Grand Junction

[hurley842002]

I know there is at least a Western slope discussion floating around here somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it, and it may just be better to ask my specific questions in a new thread.

Some of you are aware that recently I made a big life change, in ending a 10 year career to pursue education and further my career goals. I now am pretty much wide open for where I want to live/go to school and or work. If it were up to me, we'd move to the desert and call it good. I think Grand Junction is the best climate compromise for us both, as she refuses to live in an actual desert. With that said, here are a few questions I have.

-What is the Job market like? Specifically for my wife, she's a banker considering a future in nursing, but banking is her current Forte.

- How is the Sheriff in Mesa county? I'm looking real hard at the deputy positions available with MC.

- We don't go out much at all, but if the wife and I wanted to "go out", how is the night life for two young'ish adults.

- If Colorado eventually turns completely blue, what is the political climate for GJ?

- How are the school's? I've got 2 little one's, and the oldest will start school in about 3 years.

I may come up with some other questions, if I do I'll post them. Thanks for any input.

[Hound]

I am guessing this is what you are looking for.

https://www.ar-15.co/forums/125-West...ooters-Society

[Great-Kazoo]

I'll let you know Wednesday

[hurley842002]

I'll let you know Wednesday

Actually thinking of taking a trip there in the near future.

[cstone]

Check out Durango as well. La Plata County Sheriff's Office is not the best paying job in the world, but they seem to be hiring fairly frequently and the job will give you plenty of exposure to a variety of issues. Oil and gas are pretty big businesses on the western slope, so banking and the rest of the economy there will float on how that industry is going. Another benefit to Durango is proximity to Farmington, NM. If you can't find what you want in one, you can look in the other. GJ is a nice town, but if you can't find it in GJ, there aren't really any alternatives.

Good luck with your search.

[Great-Kazoo]

Actually thinking of taking a trip there in the near future.

We'll be in and out of the area. Looking south of 70 down to Montrose. Wife has one in her sights. Only 3 ac backs up to BLM land.

[twitchyfinger]

Hurley just a thought. I'd give you a heck of a deal on renting my cabin for a year maybe longer. PM sent.

[Hummer]

-What is the Job market like? Specifically for my wife, she's a banker considering a future in nursing, but banking is her current Forte.

Unlike the Front Range, the job market in GJ has not fully recovered. Wages are significantly lower. Probably good demand for nurses but there's a lot of $$ pressure on the medical businesses here.

- How is the Sheriff in Mesa county? I'm looking real hard at the deputy positions available with MC.

There's a new sheriff in town, Matt Lewis. There's a lot of personnel shake ups happening right now; might actually be a good time to apply.

- We don't go out much at all, but if the wife and I wanted to "go out", how is the night life for two young'ish adults.

It's a much smaller city but probably adequate and growing number of outlets because of the university which is also growing. There's a good selection of dining and shopping available, far better that when we moved here 20 years ago.

- If Colorado eventually turns completely blue, what is the political climate for GJ?

Mesa County is about 70% R now but expect that to change due to the influx of California escapees and the recent addition of a leftist publisher running the Daily Sentinel newspaper.

- How are the school's? I've got 2 little one's, and the oldest will start school in about 3 years.

No personal experience. Probably varies depending on what part of town one lives in.

I suggest you come over for a weekend getaway....

[hurley842002]

-What is the Job market like? Specifically for my wife, she's a banker considering a future in nursing, but banking is her current Forte.

Unlike the Front Range, the job market in GJ has not fully recovered. Wages are significantly lower. Probably good demand for nurses but there's a lot of $$ pressure on the medical businesses here.

- How is the Sheriff in Mesa county? I'm looking real hard at the deputy positions available with MC.

There's a new sheriff in town, Matt Lewis. There's a lot of personnel shake ups happening right now; might actually be a good time to apply.

- We don't go out much at all, but if the wife and I wanted to "go out", how is the night life for two young'ish adults.

It's a much smaller city but probably adequate and growing number of outlets because of the university which is also growing. There's a good selection of dining and shopping available, far better that when we moved here 20 years ago.

- If Colorado eventually turns completely blue, what is the political climate for GJ?

Mesa County is about 70% R now but expect that to change due to the influx of California escapees and the recent addition of a leftist publisher running the Daily Sentinel newspaper.

- How are the school's? I've got 2 little one's, and the oldest will start school in about 3 years.

No personal experience. Probably varies depending on what part of town one lives in.

I suggest you come over for a weekend getaway....

Thanks a lot for the info. There appears to be a handful of banker jobs available, so I may have her start applying, and I'll apply for MC.

The plan is to rent for a year, get all my debt (which is minimal) paid down, and then start looking for a chunk of land, but that is the plan regardless of where we end up.

As far as night life, as long as there is a decent steakhouse, and a few decent Mexican food restaurants, we are happy.

At a minimum, I'm planning to go scout the area, maybe check out the 2a restaurant in Rifle.

[JohnnyDrama]

I think GJ is a pretty cool town. I lived there for 5-6 years while attending college. It's grown a lot since then but I still like it. My more liberal friends frequently complain about the concervitism there so it can't be too bad. As far as western Colorado college towns it has the most to offer as far as prices for housing and restaurants go. Probably a lot more politically agreeable as well. For early childhood opportunities it definitely has more options.