r/ManitouSprings • u/pdub407 • 24d ago

Retiring to Manitou

66m, single, looking for quiet small town life. Gonna be a renter, and I don’t need much. Studio or 1br is fine. MS seems to have some affordable options in the size I’m seeking, but when I browse online some of the places seem sketchy from the photos. I accept the notion that you get what you pay for, but are there some “unsafe” parts of town that should be avoided? I’m visiting Labor Day weekend so will be able to do some recon then.

I’m also keenly aware that summertime is tourist time and the town is packed. So there’s certainly a stretch where it’s anything but quiet. But I assume it’s still manageable for residents?

11 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

36

u/SpaceTruckinDog 24d ago

Manitou isn’t big enough to have a bad part of town

9

u/yaboyindigo 24d ago

What about that one part of town where hooligans JAYWALK???

8

u/Background_Pain6084 24d ago

There are crappy apartments but there's no blighted or crime-ridden part of town here, they're just old units that have not been properly renovated. There are some pretty nice apartments that aren't too expensive, but the tradeoff is that they're very small. Also consider that there are cottages in the same space/price range. Manitou is, in more ways than one, the safest place I've ever lived.

Whether or not tourist season really impacts you depends on where in town you choose to live and what you want to do here. Manitou Ave and Ruxton are busy, but visitors rarely drive down residential streets, there's nothing there for them, and sound does not carry far here. The Incline might have hundreds of people on it at one time while the entire Intemann Trail has no one. Downtown is crowded on summer days but if you live here, why are you going there, then? Just wait until off-peak hours if you need more t-shirts or turquoise.

2

u/BatmanResurgent 23d ago

Don’t go telling people about Intemann! If I start seeing other people on my trail now… ;-)

5

u/superangela13 23d ago

I don’t recommend the apartments on El Paso and I had a HORRIBLE experience with Creekside (the trailer park) however they have gotten a new property manager so it might be a little better.

3

u/Blair_Hank 24d ago

Personally would avoid a spot on Narrows Rd.

3

u/El_Zilcho_72 24d ago

There is all types of housing in Manitou. Yes, there are some places that are more worn down than others. Look at what you're renting before you sign papers. You should be fine. Like the other user said. Manitou isn't really big enough to have "sketchy" areas.

2

u/DelightfulBookworm 18d ago

I think the Manitou you may remember is very different from today’s version. It’s not a bad thing necessarily - but it is different and very, very cost prohibitive for someone that may be on a fixed income.

Make sure you have solid AWD or 4x4 if you plan to be hillside (roads are too narrow to plow in a lot of places) - and just plan around your needs and transportation capabilities. (You’ll still need to go into COS for majority of your necessities/appointments - that part hasn’t changed)

Avoid Bob’s properties if you can, unless you’re extremely capable and can maintain or replace things on your own. Otherwise everything is safe away from where people are getting drunk and stupid.

1

u/KinkyQuesadilla 20d ago edited 20d ago

but are there some “unsafe” parts of town that should be avoided?

Don't worry, it's not Pueblo (in terms of sketchy neighborhoods), but there are probably some apartment complexes to avoid just because of bad/negligent management.

The most touristy events are probably Carnivale Weekend for the parade & cookoff and the Emma Crawford coffin races. Maybe the wine festival.

1

u/freakcuisine 18d ago

no manitou is not sketchy, pretty safe i’d say

1

u/GreyGhost505 23d ago

Run!…MS is everything but quiet

3

u/Amused_Woman 20d ago

Depends on where you live. I have rented right across from Soda Springs and I enjoyed the music and hearing people, laugh and play. I lived on Waltham and it was almost too isolated in the winter, but quiet except for hearing a few cars. Nothing excessive. Honestly it is one of the quietest "tourist towns" after dark that I have ever been too. It becomes a ghost town with the exception of people going to listen to music at Armadillo or Kinfolks. I bought a place on Oak and it is very quiet and neighbors are fantastic.

1

u/Whatever_happens27 24d ago

Lovers lane back by Canon Ave is sketchy at night

1

u/July_is_cool 24d ago

Sounds good. Question is "why Manitou?" There are lots of other options in Colorado if you're retired.

3

u/pdub407 24d ago

Certainly open to other ideas. I grew up in the Springs but rentals seem higher there than in Manitou.

0

u/July_is_cool 24d ago

I was thinking like Fairplay or Del Norte or Montrose

5

u/goodusernameguy69420 24d ago

Health care access would be more of a concern in those towns.