KristinB

Aberdeen is one of my favorite Pueblo neighborhoods. Just southwest of the downtown area, Aberdeen is known as the "rich" part of town, but in reality the homes are priced as affordably as the rest of the city. This neighborhood is well-kept and safe. The homes are historic and architecturally beautiful; the twisting little roads that wind through the suburb are surrounded by trees and beautiful lawns / gardens. If I were to buy a house in Pueblo, this would be one of the neighborhoods where I'd look.

We attended a concert in Aspen last week, but stayed in Glenwood Springs - because it was so much cheaper than Aspen! We were grateful for the affordable hotel rooms, but we had no idea Glenwood itself would be such a delightful town. We ate at the Daily Bread and the Pullman for breakfast / brunch, where we had the most incredible "diner food" - fresh local coffee, corned beef hash, homemade jam. Everything we tasted was amazing. We bought our afternoon cup of decaf at Sacred Grounds, where the baristas were so friendly that they gave us a cup for free as long as we promised to come back later. We wandered along the river, in and out of bike shops and little boutiques, along the gorgeous, mountainous golf course. It was a perfect trip. Next time, we'll visit Glenwood for Glenwood's sake - not just because of its proximity to Aspen.

The Mesa Junction district spans several blocks near the Rawlings Library, in the historic district of Pueblo. Known as "the Blocks" by the locals, this small neighborhood stands on the hill overlooking Union Ave. and most of Pueblo's downtown. This part of town is one of Pueblo's hidden gems. In just a few blocks, you can find a beautiful community garden; Latka Studios, a gorgeous art gallery that provides amazing sculptures throughout the city; and the Cup and Bowl, a pottery gallery that hosts art classes and studio space. There are some beautiful apartments in this area, old eccentric homes, and wonderful neighbors. This is the place to find block parties on the weekends, neighbors inviting you over for a burger, fire pits in backyards, cyclists.

The only real downside to the neighborhood is that there is no grocery store within maybe four or five miles. But, besides that, there are multiple restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, bike shops, and bakeries. It's a beautiful part of town.

This is the town where I was born - a tiny, historic community only thirty miles from Washington D.C. With only 200 citizens, Clifton was founded in 1771. Many of the original buildings and houses still stand, and have been converted to residential homes and wonderful little shops and boutiques. Clifton is also near Fountainhead Park, where the Potomac River collects in an intricate lake-like body of water, providing wonderful fishing, kayaking, and general exploration through the trees and hills.

Olathe is located just a few miles south of Delta. The town is known for its sweet corn, which is renowned all over the state as the best sweet corn in Colorado. Olathe even has an annual sweet corn festival during the summertime.

The population of Olathe is about 1600 people, and cover just a little more than one square mile of land. There is very little industry in Olathe aside from farming; I believe nursing and healthcare are common as well.

Olathe's high school has always done very well in sports. Their football team has won several state championships over the years.

Delta is a small city located on the remote western slope of Colorado. Although Delta has a history riddled with crime and poverty, the town is definitely on the up-and-up. This is a great place for families or couples who want to be near enough to a city for shopping and night life, but still feel close to the mountains. Grand Junction is only a forty minute drive from Delta; the Grand Mesa is also about a forty minute drive. It's a perfect balance between rural and suburban life.

If you're looking for a quiet getaway within the city limits, Confluence Park is a beautiful area for swimming / canoeing / fishing / hiking. There are walking trails, jungle gyms, and designated swimming, fishing, and boating areas - all surrounding Confluence Lake. Unfortunately, there are no real campgrounds or moderate to difficult hiking trails; but it is a great place to spend a day of peace and quiet.

In Delta County, Paonia is known as the town that's a little... different. Paonia is a small town in the mountains near the Grand Mesa, surrounded by a fairly conservative community, and yet they are nationally known for the liberal environmental newspaper the High Country News. Their annual Earth Day festival rivals Seattle and San Francisco in its hippie-ness. Also, Paonia and the Overland Reservoir have hosted the Rainbow Gathering over several decades - and If you don't know what the Rainbow Gathering is, look it up. Or better yet, just go.

In short, Paonia is a fantastically quirky and richly beautiful town that deserves a visit if you are traveling through the area.

Troy Avenue is mostly a residential street, located near Colorado State University on the east side of town. There are also a handful of fast food restaurants, shopping areas, and gas stations; as well as Praise Assembly of God. For the most part, the homes and apartments nearest the school are very nice; the more you travel east, the more run-down the street becomes. Although housing is very affordable, it’s best to evaluate the area before you buy or rent off of Troy.

Another issue with Troy is that the street is a cross-section for East and South High School, and therefore it can get crazy during football season. With high schoolers joyriding and starting fights with players from other teams, it's rarely dangerous but often irritating on Friday nights.

Pueblo West is a planned community about seven miles west of Pueblo. It's in the middle of the remote prairie land near the reservoir. This is a great place for families to settle down, as the town is just minutes from Pueblo but still quieter and safer than the city. Because Pueblo West is a very young community, founded in 1975, the houses are mostly new. Landscaping is difficult in this region, because of the high desert environment, but many of the homes have spacious yards and even substantial acreage.

Pueblo West has plenty of locally owned businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, hardware stores, and boutiques. One of my favorite spots to go in Pueblo West is The Perfect Cup, a coffee and donut shot off of Purcell. There is very little night life to speak of, but there are plenty of hiking, camping, boating, and swimming opportunities nearby, due to the nearness of the reservoir.

Homes in Pueblo West are a little pricier than Pueblo, but certainly still affordable. On average, homes run between $150,000 to $210,000.

Hayden is a small town in Routt County, Colorado, about thirty miles from Steamboat Springs. There are just under 2000 people living here. It is mainly a ranch town that draws tourists for its fishing, hiking, and backpacking opportunities; the Routt National Forest, Steamboat Lake, Pearl Lake, and Mt. Zirkel are all nearby. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is also located in Hayden, and allows people living in the area to hop a plane to Denver or other small local airports.

Most of the local businesses in Hayden are family restaurants. They have a few grocery stores, mechanics, motels, construction companies, and a few dental and doctor's offices. Although there's not a lot to do in Hayden, the proximity to Steamboat makes it easy to get to shopping or city activities. This would be a great town for young families or couples who want to get away from city life; and, of course, if you are a rancher, Hayden is a great place to live.

Broadway Ave. in Pueblo is part of the city’s historic district, and it shows. The street is a mix of new and old – with hundred-year-old brick buildings standing next to new coffee shops; blue collar bars beside yoga studios and dance academies. If you’re in Pueblo for any length of time, it’s worth visiting the part of town. Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the Broadway Cup n’ Cork – a coffee and wine bar with a great selection of food and drinks. If you’re looking for a more traditional bar scene, just cross the street to visit the Broadway Tavern & Grill. This is a very laid-back kind of bar, and occasionally you can catch some live music here on the weekends.

The downside is that Broadway tends to be a little run-down in places. Although there are plenty of beautiful old houses and properties in this area, many of them have not been well-maintained over the years. If you're looking for a fixer-upper, definitely take a look at this street - but be prepared to do a lot of work on your new house.

Cedaredge is a very small town mostly known for its proximity to the Grand Mesa. The town is made up of about 2200 people; everyone else who comes through Cedaredge is generally headed to the mountains for fishing or hunting. Although the town is growing rapidly, it retains its rural and remote atmosphere.

Applefest is an annual fall festival that brings in lots of tourists and income to the town; many locals set up booths and sell handmade art, jewelry, ciders, and food. There's is usually music and a few carnival rides for the kids.

Besides its beautiful countryside, Cedaredge is also known for its orchards - most apples and peaches. Although many of these have been cleared out to make way for new houses, there are still plenty of places to pick fresh fruit in the summer.

Aguilar is a town with history. It seeps from every building, every home, every street. I didn’t mean to stay long in Aguilar; as a matter of fact, I only stopped to get a few things at the convenience store. I ended up wandering the streets, taking pictures of the beautiful old church, talking to people who’d lived in southern Colorado their whole lives. They told me about the coal mines and the camps that used to bring a thriving industry to this area. They told me stories of children who grew up and left, and children who grew up and stayed. This town is small and rural and often-overlooked, but there is a thriving memory here that draws you in. Even if you are just passing through, make sure you stop in at Ringo’s Market and get a bite to eat. Talk to the cashier. Listen to their stories. This is my favorite part of living in southern Colorado – visiting towns like Aguilar, where the past and the present live together in one place.

Montrose is a town of about 20,000 people. It's the largest city in Montrose County and is located in the heart of the Uncompahgre Valley. Although it's a small community, Montrose is rapidly growing town that exudes a friendly, welcoming energy. New suburbs and apartment complexes are being built almost every time I visit; but in spite of this growth, Montrose never feels crowded. With the Black Canyon, Ouray, and Cerro Summit just a short car ride away, it's easy to get out of town for a while.

Despite its size, Montrose still has a wonderful variety of cute shops, bakeries, and boutiques. Pollux is a fantastic women's clothing store, full of cute vintage outfits; while the Daily Bread is one of the best spots to find a good breakfast bagel or a sandwich.

Most of Montrose's festivals and attractions center around the holidays; July 4th brings in hot air balloonists from all over the country, and the whole sky fills with colorful balloons. Christmas time brings the Festival of Lights, a parade that passes through downtown Montrose. The floats are built and presented by locals - girl scouts, church groups, businesses - and it always brings a big crowd.

There are a lot of farms and ranches on the outskirts of Montrose, so the town is surrounded by rolling pastures, mountains, and livestock. The combination makes for a beautiful, relaxing community - the perfect mix of rural and city life.

Manitou is one of my favorite areas to visit in southern Colorado. Located west of Colorado Springs, Manitou is a little touristy, a little hippie-ish, a little outdoorsy - which is probably why I enjoy it so much. It's a small town, with about 5,000 people; so Manitou's activities are limited by its size. But if you're looking for a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a great place. Downtown Manitou is full of little shops, art galleries, co-ops, antique stores, and even a penny arcade. For the outdoor lovers, the Manitou Incline provides a great hike that's strenuous but still short enough to finish in a morning.

Santa Fe Avenue marks the beginning of Pueblo’s historic district, an area where art and culture mingle seamlessly with the city’s blue-collar businesses. Unofficially, this street is called “Pueblo’s Creative Corridor”; chain restaurants and gas stations are side-by-side with fun little bars, museums, and parks.

Santa Fe is best known as the street where the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center resides. The Arts Center features music, plays, and exhibits throughout the year, and even provides classes for the community. The Buell Children’s Museum allows local kids to interact with art in tangible, sensory ways; their exhibits feature lights, sounds, and sculptures for children to enjoy. They also have a gallery entirely dedicated to children creating their own art with a variety of materials.

South Santa Fe is a little more run-down than North Santa Fe, but it is still an interesting area in its own way. Local bars and family-owned restaurants line the street, and places Joey’s Pixie Inn often provide live music and entertainment on weekends.

There are several nice apartments directly across from the Art Center, in beautiful old buildings made of brick. Other lofts and studio apartments are situated above local business, making this street a great area for singles or young couples. This is one location that I would recommend to anyone moving to Pueblo.

Alameda Avenue runs the length of Aurora, and as such there are a thousand things to do there. This street is mostly dedicated to businesses, including plenty of chain restaurants and retail stores, as well as some novelty places. One special spot that comes to mind is Bittersweet, a restaurant with a seasonal menu that changes based on what is growing in their on-side garden. Artisanal places like Bittersweet mingle with bars, strip malls, and fitness centers. It’s a busy, business-centered street which has just about anything you might be looking for.

The Belmont neighborhood of Pueblo is a small community that encompasses the homes and businesses along Bonforte and Jerry Murphy Rd., just east of Colorado State University. The suburb within a mile of the college is well-kept; houses are small, but the yards are well-maintained and you can usually find kids riding their tricycles or track students running along the pavement. A neighborhood watch helps to monitor this area, and the streets themselves are lined with trees.

The Belmont neighborhood ends when you hit Highway 50, and this area is a little trickier. The highway intersects with Hudson, which marks the beginning of Pueblo’s “east side.” If you live on the east side of Hwy 50, even just one street over, there is a marked difference in crime, noise, and income. I rented an apartment parallel to the highway for two years, and I was often woken by sirens, angry shouting, and occasional gunshots. Pueblo’s east side is known for gang activity and drugs, and it’s easy to tell when you live nearby.

However, despite the east side’s reputation, I was never personally affected by the crime in this area. I simply learned to be careful and alert, and I spent two years enjoying affordable housing, a community garden across the street, and a shopping center within walking distance. The bus stop was directly outside of my apartment complex, and in a pinch I could always walk to CSU, which took thirty to forty minutes. Although I wouldn’t recommend Belmont East to single women or families with small children, you can certainly live safely and happily in this area, just like I did.

Despite proximity to Pueblo’s low-income neighborhoods, Belmont is a small, quiet neighborhood with convenient proximity to the college, the library, and a shopping plaza. I’d recommend this area to anyone looking for an affordable home or apartment and a relaxed community.

Grand Junction, a good-sized town of about 60,000 people, sprawls across the gorgeous Front Range of Colorado. The desert and the stunning Bookcliff Mountains create a rural, inviting atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.

Besides its farmland and beautiful scenery, Grand Junction is known for its wine country. Vineyards and wineries, breweries and distilleries fill the Grand Valley. Every September, the Colorado Mountain Winefest takes place in Palisade, just twenty minutes west of Grand Junction. The festival features wines from nearly every winery in Colorado, as well as food and live music.

Grand Junction is also near the Colorado National Monument, where you can find some of the state’s best hiking and biking trails. Twenty-three miles of paths through the red rocks make for great day-trips or overnight camping.

For a more educational trip, families and schools can take their kids on dinosaur digs throughout the Grand Valley. The digs are available as half-day, full-day or multi-day expeditions, taking young explorers out into the desert with professional paleontologists. There, you can learn about the dinosaurs that lived in the area and even dig up fossils. The multi-day expeditions include rafting and camping as well.

Junction is also home to Colorado Mesa University – formerly Mesa State College. The school became a university earlier this year, and it has one of the best nursing programs in the state.

Junction's only real downside, in my opinion, is the presence of the desert. Although some may find it beautiful, I personally prefer the aspen-covered mountains over the dry rolling plains and Bookcliff Mountains. However, lots of friends rave about these aspects of Junction's countryside.

Pueblo is a typical blue-collar, lower middle class city – small, with good hardworking people and a tendency towards poverty. Its history is filled with steel mills and mining, ghost stories and gangs. But I’ve grown to like it, even love it, in the four years I’ve lived here.

Those who have lived in southern Colorado for decades remember when Pueblo was full of gang activity, drugs, bad smells streaming from the mills and slaughterhouses. Nowadays, Pueblo is a different city. The people here have worked so hard to build a great future for themselves and their children. Although Pueblo remains a city of industry, it is beginning to develop a reputation for arts and culture as well.

Several years ago, Pueblo underwent extensive renovations to its historic district. The Riverwalk was rebuilt and repurposed; now it stands as a memorial to the many Pueblo veterans who served their country. Another memorial to New York’s twin towers lies just upstream. In the summer time, this downtown area is filled with farmer’s markets, street performers, and live music. The autumn months bring vendors and tourists from all over the southwest, as the Chili Festival and the State Fair come to town.

Even when the festivals have moved on, locals can still find places to enjoy the warmth and community of Pueblo. The Union Depot hosts banquets, seminars, and even burlesque shows on the weekends. If you’re looking for live music or comedy shows, the coffee shops and bars along Main and Union always have something. Phil’s Radiator features local rock and metal bands; the Daily Grind focuses on acoustic, folksy music; and the Pixie Inn and Bingo Burger usually have some combination of the two.

Pueblo has a long legacy. You can see it in every brick and stone – but you can also see the future being built alongside it.

Home to Colorado State University – one of the best veterinary schools in the country – Fort Collins is definitely a college town. Full of bars, coffee shops, and kids on bikes, this city is bursting with the kind of life that comes from a large population of students.

However, Fort Collins is unique in that the busy college atmosphere doesn’t take away from the rest of the town. The city has a charm all its own, whether you’re a student, a graduate, or someone who’s just arrived in northern Colorado. Everyone can appreciate the life and liveliness of Fort Collins.

Located just forty minutes north of Denver, the trip to Fort Collins immediately takes you out of bustle of city traffic and into more rural country – farms, prairies, and grazing land for cattle. The town itself is a decent size (about 150,000 people), but it fits seamlessly with the hills and plains surrounding it. This gives the city a nostalgic feeling – old meets new; town meets country.

Fort Collins is a bit of a hippie town, in the best possible way. Like Seattle or Portland, the community is full of love for the environment and love for art. Co-ops sell works by local painters and sculptors; a bike library allows people to rent bicycles for the day; thrift stores offer back-to-school specials; and clubs are jam-packed with music lovers on Friday nights.

There are plenty of outdoor activities as well, including boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking. In particular, Horsetooth Reservoir (located just west of Fort Collins), is full of trails for hikers and campers.
In case you haven’t seen it in my glowing review, Fort Collins is one of my favorite Colorado cities. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a lively, artistic place to live.