Well after talking with Heather recently on the phone I’m thinking she may be right that I need to just make the move to Colorado and be done with it. She is working on finding me a place this summer in Silverton for in the neighborhood of around $400.00 a month.  That is what I’m paying now plus utilities, so I know its doable. 

Everyone is feeling the economy crunch but many of the folks in her neck of the woods are self reliant and monied so I’m not as concerned about work as I am here in AZ.  Here everyone is in threat of foreclosures having moved here from other places to make a buck on their investments. Our way of life was destroyed and now many of these poor folks are forced into short sales etc. There is a crisis in Arizona.  On the Western Slope however, and in the more hometown communities of SW Colorado this is not the case.  The big developers did not have the same foot hold in Colorado where land prices are at premium so Colorado escaped in many areas the onslaught of investment eager and American Dream “pie” consumers.  Land is not selling readily in Colorado just like everywhere else, but where I plan to move not as many folks are in the market to sell and there are more rentals available. Folks are being smart about their finances and they know that their economy relies on tourism so are creative in how they approach their livelihoods.  Much of the money comes from big business, the movie industry, etc.  Also there are a lot of progressive, self sustainable minded folks in these parts as well as organic farmers, energy minded users of alternative resources, and healthy minded health nuts and just down right nice people.  I’m thinking this may be a very smart move  for me to make  when it’s all said and done.

I have looked at many places and have many ideas about how to get a foot hold in the area.  First goal though is to get the horses up to Silverton then start looking for an appropriate pasture lease situation.  Innitially I have been looking  into Mancos where the winters are milder, however, I have seen some really nice properties in Pagosa Springs, Montrose and other similar areas that could be really nice income earners as well as providing a comfortable home for me and my horses.  Here is one such home in Montrose that I found on Craigslist.com  

http://westslope.craigslist.org/apa/976366444.html

http://westslope.craigslist.org/apa/969898102.html

…and some pictures from the ad.

This is 19 stalls with indoor arena…

You get the drift…

More pictures can be seen at the links above along with contact info in case anyone wants to rent this facility.  A place like this is a only dream for me. If I could muster the move in and set up costs, I could make a nice little living on this property between horses and massage.  I’m calling the owners to see what they are really about and put my name on a list in case it does not rent out permanently by the end of next summer.

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