5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Durango

Moving to a new place is exciting, but it always comes with surprises—some delightful, others challenging. Whether you're relocating from a bustling city or a quiet town, Durango, Colorado has its own unique rhythm. As someone who has experienced the transition (and helped others do the same), here are five things I wish I knew before moving to this gem in the San Juan Mountains.

1. You Don’t Have to Be a Hardcore Outdoorsperson to Love It Here—but It Helps

Durango is a playground for adventurers. Hikers, bikers, skiers, and river rafters live for this landscape—and you might find yourself unexpectedly joining them. Even if you weren’t the “outdoorsy type” before, the trails, rivers, and mountain views will call to you.

🧭 Tip: Don’t be intimidated. There are outdoor options for every fitness level, from easy riverside walks to challenging mountain climbs.

2. The Seasons Change Everything—In the Best Way

Summer in Durango is all about lake days, river floats, and hiking under bright blue skies. Then fall rolls in with crisp air and golden aspens. Winter brings powdery snow and skiing at Purgatory Resort, and spring welcomes back the green.


🌤️ What surprised me? How much the seasons influence daily life, events, and even housing choices. Some homes are better suited for winter access than others—especially in rural or elevated areas.

3. The Real Estate Market Is Fast, Diverse, and in Demand

Whether you're buying a cozy in-town bungalow or a sprawling mountain retreat, you’ll quickly realize that Durango’s real estate market is unique. Properties move quickly, and prices reflect the town’s popularity.

💡 Wish I knew sooner: Work with a local real estate expert early. Many of the best properties—especially ranches, mountain homes, or vacation rentals—sell fast or never even hit the public market.

4. Convenience Takes a Backseat to Quality of Life

Durango doesn’t have a major mall, a Costco, or even a Target—and that’s by design. What you get instead is a charming downtown with locally owned shops, farmers markets, and places where the barista knows your name.

🛒 Adjustment alert: Grocery trips might take a bit more planning, and Amazon Prime might take an extra day. But the trade-off is worth it—slower, more intentional living in a truly unique town.

5. The Community is Real—and You’ll Feel It Right Away

One of the most surprising (and heartwarming) parts of moving to Durango is how welcoming the community is. People show up—at events, at school functions, at local businesses. You’ll see familiar faces quickly and feel part of something, even if you’re new.

❤️ What stood out: Whether it's striking up a conversation at the dog park or chatting with vendors at the farmers market, there's an openness here that’s rare and refreshing.

Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again? In a Heartbeat.

Durango isn’t just a beautiful place—it’s a lifestyle. Slower, more grounded, more connected to nature and to people. Yes, there are adjustments, but they come with rewards you can't measure in square footage or store selections.

If you're considering the move, come visit for a week, take a deep breath of that mountain air, and see how it feels. You might find, like I did, that Durango is exactly what you didn’t know you needed