Durango, CO (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aspen: low income, motorhomes, buying)

[AustinTraveler]

Hi Colorado Native,

Thanks for your response and I completely understand what you're saying. However, I think you need to understand that I live in Austin which can barely be considered Texas. People here do not act like you described, they don't wear cowboy boots or God forbid, furs. The reason we are attracted to Durango is because it seems to have the same laid back attitude that exists in Austin.

I have a very good perspective on how locals feel when they are being "invaded" by outsiders with attitude. I grew up in Florida where you constantly hear how great it is "up north" and how stupid everyone in the south is.

If we do decide to relocate to the Durango area, you can rest assure that we do not come with a Hummer, a motorhome, boots, furs, or attitude. We are laid back, respectful people who believe in conservation and preservation. We hate sprawl and excess.

Again, thank you for your response. I respect it and I understand.

[williamsmj]

Hey Austin,
I'm small town, out of Stater, who moved to Durango 3 years ago. Colorado Native is exactly the kind of attitude people give you around here. I have only met one person actually born and raised here so I think it is just other out of staters who got here ten years ago being selfish.
Native is right though: If your a republican (like I am) just don't make it known; and Crackerjack does sound like a real estate salesman at times.
Durango is continuing to grow and I would not expect it to stop. It has started to be called a faux town. Not many permenant residences. Stay out in the county like cracker jack said. You will be surounded by normal people not the angry.

[AustinTraveler]

Thanks Williamsmj for the post. It's discouraging to hear that there is so much anger directed at people moving into Durango, but I can understand it. It's difficult to have your little piece of Paradise run over by people whose values are different from yours. Unfortunately, every place ends up being "discovered".

As for the comments about Crackerjack, I don't know if he's a real estate agent or not and, frankly, I don't care. He spends a lot of time here giving people good information. Just because he doesn't report on the negative doesn't mean his information is not good. It's obvious he loves Colorado and loves sharing information about it.

Again, thanks for your post.

[Sooner-On-The-Move]

My husband is looking at a job in which he'd work for the Domino's Pizza franchisee who owns the DP in Durango.

We were given to understand that the people in the area are "a little big for their britches," are prejudiced not against Texans, Californians, Native Americans, or Republicans, but rather against anyone who makes less than a quarter of a million dollars per year. Caucasions seem to dislike the Native Americans and vice-versa, so I don't really know what to tell you.

This all reminds me of that episode of King of the Hill where the Hills go to Montana.

Pretty area, though.

[AustinTraveler]

Hi Sooner,

I find it difficult to believe that the people of Durango are prejudiced against anyone making less than a quarter of a million. I kind of get the impression it's the other way around. Mainly, that people with money are moving in and changing the laid-back lifestyle of Durango and that the people living there are being forced out due to increased prices.

I don't know if you visited Durango and got your impression of it or if you were just told that. That's all I'm going on...what I've been told. Growth is very difficult to deal with and it sounds like Durango is going through some pains.

Thanks for your response.

[Crackerjack]

I just got back from a trip to Durango and I have to say the people are very friendly. No I am not a realtor. I live in Phoenix and am going to move to Durango next year. Yes I love Durango and I don't mind saying so "Colorado native" who I truly believe is not a native. I don't usually reply to someone who has a flame post and with only one post posted, as they are usually someone else acting like another person. Why? I don't know but I didn't give a great review of a few towns and presto all of a sudden a flame post appears. I just try to be honest and give people info as best as I know it. It hurts when people accuse you of something you are not guilty of and for someone to have that much hate in them is just sad. If this person is for real, I feel real sorry for them. His or her unjustified hate is only hurting themself and usually the people who are bigoted like "Colorado native" has been, is the result of their own hateful attitude toward others.

I know many people in Durango and it "isn't all of us" who hate Californians and Texans. Yes there are some Californians and Texans who build mega homes and have big cars and that can produce jealousy, but there are many there that like all people. If you read all my posts in New Mexico and Colorado, I don't have people move to Durango, but have suggested all sorts of places for what each person is asking for, so it is totally unfair to say what "Colorado native" said. All I will say is, yes, I love Durango and maybe there is a sorehead "native" there who wrote that post, but I seriously doubt that person exists and if so, cheer up grumpy!

Thanks AustinTraveler for the kind words, you are the kind of person I hope to find in Durango. Really don't let this person, who I think is a faux pas person, let you think that is Durango. Judge for yourself in person. That is the best way to get the real Durango.

[AustinTraveler]

Hi Crackerjack!!

Yes, you are so right about everything you wrote and I am definitely going to check it out myself and make my own determination. I always take what I read with a grain of salt anyway. People are actually more likely to reply if they have something negative to say. That's why this board has been so great - there are actually helpful, positive people here who want to help (like you!).

Have a great day.

[sillygal]

CrackerJack, has been nothing but courteous, polite, and very informative with his replies and think he brings an awesome perspective to this board, He has truly given his time, and knowledge to us in an honest manner, I am so greatful for him also.

With that said, I wanted to tell CrackerJack about the episode of Oprah that aired this week........Her friend Gail, and her were filming a cross country trip in a car. They started out at her mansion in CA and are driving to NY I believe. Anyhow, they stopped over in Durango, and she said she "loved it there", and it was one of her favorite small towns, and I got a chance to see a little of the scenery around Durango throughout the filming. They also stopped at a resteraunt to eat, that is ran by a chef that used to cook for Oprah. It was fun watching that episode! And seeing Durango!!! They also stopped by the local recreation center there, and they rode the Silverton train. Did u get a chance to see that episode Jack? It was truly amazing and I am so glad I saw it.

[Mike from back east]

The scoreboard on Crackerjack: Two thumbs up! Great informative posts.

s/Mike
Not a realtor either, but all the ones I know are great folks.

[colorado native]

Locals are prejudiced against any one making less than a quarter million a year? Have you been here? Can you name a single job, besides realtor or business owner, that allows for such an income? Sooner-on-the-move, you were given this information by whom, I wonder? Honestly (and hey, that's all I'm going for here, folks, is Honesty) locals despise the wealthy because of the sense of entitlement that seems to come with money. Look at the crap going on at Wolf Creek (http://www.friendsofwolfcreek.org/)and (broken link) tell me that locals are unreasonably on guard when it comes to the wealthy. Wealthy, for whatever reasons, often means Republican, which in all serisousness generally means less regard for the rest of humanity, and especially the environment. If you are wealthy you can do whatever you want to this beautiful area, even if every single resident in the area petitions against what you are doing. Money=power. Power=abuse. History backs this. And my history in Colorado, yes all 30 years of my impecunious life, has shown me what "outsiders" do here. People move here to OWN a piece of paradise.

Ownership.

Blech.

Like Crackerjack said, judge for yourself in person.

Williamsmj says to stay out in the country to be around normal people, rather in town where the angry people are.... the people that are in town work in the service industry. They serve you food and make you coffee. Why are they angry I wonder? People that live out in the country, ie, the Paradise portion of the area, are the wealthy land owners. So by all means, move to Durango, claim a piece of Paradise as your own and only deal with the angry (see: lesser) folks only when you are in a position of power over them...

Call it anger if you want. I'll call it (self-effacingly) righteous indignation.