10 Towns in the Colorado Plateau that Are Ideal for Seniors
The Colorado Plateau straddles 240,000 square miles across the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. It is one of the country’s wildest areas, dominated by picturesque landscapes, from high mountains and scattered forests to red rock canyons and scenic buttes. Between its diverse landforms, several small towns have emerged, surrounded by tranquil natural scenery that would be perfect for retirement living.
Despite their rural setting, these beautiful towns in the Colorado Plateau still enjoy access to important social and health amenities crucial for senior citizens. Combined with the friendly, down-to-earth communities that call them home and plenty of outdoor opportunities, the stage is set for pensioners to have a fulfilling life after their careers. The following Colorado Plateau towns are suited for retirement living.
Montrose, Colorado
This laidback community in western Colorado charms retirees with stunning outdoor scenery and rich heritage. It harbors a great selection of historical sites hinting at its storied past, led by the Museum of Mountain West and the Ute Indian Museum. However, the town’s greatest attractions lie in its outdoors, with the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park being the local jewel. Across its vast expanse, pensioners can get lost in recreation in the middle of the wilderness, exploring isolated trails, awe-inspiring rock formations, and rare local wildlife.
The tiny community maintains strong ties between members by constantly converging at the Montrose Farmers Market to trade in artisanal goods, farm produce, and handicrafts. The atmosphere is ideal for interacting and getting to know people. The median home value in Montrose is about $582,500.
Kanab, Utah
Nicknamed “Little Hollywood,” Kanab’s stunning outdoors has inspired the filming of several movies through the years. Boasting magical landscapes punctuated with awe-inspiring red rock formations, pensioners will be overwhelmed by the endless hiking opportunities in beautiful open spaces like the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, animal lovers can show some TLC to cute species in the country’s largest homeless animal sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Silver Screen enthusiasts can visit Little Hollywood Land to explore Kanab’s lengthy love affair with the movie industry. The center exhibits iconic movie sets and unique Hollywood memorabilia that are sure to excite. Retirees who opt to settle in Kanab need about $590,000 to acquire a home in the town.
Monticello, Utah
Pensioners will find this tiny community in San Juan County pretty welcoming and accommodating. Monticello was settled in the 1880s by Mormon pioneers. Newcomers can learn more about it by visiting the Frontier Museum, which houses artifacts like old clothing and vintage telephones. The town is encircled by scenic desert landscape formations, beckoning retirees to hit the trail and discover wonders like Church Rock on their way to the Needles Districts of Canyonlands.
Those who prefer less strenuous pursuits can opt for easygoing moments playing golf at Hideout Golf Course. The scenery is spectacular, and the atmosphere is peaceful, with an opportunity to spot local wildlife. Monticello also has friendly real estate prices, with a median housing cost of only $463,000.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is a cozy alpine community in the scenic Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Its hilly surroundings make it a popular winter location, attracting skiers and snowboarders to the popular Telluride Ski Resort. But the town maintains its charm around the year, boasting beautiful mountain trails that compel adventurers to explore the outdoors. Pensioners might have to invest in several pairs of hiking boots from the Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail to the Bear Creek Trail! Elsewhere, Town Park offers a cooler waterfront nature area when it gets too hot, with activities like fishing, camping, and picnicking on offer.
Historic downtown Telluride features a vibrant mix of shops and businesses, with several old structures portraying its Victorian past. Sheridan Opera House is a social venue where the local community gathers to enjoy lovely theatrical performances. However, homes in the town are not cheap, with the median home value at a cool $5.5M.
Fredonia, Arizona
Considered the gateway to the Grand Canyon's North Rim, Fredonia is a modest community surrounded by a vast desert landscape with exquisite red rock formations. The town hosts just about 1,500 residents who find most of their recreation in the open spaces. Some of the local attractions include Le Fevre Overlook, which takes you into the heart of the Kaibab National Forest for scenic vistas of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Conveniently, several tour operators are available to help adventurers navigate the tricky desert landscape, including Gateway Tours for those looking to venture into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. For those planning to buy a house in Fredonia, the average cost of real estate is around $590,000.
Cedar City, Utah
Cedar City is a lovely little town in Iron County with a thriving art scene. Easily one of the most charming towns in the Colorado Plateau, it promises year-round adventures to keep retirees healthy and fit. Numerous desert trails invite adventurers to explore the beautiful open spaces, including the scenic Coal Creek Trail, passing through bridges, waterfalls, woodlands, and several historical sites. The art scene is abuzz in Cedar City, thanks to venues like Artisans Art Gallery and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
Seniors can also enjoy family-friendly recreation at the Cedar City Aquatic Center, a popular public facility that makes for meaningful social interactions. The same applies to the Cedar Fun Center, which features an all-digital IMAX theater screening of the latest movies. Despite its wealth of attractions, Cedar City’s median housing price is relatively affordable at $425,000.
Mancos, Colorado
A popular getaway to Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos is a tiny artsy community with rich historical heritage. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a quaint town center riddled with a mix of businesses. Strolling its quaint streets reveals a rich art scene with multiple galleries, allowing connoisseurs to explore awesome pieces inside Artisans of Mancos and Kilgore American Indian Art. However, the real fun in Mancos awaits outdoors. Recreational opportunities for retirees abound at Mancos State Park, which borders Mesa Verde National Park, ranging from fishing, camping, and hiking.
Elsewhere, sightseers can soak in some of the best views in the town from the Mancos Valley Overlook, which provides a 360-degree perspective of the Colorado Plateau. For seniors with dreams of owning a home in Mancos, the real estate median price is about $662,500.
Bayfield, Colorado
This tiny village of nearly 3,000 residents will suit retirees who are in constant need of outdoor thrills. But before stepping into the open spaces, the quaint downtown hosts delightful stores worth checking out, including the family-friendly Bayfield Blooms. Meanwhile, pensioners who like to keep their brains active can check out an interesting variety of materials inside the Pine River Library.
Several horse riding outfitters in Bayfield make it easy for seniors with feeble legs to explore the beautiful outdoors. Elk Point Lodge schedules guided horse riding excursions into the wilderness that lead into the depths of the open spaces. Meanwhile, joining Vallecito Marina & Yacht Club allows you to take advantage of recreations like kayaking, fishing, and boating. Finally, homes in Bayfield cost an average of $554,000.
Bluff, Utah
The small town of Bluff is sandwiched between picturesque sandstone bluffs and the scenic San Juan River, resulting in beautiful outdoor scenery that many retirees will want to explore. This calls for wild adventures into the desert courtesy of local outfitters like Wild Expeditions, with an opportunity to witness several iconic sites dotting the town, including Sand Island Petroglyphs. At Bluff Fort Historic Site, new residents can get a glimpse of the area's past by perusing different artifacts from eras gone by, such as original furnishings and wagons used by local families.
Bluff is an artsy community that takes pride in its innovative local creatives. You can examine some of their pieces inside Twin Rocks Trading Post, which exhibits a varied selection of Native American and Southwest handcrafts. Finally, Bluff's median home value is about $680,000.
Torrey, Utah
Torrey is a small village beaming with outdoor charm, featuring breathtaking views, natural wonders, and endless adventures. The town is the ultimate gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, where retirees can immerse in all kinds of recreation, from hiking and sightseeing to horseback riding and camping. Across the expansive park are awe-inspiring sandstone formations that invite adventures to bring along their cameras. With so much to explore in the vast wilderness surrounding Torrey, local tour agencies, such as Wilderness Ridge Adventures, come in handy for pensioners.
Besides the outdoors, Torrey offers quite a few indoor pursuits for seniors who prefer the safety of four walls and a roof. The Old House at Center and Main is a great option, allowing visitors to explore treasures from local crafters and artists. Homes are affordably priced in Torrey, with the median housing price at $438,200.
There is no denying the sheer beauty of the Colorado Plateau, which ranks among the most diverse and intriguing physical features in the United States. The vast desert landscape, with dramatic rock formations, has inspired creatives and compelled various settlements to crop up over time. Some of these have turned into adorable towns with friendly communities where retirees can find a happy home. The destinations featured above are just some of the towns in the Colorado Plateau most pensioners will not think twice about spending the entirety of their sunset years.
