Cedaredge / Delta Questions (Denver, Grand Junction, Montrose: for sale, mortgage, house)

[jen43]

Our family is considering a move to the Cedaredge / Delta area to get away from the city, etc. I like what I've read so far and have a few questions of my own. Some of these may seem silly but I've been surprised in the past and want to make sure I've checked everything out. Is there high-speed internet access there? How is the medical care? Are there organized, team sports for the kids (ages 8 and 6)? Is there any karate?? We're currently red belts and would love to continue our journey to black belt. How far of a drive is it to Montrose? Do most people go there for "big" shopping or do they go to Grand Junction? Where do you go to buy clothes?

Okay, I better stop there. Sorry to go on and on but the questions kept coming to me!!

Thanks for any input!

[jazzlover]

I still have family in Delta, so let me take a stab at this. Most of the county now has high-speed internet (Cable or DSL), Little League is pretty big there, medical is fairly good (new hospital) but specialized care usually means going to Grand Junction. Years ago, there was a Karate school in Delta--don't know about now. Montrose is about 20-25 minutes away and is getting a new big J.C. Penney's and Target. No real clothes shopping in Delta, unless you count Wal-mart.

The big problem in Delta is affordability. Housing is cheaper there than on much of the Western Slope, but wages are terrible--have been that way for years and probably will stay that way (unless you work in the gas fields or coal mines). Housing values have risen quickly--the house my family is in has appreciated about 80% in 10 years. Wages are probably 20% higher or so. If you don't bring your money with you, or you rely on the local area for your income, you will probably have a hard time financially. About the only things cheaper than on the Front Range are housing (and it's catching up fast) and some services. Everything else--food, utilities, fuel--cost as much or more than on the Front Range. It didn't used to be that way there, but that is the way it is now. Sadly, too, the agricultural character of the area is being lost to development. Nearly half the orchard acreage in the county has been lost to subdivisions in the last 10-15 years. When I was over there a few weeks ago, I saw another big orchard being torn out--the "residential lots for sale" sign was already out. Probably half the ag families I knew in Delta 15 or 20 years ago (and I knew a lot) no longer are farming or ranching.

[jen43]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've checked realtor.com and noticed the high housing prices. And, yes, the wages are a challenge as well. Moving will mean a pretty big lifestyle change for us but it may be worth it if we can slow down a little. We'll know after more research.

Thanks again!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

We have friends who live in Cedaredge and have considered retiring there. The housing prices don't seem bad to us, and we currently live in the Denver area. I think you can get a nice house for under $300,000.

Cedaredge has a growing retiree population, which means that as the popluation grows there will be more retail and more services available. Currently it is still a small town and our friends really like living there.

[jen43]

Thanks for the input. A house for under $300K is a bargain just about anywhere in Colorado but the wages in Cedaredge mean we can't make the mortgage payment. My husband's position pays about half what he makes in the Denver area. I don't see alot of basements either. That would be nice. Our basement now is around 1100 square feet and we love having enuf room for play and storage.

Again, thanks for the information. Have a great night!