Thinking of retiring in Colorado

[JJ]

The folks who live in Cedar Vale go to Kim to get away from it all .

 Dusty

 I am sure it is well worth the ride in the spring / summer / fall!!
I like little small rural towns like that!

[Griso8V]

The comment "Too remote for retirement" may mean that when you are getting up in age, access to medical care becomes a bit higher on the priority list.  I had a relative that lived in the North Coast of California.  He got sick and it was a two hour drive to get to a major hospital for treatment.  Then it wasn't even the state of the art treatment.  For that he was told he had to go to either Stanford or UCSF.  Those drives are about 3 to 4 hours from where he lived. 
As I get older I keep thinking that being reasonably close to good medical care is becoming more and more of a priority.  I am told by the Dr. that I am very healthy and I am quite active now (running, biking, etc) but one never knows...

[jcctx]

Kinda like California without the good weather???

[LowRyter]

Of course there is Antonito where there is house castle built from hubcaps.  And several UFO viewing areas in the southern half of the state as well.

Besides the cold winters, it's not a great place for gardens and it's pretty difficult to find fresh produce like outdoor tomatoes. 

[Testarossa]

Another vote for Southwest Colorado.

Grand Junction/Fruita/Mesa County has a reputation as one of the best places in the country for the quality and low cost of Medicare services (it's on the expensive side for private-insurance patients, at least for hospital stays -- that's true of the entire mountain region). A lot has been written about medical care in the area and a google search will find articles in national publications.

We retired to Paonia in Delta County and love it. Medical care isn't a problem -- we're half an hour from an efficient county hospital and ten minutes from the hospital's local clinic. Very satisfied with the quality and availability. Other communities on the Western Slope (and non-Medicare patients) may not be so lucky.

If you need to be close to culture, Fort Collins is tremendous. Two hours from Denver via the flat I-15, with all the amenities of a decent university town -- and Boulder, a live-music mecca, with a summer Shakespeare festival, just an hour away. Fort Collins is also close to some of the best motorcycling in the state, in the foothills east of the Divide, and near Rocky Mountain National Park. Real estate prices are still reasonable.

Where we are, irrigated land is still cheap, but we are isolated. We're 90 minutes to two hours from major ski areas with their summer music festivals, with great motorcycling -- on and off road -- in all directions. The valley opens to the south so is sunny and pleasant most of the year even at 5600 feet elevation. And so we have a lot of farming/ranching, including fruit orchards and vineyards. During the - epidemic we've seen a small but perceptible increase in the number of retired people selling off their urban homes to move here.

After living in NorCal (mountains and Bay Area), Seattle and the Denver-Boulder area, we chose this area as the best combination for affordable real estate and quality of life.

[Vagrant]

After doing my best to spend at least 1 week a year ridding Co. since the late 70"s I can say that I could care less about it now. The beauty is there are few roads. You have to ride 100 boring straight miles to get to the 50 twisty miles.  That was great when there were few people. now every road is virtually unrideable from Friday to late Monday year-round and you might as well stay home holiday weekends. Everybody in Denver wants to "go to the mountains" so the roads, stores, motels, etc are clogged with people, trucks towing campers, and other play toys.
I hit the jackpot when I moved to Ga. The intersection of South Carolina, NC, Tennesse, and Georgia is as good of a motorcycle-riding area as can be found anywhere. Skiing both water and snow, boating, fishing, hunting, low housing, and taxes. What's not to like.
At retirement age, as stated above medical is very important.
If convinced you want to be out west consider Chalma, NM, or similar.

[moto]

After doing my best to spend at least 1 week a year ridding Co. since the late 70"s I can say that I could care less about it now. The beauty is there are few roads. You have to ride 100 boring straight miles to get to the 50 twisty miles.  That was great when there were few people. now every road is virtually unrideable from Friday to late Monday year-round and you might as well stay home holiday weekends. Everybody in Denver wants to "go to the mountains" so the roads, stores, motels, etc are clogged with people, trucks towing campers, and other play toys.
I hit the jackpot when I moved to Ga. The intersection of South Carolina, NC, Tennesse, and Georgia is as good of a motorcycle-riding area as can be found anywhere. Skiing both water and snow, boating, fishing, hunting, low housing, and taxes. What's not to like.
At retirement age, as stated above medical is very important.
If convinced you want to be out west consider Chalma, NM, or similar.

Interesting, and a good point. That's how I'd describe western Montana now, and probably parts of Idaho I used to roam. Sad.

The problem is us, unfortunately. As a German sign on a crowded highway reportedly said, "You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic." Or, as Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Moto

[LongRanger]

Weekend and holiday traffic does get heavy unless you know which routes and areas to avoid (most tourists don’t). But being retired, you don’t need to worry about riding on weekends and holidays. The roads are otherwise quite empty.

[skippy]

Weekend and holiday traffic does get heavy unless you know which routes and areas to avoid (most tourists don’t). But being retired, you don’t need to worry about riding on weekends and holidays. The roads are otherwise quite empty.

This is a true statement. I usually plan all of my trips Monday to Friday and have a blast riding on twisty stuff for days with little to no traffic. But no matter what day it is, when I am either coming from or going to the front range I have to put up with traffic. Being local I at least know the best time of day on any given day to accomplish that with out much pain and aggravation.

Skippy

[Vagrant]

I might have come off too negative because I really do love it there. Elk hunted there with a black powder gun for many years. I always came a week early to ride using the excuse it would help me get used to the altitude. But, I spent 2008-2018 living a week or so in my buddy's ski condo at 10,500 foot looking out on the Breckenridge ski slopes. Few paved roads to choose from when doing 150-250 mile daily rides from there and on the Memorial day weekend, you might as well stay home.

[LowRyter]

Agree that there is quite of bit of traffic and with the mountains, few alternate routes.  There are still some pretty empty roads, like 92, 149, 141, 46, and 14.  County roads too.  The scenery is specular. 

For full on riding pleasure, the Ark Ozarks is probably the best.  Lots of roads, alternate routes, little traffic, quaint towns, good scenery. 

Of course, I like to ride in both states.  Ark in Spring and Fall, Colo in the Summer.   

[Testarossa]

Heavy traffic is a Front Range issue. West of Vail there's nothing. Well, slow RVs on a few mountain passes on weekends.

[Texas Turnip]

Who are you again ?

 Let me say this , when you are running on fumes and haven't passed a store in 150 miles , Kim is a welcome sight .

 Dusty

Beaver and I were in Kim a few years ago and the general store and gas station was CLOSED. I've had wives that had to run to the store even two times a day to get some stuff. City folks would never make it in Kim.

Tex

[oldbike54]

Beaver and I were in Kim a few years ago and the general store and gas station was CLOSED. I've had wives that had to run to the store even two times a day to get some stuff. City folks would never make it in Kim.

Tex

 were you there after 5 PM ? Those folks up there don't stay up past about 6 PM 

 Dusty

[Tusayan]

I hit the jackpot when I moved to Ga. The intersection of South Carolina, NC, Tennesse, and Georgia is as good of a motorcycle-riding area as can be found anywhere. Skiing both water and snow, boating, fishing, hunting, low housing, and taxes. What's not to like.

Humidity and bugs?  I’ve thought about that area and that was my conclusion, FWIW.  Otherwise it looked promising.  I’d welcome your experience.

I think Central California has the best US setup for a motorcycling retirement, if you can afford the housing prices and taxes.

Agreed about medical care.  Who wants to retire somewhere knowing eventually you’ll be forced to leave.  Maybe some wouldn’t mind that, but it wouldn’t be my choice.

[kingoffleece]

I'm going to AZ.  Nobody asked.
After living in NYC (Manhattan) for 5 years traffic is well, traffic.

[Tom]

Where in the AZ?

[twowheeladdict]

Greetings All!!

We stayed in Grand Junction Colorado after the great Not-a-Rally in Cedar Vale (THANKS Dusty and helpers!!!) and was impressed with the Palisade area just east of there.

Reason we are thinking of leaving California?

California taxes my military retirement check and Colorado doesn't up to 24K. Well below what I get.

California taxes in general. Property, city, car registration etc.

Dusty also recommended the southeast area of Colorado also.

OK so here is my question to the collective...

What area of Colorado is a good place to consider retiring?

This will be our last move. Whatever house we buy will be our last.

Another bonus is Colorado is closer to Cedar Vale! We WILL have another Not-a-Rally soon!!

Thanks for your opinions,

Jeff

Is Colorado really that much cheaper to live?  I know when talking with motorcyclists out there, they pay to register one bike what I pay to register 4 bikes.  Same with insurance.  I guess it all comes down to perspective.  I know for me Colorado would be a huge increase in expenses and taxes compared to where I am living now. 

[Vagrant]

Humidity and bugs?  I’ve thought about that area and that was my conclusion, FWIW.  Otherwise it looked promising.  I’d welcome your experience.

I think Central California has the best US setup for a motorcycling retirement, if you can afford the housing prices and taxes.

Agreed about medical care.  Who wants to retire somewhere knowing eventually you’ll be forced to leave.  Maybe some wouldn’t mind that, but it wouldn’t be my choice.

Fair question, where I'm at, Gainesville on lake Lanier the humidity is certainly there but not quite as bad as S. Ga. The mountains start just N. of me 20 miles or so and they make a buffer zone to the South for about 80 miles that has very few bugs. They claim there is a "Fall line" 80-120 miles south. that is where the ocean origionally stopped. from there south there are all sorts of insect creatures.
I have no ties to the area or family to worry about so I could have moved anywhere after retiring. I choose to stay here as I consider it the motorcycle capital of the world. Looking at every aspect the year around weather, great pavement, twisty mountain roads everywheea and lots of them.

[kingoffleece]

Somewhere around Phoenix I think.  The boy is most likely going top college there and we want to see him play.

[Buckturgidson]

I thought everyone from California was stopping in Reno/Sparks. Same problem here as Boise. Home prices being driven higher by Cali transplants so locals are priced out of the market.

[Moparnut72]

We were considering Reno/Sparks a few years ago, Cold Spgs area. I am sure we couldn't afford to do it now. Prices over in Nevada are sky rocketing. I can't believe the amount of building going on in the Reno area now. What was once the Biggest Little City is turning into a just plain Big City. The small town friendly atmosphere is going away in your area. Heading your way in an hour to see the eye Dr.
kk

[JJ]

Welcome to our world here in northern Arizona!!!   
People from California / Texas / and many other states are leaving in droves and moving to Sedona / The Village of Oak Creek / Cottonwood / Cornville / Prescott / Prescott Valley / Chino Valley / Dewey-Humbodlt...and buying up all the available houses / properties everywhere!! [/i][/b] Glad we bought our house five (5) years ago!!!  *** PRICES ARE GOING WAY UP!! ***

[Joliet Jim]

I'm staying in Illinois, nice straight roads to get you there quick. No unnecessary turns or hills just long straight roads. Your adventure bikes would do well on our fine broken roads and highway expansion joints and of course the endless sea of Harleys running from remote bar to remote bar. Oh retirement income is not taxed, just everything else possible. :)

[Tom]

Somewhere around Phoenix I think.  The boy is most likely going top college there and we want to see him play.

East Valley.  Mesa, Apache Junction, Chandler or Gilbert.  Scottsdale & Paradise Valley are expensive.

[LongRanger]

Taxes in Colorado aren’t excessive, nor is the cost of housing. The population of the entire state is roughly equivalent to that of San Diego County and it’s not difficult to find peace and quiet once you leave the metropolitan areas. If the weather was more moderate, it’d be just about ideal. For the activities I enjoy, I find the affordability and quality of life to be superior compared to the coastal cities of California (SF, LA, SD).

[Testarossa]

And if you live in Colorado it's easy to get to our NAR.

[Tom]

I like Gunnison and the Pueblo areas.

[Two Checks]

Okay, everyone fess up.
You're going to CO for the legal pot!

[LowRyter]

Okay, everyone fess up.
You're going to CO for the legal pot!

it is a reason I've not moved to Texas.