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Grand Junction vs Front Range

Original Post
Nick Schlichtman · · Golden, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 175

I am currently planning a move to Colorado and I am trying to weigh my options as to where I want to land. I am a physical therapist and will have job opportunities in both mentioned areas. I am not too concerned about finding a job so I am trying to get a feel for what Grand Junction would be like for a young professional who likes to spend the majority of his free time outside (climbing comes first, followed by skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking, etc). I have spent a good amount of time in the Denver area so I have a decent feel for what it could be like there. I am also looking at Ft Collins and Boulder.

Hoping to get some input comparing these areas. From what I have gathered, GJ may suit my outdoor needs better than the front range. I am wondering what other lifestyle amenities GJ offers. Looking for further persuasion one way or the other.

Concerning GJ: Whats the climbing/outdoor community like? Housing? Any sort of "downtown scene" to entertain myself when not climbing? Etc, etc...

Thanks

Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10

I moved to GJ about 5 years ago for work from the midwest and I think the comparison is about what you'd expect. From what I've gathered in my time in CO, it seems like GJ has great access to a wide variety of outdoor activities (there is lifetimes of climbing, of both the rock and ice varieties, and biking within a 2 hour radius, less crowded areas, etc). I think the option to go west into the desert or south/east into the mountains lets you get outside whenever you want. That said, as a climber who doesn't boulder much, I think that GJ is best viewed as a weekend warrior base camp as opposed to somewhere you can rope up on the real stuff after work, since most of the good roped areas involve some driving and/or hiking. Bouldering, hiking, biking and trail running seem like much more plausible after work activities here.

Whereas living on the Front Range gives you good access as well, but you're battling with many, many more people (I-70 winter traffic is heinous, I love always going the opposite direction of everyone from the front range). Of course the advantage is all the other pluses that come from living in a large metropolitan area (lots of other young professionals, food, live music, single life isn't super easy in GJ, etc).

It's all trade offs and I think you have decide what your priorities are. There is certainly a great community here in GJ, but I wouldn't say it's huge (though it does seem to be growing). There is a nice downtown but it's not as developed or "shiny" as some of the other places in CO. Housing is very reasonable, especially compared to the booming Front Range. GJ hasn't quite experienced the growth that the rest of the state has (yet?), for better or worse. For whatever it's worth, I personally know many young, outdoorsy folks who have bought houses here (myself included).

Ultimately, I really enjoy it here, though I wouldn't mind some slight growth for some more cultural opportunities. If your priorities are getting outside as much as possible, I doubt you'd be disappointed. But if that's more of a once or twice a month proposition then it might leave something to be desired.

Just my two cents.

Wrinkledpants · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 10

Jason summarized GJ pretty well.

IMO - you either want to live in Denver, or you're ok living in smaller towns. GJ vs Denver is a completely different lifestyle. I live DT Denver, and it takes me 20 minutes to drive to the front range. I bike, trail run, and climb 4-5 days a week after work. On the weekend, driving an hour out of Denver really reduces the crowds. Rifle Mountain Park is a 3 hour drive from here, if you're OK getting up early and sipping a coffee up I70. An immense amount of crags available for after-work climbing. And, while some trails have a fair number of hikers after work, it's never as bad as it is on the weekends. Weekends are for getting out of the front range. Using the front range is a great after work location.

Boulder and FC - you can get on your bike and ride trails from your house. Can't in Denver or GJ. FC is more remote, and IMO - not as great of mountain access as Boulder or Denver. Boulder has an eclectic vibe, but the plethora of college kids sucks, at least for us. We loved college, but living in a college town is a subtle reminder of how fun it was when you fvcked off for all those years. A bigger town like Denver feels more grown up to us.

GJ is remote - literally it's in the middle of nowhere. Access to UT for climbing/riding is probably the biggest attraction compared to Denver.

The only small town I'd ever consider living is is Jackson WY. If you've never been there, and love to recreate - that would probably be the first choice on my list.

Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10
Reid Rechel wrote:Jason summarized GJ pretty well. IMO - you either want to live in Denver, or you're ok living in smaller towns. GJ vs Denver is a completely different lifestyle. I live DT Denver, and it takes me 20 minutes to drive to the front range. I bike, trail run, and climb 4-5 days a week after work. On the weekend, driving an hour out of Denver really reduces the crowds. Rifle Mountain Park is a 3 hour drive from here, if you're OK getting up early and sipping a coffee up I70. An immense amount of crags available for after-work climbing. And, while some trails have a fair number of hikers after work, it's never as bad as it is on the weekends. Weekends are for getting out of the front range. Using the front range is a great after work location. Boulder and FC - you can get on your bike and ride trails from your house. Can't in Denver or GJ. FC is more remote, and IMO - not as great of mountain access as Boulder or Denver. Boulder has an eclectic vibe, but the plethora of college kids sucks, at least for us. We loved college, but living in a college town is a subtle reminder of how fun it was when you fvcked off for all those years. A bigger town like Denver feels more grown up to us. GJ is remote - literally it's in the middle of nowhere. Access to UT for climbing/riding is probably the biggest attraction compared to Denver. The only small town I'd ever consider living is is Jackson WY. If you've never been there, and love to recreate - that would probably be the first choice on my list.
Agree with all of this except for the part that you can't ride to any trails from your house. There is a huge trail system, Tabaguache aka Lunch Loops, that is pretty accessible from town, at least from where I live in downtown. Granted, it's not the most bike friendly riding, but its certainly do-able and gets done a decent amount.
Crisco Jackass · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 0
Jason N. wrote: ... Granted, it's not the most bike friendly riding...
I have to disagree with that statement 100% as I read it. It is, by definition, bike friendly as it was created by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers, for mountain biking. The fact that you can get there with 10 minutes of road riding from most parts of GJ-proper makes it even more bike friendly in my opinion.

If you want a "scene", you'll find plenty in GJ, they just might not align with your desires. It's a pretty salty town.
Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10
Crisco Jackass wrote: I have to disagree with that statement 100% as I read it. It is, by definition, bike friendly as it was created by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers, for mountain biking. The fact that you can get there with 10 minutes of road riding from most parts of GJ-proper makes it even more bike friendly in my opinion. If you want a "scene", you'll find plenty in GJ, they just might not align with your desires. It's a pretty salty town.
Sorry, I was talking about the riding to get there, not the mountain biking at the trailhead.
Bill Mustard · · Silt, CO · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 151

Rifle is not a 3 hour drive from denver...

samsonight Sam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 25

The new climbing gym in GJ is really good (tallest lead wall in CO and lots of auto-belays for those quick sole sessions). it's easy to meet people there and it acts as a good social hub to meet outdoor folks.

The traffic situation in Denver and the FR in general is horrible, especially if you're a skier.

Tom Sherman · · Austin, TX · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 433

Now can one of you bros get me a job drafting in GJ and get me the @#$% out of the flattest state in the country...

Wrinkledpants · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 10
WyomingSheepRanch wrote:Rifle is not a 3 hour drive from denver...
Are you saying it's more or less? We made it to Rifle in 3 hours flat with stops.
Mark Wilson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0

GJ to:

Powderhorn ski hill- :45
Rifle mtn park- 1:20
Joe's Valley- 2:50
Moab/river road- 1:40 ish
Ouray- 1:50 ish

And...and...and... No traffic. Ever.

Downtown is getting groovier, too.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
WyomingSheepRanch wrote:Rifle is not a 3 hour drive from denver...
Google maps, Saturday, 12 Jun 2015 @ 10:45am:

"via I-70 W
2 h 55 min
183 miles
2 h 49 min without traffic"

It's 3 hrs realistically - maybe more, depending where you live in Denver. And that's to the center of town, not Rifle Mtn Park, which Google shows as 3 h 29 min without traffic.
Bill M · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 317

Fort Collins is pretty nice. It's no more expensive than anywhere else in the Front Range, but sits on the far north of the sprawl. Easy sub hour drive to Estes and Veadauvoo. An hour to Boulder, with no traffic on the weekend. Bouldering and some top roping at Horsetooth right in town.

Ben Henson · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 65

Speaking for someone who lives smack in the middle and spends a good amount of time in both places I personally like GJ a little more. The weather is a little better all year round, you can usually mountain bike all year. Your close to Ouray, Telluride, Rifle and Moab which is the best place on earth. Boulder is my favorite place to climb but traffic is awful. There's more of a social seen on the front range in terms of good bars and girls but its definitely not as easy to go bike right after work. Its really about whether you like sandstone or granite better.

QGrochala Grochala · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 30

I can't speak at all to GJ, but I recently moved to Boulder (with work as a primary concern, but climbing a very close second.) Getting out of work at 5-6, I can make it to any area Boulder canyon and get at least a couple climbs in. Eldo is only another ~20 further, Golden anther ~20 past that, and Clear Creek another ~30 past that. And the bouldering is everywhere, flagstaff and flatirons. The huge population of college kids is unfortunate, but living far north/south Boulder will usually provide you with the pace of life you'd expect to find in any normal non-university neighborhood.

As an added bonus, almost every band or musician you like will probably stop here or in Denver For a night.

Cheers!

Nick Schlichtman · · Golden, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 175

Thanks everyone for the information. I currently live in Phoenix and am used to driving 2+ hours every single weekend to get to climbing that I like. It sounds like where ever I end up will be better than my current situation (for what I desire). Crowds may be something I have to get used to as the areas I climb at in AZ are not crowded at all. So maybe GJ would be the best option in that respect. But yea...thanks everyone. I have 2 months that I am taking off to climb in the Eastern Sierra and then will report back to the demands of life in September and make the decision.

Che · · grnd junction, co · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

GJ is okay, not compared to the front range. There is a reason everyone lives over there.

Yeah GJ has trails, but no one is on them! Boring.

There is also hardly any climbing within 2 hours of GJ so good luck getting out after work. The best crag in town is our brand new bad ass gym.

The 3 hour drive from boulder to rifle is perfect for coffee time and the gas station in Copper is fortuitously placed for the post coffee dash. Driving from GJ you won't even have time to finish your cup.

If you're a single guy or girl, goodluck on the western slope. Farmersonly.com has more singles than tinder over here.

Anyway, I know everyone has an opinion. I would say go front range if you're serious about surrounding yourself with people who want to be outdoors.

Cheers,

Che

Eric Carlos · · Soddy Daisy, TN · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 121

I just left the front range for GJ. Got tired of the crowds and traffic in and around Boulder. Plus cost of living. Sold in Boulder and can live out in GJ without a mortgage. Sure the culture is different, but not always in a bad way. I have nothing against weed but it was actually nice to watch fireworks on the 4th among hundreds of people and not be smoked out. In Boulder that would never have happened.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

The front range has alot going for it in terms of a metro area etc., but honestly it's such a shitshow these days I'm thinking of moving to the western slope in the next few years.

haha no offense, but you and the thousands of other people that are relocating to CO are making it almost unbearable. They are saying the population is going to go up 50% by 2040. Wonder where they are going to live. It took 5 hours to get home on Sunday from Silverthorne which is an hour away.

We were discussing how much it's changed in the past 5+ years. I moved out here a decade ago and it was an hour or so to get to Abasin / Keystone, but now it's 3-4. We speculated that it was maybe the internet, FB etc. that is causing more people to move out here. In high school if you moved out "West" you might as well have said you are moving to Mongolia. Now everyone is coming out in droves since they know people.

All that being said they are different climates too. I couldn't deal with the heat in GJ and montrose. Like an oven. Front range is way packed, but has alot of cool stuff to do. You just have to wake up in the middle of the night to do it. The housing / renting market is stupid. No other way to explain it.

Maybe try fort collins.

Trent Mahaffey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 15

Front range crags are crowded. Western colorado crags sometimes are dirty unless you are at Rifle.

Front range women are plentiful, Western colorado women have droves of men chasing after them (import your woman if you come out here). You literally have to wait your turn for them.

Front range traffic sucks.

Skiing on the western slope is better, not nearly as crowded, powder lasts much longer.

Crappy colleges on western slope mostly.

Mountain biking really good in junction.

Cost of living in junction low, higher in other areas like Vail or Aspen.

Junction has a lot of bouldering.

Chris Schmidt · · Fruita, CO · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 0

If climbing were my number 1 outdoor hobby I would probably want to be closer to Eldo, Estes, Boulder, Golden etc. Hands down the climbing that is <1 hr from Boulder is exponentially better than from GJ.

I live in GJ because I love the desert / Moab and the San Juans. I also hate huge crowds and traffic which are essentially non-existent here and are bad and getting worse in the Front Range.

Cost of living is WAY cheaper on the West Slope but you would also probably get paid a good amount less. I live very comfortably on $1800 a month after taxes in a less desirable area to live (Clifton).

If you choose the FR know that your drive times very well may never be less than what Google says. I can't think of anywhere I have gone from GJ that has taken me longer than what Google says, and it is generally at least 15 minutes less.

Skiing honestly sucks from both the Front Range and GJ. The (Vail) resorts that are closer to the Front Range are pretty mediocre and are way overcrowded, and traffic is miserable (though idk much about Winter Park/Copper/Loveland). The edge slightly goes to the Front Range because it is < miles to more resorts that you can get cheap season passes for. However Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen, Beaver Creek are WAY better and WAY less crowded.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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