I have discovered a town that can best be described as “Paradise on Earth.” Are you curious
about this town’s name?
The town is best suited for weekend visits or vacations rather than for permanent residence.
The locals are friendly and welcoming to tourists, as this is the main industry of the town. The town itself
is charming and relatively small. It only takes approximately 5 minutes to drive through the downtown
area. There are many intriguing shops and restaurants to keep you occupied for hours. The range of
recreational activities is mind-boggling! These activities include skiing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking,
fishing, hunting, boating, and more. Additionally, the town hosts Pro Rodeo shows on the weekends.
While members of my family were born and raised here, the economic changes brought about
by being a resort community have resulted in a lot of us leaving for a more affordable way of life. In the
1950s and 1960s, the town was small, and ranching and mining were the main industries. A lot of the
streets weren’t paved, but everyone knew each other, and nobody locked their doors. A real sense of
community thrived, and people really cared about their neighbors. This sense of belonging to a kind,
caring community has slowly faded away.
The introduction of the skiing industry was a real beginning of the end for this community, as
more people visited and moved here. A lot of the individuals who have moved here are looking to buy
second homes, and they come with a lot of money to spend. As a result, the real estate market has
boomed, and the prices of housing have made it impossible for a lot of locals to continue to live here.
Luckily, there are a few towns close by that will remain relatively affordable for the working people to
commute to and from this town.
The town I am referring to is Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I visit this town frequently for
shopping, dining, and entertainment. However, after years of owning and running a retail business, the
prices of real estate lots on which to build a house were too high. So, this “Paradise on Earth” has
become unaffordable for the common people.
There is good news. I have found a real “Heaven on Earth,” and it is just a mere 20 miles north of
Steamboat Springs. This town is Clark, Colorado. I didn’t know how lucky we were when we found a lot
affordable enough to purchase and build a home. This place is my “Heaven on Earth”! The community is
small, the people know each other, and there is a real sense of community here. The scenery is
breathtaking, and the ability to just live peacefully is priceless! The fact that I need to drive 20 miles to
buy groceries, shop, or go to the movies doesn’t deter me from living in Clark. I am glad Steamboat is 20
miles away to keep the “nouveau rich” at bay! I would choose to live in Heaven any day!
30 Years of Experience