CO and NM People, Penny for Your Thoughts

[dddaver]

I just wanted to add I see your point about more available water for self-sufficiency DoT, but in my case the decrease in the humidity is my big draw to south of Co Sprgs. Also, you might want to check records for anywhere over on the western slopes. I think those micro-climatological effects like monsoon was talking about can have a bigger effect over that way.

And not right now, I have no plans to go over and wander. I was surprised how far away that is from here. It's farther to there than from here to NY. I'd have to fly. I'm not thrilled about doing that. For a person that has flown a lot, I'm not a happy flier. It just seems strange to me pay a lot for the privilege of hurrying, the crowds, jammed in small seats, crappy food thrown at you, and carrying those heavy weights. The flying itself doesn't bother me. I actually kinda like that part. It's the rest I hate. I like the freedom of driving too. Maybe. But no plans right now.

 

[DreamsofTesla]

Monsoon--

That is nuts! Thanks for that information. What a unique and interesting place.

<3 Tesla

 

[DreamsofTesla]

Wow Dave, we really are some kind of twinsies. I can't stand to fly either. I saw affordable homes in Hawaii, believe it or not. The main thing preventing me from investigating that is the huge flight or long ass boat ride. When I go to CO I'll be driving.

The little town I'm talking about is Crestone. I'm interested in it because of my spiritual pursuits. It just so happens to also meet my other needs, for a beautiful, peaceful place with privacy and quiet available.

You should really check out the earthships. It's not so much about the way they look -- people can make them look any kind of way. The main idea is a completely sustainable house. Basically they're a tiny microclimate.

They're powered by solar, use rainwater catchment from the roof, then recycle the water that's used four times. They grow their own food indoors using the wastewater to grow the plants. They're built using recycled materials such as old rubber tires, bottles, and tin cans. They don't have any temperature modulation system because they don't need them. Neat stuff.

 

[JackCough]

Eee ala

Eee ala

If you like the sun,dry winds,cataracts,sunburns,crappy drivers,nose bleeds,grit in your teeth,crappy roads,doogie howser,drunk drivers,sharpie eyebrows,the color brown,black widow spiders,crappy medicalmj programs,elephant skin elbows,pitbulls and the best food in the world you'll do just fine in the land of entrapment.
Odelaters

 

[DreamsofTesla]

If you like the sun,dry winds,cataracts,sunburns,crappy drivers,nose bleeds,grit in your teeth,crappy roads,doogie howser,drunk drivers,sharpie eyebrows,the color brown,black widow spiders,crappy medicalmj programs,elephant skin elbows,pitbulls and the best food in the world you'll do just fine in the land of entrapment.
Odelaters

I know those sharpie eyebrows are a NM phenomenon aren't they? I swear I've never seen that growing up in the barrio back east.

<3 Tesla

 

[dddaver]

I had a HEALTH teacher in Jr. High way back in the '60s that did that. Man, did she look weird. I never understood that, unless you WANNA look like a clown I guess.

 

[DreamsofTesla]

I had a HEALTH teacher in Jr. High way back in the '60s that did that. Man, did she look weird. I never understood that, unless you WANNA look like a clown I guess.

Dave, have you been out there and seen what he's talking about? I've only ever seen that particular look in ABQ, and there are a ton of women with the tarantula/sharpie eye makeup. They don't look like clowns to me, they look harder than murderers, even when they don't have teardrop tattoos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8n-CYGZl5o

<3 Tesla

 

[2 Legal Co]

Make sure you look at the weather in an area before selecting a home site. Snow, rain, temperatures (both winter and summer). weather.com has some of this type of info. Humidity is Not an issue here either. Swampers work most of the time very well. As far as I know, there is no precedent setting ruling as to snow melt here,,, although Denver Water Board is trying. A good Domestic well is a must have, if in the country.

If you want to avoid summer heat and can stand a bit of cold. Look at Colorado above Canon City, in the Arkansas River valley.

Keep in mind also, that water rights aren't the end all either. You are probably not capable of 'farming' maybe. So all you really need is a good farmer's market, and enough 'well output' to supply your greenhouse?

I'd give you more precise info, but I'm still a bit shy about that stuff yet. Places in the lower valley are Texas Creek, up to Salida, and above Salida all the way to Leadville. Leadville is CCCCCCold in the winter FYI. lol

Real estate prices are starting to recover here in Colorado, so don't delay if you are serious. Take a look at Zillow.com for ''values'',, anywhere in the US. You have to look for a deal, on what you want... but it can be found yet.

There doesn't seem to be any oil in the Arkansas River Valley either. At least I've not seen any wells Yet.

http://www.mapquest.com/#c7ef626dc1e0a4694f182dd0

 

[DreamsofTesla]

Keep in mind also, that water rights aren't the end all either. You are probably not capable of 'farming' maybe. So all you really need is a good farmer's market, and enough 'well output' to supply your greenhouse?
...
There doesn't seem to be any oil in the Arkansas River Valley either. At least I've not seen any wells Yet.

http://www.mapquest.com/#c7ef626dc1e0a4694f182dd0

2 Legal



That is very helpful. I'm thinking about Crestone, or as Miles recommended, Buena Vista/Salida. But I'm really loving the sound of Crestone. That's in the Sangre de Cristo range, but I need to look at the map a bit more carefully. I'm not familiar with CO, only been there once as a child. I really want to avoid severe weather extremes if possible, but would rather be cold than hot. Also definitely want to avoid fracking and hardcore right wingers.

<3 Tesla

 

[2 Legal Co]

BLM (Bureau of Land Management), is just another type of Public Land. Very similar to National Forest.

A lot of it is open to 'Distributed Camping'. So if you are capable and willing to 'Boondock', the price is right..... Free Free Free. They say you have to move avery three weeks, I think. I you bring a camper I can show you a few places to go. It does however, need to be able to handle some slightly rough two track roads. Even a small 5th wheel will get there if the axle is flipped. But I digress.

Which, by the way, opens a whole nother thought process. How about the Mountains in the summer and go south for the winter. If you don't require a lot of 'stuff', it's not a bad idea. Especially if you have a smaller RV, that doesn't take 'all the gas'. lol Does that really exist?

 

[2 Legal Co]

2 Legal



That is very helpful. I'm thinking about Crestone, or as Miles recommended, Buena Vista/Salida. But I'm really loving the sound of Crestone. That's in the Sangre de Cristo range, but I need to look at the map a bit more carefully. I'm not familiar with CO, only been there once as a child. I really want to avoid severe weather extremes if possible, but would rather be cold than hot. Also definitely want to avoid fracking and hardcore right wingers.

<3 Tesla

Couldn't agree more. I'm Liberal in Politics, and liberal with my ammo as well. Fairly common out here I've found. Lot's of Veterans in Colorado. VA hospitals in Denver and Grand Junction.

I'm not familiar with Crestone personally. 8000 feet in elevation, looks like, so a bit nicer in the summer, I'm thinking.
Here ya go.
http://www.hippy.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=249

PM me when you get into the area. We'll talk more then.
Salida, and BV?.......Hmmmm, I been there.

 

[2 Legal Co]

Thought one time I'd like to have a place in Elephant Butte NM, on the Rio Grande River. Knew a couple moved to Truth or Consequences NM a few years back.

 

[DreamsofTesla]

BLM (Bureau of Land Management), is just another type of Public Land. Very similar to National Forest.

A lot of it is open to 'Distributed Camping'. So if you are capable and willing to 'Boondock', the price is right..... Free Free Free. They say you have to move avery three weeks, I think. I you bring a camper I can show you a few places to go. It does however, need to be able to handle some slightly rough two track roads. Even a small 5th wheel will get there if the axle is flipped. But I digress.

Which, by the way, opens a whole nother thought process. How about the Mountains in the summer and go south for the winter. If you don't require a lot of 'stuff', it's not a bad idea. Especially if you have a smaller RV, that doesn't take 'all the gas'. lol Does that really exist?

2 Legal, I really appreciate your thoughts on this. Everyone has been so kind and informative. I think I'm a little old for that, plus I have an entire bedroom full of art supplies that I'm pretty attached to.

Thanks for the Zillow idea, I'd never heard of it before and they do have a bunch of things that aren't on the other listing sites I've checked. Kooky stuff like teepees LOL. Honestly I could even deal with living right in town, if it was a town like Crestone, especially if I had trees around or some other privacy screen between me and the neighbors.

<3 Tesla

 

[monsoon]

Check trulia and yahoo for real estate listings as well, Tesla.

 

[joeylupre]

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[2 Legal Co]

Looking to retire this spring and am looking at CO. My wife is kinda leary of the severe cold so we are looking for treed privacy and the warmest climate in or out of the mountains.

Been searching land w/electricity in reasonable range and only finding stuff in Alamosa and Fort Garland area. Is Walensburg a good area? And are they fairly friendly with the MJ thing.

Where would be best. Business goes with us so not gold mining.

I'm not familiar with Walsenburg personally. I would suggest looking at the weather/temperatures,,, historically.

Keep in mind that if you get too far into the Mountains......it could be colder than a well digger's arse, in the winter. Those same areas do tend to be more moderate in summer though.

Certain areas in and around this zip code have trees, mostly open though ... 80449 It's Hartsel Co. and it's in South Park....

Also could look around Bailey Co... That's way more residential, with quite a mix of real estate. But would certainly have sparks... and probably Natural Gas, they've been running pipe over there for 6-7 years now. Bailey Propane is looking half as big as it used to be.

A lot depends on how much you want to spend,,, and how many people you are willing to put up with. Trinidad is a bit on the 'small town' side of life,,, to rural & mountainous. I like what little I've seen of it. A bit High, I think tho.

How 'well' are you retiring? I hate to tell you about Hounddog, if you are looking for a Mountain to buy.

 

[Big Sky]

Looking to retire this spring and am looking at CO. My wife is kinda leary of the severe cold so we are looking for treed privacy and the warmest climate in or out of the mountains.

Been searching land w/electricity in reasonable range and only finding stuff in Alamosa and Fort Garland area. Is Walensburg a good area? And are they fairly friendly with the MJ thing.

Where would be best. Business goes with us so not gold mining.

Walsenburg is nice, but not much work and its a small town just east of Alamosa , hour south of pueblo-kinda rural-
there is a bunch of housing opportunity in walsenburg but finding work or making a thriving business might be harder then say pueblo-
pueblo is cool, nice city with views of the mountain ranges, has dispensaries, hyrdo shops etc-
people here are super nice-
cost of living is low-
its an old area, expect 100 year old houses everywhere some older-
has lots of history and things to do-
the weather in pueblo is pretty nice-
not to cold , can get hot but snow is not a major issue- just enough to have fun in and a few days its gone- rd's dont ice as much as other places in winter-
anything south of co springs/denver area is high desert-
very nice scenes and place to live-
always outdoor activities year round to explore-

 

[monsoon]

That land down in the San Luis isn't what you want. It's a revolving door of lost dreams. Folks see those parcels in the ads in Hunting/Outdoor mags and it LOOKS like it's treed and there's a lake....and yes...there are trees and a lake SOMEWHERE in the area, it just isn't gonna be on the barren, wasteland they are gonna be selling you from afar for VERY cheap compared to other land in CO that is useable. Beware. QUALITY land here is 5K and up per acre and more if you have Water rights attached to the land and can actually plant something outside. Without the right to water outside, >you cannot legally do so.

Dunno how much you have to invest, but I would caution anyone coming here to spend some time in the area you are targeting before buying anything and to seek out a real estate agent to help you zone in when you do figure out where you want to be.

what is the biz you are bringing with, if I may ask? Might help to know.

 

[joeylupre]

!

 

[Big Sky]

hobby lobby! hobby lobby! just fun to say when your stoned in Colorado hee-
yeah its a big hobby lobby-
pueblo has just about everything-
mountain ranges are close so you get all that snow fun you can handle but not have to deal with the hassles it brings cause your on the foothills in pueblo-

co springs is beautiful , much more so then pueblo and very mmj friendly-
but the cost of living is much higher-
30 min apart drive wise-


i own land in the san luis valley and those ots are a steal, cheap or not-
in florida a 100 feet by 50 foot lot is around 8 grand..yes..8k..you have a mosquito farm , tiny plot, for 8k-
5 acres for anything close to 1k an acre is a steal in the san luis valley imho-
i own one of those treeless lots out there and its especially great for blowing shit up, camping, or development,-
water rights are a pain.
thats the mid west and all of the west-
more so in colorado because we supply new mexico, texas etc with water as well via rivers etc-
but what might seem like a pain in the butt now, may be a blessing later-
look at this..san luis valley is sitting on top of a giant glacier/fresh water aquifer -
largest in the country-
so when everyones little small aquifer dries up in the comming fresh water crisis..it will be locked down and on tap for colorado residents in the end giving you a good supply-
regardless if you cant get water rights you can always use collection tanks, pumps and run it into your homes-
places in the valley do deliver water and its not much more expensive in the end then paying for it-
there are freedom zones in that valley and to an earthship building, alternative energy guy myself that land thats "cheap" is gold painted black-
self sustainability is hard for people to grasp, it really is and most folks dont even know of there options with any of the land they own-

go against the grain, you will die broke or die rich trying it, but one things for certain, you will die proud you did it