Make a splash this summer in the mountain town of Buena Vista. 5 Family-Friendly (and Surprisingly Affordable) Colorado Resort Towns Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, with its opportunity to sled the tallest sand dunes in North America, is just an hour away. If youre looking for cheap mountain towns in Colorado where you can combine small town life with a bit of vibrancy in the summer seasons, Buena Vista is a great place to live. In the summer, you can take an incredible hike to Ice Lake or backpack sections of the Colorado Trail. The Continental Divide runs straight through Colorado, along the crests of the What is the best small town to live in Colorado? La Junta (Population: 7,568) This eastern Colorado town is home to Otero Junior College and average annual mortgage payments of only $4,447! Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. It does not store any personal data. The waterway is saluted during the FibArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) festival and there's a hot springs pool in town, too. The downtown area of Steamboat Springs is just as exciting and vibrant as the outdoor adventure scene. There's an artist community here, which means good galleries, and tubing in the summer on the North St. Vrain Creek that winds through town. Find your next adventure in the summer mountain town of Breckenridge. This makes visiting these sought-after landscapes relatively simple (with a little planning of course). This gives me a paycheck while you get badass, free recommendations for the best Colorado mountain towns. This is small-town living at its finest. Classic Meets Modern: The Edwards House in Fort Collins. And be sure to visit the Breckenridge troll at the end of the Trollstigen Trail before you leave town! Elevation: 8,750 feet. It sees a lot of tourists during the warmer months, and has a, , or try out some white water sports when the weather is hot. Just outside of Fort Morgan sits the small town of Brush, Colorado. If you like national historic sites, you will also fall in love with this town. 5 tiny Colorado mountain towns for a quieter weekend getaway Georgetown Lake is another popular attraction, drawing visitors every season. Heres. With tons of variety in landscapes, there are plenty of must-see places in Colorado. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center. However, the jobs are seasonal and low wages positions. It has some great outdoor activities, including rafting and some history tours, and if youre a fan of hot springs, youll be pleased to learn that its only about a10 minute drive to the relaxing Poncha Springs. Vail is a mecca for skiing, but youll find plenty of things to do in Vail in the summer as well. Vail is about a two-hour drive from Denver. Elbert and Mt. Where is the cheapest place to live in the Rocky Mountains? It is a place that is known for the iconic, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, which features an old steam train from the 19th century that can take you on a scenic trip from Durango to Silverton. These popular destinations feature amazing mountain scenery and are absolutely bursting with local businesses. Donkey Derby Days are the most beloved events Cripple Creek has to offer. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. You can watch wild donkeys too here! , with cheap groceries but more expensive healthcare. You can also discover some Colorado history at Camp Hale, where the 10th Mountain Division used to train. Thischeapest mountain town in Coloradois not only my favorite but everyones. As one of the best mountain towns in Colorado to live in, Salida is a happening place. At the base of Pikes Peak, west of Colorado Springs sits Manitou Springs, a funky artistic Victorian mountain town, and a hippie haven for families, retirees, and artists to reside. Visitors are easily charmed by the town's natural beauty. 1. Frisco. In Colorado, you will love its verdant valleys, its murmuring rivers, its magnificent mountains and sequestered bales, and verdant-lined lakes and bays. Thats why I created this mega-extensive guide to the best mountain towns in Colorado. The Cheapest Towns to Live in Colorado - Uncover Colorado What is the most affordable mountain town in Colorado? Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The 5 Most Affordable Places to Live In Colorado Explore the parks, go ziplining, or try out some white water sports when the weather is hot. 1. At 10,151 feet, Leadville sits at the foot of Mt. Yes, from there it got its name Paonia. Dating back to the 1880s, these buildings now offer shopping, galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and plenty of watering holes. The town embraces a fun atmosphere with an annual fruitcake toss, pie baking contests, ghost tours, ice cream events, and a lot more. The blog takes you through themost affordable mountain towns in Colorado,where you meet picture-perfect mountains, flower-filled fields, and happy life. So if youre looking to explore the best mountain towns in Colorado like a local, not a tourist, then youve come to the right place. Photo Credit: Daniel Case (Wikimedia Commons). You can also go dog sledding through the Colorado mountains or spend your days fly fishing or golfing. Stroll your way downtown where you'll find everything from trendy mountain boutiques to outdoor gear stores, and a colorful collection of restaurants and breweries. The place is bustling with gorgeous scenery, ranches, and adventurous biking trails. The snow, the skiing, Christmas celebration were all amazing. Quirky Lyons, just 20 miles away from Rocky Mountain National Park, offers laid-back coffee houses, cool bars, and a smattering of excellent restaurants where live music is often on the menu. Canon City With a population of about 16,750 you may be surprised that Caon City, Colorado made it on our list of the most affordable places to live. 11. Paoniaisa veryaffordable Colorado mountain town,as a single adult expenses here, are around $39,303 annually about the same as the annual cost of living for Colorado of $40,026. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Western vibes still thrive in the small town backdropped by the La Plata Mountains. A true taste of the fabled American West, Ridgway gained fame when True Grit was filmed here in the late '60s; today, visitors can sign up for a walking tour centered around the John Wayne classic. In summer, the temperature rose to make me feel happy and energetic. Its cost of living is also low, which makes it a great option if youre working on a budget, and its not far from the Ute Mountain Reserve and the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Do you want to know what life is like in Colorado mountain towns? If you buy something through one of those links, you wont pay any extra penny, but Ill get a small commissionthat encourages me to deliver more helpfulcontent for you. Most jobs are in the hospitality sector. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. , which is amazingly big given the small town that houses it. What is the most affordable mountain town in Colorado? The Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado for 2023. Also, if youre coming for two days to Colorado, include these places in your itinerary. One of the sunnier spots in Colorado, the town is graced by three inns catering to weary and stressed guests with sublime hot springs: The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort, and Overlook Spa. Note: Estes Park is also the safest place in Colorado. Lamar is a small plains town about 3 hours east of Pueblo and southeast of Colorado Springs. You can also enjoy shopping, stop by a restaurant, and so much more along the Riverwalk. A breathtaking ride over Trail Ridge Road will bring you to Grand Lake and the west side of RMNP. At only 2.5 hours from the Mile High City, its a great weekend trip from Denver. In winter you should explore the ice caves in Colorado, the place feels no less than a Frozen Hollywood movie set. 3. If you have an interest in gold mining, youll enjoy touring the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine and visiting the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. Boulder, Golden, and Morrison have amazing mountain views while still being close to the action of bigger cities like Denver. It is nestled between Chicken Creek and the Mancos River, and if you fancy a trip out of town to go camping, you wont have a long drive to handle. Residents can commute quickly to Longmont, Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins and still build equity in this affordable community. 22 Best Places to Live in Colorado Updated with 2023 Data, The 8 Best Places to Live in Southern Colorado in 2023, 7 Best Small Towns in Colorado to Raise a Family 2023 Update, 8 Richest Neighborhoods in Colorado in 2023 | Most Expensive Places to Live in Colorado, Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins Unbiased Guide | 2023 Update, Breckenridge vs Vail 2023 Guide Summer & Winter Adventures. If youre looking for a quick getaway from Denver, then youll want to check out some of these beautiful mountain towns less than two hours from the Mile High City. It is a tourist spot so getting a job in the hospitality sector is not very difficult. The median home value here is just $189,600, less than the national home value of $204,900 on average. You can buy a home with an average cost of around $205,800. The total cost of a single adult annually is around $37,516 which is less than the annual cost of living for Colorado of $40,026. Mesa Verde National Park, with thousands of archeological sites, including 600 well-preserved cliff dwellings that housed Ancestral Puebloans, is just 20 minutes away. The nearby mountains offer plenty of options for biking, hiking, and camping. 8 Iconic Mountain Towns in Colorado | Best to Live - Uncover Colorado 75% of the land is managed by the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the State. The population of 18,465 in 2017 makes it probably Colorado's largest mountain town too. The funkily named Fruita is home to Dinosaur Hill and The Trail Through Time at Rabbit Valley, both of which feature fossils of the long-gone critters, as well as the Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey, where visitors can check out skeletons, robotic dinosaurs, and scientists preparing bones for display in a real laboratory. As the wildflower capital of Colorado, there are many beautiful trails to explore. The dramatic landscape and refreshing clear air are so welcoming and appealing that you should spend at least a day in any of thesemost affordable mountain towns in Coloradoto understand. The Wild West is alive and kicking in the hills of Steamboat Springs. Stand-Up paddleboarding is one of the most exciting ways to explore the Arkansas River. The town boasts a regional airport and junior college for higher education. Meanwhile, youll enjoy a lower cost of living than the average for Colorado, which makes this town attractive for families on a budget, although most people rent, rather than owning their properties. So, be sure to do some world-class skiing at Steamboat Ski Resort or the Howelsen Ski Area before coming back later in the year to do an amazing hike to Fish Creek Falls. Breckenridge is about a 90-minute drive from Denver and sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains Tenmile Range. Breckenridge might be a small town, but theres no shortage of things to do. One of the biggest draws of Aspen is Maroon Bells, and arguably the most photographed peaks in the state. If youre interested in history, youll also enjoy the range of museums that the town has to offer. It is indeed thecheapest mountain town to live in Colorado. The town also provides all of its residents stunning views, and offers a wonderful community spirit. Therefore, during your visit, you can escape the chaos of the city and get back to the tranquility of nature with a visit to Lake Dillon. Changing aspens can be explored along Kebler Pass, the scenic road connects the mountain towns of Crested Butte and Paonia. It certainly makes the list of the best mountain towns in Colorado thanks to its incredible charm nestled in a stunning setting. are very low, which makes it an attractive place for anyone, especially families looking for a cheap mountain town in Colorado. If you'd like to get on top of the rock rather than within it, the park serves up world-famous climbing, too. , but you can also enjoy things like trail riding, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, a ski resort, and rafting experiences. Westcliffe is tiny and quaint, and it has the atmosphere to match, with agood sense of community. 1. Be sure to pay a visit to the Breckenridge troll. Its less than an hour drive from, ts historic architecture and a great artistic culture. The best mountain towns near Denver include: There are a lot of incredible mountain towns in Colorado and nearly all of them are stunning. Be sure to bundle up if you visit Leadville in the winter. However, because of the towns location deep within the Rocky Mountains, visitors can also stop by the Curecanti National Recreation Area and see the Blue Mesa Reservoir. While a median rent of $1,484 does seem super low, the median price tag of a home is only $364,100, John has some of the most affordable homes for sale in colorado. Boone, North Carolina. This town has a population of 14,000 residents over two square miles, making it a dense urban area. What was a mining town during the Victorian era has become today's charming town of Telluride. 3. From Gold Rush-era charmers to Wild West wonders, Colorado's smaller burgs offer a pleasing mix of history, recreation, and relaxation. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the most-well-preserved archaeological sites in the U . The town is nested southwest of Denver and is 15 minutes drive from Turquoise Lake in Lake County. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. What is the best small town to live in Colorado? - 2023 Set within White River National Forest, Vail sits at the base of Vail Mountain. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". And, I believe, the most scenic towns in Colorado - tucked in mountains are affordable too. Colorado has countless little towns and villages situated snuggly in the Rockies. This post may, Read More Discovering The Best 26 Reasons: What is Colorado Known for?Continue, Colorado is one of the nations most physically active, secure, outdoor-loving, and all-around naturally gorgeous states. If you want to fall in love with some amazing scenery and try some great hiking trails, this is a fantastic place to live for all country-loving souls that want to escape from the chaotic rush of living in the big city, making it one of the best cheap mountain towns in Colorado. Thornton. On the other hand, the health care cost is around $5,020 per year, higher than in other places in Colorado. Westcliffe is tiny and quaint, and it has the atmosphere to match, with a. . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Blue River runs through downtown Breckenridge and travels all the way to Silverthorne before meeting up with the Colorado River near Kremmling. A dozen of Colorado's "14ers" (mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 feet) encircle the town, and the Arkansas River runs right through it, providing kayaking, rafting, and tubing enthusiasts a good time all summer long. Located right near Breckenridge, Frisco is one of the best mountain towns in Colorado which sits about an hour and a half away from Denver. . Known for its high-end lodging and restaurants, its not surprising to see celebrities walking the streets. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, which contains an even higher density of artifacts, and the Anasazi Heritage Center, a museum dedicated to the lives of the people who lived in the area 1,400 years ago, are nearly within walking distance of the town. 5. Looking for off-the-wall? 11 Warmest Places In Colorado For Your Next Vacation, 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado: Cities with Lowest Cost of Living, 2 Days in Colorado Springs Itinerary for the Perfect Weekend Trip. Canon City With a population of about 16,750 you may be surprised that Caon City, Colorado made it on our list of the most affordable places to live.But this small town is nestled right at the base of the Rocky Mountains and offers a wide variety of things to do. . Steamboat Springs. It is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventure seekers. The southeast, Read More 11 Warmest Places In Colorado For Your Next VacationContinue, Colorado can be a great place if you are looking to move to a state where you can enjoy amazing weather, plenty of outdoor activities, sports, food, and cultural activities. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Required fields are marked *. It is the bounty of fairy tale towns. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If youre looking for cheap mountain towns in Colorado where you can combine, in the summer seasons, Buena Vista is a great place to live. The 15 Best Small Towns in Colorado - Country Living In 2021, the town was home to about 8,100 local residents. Over the summer you can skip the ski slopes and . Some of the most affordable retirement mountain towns include: Asheville, North Carolina . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 11. If youre intrigued by ice climbing, you can join in the fun with a guided trip to the ice park. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Even the famous visitors cant overshadow attractions like the Maroon Bells. Salida is a cozy mountain town located where the Arkansas River runs from the valley into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. For, Read More 2 Days in Colorado Springs Itinerary for the Perfect Weekend TripContinue, Your email address will not be published.
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