Grand junction : Colorado

What Grand Junction is like for active adults

Grand Junction Colorado comes up near the top of many people's "best places to retire". For one thing, this fast-growing town perched on the border with Utah has a relatively low cost of living. It is also a college town (Mesa State College has over 4,000 students on campus here). Natural beauty is abundant with the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado National Monument (see picture above). The town is the unofficial capital of the Western Slope. Although the city population was about 50,000 in 2008, there are over 126,000 in the metro area.

People who have retired to Grand Junction cite the nice downtown, abundant local fruit and wineries, and many outstanding recreational activities within a short drive. The climate is dry and sunny. Jobs are said to be plentiful here, a plus for anyone considering working in retirement. Nearby Fruita is another popular retirement town. There are at least 2 golf course communities here, The Seasons a Tiaro Rado and Redlands Mesa. Because the area is growing so fast there are many choices for places to live - either in the town or in a 55+ or mixed generation development.

Real estate prices in Grand Junction are much more reasonable than in Boulder. Zillow shows 2009 Home Value Index at $205,000. At City-Data the figure is about $210,000.

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What is special about this retirement community

-Colorado National Monument - 8 wineries - stunning desert-mountain scenery and recreation - many golf courses - locally grown fruit - many available jobs - fast growing with new housing and communities - dry and sunny climate

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What is not special about this retirement community

Remote - Grand Junction is well over 200 miles to either Salt Lake City or Denver - It can be windy - town could be growing too quickly

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Mountain lovers. Outdoors people. Wine and agriculture buffs.

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Local economy is driven by

Construction, healthcare, education, agriculture and viticulture, oil and mineral extraction (however, this part of the economy in the area is driven by fluctuations in the oil and gas industry and may not be a consistent viable economic industry)

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Climate and Physical Environment

Located at altitude of 4600' with towering mountains above. Grand Junction is at the (naturally!) junction of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. The climate is dry, sunny, occasionally windswept. Canyons and mesas abound

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Cultural environment

There are a growing number of cultural activities, many of them connected to Mesa State.

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Medical facilities

2 hospitals including Community Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital

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Transportation

Grand Junction Regional Airport offers regional service to several cities. Interstate 70 goes through here.

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Valuable Links

Wikipedia on Grand Junction
Grand Junction City-Data
Retirement in Colorado
Grand Junction Visitor Information

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Facts about GRAND JUNCTION

State: CO
Environment: College Town,Mountains,
City Population: 25,001-50,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
Cost of Living Index: <80 (Very low)
Culture Index: 81-90 (low)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: frank

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