My parents and Colorado

[superdex]

Well, my folks --currently in SoCal-- are creeping in on retirement, and they are eyeballing Colorado as a possible destination. This makes me giddy because I'll have the folks closer and they might actually want to split a place near a ski resort . As I get the time, I'm doing little bits of research for them--

They both require medical facilities nearby (the new hospital in Breckenridge comes to mind); Dad requires golf; Mom requires an age-appropriate social atmosphere. Somewhere in the Front Range/I70 corridor would be cool, but I'm also wondering about other parts of the state -- Co Springs, Buena Vista, Steamboat? A retirement community would be okay too (not assisted-living, but somewhere there is lots of folks the same age).

My struggle is my dad in particular isn't very outdoorsy-active. He plays golf and likes being outside, but I don't see him hiking any 14ers. And neither of them ski (though my mom did years ago). My mom would do easy hiking, and I hoping to get them both on a bike somehow, someway.

What do you kids think? Anywhere I should look at as possibilities?

[Zin]

From my limited time here, I'd have to say Aurora would be a good place. Golf, Cherry Creek state park, and I think they have a considerable senior population over there.

[snowy]

I would not say mountain towns. Unless they want to deal with cold winters and snow??? Fort Collins was one of the top cities to live in for older peeps. Not sure if that is the case anymore??? You might want to check that out.

Its super cool S.dex that your parents are looking to move here.

[hockeyczar]

Superdex:
You should have them look at the town of Eagle. This area was just chosen as the best place to retire for golfers by Business Week & Golf Digest. Lots of golf courses nearby.It is turning into a great retirement area. Good medical facilities-Vail & Glenwood and they are constructing a new medical center in Eagle as well. The climate there is much warmer than the Vail area since Eagle is only 6600 ft msl. Real estate prices are also pretty reasonable-although that's kind of relative. You'd only be 20 miles west of beaver Creek and 28 from Vail- and just over an hour from Aspen.

[DnvrFox]

How old are your parents?

Another perspective from a retiree.

We specifically rejected a "retirement community." We wanted to be around a wide variety of ages. We love seeing the kids as they play and grow up. We delight in Halloween when all the kiddies come around in their costumes. We find that all the "senior" folks talk about is their poor health and how much money they made and how they made it.

However, it is nice to - at times - have other folks to share the same thoughts. A good compromise is to have an active church group, which we do. We are very active in that group - I lead weekly bicycle rides and walks, and I organized and lead a senior men's singing group (a capella) singing gospel, etc.

One consideration is having a single level (ranch style) home, which we bought 5 years ago.

We really like the Parker area.

Medical facilities are not all the same. You need a wide variety to choose from - a choice of different "doctoring" styles, if you will. You can not get that in small communities.

Good luck. Get your folks to read our rogue's Gallery (see below).

[Shifty]

Pueblo....or Ft Collins

Pueblo, low cost of housing, warmer winter climate, great golf year round, hospitals, smaller, so no traffic problems, hassles of big city, friendly and clean, good airport in Colorado Springs 45 miles up the road.

[oilfreeandhappy]

Fort Collins is very Bicycle-Friendly. Check out any area around Spring Creek Trail. It's a very active trail for pedestrians, cyclists, dogs, nature lovers, etc, and it connects with some other nice trails. The streets are also set up nicely for cycling. It sounds like your parents are into a lower-level exercise than you, and this is great. My parents are the same way. In general, it's a very friendly community.

Ditto on the post about Cherry Creek Trail in Denver too.

[superdex]

How old are your parents?

Another perspective from a retiree.

...

We really like the Parker area.

Medical facilities are not all the same. You need a wide variety to choose from - a choice of different "doctoring" styles, if you will. You can not get that in small communities.

Good luck. Get your folks to read our rogue's Gallery (see below).

Fox, thanks for the insight. They are in their early 60s. I grew up barely a C&E Episcopalian (which is to say we were light even in Church Light) -- I don't know where my parents stand today on Church, but I will mention it as an option.

A condo might be a decent idea, simply for the grounds maintenance/snow removal/etc. I'll check out Parker. A coworker's parents are in Littleton, and just happened to end up in a condo with a lot of similar-aged neighbors.

Shifty, Pueblo, eh? Hmmm. Must look into that. The girlfriend's family is from there; should be easy research.

Thanks again

[Shifty]

Fox, thanks for the insight. They are in their early 60s. I grew up barely a C&E Episcopalian (which is to say we were light even in Church Light) -- I don't know where my parents stand today on Church, but I will mention it as an option.

A condo might be a decent idea, simply for the grounds maintenance/snow removal/etc. I'll check out Parker. A coworker's parents are in Littleton, and just happened to end up in a condo with a lot of similar-aged neighbors.

Shifty, Pueblo, eh? Hmmm. Must look into that. The girlfriend's family is from there; should be easy research.

Thanks again

Hey, when you go take the bikes, 15 to 20 degrees warmer there now, and I bet no snow. Great riding from town out to Beulah. You'll need a few miles before Moab!!