"When the wind don't blow in Amarillo
And the moon along the Gunnison don't rise
Shall I cast my dreams upon your love, babe
"When the wind don't blow in Amarillo
And the moon along the Gunnison don't rise
Shall I cast my dreams upon your love, babe
And lie beneath the laughter of your eyes?"
--Snowin' on Raton, Emmylou Harris
There's a reason Gunnison, Colorado considers itself the "Base Camp of the Rocky Mountains." Live here and you have access to an enormous playground. Up for some gnarly runs at Crested Butte ski area? How about a hike into the famous Black Canyon of the Gunnison? Like fly fishing? Answer 'yes' to any of these questions and this affordable community surrounded by beauty, recreational opportunities is a great place to live and work.
Moving to Gunnison
Near the college, there are plenty of rental apartments to choose from. There are townhouses and one bedroom or studio apartments for rent that feature amenities such as WiFi, clubhouses, covered parking and even lift tickets to Monarch ski resort. Farther from campus, historic homes converted to condos and duplexes for rent are within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues. These rental properties generally want the same sign up documents and you'll need proof of income, rental history and usually a deposit equal to first month's rent. Many landlords will also request credit scores and references, so have these on hand along with your checkbook when scoping out places just in case you need to pounce then and there. And the good news is, because there are no true neighborhoods in Gunnison your hunt will be easy in terms of area. Want a little more privacy? Consider finding a home for rent in Gunnison or its surrounding area, where rental houses can offer fenced-in yards and gorgeous mountain views. Just be sure to avoid moving in the dead of winter--unless you like backing up a truck in potential snowstorms and slipping on ice, that is.
Living in Gunnison
The Town of Gunnison
Located 250 miles southwest of Denver, Gunnison is the seat of one of the largest counties in Colorado, 85 percent of which is designated as federal land. Translated: plenty of room for enjoying nature. But Gunnison isn't all hiking boots and mountain bikes. Home to Western State College of Colorado, a 2,400-student liberal arts college, there is no shortage of cultural amenities, restaurants and entertainment venues either. Along with its low cost of living and college town vibe, the outdoors factors into much of what makes Gunnison special.
The Recreation
It's no surprise that tourism is the largest industry here. From world class skiing to water sports on Blue Mesa Reservoir, one of the largest bodies of water in the state, the Gunnison area is an outdoor lover's paradise. Kayaking, hiking and horseback riding opportunities abound. Festivals celebrating outdoor life and western culture are held each summer and fall. Gunnison also boasts two 18-hole golf courses.
It's Cool, Literally
OK, there's good news and bad news. The good news? Gunnison is the coolest town in Colorado. The bad? Ditto. Located at the bottom of a chain of valleys, cold air settles onto Gunnison at night, so it sometimes gets a shout-out on the Weather Channel as the coldest place in the continental U.S. But this is Colorado and even in winter, the abundant sunshine (300 days a year!) quickly warms the valley. Besides, the heavy snow in the surrounding mountains all but guarantees a great ski season. Come summer, you'll appreciate not having to escape the heat. Highs average in the mid-70s. The perfect temperature for active adventures.
