7.0 out of 10

Basalt

39.36352482157 -107.035433137351
Great for
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Clean & Green
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Peace & Quiet
Not great for
  • Childcare
  • Nightlife
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Basalt is a sort of "suburb" of Aspen"

There are about 4,000 people who live in Basalt. Situated mid-way between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Basalt is a bedroom communitity and affordable place for people who live, work and play in Aspen and its resorts and mountains.

Basalt is a highway community and there are some mobile home parks and small scattered homes in neghborhoods along the highway, there are also some homes and properties up in the county roads mostly off roads leading north out of town. It is a pretty valley where Fryingpan River and Roaring Fork River converge, it is green and has pretty views and really is much more affordable than Aspen and Glenwood. The views are amazing but the downfall is the transient, touristy nature of HW 82 that flies by most of the time. Its named for basalt rock formations in town. There is an indy and interesting subculture in Basalt that is more real and more rough than polished flitzy Aspen feel. The average household income however is not low it is well above the average in Colorado @$67,000 a year.
Pros
  • Activities: Great Outdoors, Yoga, Fishing, Art, Culture
  • Welcoming
Recommended for
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"A great little mountain town"

Basalt is a small town of just 3,857 people. It lies in between Snowmass and El Jebel, both beautiful places in their own right. This quiet little mountain town is a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts. There is world class skiing just minutes away, incredible fly fishing, hiking, camping, backpacking, snowshoeing, bicycle riding, and nordic skiing all within minutes. In general, it does cost more to live in the mountain than it does to live on the front range. Homes in Basalt go for a median price tag of $507,496, which is well over double of the Colorado average median home price. People who live here tend to work in management occupations as well as sales and supervisory roles. The median household income here is $71,349 which is also well above the Colorado average of $55,430.

The town itself has some cool older buildings mixed with some much more modern ones. There are nice restaurants and little shops lining the center of town, as well as some more practical businesses such as Big O Tires and FedEx. Although some of the homes on the outskirts of town can seem kind of remote, there are several little towns lining the way to I-70 where it's about a four hour drive to Denver.

The times I have spent in Basalt have felt truly genuine, with nice and friendly townsfolk. People who live up here and cater to the tourists seem to truly enjoy what they do and where they live. It doesn't feel like one of those tourist spots that are filled with people just trying to make a buck.
Pros
  • Activities: Great Outdoors, Yoga, Fishing, Art, Culture
  • Clean and Alluring; Beautiful
  • Welcoming
Cons
  • Not super close to I-70 Corridor
  • Slightly expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Basalt, A Gem in the Rockies"

Basalt is a great little town between Carbondale and Snowmass. The downtown area has a great feel of welcoming and a celebration of life. There are numerous shops and activities, galleries and restaurants. It is not inexpensive, as it is in the mountains, but it does seem to be more moderately priced than Snowmass. It is beautiful here with open mountains, parks, and the Frying Pan River. Who wants to go fly fishing? I do! I love it here and cannot seem to get enough of the pleasant bustle and welcoming feel of this town. They also just opened a Whole Foods, which just reinforces the welcoming, green spirit of Basalt. I want to live here due to the town's spirit, openness, and proximity to the great outdoors!
Pros
  • Welcoming
  • Activities: Great Outdoors, Yoga, Fishing, Art, Culture
  • Clean and Alluring; Beautiful
Cons
  • Slightly expensive
  • Not super close to I-70 Corridor
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish

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