Selecting a Mountain Town: Your Family (and Dog) When considering Buying a home in the mountains, Where you will buy is very important and may be the hardest decision you will make. There are many great mountain towns, and even more variables that you should consider when selecting a mountain town.
Location/Proximity to Your Primary Residence
How easy is it to get to your mountain town and second home? What are your options? Can you drive to your future mountain dream home? Even if it is a long drive, driving is a convenience and may be a consideration when looking at multiple trips for a family of five and the cost of airfare. How long of a drive is it? Are there decent places to stop and spend the night to break up the drive, and are the roads open twelve months out of the year? Traveling in the winter will usually take longer due to the snow on the roads. As well, many mountain passes that can reduce travel time are closed in the winter. Is there an airport close by? Are there commercial flights? Are the flights seasonal? Many resort communities will subsidize the airlines with reserves to incentivize the carrier to add the route and protect the airline’s downside if the flights have low capacity. Are there alternative airports within a couple of hours as additional options? Can you charter or fly your private plane? Is it easy for your family, friends, and clients to get to?
Do you have a dog?
Flying with a dog can be a hassle, and can be expensive. Some cold-weather routes may not take dogs if there is a chance the plane may be waiting on the runway and the dog is in the freezing cargo hold. Some people have found a loophole, and there are legitimate (and less-than-legitimate) “service dogs” and “companion dogs” rules that allow you to board the plane with your canine. Of course, if you have a private plane, dog travel is easy. Driving with a dog or dogs may not be easy, but it can be easier than flying commercial.
How often will you use your mountain home?
Many families live in a big city but are now “summering” in the mountains to get out of the heat in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, etc. The breadwinner commutes in and out of the mountain town and works remotely online. The kids sign up for little league baseball, dance, or other mountain activities that may not be options at home like mountain biking, rock climbing, paddling, fly fishing, etc. Many families have also found that a mountain town may be safer than their primary residence neighborhood in the big city suburbs, and that their kids enjoy the additional freedoms.
Crested Butte may be a good fit
Crested Butte, Colorado is a special place located at the end of the valley in Gunnison County, in southwestern colorado. A former coal mining town now a Historic resort town that is known for its charm, its warm community and festive attitude. Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golfing and a variety of other outdoor activities. It is a welcoming community made up of transplanted locals and second home owners, with a permanent population in the Crested Butte area of about 2,500. Many people consider Crested Butte as “the last great Colorado ski town”. It is located at the North end of the Gunnison valley and includes both the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Accessible via commercial air service to Gunnison airport (GUC) with direct flights from Denver all year via United, and Winter flights via American Airlines direct to DFW, as well as United flights in both the Winter and Summer via United Airlines to Houston. Montrose regional airport (MJT) is one hour west of Gunnison and may also be an option.
…and if you were wondering if your dog will like it – there may be more dogs than people in Crested Butte!
Additional information on Visiting Crested Butte available via the Gunnison Crested Butte Travel Association website.
How Can I Help You?
See all the big picture and all the details of the Crested Butte Real Estate Market in my monthly Crested Butte Co Real Estate market reports – the level of detail is representative of what you can expect from me as your Crested Butte Real Estate Agent.
Call me to help you navigate the various options in condos, town homes and single family homes here in Crested Butte. There is a wide variety of options, in location, amenities, and price point. I appreciate the opportunity to help you find the perfect mountain home for you and your family!
If you have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about homes, condos or land in the Crested Butte CO real estate market, give me a call.
Visit www.chriskopf.com. Phone: (970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
Thanks,
Chris Kopf
Previews® Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
#1 Crested Butte Real Estate Agent 2014
based on Total Volume
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