What is Durango like?

[castiron]

Specifically, how progressive is the local government?
How likely is it that Durango will sprawl endlessly in a trainwreck of Walmarts and Targets, if it isn't already?
Any info welcome.

[MissMarple]

1. Well, Target is coming, and they have a Wal Mart.

But WalMart had to redesign it's storefront appearance and no rv's are allowed overnight. Overall, I think they are pretty much into what is best for Durango.

I read an article in one of their tourist publications that said they could have ended up like Walsenburg. The mines and smelters closed and jobs dried up. But some of the town people started looking for other avenues and developing what they have, the outdoors and the college.

It's a nice town with friendly, and often young, people and has great restaurants.

I did notice a lot of development to the east along the highway toward Bayfield, but I had the impression the people value what they have and want to preserve it. It may develop more like Santa Fe or Telluride than like Aspen. Many of the kids who go to college there, settle there.

[Robb]

2. I like it

A little big for my tastes already, but check out their newspaper for good info:

http://www.durangoherald.com

[likesmountains 52]

3. I have been here 20+ years and here is my opinion...

We are already experiencing sprawl because of the geography of the area...basically Durango (proper) is in a valley. The good news is that the city does have strict design guidelines so the Home Depot and the Walmart are not as bad as they are in other places...they have to plant lots of trees in the parking lots and they have to conform to certain color guidelines. The city also actively purchases open space and there are several very nice undeveloped parks for hiking and mountain biking etc. By undeveloped I mean no paved trails etc.
The bad news is that we are growing. I don't know what the current median home price is but I know you can't buy ANYTHING in town for less that $250,000...and I mean anything! The worst part is that the real estate boom seems to be in trophy type homes or $500,000 condos. That, coupled with the limited number of well paying jobs make it rather hard to make a living here unless you come in with $$$. Rents are sky high...I just saw a college student renting an old, wooden garage for $600/month....he was putting in the insulation and had only a hot plate for cooking and a small pot belly stove for heat.
You are welcome to PM me if you have specific questions...oh the other drawback is trying to fly anywhere...it costs an arm and a leg to get out of here and lots of people make their travel plans to fly out of Albuquerque because it's so much cheaper.

[castiron]

4. Thank you for the replies.

My husband and I here in Texas have both moved around quite a bit in our lives and we want to find someplace to settle. We are interested in a chunk of land and some straw-bale construction and photo-voltaic panels for our future. Low-impact living is important to us. For myself, I want to belong to a community that understands the value of a working, local economy, and local food production. I know beggars can't be choosers, but I am also very interested in not having to look at subdivision after strip-mall after starter-castles after Home Depot after Container Store, after.... you get the picture.

We're also dedicated to our mountain bikes and our running and our animals, so Durango is looking better and better with our research. We arent' the type to come in make a place that much more capitalistic and conservative, but I probably don't need to say that considering where I'm posting this!!!

Thanks again

[Seansky]

5. hard to find decent jobs, most are service jobs, and many, many

residents hold two or more jobs to make end meets. The largest IT company, which at one point had over 250 employees has basically finished packing, and the other two smaller ones have already closed shop.

Great place to have a second home and spend quality time in, but one should have a good reserve if one is accustome to a certain lifestyle, but aren't independently wealth. Great views, particularly from the top of La Platas.

Serious small town mentality (good and bad like in every other small town)

I developed a theory few years back about people that move there. If they manage to survive their 4th year, they have a great chance of making it. The town sees a high turn-over, specially if the individual depends on a job for income. Many were actually happy when Home Depot and Wally word showed up 'cause of jobs, believe it or not.

Plans for construction are all over. The new hospital is already changing the face of the east part of town, and very, very quickly.

Water might become a serious issue when the next drough like the 2002 shows up.

Real Estate taxes if you live outside city limits are great particularly when compared with Denver's property taxes.

I love my property there, but spend time both in Denver and Durango. Would live there permanently if I were independently wealthy.