Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Trendy and Cool, Steamboat Springs is Tucked in Colorado's Rugged Northwestern Mountains and is a Magnet for Elite Skiers and Vacationers
Sitting at 6,728 feet above sea level in the rugged mountains of northwestern Colorado, the Steamboat Springs' area was first known to the Ute Native Americans for its natural hot springs. When trappers and ranchers arrived in the 1800s, they thought the springs sounded like a steamboat and named the little town Steamboat Springs. For many winters after, skiing was practically the only way in and out.
Today, Steamboat is growing but is still remote. It sits at the base of Mount Werner and is a premier downhill ski destination, famous for its champagne powder and home to the Steamboat Ski Resort where international skiing events such as the World Cup take place. Hip, casual, affluent and touristy, it still holds onto its cowboy roots while drawing elite skiers and ski bums as well as vacationing families. The town-wide annual Winter Carnival celebrates all things winter, including snowshoeing and snowmobiling, but summers are busy, too, with kayakers and river rafters shooshing down the Yampa River that runs through town. Hiking, camping, biking and fishing are all popular. Residents and visitors alike still enjoy Steamboat's soothing hot springs, particularly in Old Town and Strawberry Park.
There are two primary shopping centers, one along the main road and one at the mountain base. Housing stock includes colorful Victorian single family homes and large, modern condominium developments.
Population: 14,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 30%
Cost of Living: 80% above the national average
Median Home Price: $1 million
Climate: Summers are short but just about perfect with blazing blue skies and temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Winters are long with whispy blue skies and temperatures in the single digits, teens and 20s. On average, the area receives 165 inches of snow per year.
Hospital: Yampa Valley Medical provides medical care.
Public Transit: Yes, provided by Steamboat Springs Transit. This is a free service that makes stops at hotels and the ski resort but also at the grocery, the shopping centers and the library. A para-transit service is available, too.
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Liberal
College Educated: 57%
Is Colorado Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Drawbacks: Steamboat is only accessible by one road, State Highway 40.
Notes: The mountains around Steamboat are not as tall as those in some other Colorado ski destinations. Most jobs are seasonal, so a lot of people come and go. Despite the tourists and seasonal comings and goings, permanent residents have a closely-knit community, and several Olympic downhillers, including Billy Kidd, reside here. Yampa Valley Regional Airport is open year round and has flights to Denver and Salt Lake City. The population has grown 10% during the last decade. Home prices have remained steady since last year.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although it has a young demographic.
Colorado:
The mountains of north central Colorado rise in rugged beauty, forming part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Towering peaks like Longs Peak and Mount Evans dominate the skyline, surrounded by alpine lakes, pine forests, and winding trails that invite hikers, campers, and wildlife alike.
This region, home to parts of Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest, offers dramatic elevation changes and year-round adventure — from golden aspens in the fall to snow-covered slopes in winter. It's a place where nature feels both vast and intimate, wild yet deeply grounding.
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