Pros and Cons to living in the mountains

Moving to the mountains was a dream of ours for years and we finally took the plunge and did it. We have loved living in our mountain community and are not looking back to the city at all. However, for all the good, there is of course some challenges. Not being negative, just portraying a real perspective on what it’s really like to move to the mountains.

Pros on Moving to the Mountains

1. Community!

A couple of years after having twins (which made 4 boys in our house!), and after the COVID shift, we started asking ourselves questions of who we wanted to be and where we wanted to live. We started discovering mountain towns and loved the outdoor lifestyle, the pace of life, the intentional community and amazing schools. We decide to take the plunge and jump right into mountain living and could not be happier. We have found great friends already and are building good community through school, soccer, book clubs, town events and more. There are so many opportunities to find your people and we couldn’t be happier as we start out.

The school system where we live is phenomenal and we were thrilled to find a smaller, tighter school community that has been great socially and challenging academically. Teachers want to teach there and families want there kids there - a great combo for good schools.

The community events (particularly in Evergreen and Conifer) from jazz festivals to outside movies, holiday parades to rodeos, have provided so many opportunities to meet like-minded and fun people.

We feel like we’re connected in a larger way than just having kids in school. We belong to a small town in the mountains where people truly enjoy being and living - that is hard to beat.

2. Outdoor activities!

Part of our desire to be in the mountains was to be more outside - especially for our four boys! We are far more active than we have ever been. Hiking and walking and paddle boarding and ice skating and skiing and fishing and more. We are finding more and more to explore and do and love that our boys are having the childhood of dreams - even if it’s on the trampoline in the backyard! Find out about hikes and trail runs and fun things to do here.

3. Quiet and Solitude!

City life has its perks, but in the mountains, you get a peaceful, easy feeling. The loudest noise we encounter is too much wind through the pine trees. The nights are dark, the stars are bright, the air is crisp and the sun shines bright. While we moved here for good community, we have loved the quiet nights on the porch. Yes, we are further away from people and amenities, but it’s a choice and the compounding affect of being separated from stress and busy has been good for our health. No longer do we have to “escape” on a vacation to get that peace of mind - we live in it!

4. Local Everything!

One thing we have enjoyed is getting to know local restaurants, shops and stores. There are very few corporate restaurants around us so we find ourselves at the local brunch place on the river, or talking with the owner of the local ice cream shop, or meeting our neighbor who works at the local jewelry store on main street. You know when you are eating out or buying local that. you are supporting someone from a nearby neighborhood and allowing them to live in such an amazing community, too! Even schools feel local, where most of the teachers and staff live nearby and love their community. The outdoor concerts and community events are filled with people you know from school or neighborhoods and it all feels like a big local family. Read more on local things to do in Evergreen.

Cons on Moving to the Mountains

1. Higher costs

Moving to the mountains is a dream come true for us, but it didn’t come without an increase of costs.

• Home prices are at a premium in mountain and vacation areas as demand is high. There are plenty of deals to be had in certain communities, but the entry point is higher (though the trade-off is often more land and less people).

• Insurance on a mountain home can often be higher than a home in the suburbs as added risks such as wild fires causes premiums to rise.

• Cost of living increases as well, with restaurants and grocery stores having to charge more due to the necessity to get supplies further into the mountains and the struggle to hire enough employees at a reasonable rate.

• Gas prices are also higher due to the issue of truck access to some mountain communities. And car maintenance spikes as you find yourself driving more (see below), driving up and down mountains more, and in the bad weather more.

2. Extreme weather

Snow. Lots of it. But how much do we really get? It’s not as bad as you may think however it is a considerable change to city living and one that you have to be prepared for. Snow plows or blowers or shovels, oh my. Choosing the right house for snow maintenance is a big first step but be prepared for snow on the ground for months throughout winter and becasue it’s so common you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle (they rarely close schools or anything because you should be good at dealing with the snow up here!)

And risk of wildfires, of course. Insurance premiums reflect it, but it’s a reality to live in. There are many good practices to protect your home and communities from wildfires. No place is 100% safe from weather or natural disasters but the mountains do present additional challenges you need to be prepared for.

3. Driving and Access

One thing we’ve noticed since we’ve moved to the mountains is how much we drive. Throughout various spots in the foothills are RTD Park ‘n Ride locations where you can get a shuttle to downtown, but other than that, finding a bus or any other public transportation is extremely rare. You must have a vehicle (and while we’re at it, a 4-wheel-drive vehicle). Plus, you are further away from neighbors, schools and stores (which can be a good thing) so you find yourself in your car. A lot.

The other issue is access. Your online shopping orders take longer to deliver (and may have issues if bad weather roles in). Access to a variety of school options may be limited. Grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, doctors offices and more are limited so you have to plan out your driving trips and when you may be able to gain access to certain amenities.

4. Limited Opportunities

When you choose to move to the mountains you are choosing a quiet, peaceful, serene life with amazing views and clean air. What you’re not choosing is being the most connected to civilization as ever. There are a limited amount of local jobs in any town you may find yourself in, forcing you to be work-from-home or have another source of income. Depending on where you live, opportunities for arts and culture can be smaller (though Evergreen has a thriving arts district) such as concerts, performances and shows.

Community is fantastic when you find it, but it can also be isolating to be far out into the woods. Even if you are in a “subdivision”, your neighbor may be too far of a walk, even for eggs!

Overall

What are your advantages to mountain living? What are the disadvantages to mountain living? These are our first reactions while living in the mountains. Despite the cons, we would move all over again if given the opportunity. We could not be happier as we build a new life next to the elk in our yard.

I would love to help make your dream of mountain living a reality. Reach out and let’s get started!