Why Relocate to Pueblo Colorado – a Geographer’s Approach to Residential Location
I’m one of the growing numbers of fortunate people who are able to work from a home office and can live just about anywhere in the US. My only key work requirements are a good phone line, a solid internet connection and a major airport within driving distance (well, a quiet room and a pot of coffee are pretty important as well). After a lot of data gathering, analysis and pro-con list making, my wife and I have chosen to relocate from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Pueblo, Colorado. Our decision was biased by a variety of factors but I’ve been singing Pueblo’s praises for a few years now as a great place to invest in real estate and I’ve decided that living in the community is a way to put my money where my mouth is. Now that we’ve committed to the move, it seems to be a good time to make a written case for Pueblo. So, here goes.
Within Colorado and perhaps elsewhere, Pueblo has a somewhat unfavorable reputation due primarily to a relatively weak economy that has struggled since the decline of the steel industry in the 1980s. So while much of Colorado has boomed during the past 30 years Pueblo has lagged behind in terms of population/economic growth and in some ways has followed a path similar to cities in the Rust Belt. Although Pueblo still has a long way to go to regain economic vibrancy, I see significant progress and Pueblo currently presents, in my opinion, an unbelievable bargain.
So, why is Pueblo such a great deal? In short, Pueblo offers a nearly unbeatable blend of (1) low cost of living, (2) beautiful weather, (3) outdoor recreation, and (4) modern amenities.
Cost of Living
The cost of housing in Pueblo is unbelievably low. A nice house in a nice neighborhood can be purchased for under $200,000 and you can buy a nice older home in a decent neighborhood for under $100,000. If you’re handy you can buy a house that needs some work, nothing major just cosmetic updates, for under $50,000. I’m not joking. This past year I bought a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath 1300 sq ft house in a decent neighborhood near the Pueblo Community College for $22,900. Granted, the place was pretty trashed and I had to spend about $10,000 to fix it up. But, aside from a complete bathroom redo, it was mostly cosmetic updating. It still needs exterior paint, some landscaping and a facelift for the detached garage but I already have it rented to a nice family. If it remains occupied at the current rental rate I will recoup my investment within 4 years. Try that in Denver, Boulder or Colorado Springs or in any other city with a symphony, a university, mountain views and 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
Pueblo’s climate is delightful. At 38 degrees latitude, Pueblo is about halfway between sunny and dry Albuquerque, New Mexico and the cool and crisp Rocky Mountain environs of Cheyenne, Wyoming, both geographically and climatically. Summer temperatures can be toasty but thanks to the relatively high elevation (~4600 ft), summer evenings are almost always cool and comfortable. Winter can be cold and snowy on occasion but the snow typically melts the next day and you might be able to play golf in short sleeves 48 hours later. Pueblo is one of the sunniest places in the US, receiving more sunshine than San Diego and Honolulu. (Yes, you read that right! Don’t believe me? Check the National Climate Data Center). And, Pueblo summers are far more pleasant with cooler temperatures than you would find in comparably sunny cities like Phoenix or Tucson. Precipitation is light but you’ll see snow in the winter and thunderstorms in the summer. I love the fresh clean smell in the air after a thunderstorm on a summer afternoon. Pueblo also enjoys extraordinarily clean air and water. Try comparing Pueblo to Denver at this EPA website for air quality; or, look at Pueblo versus the US for air and water quality.
Outdoor Recreation
Just like any other city in Colorado, Pueblo is a relatively short drive away from world class skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing and a variety of other outdoor activities. The Lake Pueblo State Park offers water sports of all kinds and the Whitewater Park on the Arkansas River has become a great destination for kayaking enthusiasts. Thanks to bountiful sunshine you can enjoy many of these activities more days each year in Pueblo than in most other parts of Colorado. Same is true for golf, tennis, etc. There’s probably a lot more that I’m overlooking here but suffice it to say that Pueblo offers plenty for outdoor enthusiasts. A big step down from Boulder or Summit County to be sure but in those communities you’re paying probably 4+ times more for housing.
Modern Amenities
Okay, this is probably Pueblo’s weakest link and if you live in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs or outside of Colorado in a major city, this is where you’re most likely to find fault with Pueblo. So, this is really a value proposition rather than an argument that Pueblo is better than other metros. That said, Pueblo offers all the major cultural amenities that most people want nearby.
Pueblo has a growing 4-year university recently folded into the Colorado State University system along with Pueblo Community College for higher education and related cultural offerings.
The Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center and the Pueblo Symphony provide a taste of traditional big city culture, the annual Colorado State Fair recruits headline performers, and a local arts scene seems to be emerging – see www.pueblopulp.com for well-written reviews on local happenings.
Pueblo is a great sports town. There are probably more die-hard Denver Broncos fans in Pueblo, on a per-capita basis, than in Denver. If you don’t believe me drive around and count the number of homes that prominently display their loyalty to the orange and blue. Have lunch at the Coors Tavern and check out the history of Pueblo sports plastered all over the walls and ceiling. Pueblo is home to the oldest high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi, the annual Bell Game between Centennial and Central would make even the hard core football fans in Odessa, Texas (of Friday Night Lights fame) jealous. CSU-Pueblo just completed an extremely successful D-2 season and I get the feeling that we’re seeing the beginning of a college football dynasty. Football is probably the most popular sport in town but there is something for basketball, baseball and hockey fans. If it’s not enough, drive 90 minutes to Denver for a full suite of professional sports tickets. Will you really go to that many more games if you live in Parker?
If you’re a connoisseur of good food, you will find plenty to like about Pueblo. Incredible New Mexico style green chili is the local favorite and can be found smothering burritos, enchiladas, eggs (huevos rancheros) and more. Italian restaurant options are equally good and there are loads of other Pueblo favorites to be discovered. Try a Pass Key Special, eat a “Slopper” at the Coors Tavern, have a Papa Louis at the Broadway Tavern, get a “Dutch Lunch” at Gus’ Place. You’re going to love eating in Pueblo.
Okay, the Pueblo naysayers are waiting for me to turn to public schools and crime. Isn’t Pueblo a dangerous place to live? Aren’t the schools some of the worst in the state? Not if you look closely. Pueblo does have one or two really bad areas. The toughest part of town is the Eastside, a great community with a lot of pride, but home to plenty of crime and low performing schools. What’s happening on the Eastside gets included in all the statistics for Pueblo as a whole and really brings down Pueblo’s profile when it comes to crime statistics and test scores. So, before you dismiss Pueblo, take a closer look at disaggregate school performance and crime statistics. Life in Belmont, Aberdeen, Mesa Junction, the Northside, Pueblo West and in many other neighborhoods is safe and family friendly. It’s true that Pueblo schools leave a lot to be desired but public schools are facing big problems just about everywhere I’ve lived as a parent (Eugene, Oregon and Ann Arbor, Michigan) and state budget cuts don’t appear to be ending anywhere or anytime soon.
We currently live in one of the top school districts in Michigan and the US with greatschools ratings of 10 for the high school, 10 for the middle school and 9 for our elementary school. Should be perfect, right? Not for us. We found our daughter in a class of 60 6th grade students with 2 teachers where the social stratification scene was already completely overwhelming any effort to focus on academics. Our son was being labeled as a problem child because he was too bored with hour after hour of sitting quietly and listening to teachers talk rather than allowing his natural curiosity to explore ideas and stretch boundaries. Gym was offered a whopping 2 times per week for 45 minutes and recess was scheduled once per day at 2pm. How is an active 2nd grade boy supposed to contain his energy when he has to wait until 2pm most days to run around? We solved the problem this year by sending our kids to a private Montessori school but at significant expense. Like most things, private schools are more affordable in Pueblo and we will likely take advantage of one of several good private school options because the wait lists for the high performing charter and magnet schools are probably too long. For high school, we are intrigued by the early college programs offered through Pueblo Community College. Educating our kids in today’s world will be a challenge wherever we live. Pueblo is no exception but it does offer many innovative options at a more affordable price than in most communities.
Another great thing about Pueblo is the ease of driving around town. Colorado Springs and Denver metro are pretty congested and it takes a long time to get from point A to point B. Once you arrive parking is usually a hassle. You can get just about anywhere in Pueblo in less than 10 minutes and convenient parking is nearly always available. It’s a beautiful thing. Life is too short to spend in traffic.
For people who sling mud at Pueblo, let them sling until they realize they’re paying 2-3 times extra for more traffic, worse weather and, typically, a neighborhood that resembles just about every other subdivision in the Western US built in the last 2 decades, devoid of personality and completely car-dependent. If you’ve seen the opening for Weeds (tv series on Showtime) to the tune Little Boxes then you know what I mean. I love Denver but most of the newer suburbs look like everywhere else and remind me of “Aggrestic”.
I predict that Pueblo will be “discovered” in the next 10-20 years, especially as boomers retire with insufficient funding, parents refuse to pay $50k per year to send their kids to college and more and more people telecommute from home offices and realize they can live just about anywhere. I could certainly be dead wrong on this, and I’ve been wrong about many things, but I’ve decided to make a bet on Pueblo’s future and, believe me, I feel much better about investing in Pueblo than I do about investing in the stock market.
So, if you’re in position to relocate and you’d like to find a place with low housing costs, good weather and a pleasant lifestyle, take a close look at Pueblo – the sunshine capital of Colorado.
Full disclosure: I grew up in Pueblo and graduated from Centennial High School. I left for college and career living in California, Europe, Oregon and Michigan along the way. I have family and friends living in Pueblo and I began investing in real estate in Pueblo in 2010. All of these factors certainly bias my decision and make Pueblo a more attractive home for my family. But, I don’t think this biased viewpoint changes the livability equation. Why move all the way to Panama? Pueblo doesn’t cost much more and the Denver airport is less than 2 hours away.
Category: Geography, Real Estate
About the Author (Author Profile)
Justin Holman is CEO of TerraSeer, where he leads efforts to develop cutting edge sales forecasting and inventory optimization technology for the Automotive Aftermarket. Prior to joining TerraSeer, Justin managed corporate consulting for the Strategy & Analytics division at MapInfo Corporation, leading major projects for retail clients including The Home Depot, Darden Restaurants, Bridgestone-Firestone, Sainsbury’s and New York & Company. Before that, Justin served as Vice President of Software Development at LogicTools, now part of IBM's supply chain application software group. Justin holds a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College, a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and an Executive Management certificate from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.Subscribe
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Excellent analysis, Justin! Congrats on your big decision— makes me want to move there too! Except we are so thrilled at the independent school our kids just switched to this year after having a less than satisfying experience at the #1 Public elementary school in Oakland! Hey! By the way, we are sending our daughter to Plantation for the first time this summer! She’ll be in sunnyhills! So exciting!!!
Thanks, Jo! Let me know when handsomeinpink.com is ready to setup shop in Pueblo and I’ll put you in touch with the right people. Hope your daughter has a great summer at farm camp! Cheers, J.
Great article Justin!!!
Thanks, Susan! Hope to see you in Pueblo soon!
Maybe I should start a training gym there……..
Worth looking into Dave!
Thanks for the enlightened words. I agree with everything except the clean air. We’re the mercury capital of Colorado. Although we don’t have the dirty smog, we have many toxins in our air that we can’t see. I still like to live here though
Jenny – thank you for educating me about the mercury problem! Would you mind sending a link to more information about the air toxin issue?
NICE!!!! But we know you are really just moving here to be closer to the Krinsky’s!!! lol
That goes without saying!
Great choice living in P Town. I grew up there and I love going back and getting my Pass Key Special. You should also check out Iannes Pizza on Northern and Pasta Cottage.
Thanks, Adam! I’m familiar with Ianne’s but it’s been ages. Haven’t tried Pasta Cottage so I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for the suggestions! Cheers, J.
What no comments about green chile?
Larry – I mentioned green chile in the post – did I miss something? What’s your favorite green chile place in Pueblo?
The racial make-up statistics look strange. How can the city be 76% white and also 44% Latino? Plus all the other percentages-they don’t add up.
By the way, since I’m a big city girl, I am really excited about the new Indian restaurant, Mr. Tandoori, on Victoria, near the Historic Union Depot. They also have an American food menu for the faint of heart.
Good question. From wikipedia: Race and ethnicity are considered separate and distinct identities, with Hispanic or Latino origin asked as a separate question. Thus, in addition to their race or races, all respondents are categorized by membership in one of two ethnicities, which are “Hispanic or Latino” and “Not Hispanic or Latino”.
So the first set of percentages are racial (76% white, etc) and then the ethnicity breakdown is 44% Hispanic and presumably 56% non-Hispanic.
Mary – I can’t wait to try Mr. Tandoori! Thanks for the tip!
I like knowing more about your move, Otto, but it seems you don’t have quite enough research or knowledge to make a fair analysis of Pueblo
I look forward to visits in sunny Colorado.
Look forward to seeing you in the state’s sunshine capitol, Biz!
Pueblo is one of the best kept secrets around yet, Pueblo makes various national lists once in awhile. Several senior magazines have recommended Pueblo and the Southern Colorado area for the same reasons you listed above. I moved to Southern Colorado in 1999 without doing much of the research you did. I figures out that this is a great place to live all on my own. Now we need to let others know Southern Colorado is still a well kept secret!
Hi Dena – thank you for the comment! Let me buy a few more investment properties before we get the word out too far and wide.
Glad to hear things are going well. Congrats on the move back home. It sounds like it was a pretty smooth transition.
Thanks, Matt! We’ll see how it goes – transition yet to come this summer.
Very impressive Mr. Proffeser. However you need a bit of jazz to spruce up your writing. Add a humorous comment every now and then and your readers will relax while learning.
Thank you for the comment, Miss Zoe (my dear daughter). I will try my best to improve.
Sorry. English teacher intruding. Please for give my ciritzisim and enjoy writing. That’s what matters. *wink* *wink* Dad!
I received one comment regarding Pueblo’s air quality. I’m not at all knowledgeable in this area but there are toxins in the air in Pueblo, particularly near the steel mill in the southeast part of the city. I found a report on the topic that didn’t set off any alarm bells when I read it but, like I said, I have zero expertise in environmental chemistry: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/documents/PuebloAirToxics.pdf
Also, a friend asked about diversity in Pueblo. This is an important question. In my opinion, Pueblo is quite diverse but certainly less so than major cities like SF, LA, NYC, Chi, etc. Pueblo has a large Latino population and the steell mill attracted immigrants from eastern and southern Europe so there is a nice fabric of cultural diversity. But, it would be interesting to hear other people’s perspective on diversity in Pueblo. Here are some simple statistics from the census bureau via wikipedia:
The racial makeup of the city was 76.21% White, 2.41% African American, 1.73% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 15.20% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. Latinos made up 44.13% of the population. 10.1% were of German, 8.1% Italian, 6.0% American, 5.5% English and 5.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
@ Justin – You forgot to mention the high crime rate in Pueblo. I looked at homes in Pueblo West and almost fell for it, then a home in Falcon caught my attention and that was all she wrote…Pueblo has a VERY HIGH sales tax rate, 7.5%, is it? Falcon’s county rate is 4.9%!! I am glad I didnt’t move to Pueblo, I already discovered all I want and didn’t like what I learned or the bad vibes with gangs there…No thanks…
Hi Brian, actually I did write about crime in Pueblo – see below. I’m glad you found a place to call home in Falcon (Colorado Springs metro) but if you’re moving to avoid crime and high tax rates I’m afraid you’re not seeing the forest for the trees. Pueblo is *significantly* less expensive than Springs, no matter how you slice it. Sales tax? Is that how you compare cost of living? Take a look at housing, the main expense for most folks. And crime isn’t much better in Springs. It varies quite a bit there too. Broadmoor area – not much crime. East/SE Springs – different story. Best wishes for success in Falcon and thanks for the comment. Best, Justin
Here’s the part about crime (and schools):
“Okay, the Pueblo naysayers are waiting for me to turn to public schools and crime. Isn’t Pueblo a dangerous place to live? Aren’t the schools some of the worst in the state? Not if you look closely. Pueblo does have one or two really bad areas. The toughest part of town is the Eastside, a great community with a lot of pride, but home to plenty of crime and low performing schools. What’s happening on the Eastside gets included in all the statistics for Pueblo as a whole and really brings down Pueblo’s profile when it comes to crime statistics and test scores. So, before you dismiss Pueblo, take a closer look at disaggregate school performance and crime statistics. Life in Belmont, Aberdeen, Mesa Junction, the Northside, Pueblo West and in many other neighborhoods is safe and family friendly.”
This essay-of-sorts was like an answer to prayer for me! I’ve been looking into relocating to Pueblo for work, and in all my research, I’ve had difficulty finding information about Pueblo in terms of places to live and what there is to do. I appreciate you breaking the town (hey, I’m from a big city — a town is anything under 500,000 — and even that’s low) down in such a way.
I do wonder if you have any more suggestions on areas to live. I won’t be buying for a while, and can’t differentiate parts of town/neighborhoods just quite yet.
I’ve also heard a little bit about a City Center, but don’t quite understand what it’s about. I’d really appreciate if you could help me out!
Hi Brittany – welcome to Pueblo! I’m glad my blog post was helpful. I will send an email to you to learn a bit more before I recommend a particular neighborhood. Not sure what you mean by City Center? Maybe the Union Historical district? In any case, best wishes on the transition and thanks for your feedback! Cheers, Justin
Hi Justin,
Can you give more details for say someone single moving there. I work from home. I’m looking for reasonable. I’m also looking for things to do. Originally from Chicago, I prefer living outside a city but close enough to go in. Pueblo has me interested but I’m at the same point as another person looking at say the 30′s scene and the size of the location I move to. I’ve lived in New Mexico. I understand all places have crime. I would love to have some more information if you could email me. I would love if you have any idea on medical care quality. It’s a huge issue. Thanks so much for your article! Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Valentine – I think you’d find plenty to do here in Pueblo but it depends on what interests you. No way will it compete with Chicago, nor would Denver, in terms of urban cultural offerings but I think Pueblo holds its own. And, given the cost of living, I don’t think you’d find a better bargain anywhere. What do you want to be able to do?
Medical care in Pueblo is absolutely first rate. Both St. Mary Corwin and Parkview have an excellent reputation and Pueblo has outstanding medical professionals. You may find more sophisticated medical resources in Denver with the University of Colorado Medical Center, etc but you can drive 90 minutes to get the same care and pay about 1/3rd in housing costs here in Pueblo. Pretty easy equation to solve.
Hope this helps!
Justin
Just retired and moved to Pueblo 2 weeks ago. I’ve lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Alabama. I have found the people of Pueblo to be the most friendly by far. I have not had a single bad encounter with all the hard working retail employees I have encountered in he past 2 weeks. I love it here so far. Paddle boarding on Pueblo lake is terrific, almost as good as Hawaii, except no surf, unless a boat comes too close. Also liking the mountain biking, except for those little seeds with the fish hook attached to them. Had 2 flat tires first time out. I now have the thicker tubs. Justin, I think you’re right, Pueblo may well be discovered in the next 10-20 years as the place to be. However,for now we’ll just keep it a secret to preserve what we have now. Aloha is definetly part of the Pueblo community.
Hi Mark – glad to hear that your retirement is off to a good start and that you’re enjoying Pueblo (despite the heat). Hope you continue to have a good experience. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything I can do to help you acclimate. I think Pueblo is an ideal retirement spot and, I agree, I’m happy to keep it our secret. Cheers, Justin
this is really interesting. i am in the same position – can work from home – and i am coming to this area in a few days to look at some land options in person. any advice on 35+ acre options in the area, and what to look out for?
Hi Zach. If you’re looking for acreage you can certainly find a great deal in/near Pueblo County. Question is what kind of acreage – farm, ranch, mountains, prairie? There are several choices – mountains toward Beulah, prairie with mountain views in Pueblo West, farmland in Blende and beyond to the east, etc. How far away from Pueblo do you want to be? Do you want an existing house/structure or not? Lots of variables. I have a real estate agent recommendation if you need one. He’d be a big help for this type of purchase. Let me know if you want to discuss further. And, welcome to Pueblo! Hope you find a home here. Cheers, Justin
Interesting analysis. I used to live in Denver, and never really learned anything about Pueblo. Nobody really said anything about it. I never knew that steel was big down there. I was kind of on the fence about Colorado though, I found all those cities to be rather hot and dusty for my taste. 75 degrees is enough for me. But this is coming from someone born and raised in Michigan, lol.
Hans, Pueblo is hotter and dustier than Denver so it may not be for you. On the other hand you may love the western slope or life above 10k ft in Summit County. That’s one of the great things about Colorado – lots of options for different environments, both physical and cultural. Thanks for the comment! Cheers, J.
Thanks Justin for the write up! My wife and I may be moving to Pueblo soon so she can work there, for a few years anyway. I myself have a hard time moving anywhere as Ive lived in the same place for over 40 years and change is something I resist, we just moved twice in the last 6 months. None the less I will do this for the wife (move again) argg!
I would like to hear more about the gang (crime) problem there if thats possible? Im asking only because Im disabled and also worry about my wifes well being. Then again we both have CCP’s even in CO. Who wants to hire an attorney though, LOL! Jules…
Hi Jules, crime is a real issue in Pueblo. There are gangs and violent crime but, as far as I can tell, it’s mostly limited to a few rough areas including the Eastside and Bessemer and doesn’t really affect quality of life for most residents. There is also a lot of petty crime, in particular there have been problems with daytime break-ins. People go to work for the day and then the bad guys break in and steal stuff that they can quickly convert to cash. Probably so they can buy drugs. The police department is overwhelmed and understaffed and, as I’ve heard from some inside local government, not particularly well-managed. Of course, like just about everywhere, the city is dealing with budget challenges that exacerbate the problem.
All that said, I would definitely encourage you to give Pueblo a try. Every place has it’s trade-offs. Colorado is a beautiful place to live and Pueblo is the best bargain in the State. In fact, if there’s a better bargain in terms of cost of living, climate and livability anywhere in the US I’d like to know about it. Crime is a problem but you won’t escape crime in Denver or Colorado Springs and there you’ll pay 3 times more for housing.
Best wishes on the move and let me know if I can help in any way. Cheers, Justin
Jules – here’s an article I saw today on yahoo that ranks Pueblo as the #4 least expensive city in the U.S. None of the others are in a “blue” state, have views of the Rocky Mountains and world class skiing within a few hours drive.
http://homes.yahoo.com/news/america-s-most-affordable-cities.html
My wife and I are in much the same situation you were and have been looking at Pueblo. Has it panned out as well as you expected? How are the primary level schools? Any tips for those of us coming from the DC sprawl-zone?
Hi Barrett – I was thinking of writing a blog post to address this very question sometime in the next month with a sort of 1 year after the decision review. I’d say that, yes, overall it has panned out very well. First off, the real estate investment climate can’t be beat. The demand for rentals is very strong and prices remain more or less depressed although I’ve seen clear signs of a healthier market over the past year – i.e., more renovation work, fewer properties available at basement prices, good deals only on the market for a short period of time, more competition when purchasing, etc. Second, the cost of living in other realms is also amazingly low. Activities for kids, prices for various services, etc are nearly across the board quite a bit lower than they were in Ann Arbor, Michigan or Eugene, Oregon. Significantly lower. Another huge plus is weather. The sunshine is truly abundant and the weather in general has been outstanding. I played golf on Dec 24th! Amazing. On the downside, crime is a problem. Pueblo is a small city and, unless you live on the outskirts, crime will be something to deal with. Mostly petty burglary but there is plenty of violent crime in the news. I think the thing to keep in mind is that while Pueblo is a small city, it’s still a city. So we have gritty crime similar to what you’d find in Denver or in Metro DC but because Pueblo is small it hits closer to home.
You asked about Primary Level Schools. I think there are excellent options though not nearly as many as you’d find in parts of DC. We have been very pleased with Fountain International and Corwin International, magnet schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. I’ve also heard great things about the Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences (PSAS). The Connect (District 70) is generally considered to be the best middle school and Goodnight and Heritage also seem to get consistently good marks. Note that all of these, except Goodnight and Heritage are Magnet/Charter schools where you’ll have to enroll proactively and possibly deal with wait lists, etc. But, it doesn’t seem to be that challenging to get into the school you want, perhaps with the exception of The Connect. There are also several good private school options. The McClelland School is a great option and coming from DC you’ll think the tuition is absurdly low although in Pueblo it’s considered pretty high. If you are Catholic or Christian there are also good religion-based options including Saint Therese, John Neumann and Trinity Lutheran. High School seems to be more of a challenge as there are no private options in Pueblo (some send their kids to schools in Colorado Springs) but there are a few innovative program options including the IB program at East and the Early College program in partnership with the well regarded local community college, Pueblo CC. Overall, schools have been better than I expected.
Tips for coming from DC? Tough one. It will be a culture shock. Pueblo is more like New Mexico than it is like Denver in many ways. The large Hispanic population (~50%) and the high desert climate make it feel more like the Southwest than like the Rocky Mountains. I love it. But it’s not for everyone. Also, Pueblo is a place where people spend their whole lives and don’t move away. At the same time, due to a weak economy, not many people have moved to Pueblo from different places, especially compared to Metro DC. So it may be a challenge to establish a social network. People are extraordinarily friendly but they have life-long friends and relatives with whom they spend most of their time. I don’t see that as an insurmountable challenge but it’s something to be aware of before arriving.
One other surprise on the upside that I’ll mention. The Colorado Springs airport has become my go-to airport. It’s a super easy drive, about 30 minutes, never any real traffic. Parking at the airport is very easy and inexpensive. Pick-up and drop-off are a piece of cake. And prices are surprisingly affordable, even cheaper than Denver in many cases. Mostly you have to connect through Denver and there are cancellations from time to time but overall this has been a pleasant surprise and a boost to quality of life because I travel with some frequency for work.
Barrett, I hope you’ll give Pueblo a try. Come visit this winter or spring. Grab a cup of coffee at Solar Roast (Pueblo’s very own solar-powered coffee roaster) and explore the Mesa Junction, Aberdeen, Belmont. Eat some green chile at one of the many excellent Mexican restaurants in Bessemer. Stop by the Coors Tavern for a slopper and a schooner. Take your kids to the Pueblo Zoo and the Sangre De Cristo Art Center. Go for a bike ride on the trails near Lake Pueblo. Play some golf or go for a walk in the sunshine. Check the prices for soccer camps, art camps, after school activites. Take a close look at the price of housing. Cruise around town with no destination further than a 10 minute drive. It’s not perfect but, on balance, I don’t think there’s a better value in North America.
Be sure to look me up when you arrive. I’d be happy to welcome you to Pueblo. Your first slopper is on me.
Cheers, J.
Thanks for the quick and thorough response, Justin. If the city of Pueblo isn’t paying you, they should. You do a great job of marketing the city. We’ll be coming out in the next couple months to scope out the area. I’ll drop you a line when we do.
Barrett
Thanks, Barrett. Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for the informative and well written info. My GF and I are planning a move from Tucson to Pueblo after school gets out at the end of may. We mostly picked Pueblo due to the affordability of the housing. After reading some negative things elsewhere I was beginning to doubt whether we were making a good decision (this isn’t a job transfer or anything, we’re just looking for a change of pace). I think Pueblo sounds like a good move and I’m looking forward to checking it out…may avoid the Eastside though:)…
Hi Francis, thanks for the comment! I hope you’ll enjoy Pueblo. It’s not for everyone but I think coming from Tucson you’ll find yourself more or less at home. Often the trouble is that people come to Pueblo from Denver metro and expect Pueblo to be similar to Northern Colorado. It’s different…probably closer to New Mexico culturally and possibly closer to a place like Tucson. Housing remains unbelievably inexpensive so I’m pretty sure you’ll like that part. It may take some time to find your niche, which is always the case when you move to a new place, but I hope it works out for you. Let me know when you arrive if there’s anything I can do to help with the transition. By the way, I wouldn’t say avoid the Eastside – just be aware that you’ll find more crime on the Eastside. We shop on the Eastside regularly for specialty groceries and I drive my son to a Magnet School on the Eastside every morning. And there are a few restaurants I’ve been meaning to visit. That said, my recommendation for finding a good, affordable, walkable neighborhood with character to call home remains the Mesa Junction. Best wishes, Justin
Justin
I want to reiterate what others have stated about this post. It is so good to get some current information about Pueblo that is not negative! My husband and I are relocating to Pueblo from Houston with our infant son at the end of April. We are looking at houses online and desperately looking for information on the safest areas. I love that the older homes in Pueblo are so affordable but need help with choosing the best areas. If we can’t figure out the best area within Pueblo then we’ll be moving to Pueblo West which isn’t what I prefer since it seems to be more rural than Pueblo. Would you be able to give some guidance about the safety of homes near (basically across the street)Central High School? I don’t think that area is one that you mention as safe. The other area I was uncertain about is near the Rosemount Museum. Also I was wondering what streets border the Mesa Junction area, looking at maps online its hard to be sure where the neighborhood begins and ends. Thank you in advance for any direction you can provide and again thanks for this excellent post
Hi Jennifer – the area near Central High School is probably my favorite neighborhood in all of Pueblo. This area, bounded by Abriendo and Adams to the North/South and Lincoln/Lake to the East/West is what I think of as the core of the Mesa Junction neighborhood. Right next door to the Pueblo Community College, shopping on Abriendo/Broadway and Abriendo/4th, the main public library, good restaurants – everything walkable. And only a 15 min walk or 5 min bike ride to the Union Ave historic district and downtown. Really it’s the most centrally located neighborhood in Pueblo. It has a great mix of housing, everything from 4-story mansions on Pitkin to 700 sq ft 2-bedroom cottages in some state of disrepair. All very affordable with prices from $80k to $130k for move-in ready, decent housing. Nothing fancy but unbelievably inexpensive. If you want one of the mansions on Pitkin it’ll be closer to $300k, still reasonable actually although I wouldn’t want to pay the heating bills in one of those huge places. In my opinion, the Mesa Junction is safe. Crime is definitely an issue in Pueblo but you’ll have to deal with it wherever you go. Mostly it’s just petty robbery but you’ll probably want a security system (or at least a sign that says you have a security system). If you can afford more for housing, like something in the $150-300k range, then I would opt for Aberdeen, arguably the nicest neighborhood in the city. You can find fancier homes in other parts of town, like near Walking Stick, but perhaps not a more pleasant neighborhood.
You also asked about the area near the Rosemount Museum. This would generally be known as the Northside, although I think it needs a new neighborhood name because it’s not really anywhere near the north edge of the city and hasn’t been for sometime. This area near Parkview Hospital is really hit and miss. There are some very rough areas and then there are some lovely little neighborhoods here and there with plenty in between. I wouldn’t recommend anywhere south of 17th Street nor west of West Street, at least until you’re north of Freed Middle School. I think I need to make a Pueblo neighborhood map. Again there are a few streets, like 18th, parts of Greenwood, Elizabeth and Court that have lovely homes and mature tree-lined streets just blocks from Mineral Palace park. You might also check out a few neighborhoods between 24th and 29th and between West and High. Also, take a peak at some of the small streets just south of 24th like Echo, Coronado, DeSoto, etc. Good bargains can be found in these locations. Probably should just turn this into a full blog post…anyway, hope this helps! Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Cheers, Justin
p.s. By the way, please don’t move to Pueblo West and become part of the unnecessary traffic procession on Hwy 50. There’s no reason to have a big commute if you live in Pueblo. The wind blows non-stop in PW and, while the view of mountains is better, the landscape is bleak and unappealing. No character whatsoever. It’s also a drag on Pueblo city services. I do know lots of wonderful people who live in PW and seem very happy to be there so I’m sure it has its good points but, to me, it’s not Pueblo and I don’t recommend living there.
Thank you for this thorough analysis.
I am moving with my wife this coming July to Pueblo from Royal Oak , Michigan. I will be looking for a house rental in one of Pueblo’s decent neighborhoods. Any tips on the best way and time to do that?
Thank you
Hi Moe – welcome to Pueblo! Not sure if you noticed but we just moved from Ann Arbor. I think you’ll enjoy the change in climate.
I’d be happy to help with your housing search. I will email directly and see if we can identify the right neighborhood for you.
Best, Justin
Hi Moe – welcome to Pueblo! We have a house for rent in a great neighborhood (626 Polk).
Our agent is Marilee Nickelson (719) 406 4425
Good Luck, Howard & Jude
I don’t know Howie or Marilee Nickelson and I haven’t seen the house but I can say that 626 Polk is an excellent location in the Mesa Junction neighborhood and, at the right price (I would guess somewhere in the $750-850 range), would probably be a great rental.
My husbands company just recently relocated him to Pueblo, we have 5 children and I stayed behind to wait for the school age ones to get done with school. His company is paying for him to stay in a hotel until we find a homeland move this summer. We live in a small town in Central Illinois and I’m really worried about making the big move to Pueblo. I’ve been looking online for a rental house. What neighborhoods would you recommend?
Nubia – welcome to Pueblo! I will email you separately to find out more about your situation before suggesting neighborhoods. I hope you’ll be happy in Pueblo! Best, Justin
Hello Justin,
Thank you for your post. I am contemplating relocating to Colorado and enjoyed your insight into this area. I have applied to a few open social work jobs in the area and we shall see what turns out. Could you comment on the church community within Pueblo?
Hi Muriel, Thanks for the comment – I hope you find a home in Colorado! I’m really not the best person to comment on Pueblo’s church community. There is a strong Catholic community – I attended one of the Catholic schools for a few years in the 80s, and I think most people of faith could find what they’re looking for here in Pueblo. If not, Colorado Springs is a larger city about 40 min away with a very well established Christian community. I think you’d need to explore on your own to see if Pueblo was able to offer what you’re looking for in a church. Sorry I can’t be more help on this topic. Best wishes! Justin
Justin: I appreciate your thoughtful honest analysis and commitment to Pueblo. I am actually a transplant to this community, having lived here for the past 5 years. I live in the Pueblo Community College neighborhood and have always enjoyed it. You have listed all the things I like about Pueblo. I will only add that we need more people to move here (or come back) with the enthusiasm to build a strong community. There are a lot of houses in very good neighborhoods that just need to be purchased and fixed up, as you have done. So yes – folks out there – this is a good town and we need you!
Thanks for this comment Perry! Hope to run into you around Pueblo sometime! Cheers, Justin
It’s great to see this posting. My family and I will be moving to Pueblo in June. My whole family lives there, but I haven’t lived there since 1983, my husband is a native Floridian and we also spent 15 years moving around with his military assignments. Now that he’s retired, his parents have passed and my son has graduated high school, I’m ready to get out of Orlando. It’s too populated, the traffic is a nightmare and I have no interest in Mickey Mouse. I’m so excited to be in a community that I can feel like I’m a part of. I think Pueblo has the potential to be a great little city, it’s already on it’s way. The 10 minute trek across town is the most exciting for me, I’m currently commuting almost an hour and that’s keeping well within the city of Orlando. We were there for Christmas and when my sister commented on traffic being heavy around the mall I thought I’d fall on the floor laughing. If she only knew! Anyway, kudos on giving Pueblo some gold stars.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Leah! Welcome back to Pueblo! I hope the move goes smoothly. I’ve been to Orlando many times on business so I think I can relate. It won’t take you long to adjust to traffic in Pueblo (or the lack thereof) and soon any 5-10 min delay will seem like a big interruption. But be sure to find a place to live in the city of Pueblo; if you locate in Pueblo West you’ll soon discover that US 50 has become a lot more congested since 1983. Best, Justin
Hi Justin,
Great read on Pueblo ! Can you enlighten me on the water (shortages) situation for Pueblo ?
Thks,
Hi Howie – Great question! I’ve been meaning to do some research into this very topic but haven’t had time. My general understanding is that, thanks to Pueblo’s location at the confluence of the Arkansas and Fountain rivers, Pueblo is very well positioned, at least relative to the large population centers to the north (Denver and Springs), if there are water shortages in the region. That said, I don’t have enough information to speak with any confidence on the subject. I will post more here as I’m able to find more information. Thanks for raising the issue! Best, Justin
Wow. Thank you for generously providing such detailed and helpful information. It looks like there are more people moving to Pueblo than I thought. We are planning a move in July and I intend to open my own business there. The crime rate information on the web is the most disturbing, so I appreciate your balanced view of it. I lived in Topeka, KS for a short time and just never felt safe there. Our car was broken into twice, in the supposedly nice SW area of Topeka, and we ended up moving out of Topeka when I was nine months pregnant because I couldn’t stand it anymore. Hopefully, I will not pick up the same vibe in Pueblo. We are planning to rent (let me know if you have any units available) initially to be sure we have picked the right area for a school and safety, but I am also considering that for the money it may be better to just hope for the best and make the commitment to buy right off the bat. Thank you again for your helpful info. The Chamber of Commerce should start paying you or at least give you a free membership!
Rachel – thank your for your kind words and positive feedback. Be sure to call the Pueblo Chamber and tell them I’ll be waiting for my check to arrive in the mail.
What sort of business will you be starting? Depending on where you plan to work and what your objectives are for neighborhood and education I’d be happy to recommend a few places to look for housing.
If you have cash and/or are in position to secure a mortgage you may have better luck buying than renting but you should be able to find something decent either way.
Welcome to Pueblo! Cheers, Justin
Thanks for all the great info! I just got a job offer in Pueblo and we are still making our decision, but I am excited about this town.
I’m wondering what the renovation market looks like? It seems like rental investments is a good way to go, but are folks renovating their homes in general? And pardon my ignorance, but is cheap labor an issue with those working in construction?
Thanks!
Gen
Hi Gen. Congrats on the job offer! Yes, I think there are plenty of people renovating their homes but it’s pretty mixed and depends on what part of Pueblo you’re talking about. Labor rates are very reasonable in Pueblo. The going rate seems to be about $10-$12 per hour for general labor up to $25-$35 per hour for skilled contract labor. You can certainly pay more than that but you can find good people available at these rates if you know where to look. Hope that helps. Best of luck with your decision – I hope you like Pueblo! Cheers, Justin
We’ve already made the decision to move to Pueblo from Whidbey Island, WA this summer (July/August) and while I do have a couple friends living there already singing the city’s praises, I really appreciate hearing both sides of some pretty key issues in your article. Thank you! We’re actually getting ready to put an offer in on a house near Minnequa Elementary and I’m just curious if you’re familiar with this particular neighborhood. We’ve got two small kids, one starting Kindergarten and the other in preschool, so I’m also curious if you are familiar with any activities/clubs/etc. for kids their age to get involved in. We were going to start our son in soccer this fall and our daughter in ballet and with it being such a big city compared to where we live now I’m hopeful there will be similar opportunities. Thank you in advance for any information you can send my way =).
Hi Michelle! Thank you for the comments! I have family living on Whidbey Island and I’ve been there a few times – Pueblo will be a big change!
The area near Minnequa Elementary is an interesting location. Close to the Steel Mill and on the edge of what I would consider the historic Bessemer neighborhood but near St. Mary Corwin hospital so it has a different dynamic. Depending on the price range you’re shooting for I would probably recommend that you consider other neighborhoods before you commit. I prefer the Mesa Junction neighborhood, State Fair area, Sunset, El Camino, Aberdeen – if you want to be on the south side. Of course, all of those locations will likely cost a bit more for housing … but not that much and worth every penny in my opinion.
Re kids activities. Soccer is big in Pueblo – check with the Pueblo Rangers soccer club to get your son plugged in. Also, they have a good soccer camp at CSU-P that is offered a couple weeks during the summer. Don’t know about ballet but there are several dance studios in town and I’m sure you’ll find something. For schools, you should probably get on the wait list at Fountain International and PSAS and also The Connect, even though it may seem early. McClelland is a good private school and there are other good options if you are interested in religious education.
Let me know if I can provide anything further! Welcome to Pueblo!
Cheers, Justin
I forgot to mention to check out the Pueblo Zoo and Kiddie Rides at City Park and the Sangre de Cristo Art Center on Santa Fe for summer activities. Also, the YMCA on Pueblo Blvd near Hwy 50 is a fabulous facility and a must see.