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Cambria is by far the coolest place on this list...and one of the most spectacular parts of the California coastline. Just 6 miles south of Hearst Castle® and the Gateway to Big Sur, Cambria is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on Highway 1. It is beautiful, charming, peaceful, friendly, and the sunsets are stunning. Stay in a private Bed & Brunch: www.VictoriasLastResort.com
Bravo 4th Generation Durangoan! It's not easy to describe so many wonderful things in one comment!
I grew up in Durango, left for part one of my career and then returned to the same friendly, welcoming, beautiful town I left 20 years earlier. I now work and live in Durango and my daughters get to grow up here. My parents have chosen to spend retirement in Durango and are living the good life, experiencing everything from hiking and golf to all-season gallery walks and fine local food.
Woke up this morning to a new blanket of white snow and noticed my retired neighbors have already shoveled!
It's true, if you live in Durango, you will have to deal with snow on occasion in the wintertime...a tradeoff many of us choose to make to have four distinct incredible seasons. I don't downhill ski anymore, but many of my senior friends do...we just snowshoe, cross country ski, enjoy sleigh rides and dog sledding and watch the snow fall from the comfort of our home. There is nothing to compare to the beauty of a winter day with the warm sun and crisp air. Our spring and fall days are similar to phoenix winter days.. sunny and a little cool, perfect for outdoor pursuits. Our summer days and evenings are idyllic. As a senior, I like to travel and Durango has a great regional airport with direct flights to several international airports. Durango also has a vibrant downtown with mostly family owned and operated businesses, world class restaurants, and Fort Lewis College, a nationally recognized four year state college with a strong partnership with the community through the Concert Hall, Center for Southwest Studies, and many course offerings through its continuing education programs. Unlike many small communities, we have a new state of the art regional medical center and Durango has attracted very accomplished physicians and educators. People in the know want to live in this community where they can pursue a healthy lifestyle and choose locally grown meats, vegetables, fruits and eggs, and are surrounded by City, State and Federal lands and open space. I left Durango for 23 years and lived in Denver, Los Angeles, Boulder and Santa Fe.
I returned 23 years ago and felt that I hadn't missed a beat..the old timers still welcome newcomers, but many newcomers want to shut the gate and discourage any growth. You can see why, it is such a special place, but there is room for a few more folks that don't mind shoveling a little snow (or paying the neighbor's daughter to do so).
As for the "new comer" to Durango who posted as having lived there for 13 years as a retiree, who shovels your snow? It is a beautiful town, with A LOT of snow and a hard climate in winter. It is not a kind climate for retirees. I've seen it over and over again, older folks move to Durango in the summer, send 2 winters and move to AZ or NM. Durango does not need more growth. The expansion has morphed it into a relic of its former self. I was born at the old Mercy Medical Center, delivered by Dr. Ball along with my twin sister in 1966. Dr. Ball lived 6 blocks away my whole life. His Daughter Mrs. Malik was one of my Jr. High teachers, she lived down the block from me. My Dad was a college Professor, 3 other Professors lived within 5 blocks of me while I was growing up. This is not, today, the same town.
Durango is worn out for real estate. The valley is only 4 miles long and about a mile and a half wide. More growth has nowhere to go but out of town. Although these areas have been incorporated as part of the town, they are not. Flagstaff is a better choice. I was born in Durango in 1966 and raised there. It is about exhausted. Plus the Ski Resort struggles to keep up with the town and is 24 long miles away. Used to make the LONG trip everyday for 2 years for work.
Seriously......bull dozing ??? strip malls ??? highways ??? I've lived in Flagstaff for 35 years. On days like today when we have snow falling, beautiful snow covered mountains, clean air, wonderful people, great revitalized downtown, and a thriving university that I remember why I love this town.
OMG Flagstaff!!
Once nice, as a former resident I can honestly say it took the low road. bull dozing/ strip malls / Big hi ways
You guys should visit some of the other towns on the list!