Carbondale & Basalt CO VS Durango, CO (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, renting)

[Masterful_Man]

I'm almost at the point where I've made the decision to move to Durango, but I wanted to check out the Carbondale & Basalt area in central Colorado first.

I'm curious to know how that area would compare to Durango in terms of outdoor acitivities & ammenities?
If anyone lives there or travels there frequently, what are your thoughts on the area? How's the quality of life?

It seems like it would be an awesome, picturesque place to live.

[Dogmama50]

We lived in Basalt years ago, we’re now in the Vail area and still visit frequently. I do like it there but you should look closely at the cost of living between Durango and Basalt/Carbondale. Since they are feeder communities for Aspen, real estate prices are pretty much outrageous.

Access to the outdoors and great skiing, hiking, biking, fishing is easy. There is a Whole Foods in Basalt (it’s a big deal up here since the only other one is in Frisco). Glenwood Springs has a Target and Lowe’s. It’s about an hour to the Eagle airport and a bit more than 3 to Denver.

I haven’t been to Durango in forever but it’s more laid back then the Aspen area, most everything is but for someone coming from New England, it’s all laid back out here.

Best advice, as always, visit first.

[COcheesehead]

We actually considered moving there for retirement. On plus side is they are pretty, there is a really nice bike path running all the way to Aspen, there are some good restaurants and decent grocery shopping.
On the negative side, there's one way in and one way out, so 82 will get busy in winter and summer.
Winters are winter. Expect cold and snow. You are in a valley so your world will be a bit more myopic. Expect housing to be more expensive and have less options.
Things I am not sure about are availability of medical/hospital. Diversity of flights out of Aspen.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Masterful, do you have any other specific needs or criteria? Will you be looking for a job, working remotely or retired? What about medical care?

Do you have a housing budget? Have you looked on-line at houses in both Durango and Carbondale/Basalt areas?

Do you need to be close to a major airport?

Have you ever lived in a rural mountain town?

[Masterful_Man]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Masterful, do you have any other specific needs or criteria? Will you be looking for a job, working remotely or retired? What about medical care?

Do you have a housing budget? Have you looked on-line at houses in both Durango and Carbondale/Basalt areas?

Do you need to be close to a major airport?

Have you ever lived in a rural mountain town?

I would spend around two million or less for a home, three+ if it comes with a decent amount of land or has some special quality, like an amazing view of a river gorge. I don't like traveling by air, so being near airports isn't a necessity. I lived in Asheville NC for less than a year and I absolutely loved the surrounding rural regions. My experience there is what motivated me to seek a locale out west so I can experience some real mountain living.

Durango and Carbondale-Basalt have quite a few nice homes in my price range. I do like the fact that Carbondale is closer to bigger cities like Grand Junction & Denver, and of course beautiful little Aspen.

Durango is kind of isolated in the SW part of the state.

[pikabike]

Carbondale and Basalt will offer quicker access to major cities. With your budget, you actually have choices. All are beautiful areas.

Politics might matter to some folks, so IF that is a big factor to you, check out that aspect as well.

[NW Crow]

Durango would be 3 hours drive to GJ, 4 from Albuquerque / Santa Fe, at least 5 from Colorado Springs, 6 from Denver. In good weather.



Some people get bored of Durango, if they want urban life. It has some but maybe not enough for evertybody. Renting for a summer or year is usually good precaution.

[hikernut]

Anywhere in the Roaring Fork Valley, from Glenwood Springs on down to Aspen, would IMO be a fantastic place to live for lovers of mountain activities. I haven't researched what sort of medical care is available in the area. I would expect Aspen to have good emergency facilities, but anything complicated would need to happen in Denver(?).

My very first backpacking trip as a teenager was in the Elk Mountains outside of Aspen, so there is a soft spot in my heart for this area.

[Snowpacked]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

Durango would be 3 hours drive to GJ, 4 from Albuquerque / Santa Fe, at least 5 from Colorado Springs, 6 from Denver. In good weather.



Some people get bored of Durango, if they want urban life. It has some but maybe not enough for evertybody. Renting for a summer or year is usually good precaution.

If you get bored in Durango then you are truly a city person.

[NW Crow]

Yeah. But Durango is basically 10 blocks of downtown and 1 long commercial strip on either end, with a second downtown street with a few things on it over a couple of blocks.