Durango, CO (Cortez, Bayfield, Mancos: to rent, condos, loan) - Colorado - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

Crackerjack · 10-03-2006, 10:21 PM

Colorado native. I understand what you are talking about. I know I hate Phoenix and all the sprawl. I don't think we are on different pages afterall. I don't want to see Durango be one big messy sprawl either. If you check my other posts, I am pro-environment even using solar and windmills, I am for xeriscaping not green lawns, underground homes and I recycle everything and even collect rain water. I tell people in Phoenix how all the golf courses, lawns, palms and such are draining the water supply and Phoenix is in for a real water shortage someday soon. I am against Wolf Creek being developed. It is too beautiful to ruin and I don't think people will want to live up there with all the snow they get. I think a big waste to build there. I am for having the city to have a future vision of development that allows moderate growth but develop close to the core of the city, not be like Phoenix where nobody every really did any planning and now there is all this sprawl and it sucks. But I definitely concur - no to sprawl. I wish you the best.

colorado native · 10-05-2006, 08:36 AM

[moderator cut]

Sorry. I HAVE read some of the other posts.

flyfshr · 10-05-2006, 04:25 PM

Hi, I'm new to this City-Data site, but I'm a Californian that is looking for horse property in Colorado to retire to in about 10 years. I am a middle class, easy-going person, and I don't think that your giving Californians a fair shake of the stick. Do you think that I would not fit into Colorado? Just a question because I really need to know before I make a move. Thanks.

Mike from back east · 10-05-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Hi, I'm new to this City-Data site, but I'm a Californian that is looking for horse property in Colorado to retire to in about 10 years. I am a middle class, easy-going person, and I don't think that your giving Californians a fair shake of the stick. Do you think that I would not fit into Colorado? Just a question because I really need to know before I make a move. Thanks.

You will fit in fine, in Durango, or anywhere else in CO. This is big time horse country, the fishing ain't bad either.

Crackerjack · 10-05-2006, 11:11 PM

Yes, Mike from back east is right. You will fit in as there are a whole lot of horses and ranches in La Plata and Montezuma County, where Durango and Cortez are located. There are many Californians there. I think the reason some locals are upset is that there are so many Californians and Texans that have moved there. I know when I lived in Durango years ago back in the 1980s, there were many Texans and Californians who lived there back then as well. Now there are many people from all over too such as NY, NJ, Conn., Florida, Arizona, Maine and so forth. Durango, until recently was a small town and very few were natives even back then, so really there are more people from all over than native Durangoans. When I lived in Durango in the 80s, it had only like 9,000 people and a good number of them were Texans and Californians.

michinmich · 10-06-2006, 02:51 AM

Well, I leave for Durango this Monday. I was excited. Now I'm a little apprehensive. After looking at the realtor info it seems I can only afford about 2 acres of land with no house (!) for my 2 ponies on an RN salary with kids in college.

Obviously there are nurses in Durango but where do they live? Do you have to be married to a wealthy man as my co-worker told me?

All this talk about Hummers and such frightens me. I own a hybrid vehicle which has already been keyed with the words "Big 3". This anger is exactly what I'm trying to get away from.

I'm trying my best to "leave no trace" and find some kind people that are content without excess and are willing to share a clean, healthy environment with some intelligence.

I know . . . there is no such place. Well then, I'm moving to Mars to start a cat/horse colony. Anyone want to join me?

I also don't want to live in a place where if you were delivered there blindfolded you would not know where you are because everything you see is in every other town in the US, like a copy-paste of Starbucks, Sam's Clubs, and BD Mongolian. Is this the plan for Durango? Come to think of it, is there a master plan for Durango?

I really enjoy these frank and open discussions from everyone. This is very interesting.

sillygal · 10-06-2006, 03:03 AM

Mich, I hear ya!!!! I have pretty much given up on the idea of finding my "place" I can afford it here in NC. I have money left over after my bills are paid do I have the good life already ? But, WOW Durango!!! Is it just a fantasy or a reality? Am I going to love it there, but be so broke I feel like I can't do or go anywhere?.......sigh!

I did see some mobile homes for sale on the realtor.com site u may want to check those out. Its a start right?

All I have is my income also, I am sure it is way less than yours, but then again I would try something like this because I feel like I will regret it if I don't.

Do I sound confused? LOL

Have a great time, and visit the resteraunt that one of Oprah's chefs owns. The food must be really awesome for them to visit and broadcast it over the US.

Have fun!!! and don't forget to get all the information for us.......LOL

colorado native · 10-06-2006, 08:24 AM

Flyfshr--

Who knows if you'll fit in. Probably. People can fit in anywhere. Just keep in mind that Colorado is different from California, and needs to be. The fishing here is... maybe I shouldn't tell you... I guide in the high country and it's breathtakingly beautiful and productive.

Mich-- "Big 3" on a hybrid? I'm missing something I think. The master plan for Durango... It all depends on who's got the cash, just like anywhere. We have a very strong independent business alliance, especially in the downtown area, and a community of independent-minded folks. These folks are being displaced, though by people that want their cookie-cutter world. We got a Starbucks downtown a few years ago. Locals threw a fit, while transplants were heard to say that it was about time... Different strokes.

michinmich · 10-06-2006, 09:17 AM

The big 3 stands for GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Some people get pretty upset around here if you don't purchase American. If the US made them I'd buy them but they didn't at the time. I don't really have a lot of money to blow on gas and I certainly wouldn't fit in living where I work. A lot of hate there too.

Just curious, what kind of fish are there? I like to fish to eat-but I've never fished in a river, mostly in Lake Huron and Superior-Pike and Bass and I love whitefish although I admit I had to buy those from the natives who went out in the deeper water for them. Do you have to worry about contaminants?

I swear I'd be a hermit and live with my ponies up in the mountains. Of course I suppose you only see that in movies. I mean what would a horse eat up in the mountains?

Sillygal, in my mind you only get to live once and if you've truely earned it you should be able to pursue your dreams to a realistic extent.

I'll be honest with you-I need my garbage man as much as my doctor. I might get sick without either one of them! We can all be important without all being rich or all the same don't you think?

I would think Durango would need all kinds of good people and if they work hard they should be able to live in place they love just as much as anyone else should.

Everyone have a great day. I work nights so I'm off to bed. I don't want to come back to fighting words so you all behave yourselves!!

PS. I am new to this-what's reputation mean? Will it go down if I stick out my tongue when I get off the plane in Durango?

colorado native · 10-06-2006, 12:12 PM

Quite a few hybrids in Dgo. We're mostly environmentally conscious folk. A little over the top with it, even, at times.

The fish... Keep in mind, that you're talking to a catch and release guy... Rivers have trout, and pretty much nothing but. Cutthroats, Brookies, Rainbows, Browns, cut-bows, sometimes. Gorgeous fishies. Lakes (I don't do many lakes) will have small mouth, croppie, pike...etc.

A few lakes have contaminated fish. Fewer streams do. This is old time mining country, so some of the water in the high country is contaminated by mine tailings, but those are easily avoidable, especially since the water is the color of Cheetos.

Sillygal, most local younger folks work a few jobs here. Part-time work is easy-ish to find, but pays like crap. Waitressing is a decent bet. Bartending can be an unsung gold mine. Retail sucks, but it's work... the usual stuff, I guess. The food at the Mahogany Grill (where's Oprah's chef cooks) is pretty **** good. Durango is blessed with great food. I'm gonna eat at the Himalayan for lunch right now in fact.

word.