Reconnaissance mission to Colorado begins this Tuesday! (Denver, Colorado Springs: rent, living)

[Recumbent Falcon]

Looks like a 4000 mile loop starting around Colorado City, to Rye, to Westcliife, up towards Salida, and Buena Vista, over to Grand Junction and a detour down towards Montrose. Then a jog over to Cedar City Utah for comparison purposes, then a return trip through northern New Mexico (we want to especially see the Santa Fe area).

Denver area needs to be a trip all by itself...

Once we see the general differences, it might help us pare down the list of potential retirement communities.

Any last-minute suggestions for this trip would be appreciated, and thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and opinions on previous posts.

[brightdoglover]

I'd consider more than liking the town or geography and all. Access to medical care? Car dependence? I know those are things that people don't like to consider, especially in early retirement, but I wouldn't want to have to move again, especially if compromised by being widowed or ill or something.
That said, Montrose seems promising.

[Katarina Witt]

I agree with brightdoglover. Ft. Collins usually ranks high on these "retirement" lists, probably b/c it has access to health care right in town, not too far from Denver if you get really sick, etc.

[Recumbent Falcon]

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

We have been looking at as much 'data' as we could find on each area, and we are aware our health will probably begin failing in the next 10 - 15 years as we get older. We've looked well at the locations of medical and logistical (food, etc *grin*) suppliers, as well as the general climate.

We still need to see the areas to make a decision. We like cooler weather and snow, and will be back to visit locations in the winter, also. Hopefully, we'll have considered all aspects (including financial etc.) prior to leaving Cincinnati for good, and we'll probably rent for a year before making any final decisions.

Of course, Murphy has his Laws.

But we still have about four years to research and make recon runs to different areas.

Back on topic, though, I've heard Salida has excellent medical facilities. Anyone agree or disagree? How about Colorado Springs? These two areas seem to have potential.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Recumbent Falcon

Back on topic, though, I've heard Salida has excellent medical facilities. Anyone agree or disagree? How about Colorado Springs? These two areas seem to have potential.

Salida is a small mountain town. It has a 49 bed hospital.

Welcome to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.

Colorado Springs is a sort of regional medical center for southeastern Colorado.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Recumbent Falcon

... Back on topic, though, I've heard Salida has excellent medical facilities. Anyone agree or disagree? How about Colorado Springs? These two areas seem to have potential.

COLO SPGS has 4 major hospitals for the public (two of which are new within past two years) plus at least one for the military (on Fort Carson). The main city hospital is Memorial, with two locations, and the main one downtown also has a women's and children's wing. Lots of docs here. Another new hospital just opened up in Woodland Park (a mountain setting, cool town), about ten miles west of COLO SPGS. Woodland Park may be worth checking, as you can be in the mountains, yet near the city and lots of good eats, airport, etc.

[Recumbent Falcon]

Thank you both for the replies and information. I've looked at Woodland Parks but wasn't sure about the cost of living there. It's on the agenda to see however.

[Recumbent Falcon]

We're pulling out in two hours. If you see this Class B with an Ohio tag on the road, give us a honk! (It's not a common design...)

http://www.the-buckeye.org/GyrFalcon.jpg (broken link)

[80skeys]

Check out Granby too, it seems to me there's a lot of retirement type folks over there.

Originally Posted by Recumbent Falcon

Looks like a 4000 mile loop starting around Colorado City, to Rye, to Westcliife, up towards Salida, and Buena Vista, over to Grand Junction and a detour down towards Montrose. Then a jog over to Cedar City Utah for comparison purposes, then a return trip through northern New Mexico (we want to especially see the Santa Fe area).

Denver area needs to be a trip all by itself...

Once we see the general differences, it might help us pare down the list of potential retirement communities.

Any last-minute suggestions for this trip would be appreciated, and thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and opinions on previous posts.

[proveick]

Mr Falcon, make sure the elevation agrees with you. I've seen many retired folks have to move to another state after a couple of years here. RP