Kimmee...(and to others that live in Colorado or have lived in Colorado!)

**Michele Annette** · 11-14-2004, 03:16 PM

Kimmee,

DH and I have been thinking of moving to Colorado as one of our homestead options. This thought has been rolling though our heads for over 6 years, so it's isn't a new thought. I was just wondering how long you've lived in Colorado and what you like and don't like so much. I have been very torn about moving away from the East Coast. I have lived in Buffalo for most of my life and then we moved to VT ten years ago. I really haven't been cross country, so it's all very new to me. But I'm willing to give it a shot if other options don't pan out. It does sound kind of exciting...a mondern version of a pioneer treck...but I think I'm just getting cold feet. If I hear about the good parts and then take a visit to check out different towns then it will help me a lot. Any thoughts? Thanks!

**i.m.cheap** · 11-14-2004, 03:25 PM

Hi Michele, I don't live in Colorado, but my daughter and son-in-law do. They have been there for six years. The cost of land and housing is HIGH. You could always homestead in Kansas, we are flat, but land is fairly cheap! Colorado is just a few hours drive from western Kansas if you want to see some mountains.

**kimmee** · 11-14-2004, 03:33 PM

When I saw that you were considering moving here I was going to offer to send you some local magazines and such.

I live about 30 minutes east of Denver in the country. No smog. No crowds. Small town feel. There is a lot of just open countryside in Colorado. It is a beautiful state. So much variety - there are mountains and prairies, Big city living, small homey communities. So much to see and do. Very outdoor activity oriented - hiking, skiing, ice skating, bike trails everywhere. There are great places to see just minutes in any direction from ski resorts to old mines, lakes, rivers, tourist areas, Historic areas, gambling and casinos.

Denver and Colorado Springs are pretty chaotic - I don't like big cities or crowds and they are both definately that - huge malls and fancy restaurants, big city night life. Football and baseball are huge here. Most things revolve around the Broncos - not as much as when John still played though. The highways are very crowded. the traffic in both cities is horrible. But if you plan carefully you can just make the occasional trip to town to get what you need and then get out!! Everything is available here -very big city in that regard.

Land out in the country is still pretty reasonably priced - we got 40 acres for $70,000. There is ample water. Electric and gas are pretty pricey. If you know what kinds of areas you are interested in I would be happy to send you pictures and info. Fort Collins and Fort Morgan areas are still pretty much farm country as well as Lamar, Sterling - anything East. South Brings you closer to "Mexico". West is all mountains - very expensive land. North is pretty similar to east - country, farms, wild-wild west stuff!! 

**Michele Annette** · 11-14-2004, 04:56 PM

Thanks Kimmee and Deb!

We were looking at Leadville, CO. It's 100 miles South West of Denver. Real estate is a little less expensive than Burlington, AND your taxes are so LOW! Taxes in Chittenden County (where we live now) are out of control!! We know how much we can spend for a mortgage and be pretty comfortable and at least there are other options. We just have to move there to get to them. We have been doing random searches of all different towns. Trying to find the right area. DH ha already checked out Denver, Coloardo Springs and Boulder, in person, and they are just not the right towns. Actually Burlington is a lot like Boulder, it's way too expensive for us to live there too. So think of Boulder prices in real estate and that is what it's like here, but raise the taxes too!

We love the mountains and we want to live where there are mountains. Yes, it does cost a little more, but it is so worth it to us. The front range is a little too flat I think, but we are willing to think about ALL options at this point. We may even find the perfect place here next week, but it's not looking good after four years of looking on and off.

Kimmee, I would love any publications you could send me! Thank you so much Kimmee!

**kimmee** · 11-14-2004, 05:34 PM

http://www.colorado.com/maps/largecolorado.html

Leadville is expensive - getting to close to Aspen that direction - Just east of Leadville a ways are more affordable areas - still in the mountains - with land for homesteading - Alma, Fairplay, anything along 285 is going to be more reaonable. Also  South of Leadville is Buena Vista - more affordable - surrounding areas are beautiful . South and then East from Buena Vista are some of the old mining towns and the little towns of Victor and Cripple Creek - which is a casino area. That whole area is absolutely gorgeous and way more affordable than anything Leadville and west of Leadville. You can see on the map that I attached the areas I am referring to -

Alma has a very high Altitude and they don't get very warm all year long - if you head north of there to Keystone/Breckenridge you get back into the very expensive areas again - I actually think prices have gone up in Alma as well - I know their taxes are pretty high. From Fairplay on southeast on 285 is all Park county - still very moderately priced - I lived in Bailey when I was married to Bob - its on the 285 corridor. Pm me your address and I will send you some stuff about Colorado!

**Missy** · 11-14-2004, 05:57 PM

I have been here 8 years and after the first year i have been fighting like mad to get out. And I know that sounds terrible. Colorado isn't for everyone...certainly not for me. The climate, the large population, the traffic, i can't deal with it. In comparison to back home, we paid way way too much for what we got for land/house. it is insane. I just don't like it.

**Ellise** · 11-14-2004, 05:59 PM

I loved Colorado when we lived there in Colorado spings.

**Michele Annette** · 11-15-2004, 09:13 AM

Thanks Kimmee I PM'ed you.

Melissa, I'm sorry you don't like where you are. We don't like where we are either!

Thanks Ellise!

**Telephus44** · 11-16-2004, 07:55 PM

DH and I just moved back home to MA from CO three weeks ago. My problems with living there were: 1. all of our family is back in New England and we want to have kids who see their family more than once a year and 2. The housing situation wasn't what I was looking for (I want my 1500 sq foot house on 1.5-2 acres with lots of trees and room for my garden and DH's ham radio tower)

We lived in Westminster - about halfway between Denver and Boulder. I will say that scenery is gorgeous. Compared to New England, housing/land is considerably cheaper (I did qualify that with "compared to New England" - there are certainly cheaper areas in the US to live in). I think many areas of Colorado would be good choices if you were looking to live in more of a homesteading lifestyle. All of the areas mentioned up above would be good.

**Michele Annette** · 11-16-2004, 08:51 PM

Thanks Sara and Welcome Home...to New England that is.

We are still looking for a home here, but Vermont has gone crazy and is now just starting to level a bit. The thing that's even more crazy is that some building laws have changed on November 1st. and they are making it even harder to build on raw land. You can do it, if you have a lot of cash! So our ideal situation is to find something like a trailor on 1-5 acres that has the well, septic and power already there. They are hard to come by, but we still are trying. Colorado is my DH's love for the West. I have never lived out west, but it sure is beautiful. My family lives in Georgia and I don't like it there. Way too hot for us! I just hope something, no matter what it is, works out for us and a house.