Honest Review From a Local
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8/28/2020
This review is coming from a long time local, and will try to be as honest and thorough as possible.
Bailey is basically another bedroom community for Denver. Little job opportunity here unless if you are willing to commute an hour to Denver or work for the county and commute an hour to FairPlay. Your nearest grocery store (aside from Dollar General) is about a half an hour away, depending on where you live in Bailey. While the summers here are nice, camping traffic is awful from Memorial Day until about the end of September. Nearby trails and campsites are packed during the summer, and seems to be getting worse over the last few years. On the weekends, be prepared to sit in stop and go traffic on highway 285.
Speaking of 285. You’ll run into some very aggressive drivers. Too many accidents on this road regardless of time of year. This highway is so infamous for fatalities, a few locals have “pray for me I drive 285” bumper stickers on their cars. Winters aren’t “too harsh” but be prepared for cold days (where temps don’t get above 0F) and the occasional blizzard. Expect snow as late as June and as early as September. 4WD/AWD is a must here, as well as knowledge of driving in winter conditions.
Bailey leans conservative. Taxes and the cost of living are generally low in Park County, compared to neighboring Jefferson County. Locals are generally friendly, but there is some disdain for “transplants”.
Parts of Bailey are nice, while other parts are run down and known for poverty, drugs, and theft. Do your homework when looking for homes here. Park County Sheriff’s Department doesn’t have enough manpower to cover the county. Few deputies are on duty and most small crimes will go unchecked. That being said, it is wise to arm your house and be on good terms with your neighbors.
Most of those who move here typically don’t last more than two years. If you can survive the traffic and winters here, and are able to get along with the locals, you’ll find Bailey to be a great community to live in. It is a gorgeous place to live and an outdoorsman’s paradise.
Amanda | Bailey, CO