Nice small community: now too expensive
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2/25/2024
Lived in Conifer, which is Aspen Park, CO (unincorp. JeffCo.) for 20yrs. While I like seclusion, nature, hiking - the descriptions that are present are not currently accurate. If you have (modern) kids, you will drive 40+minutes usually to take them to sports, activities, mall, movies, etc. 2 local community theaters- very good. A FEW local restaurants, mostly Am. Pub/Pizza or Mexican. We desperately try to get more, it's rare for them to stay long up here. Weather is tumultuous: 40+ degree temp change in 24hr is normal, can even be 70' temp change, Snow in May- sometimes June followed by Hail season. Wildfire season, all year long. Home prices are outdated: 3bd home for less than $625k, rent for 3bd up around $2800. (Covid brought many folks up to area who could work from home, and AirB&B's sent prices way up.) Be warned: Gardening is extremely challenging. Wildlife is wonderful! Deer, Bear, occasional Mt. Lion, tons of birds: it's their land- we respect that up here. Unincorporated area means, no public services (trash, water, sewer) all private. And fire-arm laws are "on the owners property rights" yes your neighbor can shoot whatever they want, whenever, on their property- if they have permit. Cell phone/internet service VARIES WIDELY, find out before you take residence. Life in the mountains can be lovely, but it is hard & not for the faint hearted. Get educated: wells, well water, septic systems, wildfires, gas/wood burning stoves, snow removal, how to live among wildlife, winter driving AWD/4WD (car ads lie btw). I'm grateful to have lived to here, but kids will be done with school in a few years and it's time to be moving on.
Cathy | Bailey, CO