Durango, CO (Aspen, Telluride, Bayfield: appointed, home sales, to buy) - Colorado - Page 8 - City-Data Forum

I_LUVNM · 05-25-2007, 12:31 AM

Justmyopinion, I understand what you are saying and agree totally. The reason Durango is doing so well economically compared to the rest of the country is newcomers. I read in the Durango Herald that the Federal Reserve folks were here and gave a thumbs up for Durango with a prediction of staying well economically in Durango in the future too. They site continued growth and business as the reasons. Durango has wonderful people, I know a few and they are some of the best people I know. I also know newcomers to Durango who are equally friendly. There are a few old soreheads who resent newcomers, but they need to realize that this country is growing by millions every year and we all have to adapt to the influx of people worldwide moving to the good ole USA, otherwise the crowds are going to drive these soreheads insane. I dont think the Native Americans were all gung ho on having Europeans come here many years ago either and the Spanish hundreds of years ago who settled in the area, probably felt some pains from the Natives then. Durango is a wonderful city and many people will be moving there, people just have to adapt or move out to some little town, that in the future will be growing too, so they will have to go through it all over again. I know the city needs doctors urgently. I know some are moving there and Cortez has most of the doctors for some reason, what is up with that? But anyway, hopefully doctors will heed the call and come. Anyway, welcome to Durango and I for one, wish you well.

justmyopinion · 06-09-2007, 10:05 AM

Iluvnm:
Thanks for the kind words and welcome. Yes; for the most part, I have met wonderful people in Durango. And the weather couldn't be more perfect.

I take for granted by your name you either live in NM, or go there often. My husband and I first went to Santa Fe in 1980. Talk about a city that has had to endure people moving in! I can not belived how much it has grown, but it has done so gracefully. I had the opportunity to work in Santa Fe last year for 8 months, and loved it. Wonderful history, things to do, great restaurants... it has become my "second home". And another thing I loved about it; only 3-1/2 hours of a beautiful drive to Durango!

I_LUVNM · 06-09-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justmyopinion

Iluvnm:
Thanks for the kind words and welcome. Yes; for the most part, I have met wonderful people in Durango. And the weather couldn't be more perfect.

I take for granted by your name you either live in NM, or go there often. My husband and I first went to Santa Fe in 1980. Talk about a city that has had to endure people moving in! I can not belived how much it has grown, but it has done so gracefully. I had the opportunity to work in Santa Fe last year for 8 months, and loved it. Wonderful history, things to do, great restaurants... it has become my "second home". And another thing I loved about it; only 3-1/2 hours of a beautiful drive to Durango!

Hi Justmyopinion, thanks for the kind post. Yes I am a NM native and currently live in Farmington but plan to move to Bayfield in a few years. I love Durango but just couldnt afford it being a single mom, but I go there often and just love everything about it. I also think the people are great and the weather is wonderful. When it gets so hot over here in Farmington and it can get over 100 plus many times in the summer, I cant wait to get to Durango! Yes I love Santa Fe too. I also love the drive from Santa Fe to Durango as well!

Catherine D · 06-28-2007, 07:08 PM

We just visited Durango for the first time and bought a ranch property (no house) just west of Durango. It's in the hay gulch, so not a lot of snow and just 15 mins to downtown. Mostly meadows with a stream running through with a road that goes right up in the mountains to state land. This is the Colorado we've been looking for. Everyone we met was VERY friendly! We bought west of town because the traffic seems to be heavier and growing, east of town towards Bayfield. I live in MI. Right now we are one of the most depressed states and the land isn't anymore expensive in Durango than it is here. Most people who live here are also not from here. We live in a very mobile society. It's simply the sign of the times (Everywhere). Also, we are Christians and republicans. I'm not sure why anyone believes that those who love God wouldn't love the world he created (we care about the environment). We are not and were not afraid to be who we are, while visiting Durango. I met many Christians while there. The people in Durango seemed friendlier than any where I've been! We loved the town and the people that live there. Of course there are people everywhere who are angry or difficult to get along with. That certainly wouldn't keep me from living in a beautiful place, along side the many more gracious people who welcome you

justmyopinion · 06-29-2007, 07:56 PM

Catherine -
Welcome to Durango!! I live west of town too, and am glad I am here for the same reasons you are. I too am a Christian, and have found there are many nice churches here, although I have not yet chosen a "permanent" one. Still searching. Much of my family lives in Michigan; the Jackson and Lansing area mostly. Hope you enjoy living in Durango. It is truely a beautiful place, inspite of the growth.

austin-steve · 06-30-2007, 12:13 AM

My wife and I were just discussing possible vacation destinations tonight for another trip with the kids before summer ends, and Durango came up.

We passed through Durango in July 2004. Drove in from Taos, then did a very long drive the next day all the way through Utah until the car broke down in Ely Nevada.

But our one night in Durango was a lot of fun. We took in the show at a Melodrama Theater downtown, and I swear to God we've never laughed so hard. My kids (8 and 11 at the time) were laughing so loud and hard I thought they'd been possesed.

Strolling the downtown area, I wished we had planned more time to stay and expore Durango, but we had to move on. I've always wanted to go back ever since then, not to live, but just to hang out and relax for a few days. Maybe I shouldn't, or I might start wanting to move there.

It's interesting, the tension expressed in this thread about newcomers can be found in many of the City-Data forums. I know there are many in Austin who don't like our growth and blame it on Californians.

A good friend of mine, just a few miles down the road, has lived on his 20 acres outside Austin since 1982. He was complaining to me the other day that there are 7 new homes being built on his road, all McMansions, not designed to compliment the land or blend in, but big boxy homes.

And the people moving in are not outdoor people who care about the land, as he does, but they (and their kids) stay inside watching TV and hire lawn crews to do all their yard work, and cut the fallen oak limbs after a big storm. His hurt is sincere. He's watching his world change. He doesn't know these people or understand why they want to live on large acreage when they never go outside. He told me, for the first time in 25 years, he has thought about moving. I asked where he'd go and he says "I don't know".

I sense the same sort of frustration is happening in Colorado, the Carolinas, smaller Florida towns, Boise, parts of Montana, Tahoe. Many places.

jazzlover · 06-30-2007, 10:44 AM

Read my post on "rural sprawl" elsewhere in the Colorado forum.

AMB8301 · 06-30-2007, 02:28 PM

austin-steve-
This summer will be Melodrama's last season so if you are really wanting to see it again, don't wait too long!

colorado native · 08-22-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catherine D

We just visited Durango for the first time and bought a ranch property (no house) just west of Durango. It's in the hay gulch, so not a lot of snow and just 15 mins to downtown. Mostly meadows with a stream running through with a road that goes right up in the mountains to state land. This is the Colorado we've been looking for.

Also, we are Christians and republicans. I'm not sure why anyone believes that those who love God wouldn't love the world he created (we care about the environment).

Catherine,

Ahhhh, you now own paradise. Congrats. Be sure to put up a fence and to prosecute trespassers!

You say you're not sure why people think that Christians don't love the environment... Us progressive folks wonder the same thing. Have a look at Bush's environmental record and ask yourself the same question. He's personally undone decades of environmental legislation to make doing business easier for his corporate cronies. What's with the Christian/Conservative inability to admit that global warning is happening and is an issue? If you've paid attention, you've noticed the effects of global warming in your own lifetime.

I wish you luck and thank you for illustrating my earlier points so well.

courtneyOK · 08-22-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado native

Catherine,

Ahhhh, you now own paradise. Congrats. Be sure to put up a fence and to prosecute trespassers!

You say you're not sure why people think that Christians don't love the environment... Us progressive folks wonder the same thing. Have a look at Bush's environmental record and ask yourself the same question. He's personally undone decades of environmental legislation to make doing business easier for his corporate cronies. What's with the Christian/Conservative inability to admit that global warning is happening and is an issue? If you've paid attention, you've noticed the effects of global warming in your own lifetime.

I wish you luck and thank you for illustrating my earlier points so well.

Wow. You rant and rave about respect and wanting people to listen to your views, yet you show absolutely no respect to anyone who may believe different than you. You're a walking contradiction. I grew up in Durango (Kindergarten on), I graduated from Fort Lewis college. I knew people like you at Fort Lewis. A lot of them were my friends and had strong political opinions, which is great. But unlike you, they were able to respect and listen to people.

Why are you generalizing that all Christian Conservatives believe that Global Warming doesn't exist?? That's ridiculous. I'm now in Oklahoma surrounded by very conservative people and have not yet met one who doesn't believe that global warming is a huge problem. There is not one who hasn't seen Al Gore's movie. Step down off of your preaching pedastal and look around. You're so surrounded by bitterness about your situation your not actually looking at individuals.

Colorado Native, are you from Durango? How long have you lived there? In case you haven't noticed, our primary economy is tourism. That's what keeps this town afloat. These people that you despise so much, are pretty much the reason you have a job.

Yes Durango is growing, as well as most places around the country. For good or for bad that is the reality. If you're trying to scare people away from this wonderful town, well there you go, job well done. But who are you to determine who should and shouldn't live there? The people you discuss are people who are here maybe two months out of the year and then they leave again. I can handle two months a year. As far as Real Estate, it's going down. The boom is over and sales are way down.

I guess my main point is, Durango is a great town, but like any town you have your good and your bad. Colorado Native, your convictions are real and I can respect that, but your lack of respect for anyone else it what gets me. People are looking for information on these posts, not your COMPLETELY one sided opinion about why they shouldn't move, or your presumptious words of who they are and what they believe.

You're passionate about politics and certain issues, but if you want to reach people you're going to have to change your tone. Right now all you seem to be is bitter and that isn't going to get you too far.