Any city like areas in the Colorado mountains? (Denver, Colorado Springs: how much, hotel)

[airman_verde04]

ok, so I want to move to CO for many reasons, mostly I want to live in killer mountains with tons of great skiing in the winter, and great mountain biking in the summer. So I grew up in the middle nowhere VA, and dont mind the idea of moving into the mountains again. BUT!! my wife does not.. so I worked at a small resort and know how much it cost there, and couldn't imagine what the cost of living is one of the prime ski towns in CO is. but are there any largest citys or towns that has ya know, shopping, lots of culture, lots of locals, lots of snow (in the winter) and a wal-mart (or something like it) hospital, a college ( i need to finish school) ... this sounds crazy, but I dont think the skiing in michigan or MN is up to the standards for me.. and I dont know anywhere in the US that will have a large enough city with everything to offer, and on top of that snow on the ground all winter long. I want to buy some land will a really big hill so I can have my own personal skii run!! haha.. its a dream.. let me live it ok!!!

[bluescreen73]

Sorry to burst your bubble my friend, but there really are no big cities in the mountains of Colorado. Most of the state's population lives along the Front Range corridor. You'll find plenty of towns in the mountains - most have fewer than 10,000 people. Three of the largest towns on the Western Slope, Grand Junction, Durango, and Montrose are close to the mountains but not right in them.

Plus mountain town living is outrageously expensive. Go look at the average price of houses in places like Breckenridge, Frisco, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen. The houses are anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times higher than the state average and the average salaries in those towns won't cover the cost of owning a house there. If skiing is your game you'll be better served at living in a nearby town.

For example, if Steamboat is to your liking, try living in Craig. If Aspen is your game you'll have to move farther out to like Rifle.

Grand Junction or Durango sound like the closest fits to what you want. Both have colleges, WalMarts, hospitals, some culture, and more than 10,000 people. On the down side neither town gets gobs and gobs of snow. Grand Junction sits smack dab in a desert and is mild year-round, and Durango will get snowstorms but it isn't covered in a layer of the white stuff all winter.

[McGowdog]

Hmmm, the place I would have suggested would be Glenwood Springs; which would have met some of your criteria about 9 years ago. Think it's gotten a bit expensive recently. Maybe with todays market, you might find a deal. You can ride the Amtrac into Denver or San Francisco!

You want culture? How about this: Skiing, Rafting/Kayaking/Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hot Springs Lodge and Pool, Glenwood Caverns, Hanging Lake, Horse Back Riding, did I say skiing? Vail, Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Beaver Creek! Sunlight! Ski Sunlight! Stay at Hotel Colorado for 4 nights and spend two days skiing Sunlight and 2 days in the World's biggest Hot Tub! If I had my choice, I'd ski Snow Mass. I only skiied there once, but it was the top of the world.

What are you gonna do for a living? That's gonna be your starting point.

[PokerMunkee]

We find Woodland Park a great mix of mountain and city living. It's 15 miles/20 minutes up the mountain from Colorado Springs at 8500'. The town has 7500 people, has a Walmart, small movie theater, small but new hospital, and the common fast food places. 85 miles or 1.5-2hrs to Breckenridge/Keystone. No colleges, but Colorado Springs has a couple. You are close to hiking, camping, and fishing.

[SheridanL]

Wolcott, Colorado is just 20 minutes to Vail.....closer to Beaver Creek and Avon....15 to 20 miles TOPS.
Maybe Evergreen, Georgetown or...pass Eisenhower Tunnel, Dillon. Just minutes away from skiing and maybe a hill or two on your property for your very own skiing/at least tubing???

[Allison_Fuhrman]

Gunnison is close to a ski area, has shopping, a college, and won't break the bank on housing. It is NOT a big city, but a fine town.

[airman_verde04]

Thanks for all the info everyone.. what about grand Junction? is that a nice place? looks like (on google maps) to be fairly nessled in the mountains. hmm.. now that I look at it, its kind of out there in the middle of nowhere...

[airman_verde04]

Originally Posted by SheridanL

Wolcott, Colorado is just 20 minutes to Vail.....closer to Beaver Creek and Avon....15 to 20 miles TOPS.
Maybe Evergreen, Georgetown or...pass Eisenhower Tunnel, Dillon. Just minutes away from skiing and maybe a hill or two on your property for your very own skiing/at least tubing???

HAHA, well, where I grew up, when we would have our little bit of snow, we would go hiking around the golf course in town to get some fresh powder downhill in.. all of no more of 100yards.. HAHA.. I'm sure I could ski on anything... but tubings cool with me too.

[airman_verde04]

Originally Posted by TheEricHarris

We find Woodland Park a great mix of mountain and city living. It's 15 miles/20 minutes up the mountain from Colorado Springs at 8500'. The town has 7500 people, has a Walmart, small movie theater, small but new hospital, and the common fast food places. 85 miles or 1.5-2hrs to Breckenridge/Keystone. No colleges, but Colorado Springs has a couple. You are close to hiking, camping, and fishing.

I like the sound of this place, how are jobs in the area? mostly commuting to Colorado Springs? how about snow on the ground during winters? does it stay long or go.. You guys should know I grew up in the Blueridge mtns. and when we get snow, its a couple inches (like 1-5 at best) and its all gone in about 3-5 days.. I dont know if my wife is ready to live in a small place, I'm ready though, so I guess it doesn't have to be a mountain town persay.. though it would be nice (is persay a word? haha, crap its late, and I'm still at work)

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by airman_verde04

Thanks for all the info everyone.. what about grand Junction? is that a nice place? looks like (on google maps) to be fairly nessled in the mountains. hmm.. now that I look at it, its kind of out there in the middle of nowhere...

Grand Junction is an ok place. It's actually located in the Colorado River valley in an area of the state called the "Banana Belt" for its mild climate. Grand Junction doesn't get a whole lot of precipitation - be it rain or snow - because it's in a desert. It's the largest city on the Western Slope and has been undergoing tremendous growth because of the energy boom.

Grand Junction has a college, a WalMart, a regional airport, and the best hospital on the Western Slope.

Grand Mesa, the largest mesa in the world, is about a 45 minute drive from Grand Junction. Powderhorn Resort is located on the mesa's north side.