Timnath vs Windsor (Water Valley area) vs Loveland (Marianna Butte) (Boulder: houses, live)

[stevefromva]

We are recent retirees considering relocating from the mid-Atlantic area to Northern Colorado. Having visited several areas in the region, we've narrowed our interests down to the three areas above. All three have home options in our price range, so that isn't an issue.

From what we've seen, Timnath seems to be the "youngest" of the three areas; Water Valley has the most amenities within the community; and Marianna Butte has the best foothill views.

We'd appreciate comments comparing these three areas (pros & cons).

[Sunderpig2]

Timnath and Windsor are on the east side of I-25. That's good for interstate access, but since you are retirees, that's probably not a benefit. It's fairly flat there, and quite a distance from the foothills. The Loveland spot would put you much closer, and give you a more special view. Timnath and Windsor are in areas that will probably continue to grow. The Loveland spot is probably fixed as to additional development. You might want to elaborate as to "amenities" you want, and/or why the Windsor location stands out in that regard. Hopefully you will like the extreme dryness here, the lower amount of greenness and lushness (compared to the mid-Atlantic region).

[StealthRabbit]

As a retiree, Loveland with a view.

You finally have time to sit at home and enjoy it.

3 Loveland friends we visit live at or near Marianna Butte, 2 are registered hosts with hospitality homes. Go stay with hospitality hosts who have lived / retired in your spots. ($10 / night worldwide) They can fill you in. (With experience)

This location will keep you off 34 and mostly away from the normal traffic issues and soccer moms jetting around in SUVs. For retirement you may want a quiet home to retreat. You can easily scoot over to TVHS for a midday swim (<$1 last time I went). Boulder, Longmont, Lyons, Estes, Ft Collins, Masonville, Walden / Snowy Range can all be reached via backroads from here.

I love my view home, and spent 25 yrs looking at Marianna Butte and Devils Backbone from our kitchen table. (before houses). Thus I now visit, but can never come back home. Things change, it is now time for others to enjoy.

Read some books by Harold Dunning to get history of Marianna Butte. He was a very fun and interesting friend.

[stevefromva]

Thank you to both Sunderpig2 and StealthRabbit. We've spent enough time in Colorado and other parts of the west to appreciate the difference in climate (dryness and vegetation) Compared to northern VA, that part of Colorado actually has warmer (on average) winters and (more important) cooler summers. The "amenities" in Windsor where we looked was direct access to a golf course, club house, fitness facility, etc. I appreciate that you can find these other places, too, but having them in "no car needed" closeness has it's appeal. That said, the view offered by western Loveland has great appeal, too. Up in Timnath we saw some mountain vistas, too.

The good news is we're not under any pressure to relocate so we don't have to make a snap decision, but after spending another HOT and STEAMY summer in Virginia the sooner the better!!