Grand Junction

[hurley842002]

Saint George was ridiculously hot when we were there last summer. I don't want to derail your thread, but would you mind talking about what attracts you to the desert? It's never been some where I've considered, but my wife loves the heat and would be down to move some where warmer.

Yeah we drove through there in July on our way to California, the heat literally slapped us in the face when we got out of the truck, my wife immediately got very irritable.

It would be safe to say not just any desert location would suffice. I like canyons and mesa's, warm weather, wide open space. I think part of my desire for the open space is growing up on the plains.

Ultimately I'd like to get close (reasonable driving distance) to California without living in California. St. George is a bit of a drive but do able, Boulder City Nevada would be nice, but my wife lived in Vegas for 5 years and won't go back because of the heat. Unfortunately it looks like my options are very limited at this point.

[Irving]

Alamosa?

[hurley842002]

Alamosa?

Alamosa wouldn't be too bad, I've hung out there a few times, but it's really not the change of scenery I'm looking for.

[alan0269]

A little off topic, but any of the options you have listed are gonna make meeting up for trades extremely difficult!

On topic - I've never lived there, but I find Grand Junction a very nice place to visit. Not far from some of the scenery you've mentioned that you like either. Just take a short drive into Utah and it's all there for you.

[hurley842002]

A little off topic, but any of the options you have listed are gonna make meeting up for trades extremely difficult!

On topic - I've never lived there, but I find Grand Junction a very nice place to visit. Not far from some of the scenery you've mentioned that you like either. Just take a short drive into Utah and it's all there for you.

We've had some very worthy deals, the trip to Denver might be worth it lol.

Yes, Moab is a big selling point for me. I've done lots and lots of wheeling and exploring in the Rocky Mountains, I'm kind of ready to explore somewhere else.

[hurley842002]

Plus, at the end of the day, if driving to California, I'll take 11 hours from GJ vs 15 from here any day. Those 4 hours at the end of a long trip add up.

[Danimal]

Deleted

[hurley842002]

Thanks a lot for the info Danimal.

One more question for you guys. I've only ever driven through GJ via I70, so I know what is available to the east. What's the best access to decent mountains? Is it going to be heading back east on 70, or are there other closer options?

Lack of decent mountains are my wife's only concern, not a deal breaker at this point, but I'd like to try and ease her concern.

[cstone]

Go south from GJ. After Delta and Montrose, you either go to Silverton and Durango or go west toward Telluride. Ouray is a nice little tourist trap and the drive up the pass is fun when it isn't snowing and iced over. Just avoid Gunnison

Lots of great places on the western slope. I think finding jobs will be your first and biggest hurdle.

Good luck with your search.

[Great-Kazoo]

Where did you experience this large amount of traffic in Grand Junction last weekend?
I moved here from Greenwood Village two years ago and have absalutly zero complaints about Grand Junction traffic.

FWIW: I remember GWV as a small place , the DTC was miniscule compared to last stop down there, before Christmas (never again). Now it's like any other major growth area.

This was wed. mid afternoon, evening and again this morning.
Road 24 where the Mesa mall / stores seemed to be reproducing every time we drove by there. It was like Harmony rd and College ave in one big cluster fuk. I couldn't imaging being in that area around the holidays. It's bordered by business 70, Colorado Mesa University is in that area.
IMO GJ is like Ft Collins, which we want to avoid.

We want Small Town, Rural living. When we moved to our current location there was less than 6K population, 2 stop lights. Now it's passed the 20K and 10+ lights to get out of town. WAY to many people.

The up side is , as mentioned. 20 - 30 minutes and you are away from that scene.



We found a real nice place in Montrose (by the ad) till we got there. 5 ac scenic overlook, bank owned. The 5ac was 4 - 5' wide of shoulder off the road, the scenic overlook was fantastic. Till you lowered your view 2". Then we were subjected to the feed lot. .
Come spring we'll examine the area more, especially the areas outside city limits. This visit was time limited.