Help? (Montrose, Trinidad, Lamar: low crime, houses, to buy)

[jwoods]

My husband and I are looking to move to CO within the next year. We're wanting to live in a town that's pretty quiet, not huge, but not small either. (Something with a walmart maybe lol). We visit Ouray every year for the 4th of July, I'd LOVE to live near there but all the houses and towns near seems to much for out budget. We need a 3 or 2 bedroom home for about 75k. I love Montrose but it seems to high for us. We do want to be surrounded by the mountains as much as we can. I looked into Monte Vista (the housing there seems decent) or Center but I know nothing about these two towns. Preferably a low crime rate... any suggesstions?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

For $75K, you may find something in Lamar or LaJunta or Wray. Seriously, it's going to be hard to find 3br for $75k in a nice sized town in Colorado. I suggest going to a website such as realtor.com and entering in your price range to see what comes up.

[gberry]

If you are looking for mountains and cheaper housing, try Trinidad. It's right on the colorado/new mexico border. Last I checked the housing market wasn't too expensive like the rest of colorado, and there's mountains in trinidad!

[jwoods]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

For $75K, you may find something in Lamar or LaJunta or Wray. Seriously, it's going to be hard to find 3br for $75k in a nice sized town in Colorado. I suggest going to a website such as realtor.com and entering in your price range to see what comes up.

Thanks, I'll look into it.
I've been on those websites and just maily found Monte Vista and Center. It's going to be a challenge but we're sure up to it! Thanks again

[jwoods]

Originally Posted by gberry

If you are looking for mountains and cheaper housing, try Trinidad. It's right on the colorado/new mexico border. Last I checked the housing market wasn't too expensive like the rest of colorado, and there's mountains in trinidad!

Checking into it, not a lot available. I think I remember driving thru there. It doesn't have a desert type feel does it?

[gberry]

I grew up in Raton, right across the border (about 17 miles south) and I don't think that it ever had a desert feel. The last 10 years or so have been really dry, but still not a desert feel. The snow comes in the winter and it rains a lot in August (maybe not this year). But it's right in the mountains the last town in colorado on I-25 so no doubt you've been through it. My parents own a ranch that runs right up to the colorado border and eventhough it gets dry, it's still in the mountains, and I think it's just gorgeous!! Trinidad is close enough to the ski valleys in New Mexico and colorado so it's easy enough to get outta town if needed. There's not a lot of information available online with these smaller communities but I would definately consider taking a day to visit the area because it's beautiful.

[jwoods]

Originally Posted by gberry

I grew up in Raton, right across the border (about 17 miles south) and I don't think that it ever had a desert feel. The last 10 years or so have been really dry, but still not a desert feel. The snow comes in the winter and it rains a lot in August (maybe not this year). But it's right in the mountains the last town in colorado on I-25 so no doubt you've been through it. My parents own a ranch that runs right up to the colorado border and eventhough it gets dry, it's still in the mountains, and I think it's just gorgeous!! Trinidad is close enough to the ski valleys in New Mexico and colorado so it's easy enough to get outta town if needed. There's not a lot of information available online with these smaller communities but I would definately consider taking a day to visit the area because it's beautiful.

I remember crossing the border from new mexico to colorado and it was a complete scenery change for me. As soon as we entered there was a "rushing" river next to us... crazy.

As for taking a day to visit, I'm from Oklahoma... It'll take all day to get there. But before we make our decision we are definilty going to visit all the places we've talked about.

[gberry]

How long ago was it that you were in colorado and new mexico? I am only asking because I don't think the scenery from Raton to Trinidad is different at all... after all it's only 17 miles, and the Raton side of the pass is actually higher in elevations. The river in colorado that you are referring to is the Purgatoire River and has been in bad shape due to the drought. I can't honest remember the last time it was a rushing river lol. But just the same trinidad is growing due to the methane gas field, and with the race track and casino coming into raton within the next couple years, I see growth and tons of potential for the area! A lot of the houses in the area are older, and probably in need of some remodeling, but I think that you will find the architecture in the area completely breathtaking. You might even be able to buy a historic home at a more than reasonable price, remodel it to your liking, and find heaven on earth... but I suppose you could do that just about anywhere : ) Also, land in Trinidad is very reasonable compared to the rest of colorado, and you might find it more suitable to build new. There are so many houses going up on the raton pass it's unbelieveable. One of my old bosses lived there and he LOVED it, eventhough he had to have water hauled on a weekly basis (the homes are built too far above the underground water to have a well drilled). Some of those home are what others referr to of as McMansions but they are just gorgeous... anywho, look into it, you might be surprised!