Relocating to Grand Junction, Colorado – contact Paul Aspelin, REALTOR. Residential Real Estate For Sale. Text/Call 612-306-9558. Move to Grand Junction, CO

Essential Steps for Relocating to Grand Junction

Essential Steps for Relocating to Grand Junction in Colorado

Are you considering relocating to Grand Junction in Colorado? This vibrant city in the heart of the west slope offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a welcoming community. To ensure your move to Grand Junction, Palisade or Fruita is as smooth as the Colorado River, we’ve outlined the essential steps for a successful relocation. And since my wife and I recently moved to Grand Junction, we’ve gone through these steps ourselves and can help offer some advice as well as a few funny stories!

Set Clear Goals and Objectives for Your Move to Grand Junction

Before you start packing, take some time to define your goals and objectives for relocating to Grand Junction. Whether it’s for a new job, a lifestyle change, or family reasons, having a clear purpose will guide your decisions throughout the process.

Taking in the downtown Grand Junction Festive Lights in December

Research the City of Grand Junction

Get to know your future home! Grand Junction boasts diverse neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a low crime rate. Dive into research using websites like Niche.com to discover more about this fantastic city and others in Mesa County. Niche gives cities grades for multiple categories like weather, cost of living, jobs, schools, outdoor activities, etc. to help you compare cities as well as top lists for certain criteria like best places to retire, or best cities to raise a family.

Additionally, consider partnering with a knowledgeable local real estate professional to guide you in finding the perfect area to call home. I’d love to show you around the Grand Valley, point out the highlights and help you compare neighborhoods and different areas in Mesa County.

Create a Budget for Your Grand Junction Relocation

Moving can be costly, so crafting a budget can be insightful. Your budget should encompass potential expenses like moving costs, housing, transportation, and daily living. Need assistance with budgeting or securing a mortgage for your Grand Junction home? Don’t hesitate to reach out for recommendations.

Search for a New Home in Grand Junction

With a competitive real estate market, starting your house-hunting process early is key. Partnering with an experienced Grand Junction real estate agent is your best bet to secure your dream home. With over two decades of experience, I am here to ensure your success when you are ready to find the ideal Grand Junction property, or any property in Mesa County. We can start by simply setting you up for an MLS search so you can get familiar with the current housing inventory. Visit my Get Started page.

Prepare for Selling Your Current Home

Packing is a substantial task, so start decluttering and organizing your belongings in advance. In addition to donating items, we found it helpful to sell larger items online with sites like Marketplace on Facebook. Consider this a pre-listing essential for a quick sale if you’re leaving your current home behind. Need help finding the right agent to sell your property? We’ve got you covered. I can provide referrals to trusted agents nationwide or even help you choose a local agent based on your specific needs. Just let me know how I can help!

Grand Junction Postcards we mailed to our friends to announce our move and provide our new address

Notify Important Parties About Your Move

Keep your contacts in the loop about your relocation. This includes your employer, friends, family, and service providers. I can offer tips on how to streamline this process and make it as smooth as possible. You’ll also find a lot of helpful info on this website.

One tip I will give now is to update the address on your credit card first before you start using it to set up automated payments for other providers and be sure to sign up for Informed Delivery with the USPS when you do your mail forwarding address. If you don’t have this set up already, it sure comes in handy when you are between locations, especially if you are living in a temporary location as a part of your move. We mailed our friends and family a postcard from Grand Junction to give them our new address, that was fun! We bought them either at the Colorado National Monument or a fun bookstore in downtown Grand Junction, ask me about it!

Plan the Logistics of Your Move to Grand Junction

Choose your method of transportation to Grand Junction – whether you’re driving, flying, or hiring a moving company. Maybe you’re driving your own moving truck across country like I did. We made one initial small trip with a towable trailer and one vehicle, flew back to Minnesota, then our final trip was with a 20’ truck I drove and my wife drove our second vehicle. We considered a portable on demand storage unit you can fill and have shipped too. I have tips on moving boxes too, ask me before you buy any!

Register Your Vehicle and Update Licenses when you arrive

If you’re bringing your vehicle with you, research the requirements for registering it in Colorado. Additionally, update your driver’s license and vehicle registration to reflect your new Grand Junction address. If you are coming from out of state, Colorado DMV will charge you $25 for them to walk out to the parking lot and check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on your vehicle. Now, you might luck out and they forget to charge you the fee, but just be prepared. And you go to different places to get your driver’s license (state of Colorado) and register your vehicles (Mesa County). You can read my post about How to Establish Residency in Colorado.

Secure Employment in Grand Junction

For job-related relocations, ensure you have your position secured before the move. If you plan to start your job-hunting in Grand Junction, I can offer networking advice and assist in job search strategies. If you are considering starting your own business or bringing your business with you, check out the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, CO. They have a wealth of resources as well as maker space options for small businesses. They have kitchen facilities and large equipment for manufacturing available for use.

Connect with the Grand Junction Community

Palisade Farmers Market – this vendor was offering a variety of classes

Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the local community. Join clubs, attend events, and engage in social activities. Grand Junction and the whole Grand Valley offers numerous opportunities to explore and enjoy, so soak it all in.

If you come in the summer months, be sure to check out the weekly farmers markets in Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita! If you are on Facebook, start following the Visit Grand Junction Facebook page and other related pages to see all of the events and opportunities. There is practically some event, festival or celebration going on most of the time.

Relocating to Grand Junction is a significant life change, but with the right guidance, thorough planning, and a helpful real estate agent, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Every step in the process gets you closer to a fresh start in the Grand Valley. Welcome to Grand Junction – we’ve been waiting for you!

Call me with your real estate questions about moving to the Grand Valley or if you need help finding an agent where you are now. I have a network of agents I’ve worked with and can refer to you across the country. I am thankful to be on the Christi Reece team serving the Grand Valley area of western Colorado.

Learn more about moving to Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

Text/call me with your questions! 612-306-9558

Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Licensed in Colorado
Serving Mesa County

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

How do I Establish Residency in Colorado?

Here are 11 Essential Steps for to Establish residency in Colorado, specifically in Grand Junction. I know what it’s like to move from another state. Heck, I moved across the country and have some advice on that too. Ask me about our road trip to Colorado from Minnesota and what “leaked” out of our 20′ U-Haul truck.

When you’re planning to establish residency in Colorado, it’s crucial to navigate through a series of steps and factors. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you successfully claim residency when it’s your turn to move to Grand Junction, Fruita or Palisade:

1. Find Your Grand Junction or Grand Valley Home

Our U-Haul Moving Truck coming to Colorado

The initial step is securing a place to live in Grand Junction, Colorado, whether it’s a rented apartment, house, or your own property. Your physical address in the city is a vital element in substantiating your residency. We started out renting so we could look for our next property at our own pace vs house hunting from a distance. I can set you up on an MLS search and send you listings that meet your criteria. The Grand Valley offers a very diverse selection of residential real estate property. Learn more on my Get Started page.

2. Update Your Driver’s License

Within 30 days of your move to Colorado, update your driver’s license with the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To establish Colorado residency, head to our local DMV office in downtown Grand Junction on Spruce Street to complete the necessary paperwork, and pay the required fees. Bring your checkbook if you want to avoid the extra 3% fee for paying by credit card. Oh, and go online to make your appointment right away. We had to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment.

3. Register to Vote

To solidify your residency in Colorado, register to vote in Grand Junction via the Colorado Secretary of State website. Cities in the Grand Valley I serve are in Mesa County. You can register to vote online or have them mail you a paper form. Now I will say, it seemed like we got registered automatically after getting our Colorado driver’s licenses. We got a letter in the mail a week after our visit to the DMV saying we were registered to vote.

4. Change Your Vehicle Registration

Check out my custom license plate!

If you own a vehicle, modify its registration to Colorado and obtain Colorado license plates through the DMV. Mesa County Motor Vehicle Department website. Colorado residents can get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass when registering a car, motorcycle, recreation vehicle or light truck through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Also known as the Colorado State Parks pass. The parks pass goes with the vehicle, not the individual. It’s a sticker on your license plate. Learn more about the parks pass. Colorado State Park pass is normally $80/year, so buying it with your registration is quite a savings!

5. Establish Financial Connections

Another step in establishing Colorado residency is to open a bank account in Mesa County and ensure your mailing address aligns with your new residence. Update your utility bills, insurance, and other financial documents to reflect your Grand Junction address. I recommend you first update the billing address on your credit card before you start changing other addresses because if you need to pay for something regarding your address change with a credit card, it won’t process if the addresses don’t match. There are a lot of wonderful local banks in the area. Ask me how I like the community focused bank we chose.

6. Utilize Local Services

Start using local services, such as healthcare providers, dentists, and other professionals, to build local connections. If you are a business owner or self-employed, consider the Chamber of Commerce in Grand Junction, Fruita or Palisade. There are mentor programs for new residents who work from home.

7. Notify Your Employer

If you’re relocating to Grand Junction, CO for work, inform your employer about your new address and Colorado residency. They may need to adjust your tax withholdings accordingly. I highly recommend you consult with a tax advisor prior to your move. Colorado has a very competitive income tax rate among other tax benefits.

8. File State Taxes

After establishing residency in Colorado, remember to file your state income taxes in Colorado and the state you moved from in the year you moved. Again, for your first year here, consult with a tax advisor to make sure you know all of the local tax benefits of living in Mesa County, Colorado.

9. Engage in the Community

Show your commitment to the community by getting involved in local clubs, attending community events, and engaging with your neighbors. There are so many things going on in the Grand Valley. Seek out websites, social media accounts like Facebook and Instagram feeds to see what’s going on. We were up on the Grand Mesa one fall weekend and stumbled upon an Octoberfest celebration at Powderhorn Ski Resort. It was an unexpected surprise. We marked our calendars to watch for it next year so we can make plans to attend again. The Mesa is one of the best places to be to see fall colors. And they change earlier than here in the valley.

10. Maintain Records

Keeping records of your residency-establishing activities is crucial. Store copies of bills, rental agreements, voter registration documents, and other pertinent records as proof of residency.

11. Seek Professional Advice

Depending on your specific situation, it’s wise to consult with legal or tax professionals to ensure you meet all the requirements for establishing residency. My wife interviewed a local attorney to help establish a new business in Colorado and register her marketing company as a foreign entity so she could keep her official business registration in Minnesota but work here in Colorado and pay the much lower Colorado income tax rate vs Minnesota income tax rate. Ask me about moving your business here, especially if you are self-employed.

It’s worth noting that the process of establishing residency can differ based on individual circumstances and state-specific requirements. For the most accurate and up-to-date guidelines, always consult the relevant state and local authorities.

Let me know what questions you have. We are happy to share our experience of moving to Grand Junction and how we have worked through the above list to establish residency in Colorado.