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Glenwood is a very walkable town, but residents also enjoy a
public bus system. There are two routes, and everyone rides
for free! There is also a bus to Aspen, which is probably
the best way to get there (it is also a very walkable town) since
the road (Highway 82) can become bumper to bumper in summer and
snow-packed in winter (and gas prices in this area are
outrageous). Glenwood does not have large shopping venues (there are a few
malls, but they are small), but basic necessities can certainly be
found in town. Many residents drive to Grand Junction, about
90 miles west, for extra supplies.
Dining is adequate but not outstanding; for those seeking more
sophisticated cuisine, excellent restaurants are found in,
naturally, Aspen. They are chic and expensive, and a celebrity will
probably be at the adjacent table. Glenwood cultural
attractions are limited, as is nightlife, but the Summer of Jazz
Festival, the Fall Arts Festival, the Symphony in the Valley and
the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts, to name a few,
all bring the community together at various times throughout the
year. And these events and venues can be enjoyed with a sense of
safety because Glenwood has a crime rate below the national
average.
Valley View Hospital (970.945.6535) is the medical facility
that serves the community. It has 80 beds, a 24-hour
emergency room and has been recognized nationally for its
patient-centered care. Acute care, critical care,
rehabilitation services, cardiac care, wound care, physical therapy and
more are all offered by Valley View.
Volunteers find their services in demand throughout Glenwood, as
well as in some of the surrounding communities (Basalt,
Carbondale). Literacy Outreach needs people to teach
reading and writing skills; Carbondale Wild West Rodeo needs help
every summer; Advocate Safehouse Project needs volunteers to
assist victims of domestic violence; the Colorado Animal Rescue
Shelter always needs people to assist with the four-legged
friends. Glenwood also has numerous churches, another
avenue for volunteering time and talent.
Just outside of town, on the way to Aspen, is the Glenwood
campus of Colorado Mountain College (5,500 students), and
where the local senior center, the Colorado Mountain College
Senior Center, is located. Started as the High Country
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in 1973, the center today
provides social interaction, educational opportunities, volunteer
opportunities, health information and support, congregate meals,
transportation and more. Call 970.945.9117
for more information. Meals on Wheels is also active.
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Glenwood is in the Rocky Mountains
(elevation 5,763 feet), and weather is as would be
expected. The January average high temperature
is 36 degrees, and the average low is 13 degrees.
The average July high is 89 degrees, and the average low
is 52 degrees. It can get colder or
hotter. Snowfall is, though, actually less than what
one might think; the town only receives 4 to 5 inches of
the stuff each month from November to March.
Humidity averages 70% in the mornings, but drops to as low as
20% in the afternoons during summer. The sun shines
70% of the time, and when it does, the skies are a
breathtaking cobalt blue. |
Retirement in this mountain hamlet is not for everyone.
Real estate is very expensive, and even though one of the world's
most popular playgrounds for the rich and famous is just 40
minutes away, Glenwood can feel a little isolated, particularly in
winter. Denver is 2.5
hours to the east, but I-70, the fastest way to get there without
flying (Glenwood Airport accepts small planes) or taking the train
(6.5 hours), gets congested and
can occasionally close down thanks to snow or rock slides. Summer tourist traffic
often causes gridlock in Glenwood's downtown/mineral pools
section, and with steep mountains all around,
summer days are short (and winter days are even shorter).
Having said all that, though, most retirees who live here would
not live anywhere else and point to the gorgeous scenery, clean
air, healing waters, welcoming residents and the overall
contentment that comes with living in beautiful Colorado.
Return
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