What is going on in Delta? (Grand Junction, Montrose: real estate, sex offenders, crime)

[Federal Pilgrim]

Our family is considering a job in Delta and we have a few questions that can most likely be best answered by the locals...

1. Why are there so many sex offenders in such a small city? (33 according to the CBI today.) Is there some sort of rehab program there?

2. Crime stats (according to 2006 stats @ Delta Profile | Delta CO) seem high. Was 2006 a goofy year? Do you feel like your city is safe?

3. Real estate prices seem to be significantly lower than we expected. Do prices tend to just be lower in this area?

4. How are the schools?

We've been on line most of the day checking things out, and in all honesty we are more than a little concerned about what we are seeing.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[80skeys]

you're talking about Delta, colorado? I've come to the opinion that those crime stats are useless. Delta seems to me like a miniature version of Grand Junction. If that's the case, then it's a tranquil, peaceful town and you don't have to worry about crime. I don't live there, but I live up the road and I pass through Delta a lot on my way to the Gunnison river, Blue Mesa, etc.

As for real estate being low, you gotta understand that Delta is a small desert town on the western slope, which is to say that the climate and remote location is not everyone's cup of tea. It's not like people are flocking to live in Delta. So of course prices will be low.

If you're basing your concerns on internet data, I would take it with a grain of salt. Best thing is to go visit and see what you think. You could also consider living in Montrose, it's about 20 miles south of Delta and it's a bigger town with more shops, stores, etc.

Official crime stats on Grand Junction aren't that good either, but when you actually live here, you don't see any crime whatsoever. In fact you don't see any bad elements at all. Just a few homeless people downtown. In the past few weeks, the news reported a couple armed robberies at nighttime (an unusual thing). Apparently they caught one of them, and the other one they think was someone passing through on I-70. The reports concern me a little, but honestly these two events are very much at odds with the feel of the town and the type of people who live here. The people who live in GJ are in my opinion a docile, respectful bunch of folks who just live their own peaceful lives and don't meddle with their neighbors. If the armed robberies become a trend I'll be concerned, but for now I consider it an isolated occurrence.

I've lived in different cities and environments, and I can say for a fact I feel safer on a day to day basis in Junction than I did in most of the other places. I'd be suprised if Delta was any different.

[jim9251]

My sisters have lived in Delta forever and I'm there a lot. There's a meth problem, unemployment is high, a few sort of stupid high school I wish I was a gang member so I'll dress stupid, and little crime. I think Main Street is beautiful with the landscaping and murals they do. And there's Judy, the lady who stands on corners playing her guitar, Butch's on HWY 50 the best place to have breakfast, The Stockyard a good steakhouse, and lots of other local places to eat. I've found the people there very friendly. Since it's high desert it does get hot in the summer and there always seems to be wind. Oh sex offenders are the most regulated and watched criminals there are, not to worry.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by jim9251

There's a meth problem, unemployment is high, a few sort of stupid high school I wish I was a gang member so I'll dress stupid, and little crime.

People say there's a "meth problem" in Grand Junction too, but I don't see it. I think instead of using the phrase "meth problem" it's more accurate to say "a few people use meth." In my mind, a "problem" is when there is a visible scar on your town/neigbhorhood and the problem is apparent in your day-to-day activities, which is definitely not the case here.

[jim9251]

Well you're right, meth problem isn't accurate. There's not a lab on every corner like in nw Arkansas where I moved from. A few meth heads, is more accurate. I stand corrected.

[Federal Pilgrim]

Thanks for the input 80skeys and jim9251. We were really starting to feel overwhelmed with everything we were finding on line and finally decided to stop wasting time looking everywhere and just ask the people who know. We appreciate your thoughtful answers!

Does anyone have an opinion or experience with the schools in Delta that they would care to share?

Thanks!

[jim9251]

This might help

http://www.city-data.com/city/Delta-Colorado.html

I asked a niece attending elementary school there what the schools are like. She replied "ok I guess". I do know she's in a lot of school sports, activities and makes straight A's. I've seen kids walk home from school who live in town without problems.

[gmm_24]

Friends of mine live near there in Cedaredge. They love it there, but it is not for everyone. They are very into FFA ( Future Farmers of America) , 4H and most of their activites are based on that. Heck their school has a livestock trailer you can borrow, lol. They drive to Delta to go to the Wal-Mart and for work. Their area which is 11 miles North of Delta has no jobs and just laid of alot of the mine workers. If you can find work and want to get away from your currrent area I would take the job but I would live closer to Montrose to have more things to do.
Sadly drugs are everywhere and I doubt they have a huge drug problem being such a small area. Maybe small town boredom plays a part in that.

[Jeezy is BACK]

If you're concerned about schools, send your kids over to Montrose. Or even consider just moving there instead. To be honest, while there may not be a "meth problem" (per capita, there is in fact a meth problem), there is an underage drinking problem. Montrose has more for kids to do to stay occupied instead of partying every weekend. Not to mention, unless your kids are accustomed to really small towns, they'll hate you for dragging them there. (trust me on that one)