Best Colorado Town for Me (Denver, Loveland: to live, safety, bill)

[HighCountryGal]

I am currently in a health-care program and am preparing to do my clinical rotations in the next year. I am looking for a town in Colorado that might suit my husband and myself well. We are looking for an area that has close access to outdoor recreation. We like to be able to walk out our backdoor and be within miles of rock climbing, fly-fishing, hiking and mtn biking, to name a few. We also prefer sparsely populated areas-over 5,000 but under 50,000. However, on that note we also like to be in a community that has a diversity of people. I am referring to community diversity, not racial. We love communities that have a variety of people-ranchers, hermits, bikers, you name it. However, we are both of working age and need to be somewhere that has access to work in the medical field. Any recommendations?

[Mike from back east]

My first pick would be Durango. IIRC there are two facilities there, and another one over in Pagosa Springs, CO. Also look at Salida, CO which is a nice town with a hospital and is 25 miles from Buena Vista, another nice town to live near. These towns fit the bill for your interests.

There are a ton of hospitals along the Front Range, aka the I-25 corridor, with some nearby towns that would be a bit of a close fit. You'd be near major metro areas like Denver but have more job opportunities. IMO it's all good here.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I totally agree with Mike. Check out Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida.

We live part-time in Buena Vista (about 20 miles north of Salida) and love the area. Both towns are really nice, although Salida is bigger. There are tons of outdoor activities within a very short distance; add white water rafting/kayaking and skiing to those activities you named.

[NW Crow]

You might also look at the westside of Loveland (even though it is a bit larger than your stated max), Glenwood Springs and Montrose.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by MountainSkies

I am currently in a health-care program and am preparing to do my clinical rotations in the next year. I am looking for a town in Colorado that might suit my husband and myself well. We are looking for an area that has close access to outdoor recreation. We like to be able to walk out our backdoor and be within miles of rock climbing, fly-fishing, hiking and mtn biking, to name a few. We also prefer sparsely populated areas-over 5,000 but under 50,000. However, on that note we also like to be in a community that has a diversity of people. I am referring to community diversity, not racial. We love communities that have a variety of people-ranchers, hermits, bikers, you name it. However, we are both of working age and need to be somewhere that has access to work in the medical field. Any recommendations?

Grand Junction. It's the medical hub of western Colorado. Many doctors doing their residencies end up rotating through Grand Junction.

[CosmicWizard]

I'll second the Grand Junction (http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/outdoors/ - broken link) recommendation. It matches up very nicely with everything described by the OP.

[HighCountryGal]

A big thank you to everyone for all the information. Your help is appreciated!

[jim9251]

I would check out Montrose. The regional hospital is first rate, and within an hours drive or less everything you want is within reach.

Good luck to you.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by jim9251

I would check out Montrose. The regional hospital is first rate, and within an hours drive or less everything you want is within reach.

Good luck to you.

If that is true, Jim, why did Consumer Reports (in the August 2012 issue) just rate it dead last in Colorado for hospital safety?

[jim9251]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

If that is true, Jim, why did Consumer Reports (in the August 2012 issue) just rate it dead last in Colorado for hospital safety?

Just an observation from personal experience that's all.