one?

[GraniteStater]

Here in the Northeast we have colonials, cape cods, log cabins, ranches, and many houses with cedar wood vertical siding. How well does stucco homes tolerate wet climates? I have not seen too many east of the Mississippi River in my travels.