Visiting a smaller mountain town like Durango, Colorado, can be a magical experience. The quaint downtown, surrounding mountains, and community-centric events create an irresistible appeal. If this small-town lifestyle intrigues you enough to consider moving to Southwest Colorado, here are a few things to know about what makes living in Durango so unique.
Shopping & Activities
Downtown Durango exudes small-town charm with a strong focus on locally owned and operated businesses that make everyday errands feel more personal and connected. While there are a few well-known grocery stores and retail chains, you won’t find large shopping malls or big-box centers offering the variety found in metropolitan areas. Instead, Durango celebrates and supports local shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, which line historic Main Avenue and are sprinkled throughout town.
Similarly, instead of big-city attractions like trampoline parks, arcades, or large event venues, Durango and the surrounding areas offer year-round outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, skiing, and boating, along with a steady calendar of community events and festivals. Many of the annual gatherings benefit local non-profits and organizations. You’ll also find cozy music venues and local bars that host regional musicians and touring bands.
Since Durango is the largest and most populous city in Southwest Colorado, many of these amenities are more limited in surrounding towns. However, each nearby community offers its own personality, local pride, and unique reasons residents love calling it home!
Access
Tucked into the southwest corner of Colorado, Durango sits at the intersection of Highways 160 and Highway 550 and serves as a gateway to incredible mountain and desert adventures, with scenic drives in every direction. While there is no major interstate nearby, these routes connect travelers from Bernalillo, NM to Montrose, CO, and Tuba City, AZ to Poplar Bluff, MO creating a large radius around Durango with endless places to explore. Transportation options within Durango include public buses, a Greyhound bus stop, and the paved Animas River Trail, perfect for commuting through town along the river. Most importantly, Durango - La Plata County Airport (DRO), the largest in the region, offers nonstop flights to Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix, as well as seasonal destinations.
It is important to know that popular rideshares like Uber and Lyft are limited, so planning transportation ahead of time will make your trip smoother. Public scooters and e-bikes such as Lime and Bird aren’t yet available. Many locals enjoy using a mix of transportation options; bikes, cars, public transit, or walking.
Four Seasons
Colorado’s four-season climate offers a true taste of variety, from powdery winter days perfect for skiing to sunny summers filled with wildflowers and hikes. Seasonal home care, like winter preparations before the snow and fire-mitigation before the hot summer months, comes with the territory of mountain living. Winter routines like shoveling and navigating icy roads are balanced by cozy nights and stunning mountain views. At 6,512 feet in elevation, Durango’s thinner air can also be an adjustment for some, so it is wise to consider any health factors that may be affected by elevation. Understanding and embracing these factors will help you adapt and make mountain living both rewarding and comfortable.
Jobs & Income
Durango is home to the majority of the region’s amenities and industry, offering careers in fields ranging from education and healthcare to outdoor recreation, tourism, and professional services. Because of this, home prices and rental rates tend to be higher than the nearby towns. Some residents look to the surrounding areas for housing such as Bayfield, Mancos, Cortez, Aztec, and Farmington.
While the small-town lifestyle is different from that of a big city, many find the trade-offs rewarding - a close-knit community, easy access to nature, and a slower pace, letting you enjoy where you live. If you would like to learn more about living in Durango or begin your Southwest Colorado real estate journey, please contact The Durango Team at The Wells Group. We’re here to help you find your place in this beautiful mountain community.
