We are planning on relocating from Wisconsin to the Montrose/Ridgway, Colorado area in the next few months. Anyone from RRB in the area?
Colorado's Western Slope...anyone out there?
- Thread starter blacksheep
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lived in montrose for 5 years in the 80's, wish we'd never left. lots of paved county roads for road cycling, tons of mountain biking in the 'dobies and the uncompaghre plateau area, plus a bmx track and some rat friendly bike trails that weren't there 'back in the day'. we used to ride our schwinn racers everywhere! montrose is a real town, ridgway is more of a crossroads for rural subdivisions populated mostly by part time celebrity residents, well-to-do retirees, trust funders, and telluride wannabes (remember vuarnet sunglasses?) 8) lots of wildlife, great views, and unpaved riding there. 
(my 2 cents.....)
caution! old school montrose mountain biking ahead!
(my 2 cents.....)caution! old school montrose mountain biking ahead!
We're making the move to Colorado for a couple reasons. First, my folks have spent the last several summers in Ouray driving their Jeep up on the trails. They've made many friends and are planning a permanent move from WI to CO as well. Right now, our two little girls are able to see Nana and Papa on a daily basis and it would have a HUGE impact on both the girls and my folks to not see each other. After my wife and I took a trip out to meet my folks in Ouray last summer, we knew we were meant to live in Colorado near the mountains.
The other reason is that it's simply time for us to start a new life in a new place.
As far as work, I'll definitely need to be working.
The other reason is that it's simply time for us to start a new life in a new place.
As far as work, I'll definitely need to be working.
I've got a stepson living in Grand Junction, and my inlaws used to live there.
The impression I've gotten is that there are not that many good jobs there, and if you strike out, there's just nothing. Unlike, say, Denver, which has a lot more to choose from. I would be very very cautious about moving there intending to find any kind of decent job if you didn't already have a line on something.
Socially, the area doesn't do much for me- seems to be pretty low class in a lot of ways.
Good luck.
The impression I've gotten is that there are not that many good jobs there, and if you strike out, there's just nothing. Unlike, say, Denver, which has a lot more to choose from. I would be very very cautious about moving there intending to find any kind of decent job if you didn't already have a line on something.
Socially, the area doesn't do much for me- seems to be pretty low class in a lot of ways.
Good luck.
StephenH said:
yeah, if you really need to make an actual living the west slope is tough. since the big retirement real estate boom of the 90's home prices are even higher in relation to wages than they used to be. west slope employers are notorious for their scrooge-like behavior. when we lived in montrose the largest employer was the federal government, followed by the russell stover candy factory.......if you value a mild climate, small town atmosphere, and outdoor activities over the ballet, it may still be worth it to you, but definitely look before you leap- a couple vacation weeks in ouray is a far cry from real life in a western valley town....
I definately recommend having a job lined up before moving to Montrose. The I-25 corridor will have waaaaaaay more jobs, but is quite a hike to Ouray. Durango is a cool bike friendly spot on the other side of Ouray. I consider it the capital of the Western Slope. It's a bigger community with that little outdoor town feel. Grand Junction is another option. More of a big rural highway town. That said, the San Juans make me want to shout.
i wouldn't waste my time scoping out durango for a permanent FAMILY spot anymore. if it's the west slope capital of anything, it's only "outside magazine tourism".....VERY EXPENSIVE. i've lived there (not just as a college student), my wife's family goes back at least 3 generations there- it ceased to be a 'real' town useful for anything other than biking, skiing, and blowing money 20 years ago. as a cyclist i hate to say this, but mountain biking ruined durango. while grand junction is certainly the economic capital of the west slope montrose/delta residents consider it a hot, dusty place, suitable only for shopping when absolutely neccessary :mrgreen:
Bendix is right about Durango's stupid high real estate, and mountain bike destruction. I should have specified. It's the capital of the outdoors scene (for better and for worse) of the Western Slope. Forgot I wasn't on a skiing or mountaineering forum for a minute.
Korporal said:
man, there are some beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities there. i always get nostalgic when a view of engineer mountain pops up somewhere! not too long ago i saw a jigsaw puzzle that was a photo of jarvis meadows with grizzly peak in the background before those godawful cascade village condos were built :x
