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Abundant Outdoor Activities,
Spectacular Scenery and Clean Air Draw Retirees to Rugged, Picturesque
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
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| Tucked away in the southwest corner
of Colorado's majestic Rocky Mountains is the
rural, rugged and picturesque community of Pagosa Springs
(population 1,800), a town far from the crowds and
hectic pace of modern life, a place where a
retiree can
catch his or her breath, connect with nature and spend
afternoons hiking in the surrounding high country,
fly fishing in the San Juan River or just relaxing
at an outdoor cafe under a crystal blue sky. Of the
population, 25% is age 45 to 64, and 11% is age 65
or above. |
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X Pagosa Springs is,
however, starting to change from a sleepy mountain town into
a bit more of a resort, although it is not overbuilt and the
transformation is far from complete. More high end
vacation homes are popping up (nearly 60% of the residences
here are not locally owned), but
because the town is rather remote, tourists do not descent
in droves.
Those that do make their way here come primarily for the
outstanding downhill skiing at nearby Wolf Creek (Colorado's
snowiest ski
resort and one that may - or may not - be undergoing expansion
sometime in the future) and the local medicinal
waters. Those that live here year round are a mix of
blue collar workers, retirees, some cowboys and a few
escapees from trendier, more liberal and more expensive
Durango, about 60 miles to the west. The
ambiance is an interesting mix of laid back mountain
funkiness, conservatism and a hint of exclusivity. |
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The cost of living is roughly 10% above the national average,
and the median home price is $226,000 (the average home price,
however, which is skewed by high end property sales, is closer to
$500,000). Less expensive real estate includes cabins and
older homes, while more expensive properties include working and
trophy ranches, luxury residences nestled in the woods, town homes
in planned developments and large-acre home sites.
Unfortunately, there are not a lot of apartments for lease, but
there are some homes for rent (median price is $775 per
month). Mobile home parks can be found on the way to Durango
(and are closer to Durango than Pagosa).
This is an
interactive map. Click on the arrows in the upper left hand
corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs to zoom in
and out.
Residential property is taxed at a rate of 7.96%
of a property's actual value, multiplied by the mill levy rate of
.063726. The annual taxes on a $250,000 home would be
$1,268. Qualifying seniors may also receive a 50% exemption
(up to $100,000) on their property if they have lived in the
property for 10 years. Those 65 or older may also qualify
for a tax/heat/rent rebate, and those age 55 to 64 may exclude
$20,000 of Social Security from state income tax (those 65+ may
exclude $24,000).
Pagosa
Springs, Colorado, Continued...
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Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is
published four times a month by Webwerxx, Inc. 2770 S. Elmira St.,
#152, Denver, CO 80231. (303) 358-0512. Copyright ©
2006-2009.
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be
reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. All
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in this bulletin, but some information may have changed since
publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information
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if you have questions or comments.
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