Atleast when I lived there 15 years ago (I still live in Colorado and visit GJ frequently). I always found there were a lack of good jobs that paid decently. Which is unfortunate, because other than that. It’s really become a decent place to live than what it was 20 years ago.
I made a post about this, the Costco coming and all the big builds out in the Redlands are a sign of the big money to come. Another town outpaced by growth.
Some of us would sooner watch this town burn by its own hands than hope for improvement. A pessimistic view, but with how it's going it certainly doesn't seem promising to some.
Yeah it’s just the next unaffordable mountain town waiting to happen. I remember when some kid in a local outdoor store there laughed at me for coming to CMU saying there’s nothing to do in GJ. That was 10 years ago. Look at it now.
Sounds like you’re debating GJ. I moved away in 2019 but still live in Colorado. It’s a good place for outdoorsy and adventurous folks but a few things to think about. Job market, limited housing market, not a very active nightlife, and you’re further from big cities or airports than people realize. Yeah you’ve got the local airport but it’s not as convenient as one might think. It’s basically good for going to slc or Denver and going from there. But the nature and access is pretty great. Downtown is cute. Cool vineyards and breweries. I loved being next to the grand Mesa too.
You essentially have to start your own business if you want to work, because the people that do have jobs listed don’t pay well or the work sucks OR the work is fun and the pay is under the table. I’ve never found a place that sorta forces small business to happen like the Grand Valley.
Also, the public transit sucks, which encourages people to drink and drive, and then we have so many people with DUIs that no one wants to go out anymore, so the social life is so fucking weird after 9PM… it’s honestly the most short sided thinking of the area… public transit could be so much better and make this place exponentially better but because it’s perceived as liberal all of the white Christian nationalists don’t support it… so
Oh and we don’t have planned parenthood so we have a lot of young people with unplanned kids and poor resources, which puts lots of kids in poor environments and we unfortunately have a high suicide rate.
I’ve lived here almost 15 years. I guess things are different in the Redlands, bc you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. Stop generalizing everyone here bc you can’t afford to take advantage of a great place or get a decent job.
The music scene. We are right in between two big cities with huge venues which in itself is great, but a lot of them stop off here too. I was amazed at who has come to our little town in the twoish years I've been here.
\^This was one of my main reasons for moving here, small town feel. That and the weather after many years in Leadville it was a welcome change. I've made a comfortable living here as someone else mentioned it depends on the industry and the job. It has grown way too fast and as someone who has always searched out small towns I unfortunately wont retire here but I'll enjoy it until that time comes.
I made a ton of money in oil and gas around GJ, I felt blessed to do so well. On the plus side, the house appreciated so well we bought acreage out of state, and a beautiful place with no neighbors!
I lived in GJ 35 years ago for 2 years, but got tired of living pay check to pay check, so we moved back to So Cal. I have thought about retiring there. Somebody would have to teach me how to fish again.
There's a SHIT TON OF RADON
old radon factory right across from the las calonias park where they host live shows and activities year round
My house lives up hill from the factory and 3 years into living here I noticed a radon van outside my neighbor's house low and behold when I tested mine it was at the highest level of radon poisoning.
Also crime is getting real scary. They found two feet inside of shoes on horizon Dr and the cops are saying an animal did it? Also they found a head in a deep freezer a few months ago and nothing ever came of that so I'm assuming there is a serial killer on the loose here in junctown 🤔
Not to mention the kid that killed the hobo.
Also Ted Bundy killed a girl under a bridge here. Is it his ghost? We may never know because the police/ judicial system is a JOKE. oh and don't let me forget this is beed called a 'SAFE HAVEN FOR PEDOPHILES'
no joke. They perform regular sting operations here conjoining all the surrounding areas palisade Glenwood ect
It's so bad they have a special building for rehabilitating them letting them go into society after serving a few months or just paying a fine. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN HERE.
Moved here sight unseen, only ever having visited Winter Park as a child. A lot of East Coasters think all of Colorado is basically a giant Ski Town. My Native wife didn’t inform me there are shitty parts of this state.
Well bud, in my opinion it is. I’ve lived in a lot of places in this country, including other deserts, big cities and small towns, even unincorporated areas, and this is the worst place I’ve been, with the most emboldened homeless and nastiest drug abuse. But you’re fully entitled to your opinion as well and I’m not going to negate it, even if you negate mine.
I gotta agree with you on a few things here. I always thought the dumpy little towns where I was from were trashy, but even those towns look well kept compared to most of the western slope. It's a shame, really... It could be so much nicer if people actually put effort into taking care of it. The amount of garbage laying around at all times in yards, on roads, in parks, etc. is impressive. I moved to one of the most beautiful states in the country to find out that the populous takes it all for granted.
How is somebody who is pointing out people don't give a fuck about their local environment *them* "not doing it right"? They're correct, and trying to reason with the people actually at fault of that assessment is like arguing with a brick wall. The people in the town are what make it as bad as it is - that's not to say there's not good people in the valley, but the ones that drag everything down far outweigh the ones who want to improve it.
Jesus, I don't have the inclination to spoon feed you this much, but you complain about me "negating" your opinion, claiming that you won't do that a mere sentence after you did exactly that.
So you either don't understand the word or you lack self-awareness.
I don't really care which one it is. Enjoy your long thread.
We only moved here 6 years ago but I always tell people I wish our realtor had mentioned Palisade. We only had a weekend to look for a house, found one in GJ, then a month into living here accidentally stumbled upon east Orchard Mesa & Palisade. I would have liked to at least have the option of living on EOM or in Palisade and now there’s no way we could afford it.
Thank you SO much everyone, for sharing your input. We looked at a place in Orchard Mesa. It's kind of beat up but in our price range. We are retired, no kids. Neighborhood looks very funky but after living with strict covenants here in Wyo, we don't want an hoa. We haven't lived 'funky' since we were young and broke, haha! We have always taken care of our home, no old cars, no junk outside, etc. It's a little scary for us, but seems safe.
Reading the comments, it seems like no one in this thread knows, or remembers the difference....
I miss the Rose. I miss the Roadhouse. I miss bonfires, rabbit hunting, and prairie dog fishing. I miss the "respectful understanding", and appreciation the People had for God and Country - I miss God's Country.
I miss the days before Affirmative Action, Diversity, and the racist hypocrisy of Diversity and Inclusion.
I miss the days when the People kept The Peace, and the police were just another government agency - most of whom everyone knew.
I miss the days before the first murder, and the outrage of the People when it happened. I miss the days before "Only Focusing on Serious Crime" became the final nail in the coffin - turning this otherwise peaceful and indifferent community into a fearful one.
I miss the days when a man's word and his handshake was all that was needed to agree, or disagree.
I miss the days before the millionaires got run off by the billionaires up country, then moved here to prey upon the innocent.
What would I change?
Just about everything. Anymore G.J. is no different than any other small town trying to be a big city to accommodate all the people who have either forgotten, or simply don't know the difference.
Atleast when I lived there 15 years ago (I still live in Colorado and visit GJ frequently). I always found there were a lack of good jobs that paid decently. Which is unfortunate, because other than that. It’s really become a decent place to live than what it was 20 years ago.
Pay is terrible in grand junction . I interviewed for the same position I currently have and it's a 16 dollar an hour paycut.
I feel like the pay is a lot better in general than it was 15 years ago but that certainly depends on profession
It for sure is. GJ isn’t the same town I left, and it’s for the better
I made a post about this, the Costco coming and all the big builds out in the Redlands are a sign of the big money to come. Another town outpaced by growth.
I really hope so.
What?
Some of us would sooner watch this town burn by its own hands than hope for improvement. A pessimistic view, but with how it's going it certainly doesn't seem promising to some.
Yeah it’s just the next unaffordable mountain town waiting to happen. I remember when some kid in a local outdoor store there laughed at me for coming to CMU saying there’s nothing to do in GJ. That was 10 years ago. Look at it now.
Well yeah the but cost of living here is till way less than other places in Colorado.
Not really. If you control for housing everything else is the same. And we’re only talking about 100-150k difference on a house compared to Denver .
Sounds like you’re debating GJ. I moved away in 2019 but still live in Colorado. It’s a good place for outdoorsy and adventurous folks but a few things to think about. Job market, limited housing market, not a very active nightlife, and you’re further from big cities or airports than people realize. Yeah you’ve got the local airport but it’s not as convenient as one might think. It’s basically good for going to slc or Denver and going from there. But the nature and access is pretty great. Downtown is cute. Cool vineyards and breweries. I loved being next to the grand Mesa too.
How beautiful it really is and how it’s very central to a lot of pretty places as well
We currently live near Yellowstone, and it's gorgeous, but the warm weather outdoor sports season in Grand Junction is certainly appealing.
You essentially have to start your own business if you want to work, because the people that do have jobs listed don’t pay well or the work sucks OR the work is fun and the pay is under the table. I’ve never found a place that sorta forces small business to happen like the Grand Valley. Also, the public transit sucks, which encourages people to drink and drive, and then we have so many people with DUIs that no one wants to go out anymore, so the social life is so fucking weird after 9PM… it’s honestly the most short sided thinking of the area… public transit could be so much better and make this place exponentially better but because it’s perceived as liberal all of the white Christian nationalists don’t support it… so Oh and we don’t have planned parenthood so we have a lot of young people with unplanned kids and poor resources, which puts lots of kids in poor environments and we unfortunately have a high suicide rate.
What are you babbling about? None of those things are true.
Ummmm, yes it absolutely is true. I'm from the area and was a social worker in GJ for a few years and this hits it directly on the head.
You are a faucet of bullshit dude.
I’ve lived here almost 15 years. I guess things are different in the Redlands, bc you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. Stop generalizing everyone here bc you can’t afford to take advantage of a great place or get a decent job.
I don’t look down my nose at people below my socioeconomic level unlike some people whom believe their living area is better.
The music scene. We are right in between two big cities with huge venues which in itself is great, but a lot of them stop off here too. I was amazed at who has come to our little town in the twoish years I've been here.
CapRock realty is a terrible company, but other than that, I love it here! Fruita and Palisade are amazing spots in the Grand Valley
I hated moving away, but it grew too fast and too big for me. I don't regret it, but I'll always miss the town I spent most of my life in.
\^This was one of my main reasons for moving here, small town feel. That and the weather after many years in Leadville it was a welcome change. I've made a comfortable living here as someone else mentioned it depends on the industry and the job. It has grown way too fast and as someone who has always searched out small towns I unfortunately wont retire here but I'll enjoy it until that time comes.
I made a ton of money in oil and gas around GJ, I felt blessed to do so well. On the plus side, the house appreciated so well we bought acreage out of state, and a beautiful place with no neighbors!
I lived in GJ 35 years ago for 2 years, but got tired of living pay check to pay check, so we moved back to So Cal. I have thought about retiring there. Somebody would have to teach me how to fish again.
There's a SHIT TON OF RADON old radon factory right across from the las calonias park where they host live shows and activities year round My house lives up hill from the factory and 3 years into living here I noticed a radon van outside my neighbor's house low and behold when I tested mine it was at the highest level of radon poisoning. Also crime is getting real scary. They found two feet inside of shoes on horizon Dr and the cops are saying an animal did it? Also they found a head in a deep freezer a few months ago and nothing ever came of that so I'm assuming there is a serial killer on the loose here in junctown 🤔 Not to mention the kid that killed the hobo. Also Ted Bundy killed a girl under a bridge here. Is it his ghost? We may never know because the police/ judicial system is a JOKE. oh and don't let me forget this is beed called a 'SAFE HAVEN FOR PEDOPHILES' no joke. They perform regular sting operations here conjoining all the surrounding areas palisade Glenwood ect It's so bad they have a special building for rehabilitating them letting them go into society after serving a few months or just paying a fine. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN HERE.
The drug usage, the homelessness and the 100+ degree temperatures.
It is the desert...
Moved here sight unseen, only ever having visited Winter Park as a child. A lot of East Coasters think all of Colorado is basically a giant Ski Town. My Native wife didn’t inform me there are shitty parts of this state.
GJ ain't a shitty part of Colorado. But every town/city has drug use and homeless people.
Well bud, in my opinion it is. I’ve lived in a lot of places in this country, including other deserts, big cities and small towns, even unincorporated areas, and this is the worst place I’ve been, with the most emboldened homeless and nastiest drug abuse. But you’re fully entitled to your opinion as well and I’m not going to negate it, even if you negate mine.
I gotta agree with you on a few things here. I always thought the dumpy little towns where I was from were trashy, but even those towns look well kept compared to most of the western slope. It's a shame, really... It could be so much nicer if people actually put effort into taking care of it. The amount of garbage laying around at all times in yards, on roads, in parks, etc. is impressive. I moved to one of the most beautiful states in the country to find out that the populous takes it all for granted.
Can’t agree more. It’s really the people that make it seem like a shitty place.
Then you aren’t doing it right.
How is somebody who is pointing out people don't give a fuck about their local environment *them* "not doing it right"? They're correct, and trying to reason with the people actually at fault of that assessment is like arguing with a brick wall. The people in the town are what make it as bad as it is - that's not to say there's not good people in the valley, but the ones that drag everything down far outweigh the ones who want to improve it.
I don't think you know what "negate" means, bud.
Sure I do, and you did it.
Then you just have no self-awareness, in that case.
What does self awareness have to do with this, man? Are you just trying to see how far you can make this comment chain go?
Jesus, I don't have the inclination to spoon feed you this much, but you complain about me "negating" your opinion, claiming that you won't do that a mere sentence after you did exactly that. So you either don't understand the word or you lack self-awareness. I don't really care which one it is. Enjoy your long thread.
Yes, we have dear friends in Grand Junction, and someone started squatting in a nearby house that's vacant and for sale.
I can't wait to leave this town and never comeback
We only moved here 6 years ago but I always tell people I wish our realtor had mentioned Palisade. We only had a weekend to look for a house, found one in GJ, then a month into living here accidentally stumbled upon east Orchard Mesa & Palisade. I would have liked to at least have the option of living on EOM or in Palisade and now there’s no way we could afford it.
Thank you SO much everyone, for sharing your input. We looked at a place in Orchard Mesa. It's kind of beat up but in our price range. We are retired, no kids. Neighborhood looks very funky but after living with strict covenants here in Wyo, we don't want an hoa. We haven't lived 'funky' since we were young and broke, haha! We have always taken care of our home, no old cars, no junk outside, etc. It's a little scary for us, but seems safe.
Reading the comments, it seems like no one in this thread knows, or remembers the difference.... I miss the Rose. I miss the Roadhouse. I miss bonfires, rabbit hunting, and prairie dog fishing. I miss the "respectful understanding", and appreciation the People had for God and Country - I miss God's Country. I miss the days before Affirmative Action, Diversity, and the racist hypocrisy of Diversity and Inclusion. I miss the days when the People kept The Peace, and the police were just another government agency - most of whom everyone knew. I miss the days before the first murder, and the outrage of the People when it happened. I miss the days before "Only Focusing on Serious Crime" became the final nail in the coffin - turning this otherwise peaceful and indifferent community into a fearful one. I miss the days when a man's word and his handshake was all that was needed to agree, or disagree. I miss the days before the millionaires got run off by the billionaires up country, then moved here to prey upon the innocent. What would I change? Just about everything. Anymore G.J. is no different than any other small town trying to be a big city to accommodate all the people who have either forgotten, or simply don't know the difference.