Durango as a place to live?

[Cyber Cop]

Navajo is kind of like a mini lake Powell. Lots of nice cliffs and sandstone coves. It can get kind of ganky when the water level is low, but usually it's pretty nice. If you have an off road capable vehicle, or a boat, you can get to some nice, out of the way spots.

[Tech Tonics]

how bad is DWII? It wasn't even on the list (we're pretty stoked about being in town) but wow you get a lot more house than in town for our (meager) budget.

also...anyone know anyone who has a guest house-apartment-vacation rental for a few nights next week? we'll stay in a hotel but would rather give our money to good people and stay somewhere cool. headin' up to look at schools and houses.

[Cyber Cop]

TT, you might want to look at the area between Durango and Bayfield. Closer to the hospital and wolf creek. Any of the neighboring communities are going to be a lot more redneck as far as the schools and culture though. I'm not real familiar with Durango West, but it's not the ghetto or anything. At least its an easy commute into town. Mancos is also a nice community, but a bit of a drive into town.

[Tunco]

I've got in-laws in Mancos. My wife's aunt is insane, like lots of trips to the loonie bin between bouts of prostitution. Her uncle loves 2 things in life. Hallucinogenics and firearms.

[Edgnar]

Her uncle loves 2 things in life. Hallucinogenics and firearms.

You make that sound like a bad thing...

[warthog]

Her uncle loves 2 things in life. Hallucinogenics and firearms.

As long as they are not mixed, those seem like pretty healthy pursuits.

[ZomblibulaX]

how bad is DWII?

Compared to most commutes, the eight miles to D-west is paltry, but being in town is really nice. The houses in DWII are a little newer and you can get farther away from the highway than in DWI; there's a couple of trails around the subdivision and a small lake for the kiddies. Spent a lot of time charging around in the woods around there as a kid, its a pretty good spot. Not the funnest commute in the winter, but certainly not the worst.

As far as schools, all the schools in town got pretty extensive facelifts just a few years ago, so the facilities are pretty damn good. That said, 9-R (Dgo. school dist.) has the same budget problems as everyone else in the state, so class sizes are going to be thirty-plus in middle school/high school. I went to Riverview, and its not even recognizable as the same building now. It has awesome sports facilities on the property, but I haven't been in the building since 1992. Needham had some remodeling along with the rest of them, classrooms are new and neat with tons of computers; if I had kids I wouldn't have any compunction about sending them to either.

And Cyber Cop's right: Purg's sweet. Its not Telluride, but I've been skiing there for nearly thirty years and I still keep myself entertained daily. A lot of the guys who cut the runs back in the '60's still ski there every fucking day, and if its not Xmas or spring break or Tucson Rodeo Week, lift lines are pretty much non-existent. Just haul ass and huck to flat and you'll smile.

I'll keep an ear to the ground per vacation rentals; when you gonna be here?

[truth]

Just go, you'll see. If you have a real job offer in D-town the only real issue with that place was just solved for you.

[Tech Tonics]

sage words, truth.

zombibulaX: great info, thanks.

we'll be there tomorrow through Weds. touring the schools and checking out housing. Being in town is our goal, but will check out DW. If you hear of any good FSBO or long-term rentals (starting July 1st ish) let me know.
I'll have my bike and will be able to do some rides while i'm there. Only ridden horse gulch once and never any of the other in-town stuff.

so far people have said great things about purgatory. that's great, so happy to hear it.

tgr is full of good people. thanks for all the information.

[Tunco]

As long as they are not mixed, those seem like pretty healthy pursuits.

He is not a healthy man.

[beaterdit]

TT I've got a friend that's looking to sell her house in DW2 this summer, I'll see if I can get some particulars for you. Miles knows her well, and Judi prolly does too.

DW2 isn't bad, obviously in town is better. For out of town, I'd prolly rather be up Florida or out in the Animas valley, but you're gonna pay for that and the commute can be worse.

I'll keep an ear out for long term rentals too and let you know if I hear anything. My house by Riverview is rented or I'd have you check it out.

[beaterdit]

OK TT, talked to my friend about her place in DW2.

1700 square feet, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car attached garage, $299K.

Let me know if you think you might be interested.

Oh yeah, check VRBO.com for possible long(er) term rentals without a lease. Also, Durango Property management for more conventional rentals.

[Tech Tonics]

Thanks much beater.

we were up there the last few days, and a great time. still no employment contract but all signs are still totally positive from the powers that be. so stoked. can't wait. river is on the way up and I had some time to ride at Horse Gulch. what a great town. everyone we met has been super friendly...we even got our youngest a spot in a nice local preschool...that we can afford! whoa!

thanks for looking into that place in DWII. We took a drive out there, and think we're going to pass on it for now. The thing we love the most about durango is the bike path for commuting. we (and kids) can get to where ever we need to go on the path. i live in the woods now and I'm past driving for everything.

thanks for looking into it. I know i'd get way more house for what we can afford but...

[Tech Tonics]

Bumping this on the off-chance someone knows of a good rental in Durango.

Freaking out a little bit as our house in SFe is under contract (10 days on craigslist wtf), closing July 1.

but, we don't have a rental lined up in Durango. we may be homeless in 24 days. two dogs, a cat, and two kids.

[A2thaK]

I just moved back out to Durango in November. I bought a house in Rafter J (which is actually closer to town than DW) that is 2300 sf, with extra workshop and shed for $320k. The price had dropped $150k in the two years on the market. Only issue is the elementary is fort Lewis Mesa, which is definitely more country, but I am more country than liberal treehugger so I think it'll work out. If you got the job, the market is prime to buy right now. Also check out forest lakes, which is in bayfiled. Awesome neighborhood with it's own little pond, right next to vallecito. I lived there before moving away then moving back.

Congrats!

[A2thaK]

I know one of the townhomes on 6th and like 2nd is for rent for $1600/month, but not sure if they allow pets.