I have a 2-year rotational opportunity in Durango, CO (all others are either still in Houston or in Bakersfield, CA), and I was curious as to what people thought of the city/area. Blows? Beautiful and fun and never gets old? Isolated so you can get stir-crazy? I'm 26 but a huge nightlife isn't necessarily a priority. Thanks in advance!
Durango is very rural(lots of rednecks) and makes all it's money from the tourist industry. However, it one of the prettiest areas in the entire country. You are right in the middle of the rockies, surrounded by millions of acres of public wilderness. If you like the outdoors, you can't beat it. If you like hanging out with people that don't wear wranglers and talking about worldly events, you will beat your head against the wall. You get millions of acres of this.
Durango is a nice college town. One of the bigger CO cities to the West of the Rockies. You won't feel isolated. I like it. What makes it awesome is its proximity to some of the most incredible places in Colorado. Ouray, CO is what many consider the most beautiful town in CO. Telluride is spectacular to. If you like to fish, there a lot of rivers full of trout. Pegosa Springs is about an hour away. Plenty of skiing option although you far from the heart of CO skiing. Also, do you like rodeos? You have to go see Mesa Verde, too.
I had a finance related job offer a few years back associated with the Ute tribe... But ultimately passed and we decided to move to Austin (from Houston). Keep in mind this wasn't a rotational thing. If I got fired, didn't like it, whatever I was kind of stuck out there. Plus I was 30 with a family. But man was I tempted. Durango is really cool... But it is definitely a small town. We'll actually be there next week as we are headed to a wedding in the middle of Colorado. Maybe we'll have to swing by Ouray. Were definitely checking out Mesa Verde... Even though I've been 3x already. Never gets old for me. If it as good a career opportunity for you as not going, and if you're 26, single, and it's rotational, I think you should go.
Not as redneck as previous poster implied. Great place and some decent amenities, including lots of hippie chicks if you are so inclined. You'll also be able to hike somewhere different every weekend. Only issue is that housing is priced like a resort, so the rent might be higher than what you expect. Of your choices, Durango is by far the best.
If you are really interested, its definitely doable for only 2 years. I lived in a mountain town for a year and it was completely fine. Lots of these mountain towns don't feel as small as an equivalent sized town in ohio or something. They rely on tourism so they have lots of things to do, places to eat and shop. I would absolutely recommend it
Nice lines, rather large. As long as it has AC, I would be OK with if I were single. Would be a tough sell to the ladies. Better than living in a compact, at any rate. Spoiler
At first I thought why do you want to live there, but I was thinking of a different Durango. Spoiler Dangerous place to be at the moment.
