Where are the best places to buy Colorado real estate? It’s no secret that Colorado is a beautiful place. More and more people are moving to Colorado, and real estate prices are rising. It should be no surprise: With all the outdoor activities, a booming economy, beautiful residents, and highly ranked schools are just a few of the reasons why. You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, all manner of biking, and golf in Colorado. There are craft brew festivals, fantastic live music venues, impressive public art displays, and world-class professional sports teams. With stunning mountain views, a progressive government, and lots of fresh air, it’s no wonder the state attracts successful professionals, students, and families worldwide.
There are lots of places to live in Colorado. But where is right for you? Our team has put together a list of the Best Places to Live in Colorado that highlights the most desirable areas of the state. From the glitz and glam of Pitkin County to the wide-open skies of Mesa County, there’s a little something in Colorado for everyone. Let’s look at a few places to buy Colorado real estate:
Breckenridge, Summit County
Summit County is all about skiing and life in the high country. The county has four of the best ski resorts in the world: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone. Each resort has a distinctive character; Breckenridge is an authentic mountain town, while the other resorts are filled with high-end luxury homes and condos. Most residences are on the higher end because of the tremendous skiing.
Other towns in Summit County like Frisco and Silverthorne are slightly removed from the ski resorts, so real estate is a little more affordable. Lake Dillon, near the two towns, provides endless entertainment during the summer months with swimming, boating, and fishing. Despite the allure of Summit County, there are still remote areas in the county to buy Colorado real estate, like Heeney, where you can purchase land and build your dream home.
Vail-Beaver Creek, Eagle County
Eagle County is just west of Summit County and is home to ski resorts at Vail and Beaver Creek. A good portion of the county is in the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Many homes in the region have sweeping panoramic views and are not far from terrific hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing opportunities.
Property near Vail and Beaver Creek command premium prices, especially condos and townhomes near the ski villages and exclusive private homes near the mountains and at the resorts. Real estate prices in Eagle County are considerably lower in communities like Avon, Dotsero, Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum, and Wolcott because they are further away from the ski resorts and have more of a rural vibe.
Aspen, Pitkin County
Although relatively small, Pitkin County has a big reputation, mainly because it is home to Aspen, one of the most famous mountain towns in Colorado. Well-known for its rich history, celebrity allure, and expensive real estate. Some of the finest homes to buy Colorado real estate here overlook Aspen Mountain or provide ski-in, ski-out access at Snowmass. Read this article if you are trying to decide between a home in Aspen or Vail.
Pitkin County can be pricey, especially near the county’s four amazing ski resorts: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. All the ski resorts are within 20 minutes of each other. Further down the valley, real estate prices are more down-to-earth, especially in communities like Basalt, and Carbondale.
Glenwood Springs, Garfield County
Further west is Garfield County. This is a great place to live because it’s ideally situated between the mountain ski resorts of Pitkin County and Eagle County and the wide-open skies of the Western Slope as well as being at a lower altitude than its neighbor counties. In addition to having its own activities and excitement, Garfield County is an equal distance from incredible skiing at Aspen, Vail, and Beaver Creek, as well as the wine vineyards of Palisade and some of the best whitewater rafting and mountain biking in the west.
The centerpiece of Garfield County is Glenwood Springs, one of the most attractive cities in western Colorado. Many homeowners choose Glenwood Springs for its cost-effective homes and condos. The hills and mountains around Glenwood Springs are beautiful and ideal for constructing a new home to your specifications. Neighboring communities like Carbondale, New Castle, Rifle, and Parachute are working-class towns with affordable housing.
Grand Junction, Mesa County
Mesa County is a large county on the border with Utah. Grand Junction, the biggest city in western Colorado, has theater, shopping, restaurants, galleries, and museums. The town is on the Colorado River, at its confluence with the mighty Gunnison River. (Hence the name “Grand Junction” – it’s where the rivers meet.) Colorado National Monument provides nearby recreation opportunities.
Buy Colorado real estate in Mesa County, where homes range from new and well-kept single-family homes and condos in Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade, to rural land for sale where you can build your dream home. Farming and livestock are a significant element of the community, with horses, cattle ranches, orchards, and orange groves. Compared to many other parts of the state, you can find cheap houses for sale in smaller communities like Fruita, Palisade, Collbran, and De Beque. Most homes for sale offer easy access to area hiking and biking trails, the Colorado River, and Nordic skiing.
Montrose, Montrose County
The county South of Mesa County is Montrose County, which has homes and condos for sale in all shapes and sizes. Most of the homes for sale in Montrose County are in Montrose or near U.S. Highway 50. Homeowners often pick Montrose for its affordability, convenience, and breathtaking views. Skiing and other winter adventures are not far away as the county is only about an hour’s drive from shopping in Grand Junction and skiing in Telluride.
Montrose is the county seat, but smaller towns and unincorporated places offer a more rural vibe. Smaller towns are Naturita, Nucla, and Olathe. Unincorporated areas include Bedrock, Cimarron, Coventry, Maher, Mountain View, Oak Grove, Paradox, Pea Green Corner, Pinon, Uravan, and Ute. Residents who call Montrose County home love living in the Great West – with bluebird skies, endless views, and every outdoor adventure imaginable.
Telluride, San Miguel County
To the South of Montrose County finds you here. Many homeowners choose San Miguel County for a genuine flavor of the west. Telluride has a feel all its own that is truly authentic, a near-ideal blend of upscale luxury resort living and classic Western ambiance. When you close your eyes and envision a rustic mountain town, the vision of Telluride usually comes to mind. Over the years, Telluride has grown to include live performances, notable speakers, and fabulous annual festivals. Mountain Village homes and condos near the ski resort cost seven or eight figures, but smaller communities in San Miguel County are more affordable.
Communities further away from the resort – like Placerville and Norwood – have plenty of undeveloped lands where you can buy Colorado real estate at a good value and build a home, estate, or ranch. San Miguel County extends to the Utah border. Further west is more remote rural land that offers unlimited real estate options if you don’t want to have any neighbors within sight. If you want to build a sprawling country estate near the community of Egnar, you’re right on point – the town’s name is “Range,” spelled backward.
