Why Aren't More People Interested In The Grand Junction Area? (Denver: to buy, camping)

[jwiley]

I will say that while jobs are hard to come by, some professions are hiring, like the medical field especially doctors. With so many people retiring into the area there seems to be a huge lack of medical services. When I was looking for a medical doctor for my kids out here I had several different doctors tell me it would be hard to find one with openings and at the hospital they told me they are trying to recruit them from everywhere around the country and cannot get them to come there.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by jwiley

I will say that while jobs are hard to come by, some professions are hiring, like the medical field especially doctors. With so many people retiring into the area there seems to be a huge lack of medical services. When I was looking for a medical doctor for my kids out here I had several different doctors tell me it would be hard to find one with openings and at the hospital they told me they are trying to recruit them from everywhere around the country and cannot get them to come there.

Agreed. I see a few different specialists. I was in construction for over three decades so the old body needs attention from time to time. And the area needs more specialists, with my dermatologist there usually is a long backup regards to making an appointment just to be checked over. Same thing with my podiatrist. As far as medical services in general St. Mary's has always been good by me. I've gone in there for more procedures than I care to admit. Fruita's hospital (newly named Colorado Canyon's Hospital) has had an expansion lately, I was in there just last week for blood work. Good facility.

No doubt, a doctor shortage.

One other quick note. The VA hospitals have come under a lot of criticism lately. Fortunately Grand Junction's VA is first rate.

[davebarnes]

Health insurance costs.
I just did a Denver:GJ comparison on Connect for Health Colorado - Colorado's Health Insurance Marketplace
Grand Junction is 30% higher.

[jim9251]

So I guess the 70,000 or so people there are not interested in Junction? How big do you want a city to be? Anyway, for me it's too hot in summer, and too desert. Traffic is insane. But lots of people love it there.

[jwiley]

Originally Posted by jim9251

So I guess the 70,000 or so people there are not interested in Junction? How big do you want a city to be? Anyway, for me it's too hot in summer, and too desert. Traffic is insane. But lots of people love it there.

Considering the growth on the front range and the continued growth in Colorado, I would say it is inevitable that Grand Junction will grow if they can figure out how to attract a bigger and more diversified business base.

[iknowftbll]

Originally Posted by jwiley

Considering the growth on the front range and the continued growth in Colorado, I would say it is inevitable that Grand Junction will grow if they can figure out how to attract a bigger and more diversified business base.

I agree. Despite some complaints about the heat, the climate and terrain has a lot of appeal to a lot of people. If they can build a bigger job market GJ could see some significant growth. Population projections are not an exact science though. Forecasting out to 2040 is near pointless because there are so many unforeseeable factors, such as economic fluctuation which is perhaps the single greatest variable in population migration patterns.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by jwiley

Considering the growth on the front range and the continued growth in Colorado, I would say it is inevitable that Grand Junction will grow if they can figure out how to attract a bigger and more diversified business base.

It's very hard to do this when you can't catch direct flights out of their airport.

[jwiley]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

It's very hard to do this when you can't catch direct flights out of their airport.

You can fly direct to LA, Las Vegas, Dallas, Salt Lake, Denver and Houston, for a city of the current size of Grand Junction that is not too bad. However you seem to assume I mean that I think Grand Junction will grow to the size of something like Colorado Springs, and that is not what I am talking about, I am talking about something more the size of Fort Collins, and they really do not need more flights to do that. Really a couple of decent size & decent paying manufacturers (employing a 1000 people or so total) using rail and truck to ship would do wonders in this area for jobs and growth especially when the oil prices come back up to a more reasonable rate.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by jwiley

You can fly direct to LA, Las Vegas, Dallas, Salt Lake, Denver and Houston, for a city of the current size of Grand Junction that is not too bad. However you seem to assume I mean that I think Grand Junction will grow to the size of something like Colorado Springs, and that is not what I am talking about, I am talking about something more the size of Fort Collins, and they really do not need more flights to do that. Really a couple of decent size & decent paying manufacturers (employing a 1000 people or so total) using rail and truck to ship would do wonders in this area for jobs and growth especially when the oil prices come back up to a more reasonable rate.

I wasn't making any assumptions on growth size. Just stating that it is harder to attract business when your airport only services a few locations with direct flights and is a 4 hour drive from a major city. I do really like GJ.

[motoracer51]

I live here in Grand Junction.

I'd say the biggest factors, as have already been mentioned, are:

1. Lack of high paying jobs.
2. Limited reach via direct flight from our regional airport.