Need help finding small artsy mountain towns in CO (Denver: house, job market)

[NatreeRose]

I'm doing research on places to live in the west/southwest (preferrably mountain towns). I am an artist/musician type, free-thinker and nature enthusiast. Think mountains, mountains, MOUNTAINS! Maybe what you'd call a "granola girl". I am starting in western NY in the Ithaca area and heading out west with a completely open mind.

I'm okay with college towns, but quaint villages or even resort towns are okay with me. I'm pretty adventurous so I don't want to get bored out there!!!

I have experience as a whitewater and trail guide. These kind of locations are ideal.

These towns have appealed to me so far:

Telluride, Salida, Manitou Springs


Tell me if you have any information about these towns. I'm especially interested in Telluride. Thanks for your help

[bluescreen73]

All three of those towns are absolutely beautiful but unless you're independently wealthy, Telluride and towns of its ilk (Aspen, Steamboat, Breck) are going to be tough sledding.

The average house in Telluride is about $780,000 and the average salary only $70,000. Translation: the average person can't afford a house in Telluride.

If you don't mind being out in the middle of nowhere, you might like Westcliffe (although it's much smaller than the towns you recommended).

[COflower]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

All three of those towns are absolutely beautiful but unless you're independently wealthy, Telluride and towns of its ilk (Aspen, Steamboat, Breck) are going to be tough sledding.

Manitou is not for the independently wealthy. In fact, it's a good mish-mash of most income levels there. The trouble is, housing is tight as it's a desirable place for the more liberal thinking (it's the most liberal in politics and social issues) in our county.

The community highly supports the arts as does the Old Colorado City area of C Springs which butts up against Manitou. Which, the very west side near Manitou (unless you look up and are paying attention to the sign on Colorado Ave. you don't even realize you've entered into Manitou) is an alternative to Manitou proper. It's almost seemless when you drive in the area.

One advantage of Manitou and the neighborhoods that border it is you are still in a more "open-minded" area but if you want to get in some basic shopping, take in a Broadway play or the philharmonic, need to travel via air, etc...it's all right there in C Springs. The trip up to various of the real mountain communities is pretty quick.

Telluride - yes, way expensive. Some people manage it but those are usually old timers who've owned land before Hollywood and trust fund babies moved in. Not far from there is Ridgeway and Ouray. Not cheap but much more affordable.

For Salida, you may want to look up "Ed Quillen" on Google. He has lived in Colorado since dirt was made...haha, seriously, he contributes a lot to The Denver Post, has lived in many places in Colorado and has been editor, columnist, etc...for most all his adult life. He lives there and has a great perspective on Salida and how it relates to the rest of Colorado. It's a pretty sleepy town from what I gather.

Pagosa Springs might be worth looking into. I have only been there once so I can't comment too much on the local economy but, it's a beautiful town with an old mountain feeling. I have a feeling it's on the higher end but not like Telluride.

One last one would be Cañon City. It's not quite mountains in the classic sense but they do support the arts pretty well down there. It's close enough to Pueblo and Colorado Springs and just a quick ride to Salida but they do have everything you'd need in town.

Just some of my thoughts. Hope that helps.

[NatreeRose]

Yes, both of those comments helped. I had an ex who lived in telluride, and I just loved the scenery. But it really sounds like manitou is where i want to be. Thanks guys

[Pilot1]

Ward or Gold Hill may be an option. Close to Boulder too. A lot less expensive than Manitou.

[Mike from back east]

Ditto everything that COflower said, especially about Manitou and Old Colorado City which is very affordable compared to high country mecca's like Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Telluride.

If considering Salida, don't overlook Buena Vista.

Durango, and maybe Ouray belong on the list if you're considering Telluride. They're pricey but not as bad as Aspen, Vail, etc.

[BillRadio]

As a husband of an artist, I can share one important factor about "art communities". They are places where the cost of studio or gallery facilities are very low. And when an art community becomes trendy, most of the artists get priced out of town.

If you're trying to follow the artists (and the granola crowd), follow the low prices. Artists aren't that poor, but like the skier with $1,000 skis on a $500 car, they prioritize their funds.

To play in Crested Butte, the off-beat crowd lives in Gunnison.
To play in Telluride, live in Norwood, Montrose or Rico.
To play in Salida, live in Buena Vista.
To play in Vail/Summit Co., live in Leadville.
To play in Taos, live in Questa or Dixon.
To play in Steamboat, live in Craig or Kremmling
To play in Aspen, live in...choke...New Castle

Do you see a pattern? You can live well as long as you're within 30 minutes of the hot spots, especially knowing that your kind won't actually live in those hotspots, they will be in the much friendlier, less pricey hamlets.

Then there are some real getways, like any town in the San Luis Valley, or Cortez, Meeker or La Veta. Schedule a road trip to find your Favorite Mountain Towns. It took me a number of years to actually allow myself to live near Denver, knowing I can make a good living and still be within 90 minutes of total Wilderness.

[jazzlover]

A great plan--IF you enjoy practically starving to death, especially in the coming economic environment. The people I know who have actually managed to stick to that lifestyle for more than a few months or a year have invested in the education to work another job to make their primary living. A good way to do this, although the job market can be very tough to break into in rural Colorado for non-natives, is to get a teaching certificate and work during the winter as a teacher. That leaves the summer free to do a second job or just enjoy the recreation. As others have posted, though, unless you bring a trust fund with you, most Colorado resort towns are unafforable to anyone with a "normal" job wanting to live there (like my teacher example). It means probably living somewhat away from the mountains, or living in an urban area. As for Telluride, I wouldn't live there even if I could afford it--it's mostly full of trustifarians and people with a lot more money than sense. My ex-inlaws grew up there. They left many years ago (before the "beautiful people" showed up) and don't even like to go back to visit. Beautiful scenery, neat historical buildings, and lots of pretty obnoxious residents.

[SheridanL]

Canon City, Colorado!! We have many artists and published authors!
JMO of course!

[Idunn]

Manitou Springs is a lovely town and probably suitably liberal. Haven't spent enough time there to know for sure. But if you're into rafting and other outdoor adventures you could find better locations.

Telluride, CO would fit that admirably, provided you can afford it in some way. Think expensive. But, yes, liberal; you'd have no problem with that. Not, I believe, nearly as into the arts as Manitou Springs.

Somewhere around Salida, CO would be good for outdoor activities. They do white water rafting on the Arkansas River, with downhill skiing at nearby Monarch Ski Area. If it comes to I'd choose Monarch, or somewhere around it (although I only know of the ski area proper), as the rest of this valley, including Buena Vista, CO is kind of retro, as in conservative.

La Veta, CO is an outside possibility of sorts. Possibly too small and remote and quiet. But there is a growing arts scene of sorts, the ambience seems promising, and you might get in somewhat early on something that might grow into a lovely flower. A nearby ski area, otherwise not sure what the locals do for outdoor activities. I do seem to recall a new bike shop in town, though.

Crestone, CO may prove more promising. Perhaps comparable to La Veta in size, it is small. But it might just be the most liberal place in Colorado. And if not then, well . . . different. This perhaps influenced in large part by its relative isolation and also presence of a plethora of different religious sects making home just outside town. If your notion of activity is defined by bright lights, discos and what not you are probably better off in Summit County. Crestone better for inner exploration, resultant arts if you wish, and in this you might be suitably entertained, if so inclined.

To get it all you might want to move south of the border. To New Mexico, that is. Taos, NM, specifically. Taos is expensive but many artists (or those just suitably poor) find a way to make it their home of sorts by living on the outskirts. Tres Orejas, NM is one such place. Some artists live in town, and some of them live very well. There is rafting on the Rio Grande River come summer. Skiing quite nearby at world class Taos Ski Valley. Also lots of lovely adobe architecture. Santa Fe, NM is less than an hour's drive away. Both are major art markets. It imbues the spirit and feel of the place. I can't even begin to count the number of aspiring artists I met in town, who had come specifically to try something new and a different life. In most every respect this should best match that you are looking for, if you like it.

You may have decide that you most want.