Best family town in GJ area (Greeley, Grand Junction: real estate, crime rates, houses)

[Clint]

We are considering a move to GJ and have been reading these threads for a while. Having two small children, we'd like to be within short distance of swimming areas, parks, and the River trail. So far, it looks like we should be comparing Orchard Mesa and Fruita. The main thing I haven't seen much about is shade trees...I assume cottonwoods are by the river, however I'd really like to live in a treed neighborhood. Likewise with access to BLM land for biking...are there wooded trails? Or do you just have to drive up to Grand Mesa for shade? We're leaving Tucson, and need some relief from Mr. Sun.

Also, I haven't read anything about rattlesnakes, scorpions, etc. in the valley, other than in the canyon or Monument...and maybe early summer gnats. Are there any natural hazards for kids (other than sunburn)?

Thanks much for any help!

[jazzlover]

I had a good friend who lived in Palisade. I think it is probably the most "small town" place left in the Grand Valley if that is what you are looking to find for your children. The rest of the area is just growing into suburbia. I hear Fruita is also growing like crazy now.

As to bugs, etc. Yeah, those "No-see-um" gnats (yes, that's the name!) can drive a person crazy in the late spring, especially along the river. There are also a lot of mosquitoes, what with the amount of irrigation around. West Nile has occurred in the Grand Valley. There are scorpions around in the desert--they are relatively small, tan-colored and hard to see. Not like the big scorpions one sees in Arizona.

As for rattlesnakes, the desert around Grand Junction looks prime for them, but it is actually almost TOO arid. Not that some aren't around, but they are not that common. I lived near Grand Junction for nearly 30 years and was out in the desert a lot. In all that time, I could count the rattlers I saw on one hand. I saw more than that on several occasions in the Front Range foothills in one day.

There are some nice "treed" older neighborhoods in most of the towns--again, I'm partial to Palisade in that regard. If you want cool in the summer, then Grand Mesa or the Uncompahgre Plateau are the cooler spots. GJ ain't cool during the day in the summer. It's probably as sunny in GJ as Tucson, maybe a little more so in the summer because GJ is farther removed from moisture from the Southwest Monsoon.

One hazard with small children in the GJ area is the number of irrigation canals. Tragically, it seems a child or two drowns every summer in a canal around GJ somewhere.

My final comment about the Grand Junction area. It is growing rapidly now and is getting big-city problems. It doesn't have the crime rates of a place like Tucson, but it's not Mayberry. Personally, I wouldn't live in Grand Junction itself. Unfortunately, if you want to live in western Colorado and have a decent job, the lion's share of them are in the Grand Junction area.

[COflower]

When I lived in Grand Junction I lived on Bookcliff which is GJ proper. It wasn't much to get to the park (a quick bike ride) or to shopping (as well a quick bike ride if needed) and such.

I think GJ proper is a good way to go. Everything is in close reach and all you need is a good bike to get where you want to go.

Although, if I wanted to bike by the river, I would throw the bike in the car and drive to one of the trails.

GJ is a pretty easy place to live and I would go back in a heartbeat. GJ proper is the place I would rather be though rather than Fruita or Orchard Mesa.

If you have the $, The Redlands is the place to be outside of GJ proper. But GJ is a nice place and oh how I miss it.

[5stones]

Redlands is where I'd live. The schools are good and you are close to the downtown area, mall, big city pool (my kids LOVE it esp. the slide). It's more expensive out there but you can still get some older smaller houses. Alot of the big shade trees are dome willows, the are very fast growers and seem to well in htat climate.

Fruita is small town but I a not sure of the schools. They have a nice small public pool, but it gets very crowded during the very hot times.

I like Palisades but have never lived there and don't know much about hte schools.

As far as "critters"... the no-seeums can get bad (they will come through the screen at night if you leave lights on!!...but are harmless)
Mosquitos can be bad in some areas as well... we were eaten alive last summer at "fun Junction" in the evening playing putput golf. Forgot hte bug spay...

I have hiked all through the monumnet and the BLM land and have NEVER seen a snake or scorpin. I've seen Mule deer while hiking though. as well as tons of cool lizards. And you will hear the coyotes at night esp. in the redlands (I've only seen 1)

[Clint]

Thanks so much; this is perfect information and has gotten me to rethink Palisade. We LOVE wine and will have to look into their kids amenities. Our financials will likely prevent us from taking over the Redlands... Any further help is greatly appreciated, especially in terms of particular neighborhoods for our kids to play outdoors with others.

[TheBarber]

We are also thinking about making the move to the GJ area and I am so glad I found this forum. Thank you for all the great information.

[taximom]

My husband & I are also thinking of moving to GJ, and I too am so grateful to find this website! Thanks for this info. I have asked our real estate agent about areas of GJ & can't get a clear answer so thanks again.

[CosmicWizard]

Taximom

For more info about Grand Junction, see my post from last week called, "Happy Campers in Grand Junction".

I wouldn't rely exclusively upon the suggestions of real estate agents or suggestions from this list. Everyone's suggestions will be colored by their own preferences and yours are likely to be uniquely your own.

Grand Junction is small enough that you can get a good overview of the different neighborhoods by driving around a few hours a day for a few days. Better yet, have a real estate agent show you homes in your price range. Unless money is no object, that will eliminate the areas where housing is out of your price range.

If you know when you will be in Grand Junction, let me know. If time allows I'll be happy to meet with you and give you a chance to pick my brain (from a newcomers perspective).

Best wishes in your search......Franco

[taximom]

Thanks so much Franco. Can't say when we'll be back but I hope soon. I'll let you know of course.
Taximom

[nomadicnurse]

Does anyone know how the public transportation system (city buses) are in GJ? Is most of the greater GJ area covered by local bus routes? And I'm just really curious - I've never been to Greeley, but I see a lot of posters say it smells - why is that?