I was a foothills flat lander for ten years before deciding it was time to experience “mountain living”. Living in Boulder Colorado, or any Front Range city, you become accustomed to access into the mountains from your home with the convenience of everything you need five minutes away. Downtown is a quick walk or bike from wherever you live, and you can always call a cab at the end of your night to take you home. Living in the mountains is a choice then that carries with it several compromises but can be highly rewarding when done with a little bit of thought.
I currently live in the Sugarloaf community just West of Boulder. It’s a leisurely fifteen-minute drive from town. The moment you drive into the Canyon from Boulder, you can feel the fresh air and smell the smell from the creek. Driving up further, the air gets colder, and the views open up from forest to mountain meadows. You leave the traffic and college students behind, deer roam across the road. On a nice day, this is a twenty-five minute bike ride on gravel trail and road for even the most novice of riders…going down that is.
The fact is, I LOVE living in the mountains; BUT it may not be that way for everyone. The challenges are easily manageable however, and it does not have to be as isolating as it may seem. Here are the things that made it to the top of my list when considering where to look for a place in the mountains.
Top Five Changes To Consider:
1.) Proximity- At the end of the day you want a place where you feel comfortable with the commute to the nearest town. Whether it’s getting your groceries, or taking your pet to the vet, your threshold for distance from town should depend largely on your commuter habits and likely being comfortable with driving more overall…I try to bike to and from town as often as I can in the summer.
2.) Are The Roads Plowed?- Living on a plowed road such as a school bus route or improved road can be the difference between you getting out in the morning or being snowed in for days. In many of the foothills communities, dirt routes are plowed for school bus pickups and drop offs. General rule of thumb: the farther you are from city schools the less likely your road will be plowed!
3.) Trash/Recycling Service- Some neighborhoods have it others don’t! Best to check when considering a first time mountain purchase or rental. Many local independent companies offer pickup for a monthly fee, otherwise it’s a trip to the dump every time your bin fills up.
4.) Sunlight- Often overlooked! Living up a canyon outside of town can be great, but it can also be dark and dreary, especially during the winter months. Properties higher up, and south facing will have more sunlight exposure opening potential for passive solar heating and solar panels as well as more light in your home!
5.) Neighbors- Moving to the mountains can mean different things for different people. For me, not having neighbors on top of me is a benefit that pays out in spades with premium views, quiet nights, and the ability to have the occasional party without disturbing neighbors. You can live in a condo complex in a mountain town, or in an off the grid A-Frame on 35-Acres, but the range between offers more than enough options to people seeking to experience a mountain lifestyle that fits their needs.
Good luck in your search for the perfect mountain abode! I follow the market closely throughout the foothills of Boulder, Lyons, Conifer, and Golden and love to share my personal experience with first time mountain homebuyers.
Please send me any questions or comments by clicking HERE. Or start your search below!
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