Bajahowodd - 3-20-2009 at 10:21 PM
Depends on where in Colorado, to a certain extent. But one thing for sure, the extremes of weather will be remarkable for someone coming from coastal
SoCal. Don't know if it's the continental divide, or upper wind patterns, but the front range area that is basically marked by I-25, sees major
fluctuations in temps, and humidity. Blizzard conditions below zero one day, followed by sunny 45 degrees the next. Summers with gorgeous weather,
followed by unbelievable heat and humidity the next. I've had family in the Boulder area for three decades. All that being said, it is one of the most
gorgeous places on the face of the earth.
DENNIS - 3-20-2009 at 10:28 PM
I hear Aspen is easily affordable........if you're a billionaire.
EnseNADAslim - 3-20-2009 at 11:25 PM
My best buddy from High School lives in Aurora, East of Denver and we've made many visits out that way, and I even did some work out there. Nice
place, but got way to cold for me 6 degress, -2 degress---burrrrrr. To him though it's great and for him the most beautiful view is the Rockies, for
me it's the Sun raise or sunset in Baja.
So, depending on the time of year, or if you are desert, coastal or
Mountain and cold type of person.
ligui - 3-21-2009 at 06:03 AM
I've lived in colorado , winter park , for over 20 years . It's great but you better be ready for the winters , brrrrrrr . We live at 8500 ft on the
west side of the divide , lots of snow and wind in the winter. Summers were the best time to be in the mountains, but now there are alot of summer
only people . Kind of crowded .
Lots of southern colorado this has open space and fewer people .
We will be moving to park county, co. Still at 8500 ft , but very few people and closer to mexico by about 4 hours.
woody with a view - 3-21-2009 at 07:15 AM
Congrats!
Pescador - 3-21-2009 at 08:09 AM
I am one of those rare Colorado natives and spent most of my life in the Loveland/ Ft. Collins area. There are some really good buys in the area but
the prices have not crashed anywhere near as strongly as California. We live in the mountains simply because I can not stand to live in a town or
city. We expect 300+ days of sunshine and if golf is your thing it is possible to play every month of the year. The front range is growing rapidly
but we think that 6 months or so here and the other 6 months in baja is a perfect situation. If you like culture and the arts it is readily available
and it is easy to get away from it all with just a short drive. Summers can be quite hot but where we live at 7,000 ft, we are normally at least 10
degrees or more cooler than at 5,000 on the plains. We laugh about people Californicating Colorado but know quite a few people who have sold out in
California and moved here and bought a place and had money left over from the price differntial.
bajadock - 3-21-2009 at 08:56 AM
Loveland/Ft Collins area is wonderful, although suburbia's cul-de-sacs are taking over the wide open space. Colorado State University is a solid
school and adds to the culture.
I was a Denverite from 1978-2006, living next to Cherry Creek State Park.
Colorado is full of outdoor enthusiasts, like bikers, runners, roller-bladers, snowshoers, skiers because of the sunny climate. Every city along
"front range" of I-25 corridor has good system of bike/hike trails.
A south or southwest exposure for driveway and main living area are desired for solar snowmelt and passive solar heat gain in winter. The 12 months
of golfing can be a stretch most years, but, the 10-12% increased ball distance is fun.
My favorite part of Colorado is southwest around Durango.
Fortunate that my sales career got me to explore most of the state. But, the pacific ocean lured me away.
Good Luck on your search.
Reeljob - 3-21-2009 at 11:43 AM
When you see all the nasty weather pictures realize that almost all of them come from the East Slope of the Rockies.
Try Durango, South Facing, pleasant weather, 4 decent seasons. Closest major shopping is Albuquerque (about 5 hours closer than Denver)