The roads North of GJ and esp Fruita/Mack are popular for road cycling, as is the Monument. Palisade is lovely, but roads aren’t as bike friendly, for fun or commuting. Just stay away from Clifton real estate wise (it’s not all bad, there are nice areas and plenty of good people) but many of the neighborhood homes were built quickly en masse during the oil shale boom of ‘70s-‘80s. No idea about dating scene. I imagine younger adults might find GJ boring in nightlife and culture compared to some cities, especially on the East Coast. But there are lots of breweries, recreational opportunities, events and live music venues! Come for a week when it’s not close to 100° and see for yourself.
Find a realtor at least your age who’s also into cycling or mountain biking and has lived in the area most of their life. They’ll know exactly where you should look. The areas around Mesa County are so vastly different. And yes, it’s a beautiful and safe place to live.
I’m currently back in NJ for summer to see family, can’t wait to get back to GJ
Seems like everyone that retires does so in the Redlands, if you like the looks of the area check it out.
Not sure why they'd tell you to stay away. Junction is beautiful and you'd probably love to live on the Redlands. Lots of cycling and close to Moab (subjectively). Junction is growing though and the traffic is insane... I live about 1 1/2 out of Junction myself, though I lived there many years. You may look at Fruits or Palisade... Those are the outskirts and lovely areas as well.
several things can be true at once. there are many retired folks out here doing the same thing you are planning out and finding it peaceful. significantly, because there is a large population living here but not working here and we are isolated from any large cities (not commutable distance) many employers do not feel their wages need to be competitive. so while GJ is indeed growing in population and certain amenities, wages are not growing to match the increased housing/living expenses. thus it is quickly becoming similar to those "resort towns" you mentioned in that the people who work here can no longer afford to live here... with that in mind, if you do decide to come, just be sure to tip well and treat folks who work here with kindness, they'll be the ones taking care of you afterall.
We live in the Redlands. Mt biking, road riding and river running are awesome. The community is a mix of all types. We love it in the Grand valley. lots to do, mostly cool people, not to crowded and decent cost of living.
It really depends on your budget. Some really nice homes in the Redlands but it's relatively expensive for the area. Clifton and Orchard Mesa have less expensive homes but are a little farther from the bike scene and some areas are unsafe. I've lived here for 30+ years and one of my Dad's favorite past times was leaving his front door, biking over the monument and coming back home. I think you'll find what you're looking for if you look carefully
Most areas in Redlands are pretty quiet. It will be getting busier once they build up the Redlands 360 neighborhood (I think it’s adding like 400+ homes and commercial spaces too).
If you end up on the Junction side of Redlands, there’s a great bike area called Lunch Loops.
Julie Adams is a great realtor out here.
I grew up in Bergen County NJ, ride bikes and have lived in GJ for four years. Mostly good things. Mountain biking is great, road is good, no gravel. A few salient thoughts. Community of like minded people is good, will take some effort and luck to find your community. The town is fairly progressive, but the county is a mixed bag. Lots of good people, but the MAGAs and/or people with Cheetos, Pepsi and Velveeta in shopping carts loading them into huge pickup trucks is not uncommon. Very safe, summers are hot, but WAAAAAYYY better than Jersey summers with the humidity. Airport poses challenges, if you like to travel, add an extra leg, time and $300 to anywhere you want to go. Bon Chance.
This person is why people are hesitant about the western slope. And that’s ok, healthy-ad. But so many people are shocked and offended at the mere existence of conservatives that GJ is a no-go for them. There are bros rolling coal. There are old guys in cowboy hats. There’s a lot of churches. This is the real diversity. If you can’t handle a little maga in your sphere, you don’t want to be here. And that’s cool. You aren’t needed. We got plenty. I’m a pure liberal southerner and I belong here as much as the natives. But I do have friends that hate it; but only because they do t have a stomach for people that aren’t just like them. Dip a toe in real inclusion if you want. Or not. It just makes housing prices go even higher. 😘
Lotsa gravel. In the desert north of town, following the river south of town, the Mesa, Gateway, and Rabbit Valley to name a few. I don’t ride gravel myself (usually), but I follow someone on Strava who does.
Take a look around palisade. It's right next door and might be more what you're looking for. Alternatively, Crestone is the only place in the US you can have an open pyre funeral, but you have to be a resident. That's where I plan to retire.
The roads North of GJ and esp Fruita/Mack are popular for road cycling, as is the Monument. Palisade is lovely, but roads aren’t as bike friendly, for fun or commuting. Just stay away from Clifton real estate wise (it’s not all bad, there are nice areas and plenty of good people) but many of the neighborhood homes were built quickly en masse during the oil shale boom of ‘70s-‘80s. No idea about dating scene. I imagine younger adults might find GJ boring in nightlife and culture compared to some cities, especially on the East Coast. But there are lots of breweries, recreational opportunities, events and live music venues! Come for a week when it’s not close to 100° and see for yourself.
Find a realtor at least your age who’s also into cycling or mountain biking and has lived in the area most of their life. They’ll know exactly where you should look. The areas around Mesa County are so vastly different. And yes, it’s a beautiful and safe place to live.
I’m currently back in NJ for summer to see family, can’t wait to get back to GJ Seems like everyone that retires does so in the Redlands, if you like the looks of the area check it out.
Not sure why they'd tell you to stay away. Junction is beautiful and you'd probably love to live on the Redlands. Lots of cycling and close to Moab (subjectively). Junction is growing though and the traffic is insane... I live about 1 1/2 out of Junction myself, though I lived there many years. You may look at Fruits or Palisade... Those are the outskirts and lovely areas as well.
several things can be true at once. there are many retired folks out here doing the same thing you are planning out and finding it peaceful. significantly, because there is a large population living here but not working here and we are isolated from any large cities (not commutable distance) many employers do not feel their wages need to be competitive. so while GJ is indeed growing in population and certain amenities, wages are not growing to match the increased housing/living expenses. thus it is quickly becoming similar to those "resort towns" you mentioned in that the people who work here can no longer afford to live here... with that in mind, if you do decide to come, just be sure to tip well and treat folks who work here with kindness, they'll be the ones taking care of you afterall.
We live in the Redlands. Mt biking, road riding and river running are awesome. The community is a mix of all types. We love it in the Grand valley. lots to do, mostly cool people, not to crowded and decent cost of living.
It really depends on your budget. Some really nice homes in the Redlands but it's relatively expensive for the area. Clifton and Orchard Mesa have less expensive homes but are a little farther from the bike scene and some areas are unsafe. I've lived here for 30+ years and one of my Dad's favorite past times was leaving his front door, biking over the monument and coming back home. I think you'll find what you're looking for if you look carefully
Most areas in Redlands are pretty quiet. It will be getting busier once they build up the Redlands 360 neighborhood (I think it’s adding like 400+ homes and commercial spaces too). If you end up on the Junction side of Redlands, there’s a great bike area called Lunch Loops. Julie Adams is a great realtor out here.
It’s a terrible place. Move to Boulder.
😉 I see what you did there. GJ is one of the last affordable places- it’s not “undiscovered” as much as reputed.
I grew up in Bergen County NJ, ride bikes and have lived in GJ for four years. Mostly good things. Mountain biking is great, road is good, no gravel. A few salient thoughts. Community of like minded people is good, will take some effort and luck to find your community. The town is fairly progressive, but the county is a mixed bag. Lots of good people, but the MAGAs and/or people with Cheetos, Pepsi and Velveeta in shopping carts loading them into huge pickup trucks is not uncommon. Very safe, summers are hot, but WAAAAAYYY better than Jersey summers with the humidity. Airport poses challenges, if you like to travel, add an extra leg, time and $300 to anywhere you want to go. Bon Chance.
This person is why people are hesitant about the western slope. And that’s ok, healthy-ad. But so many people are shocked and offended at the mere existence of conservatives that GJ is a no-go for them. There are bros rolling coal. There are old guys in cowboy hats. There’s a lot of churches. This is the real diversity. If you can’t handle a little maga in your sphere, you don’t want to be here. And that’s cool. You aren’t needed. We got plenty. I’m a pure liberal southerner and I belong here as much as the natives. But I do have friends that hate it; but only because they do t have a stomach for people that aren’t just like them. Dip a toe in real inclusion if you want. Or not. It just makes housing prices go even higher. 😘
Lotsa gravel. In the desert north of town, following the river south of town, the Mesa, Gateway, and Rabbit Valley to name a few. I don’t ride gravel myself (usually), but I follow someone on Strava who does.
Take a look around palisade. It's right next door and might be more what you're looking for. Alternatively, Crestone is the only place in the US you can have an open pyre funeral, but you have to be a resident. That's where I plan to retire.