Tag Archive for: Move to Grand Junction CO

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A Challenge to Prove Why Grand Junction Deserves a Closer Look

Before my wife and I moved from Minnesota to Grand Junction, Colorado, we spent nearly two years researching the area, visiting, and figuring out whether the Grand Valley was the right fit for us.

Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time talking about Grand Junction, whether I’m helping someone relocate, writing for this blog, or explaining to people back in Minnesota why we made the move. And I’ve discovered something:

It’s one thing to tell someone how great a place is.

It’s another thing to help them experience it for themselves.

That’s where an idea started taking shape.

A Challenge I Couldn’t Pass Up

Megan Jirele Independent Journalist and WriterMegan Jirele has known me her entire life. She’s an independent journalist and writer, an excellent observer of people and places, and someone who isn’t necessarily going to agree with me just because I feel strongly about something. Over time, she’d heard plenty about Grand Junction from me. Then, last spring, while I was back in Minnesota visiting, she challenged me to put my money where my mouth was.

“You keep telling me Grand Junction, Colorado, is the hidden gem of America. If I gave you 10 days, how would you prove it?”

Well, I wasn’t going to back down from that one. I sent Megan a plane ticket and invited her to spend ten days here. We call it the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge. I wanted to give Megan the opportunity to get to know the place I now call home, with Michelle and I as her hosts. But just as importantly, I wanted her to tell the story in her own way, in her own words.

Why I Wanted to Do This

As a REALTOR® with more than 25 years of experience, I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes someone choose one community over another. I specialize in helping people relocate to the Grand Valley, and I’ve always believed people deserve more than a sales pitch traditional agents give.

I’ve also been on the other side of that decision. Moving from Minnesota meant leaving behind familiar places, established routines, and the comfort of knowing how everything worked. Starting over somewhere new takes research, effort, and a willingness to consider possibilities you might not have thought about before.

I can share what I love about Grand Junction. I can point out the advantages of living here, explain the local real estate market, and tell people why Michelle and I chose to make this our home. But I can’t decide what matters most to someone else.

That’s what made Megan’s perspective so interesting to me. She has her own experiences, expectations, and preferences. She would be experiencing Grand Junction without the history I have with it, and I couldn’t script what she would think or feel. Nor would I want to.

For me, this was an opportunity to do something beyond writing another article about relocating to Western Colorado. It was a chance to share the experience through someone else’s eyes and let readers follow along.

Come Along for the Challenge

We documented Megan’s ten days in Grand Junction and the surrounding area, and we’ve organized the experience into a dedicated series here on MoveToGrandJunction.com.

I’m excited to share it because I think there’s value in seeing a place through someone else’s eyes. And, frankly, I’m curious to hear what you think about Megan’s experience, too.

Whether you’ve lived in the Grand Valley for decades, are thinking about moving here, or have never given Western Colorado much consideration, I hope you’ll take some time to explore the challenge.

Follow the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge →

I started this challenge because I believe Grand Junction deserves a closer look. I invited Megan to experience it for herself, and now I’m inviting you to follow along.

 

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

Paul Aspelin REALTORPAUL ASPELIN
Your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or send Paul an email

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10-Day Grand Junction, Colorado Challenge: What Did Megan Actually Discover?

ARTICLE 1: DAYS 1-3

 

I Didn’t Want to Give Her a Vacation. I Wanted to Give Her a Glimpse of Life on The Western Slope

When Megan accepted my offer for the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge, I had a challenge of my own: Give her both sides of Grand Junction, from the spectacular to the mundane.

I deliberately didn’t want to create a typical “I’m on vacation” visitor itinerary. I wanted Megan to experience Grand Junction the way someone considering a move here might experience it, by seeing the places that make people fall in love with the area, but also getting a glimpse of what everyday life actually looks like.

Day 1 – Tuesday: First Impression

Megan arrived in Grand Junction in the late morning, and I had a couple of goals for our first day. First, I wanted to give her some time to get acclimated to the elevation, and I didn’t want to overwhelm her like this was the first day of a typical vacation. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel miserable starting the challenge, so we were going to ease into things.

View from on top of a CMU campus building with the American Flag and Colorado Flag flying

CMU campus rooftop hangout spot overlooking campus

After picking her up at the Grand Junction airport, getting settled at our home and having some lunch, we headed to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) for a campus tour. I thought this was the perfect Day One activity for a few reasons. Coming from the Midwest, small college towns have a certain stigma attached to them. CMU in Grand Junction is the farthest thing from the stereotypical Midwestern small town college experience where the focus seems to be on drinking beer every weekend. Read my post about Parent Tips for CMU Families.

I wanted Megan to see how much CMU contributes to the Grand Junction community. It’s more than a college campus. It’s a source of community pride, whether that’s rallying behind the Mavs, allowing the public to take advantage of the resources provided by the Outdoor Program, or even offering college classes for retirement aged adults at reduced rates. CMU is woven into the fabric of the community in ways that go well beyond its students.

From there, we took a quick tour of Los Colonias and the riverfront redevelopment that had taken place there a few years earlier. The butterfly pond. The amphitheater. The dog park. The swimming hole at the end of the lazy river. The open green space. The riverfront trail.

It’s one of those places where you don’t necessarily go because you have something you need to accomplish. You go to hang out. You can soak in the Colorado sun, spend time along the river, let the kids or dogs burn off some energy, walk or bike the riverfront trail, or simply find a patch of grass and do absolutely nothing.

That was intentional, too. I wanted Megan to start this journey by seeing Grand Junction as more than a collection of attractions. I wanted her to start seeing how people actually use the community.

Megan sitting in a chair with a glass of wine at the Carboy Winery in Palisade

Carboy Winery in Palisade

We continued easing into the valley by heading to Palisade for a glass of wine at Carboy Winery before driving back across the valley to Fruita to meet another local couple for dinner at The Hot Tomato.

By the end of Day One, Megan had already experienced three distinctly different parts of the Grand Valley: Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita.

And that was exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with one big “WOW” experience on the first day. I wanted her to begin absorbing the valley as a whole.

And the Colorado National Monument? That could wait.

Because taking her up there immediately would have been the obvious thing to do if this were simply a vacation. I wanted Megan to discover Grand Junction gradually. To see what was spectacular, what was ordinary, and, eventually, to decide for herself whether she could imagine building a life here.

She now had her first glance of the Grand Valley. But seeing a place and understanding a place are two very different things.

Megan’s Take:  The first day in Grand Junction was an entire concoction of feelings. I was slightly overwhelmed by the newness of it all, but the newness sparked a lot of curiosity. I recall being in awe of the new space around me, but also feeling unable to develop any certain opinions as I was digesting so much at one time. But looking back on the experience, I have realized that even though on day one I felt like we were going nonstop, the reality is that it was one of the most relaxed days of the entire challenge!

Day 2 – Wednesday: The Landscape

As we awoke early on Day 2, I had some reservations about starting the day with a big hike that had some serious elevation gain. Megan, however, was feeling great. We decided we could always turn around if we needed to, so four of us met at the Liberty Cap trailhead in the Colorado National Monument.

I knew Megan had never really “hiked” in the Colorado sense of the word. I also knew this was an important part of the challenge. This was her first opportunity to experience the physical landscape of the Grand Valley. Not from the window of a car, but with her own two feet.

Hiking Liberty Cap with friends

Liberty Cap hike

By the time we reached the top of Liberty Cap, I could see the amazement on her face. Standing above the valley, Megan was looking out over a place she was actually evaluating as a potential home. From that vantage point, you begin to understand how the Grand Valley can feel both incredibly large and surprisingly small at the same time. You can see the transition from the city of Grand Junction to the orchards of Palisade, the ranches around Fruita, and the landscape stretching beyond.

But there was something else I wanted Megan to notice.

World class hiking isn’t something you have to drive out of the valley to experience. 

Many of the trailheads around Grand Junction are literally tucked into or next to neighborhoods. The outdoors isn’t necessarily a weekend destination. It can simply become part of how you live. I felt that distinction was important for her to experience firsthand and early in this challenge.

After hiking back down in the rain, we headed home for lunch while taking some time to regroup and work from home before heading back out later in the afternoon.

Our next stop was the Colorado National Monument.

Big Horn Sheep crossing the road in the Monument

Colorado National Monument

The Monument is one of the Grand Valley’s undeniable gems, and one of the things that makes it so remarkable is how close it is to everyday life. We decided to enter through the Fruita entrance and make our way through the Monument back toward Grand Junction.

Within minutes, Megan had her first wildlife encounter of the day when she spotted a herd of about 20 bighorn sheep along the side of the road. The wildlife sightings never get old around here. 

We stopped at several overlooks, took a few short hikes, and made our way to the Visitor Center, which is worth the stop for the interactive displays and the opportunity to learn about the history of the area.

And then there were more bighorn sheep.

And more incredible views.

The Colorado National Monument is obviously high on the list for anyone visiting Grand Junction. It’s one of those places you almost always have to show someone when they come to town. But that wasn’t really the point of taking Megan there.

Colorado National Monument looking at Independence Monument on a blue sky day

Colorado National Monument – Independence Monument

I wanted her to experience the difference between visiting a place once and imagining living next to it.

For the rest of her visit, I hoped that she would look at the red rock cliffs of the Monument from anywhere in the valley and be reminded:

“This is literally in my backyard. I could go back there whenever I want.”

That’s a very different way of experiencing a place. And that was exactly what I wanted Megan to start thinking about.

After an incredible afternoon exploring the Monument, we met friends for dinner at Trail Life Brewing in Downtown Grand Junction. Then we walked Main Street, explored some of the shops, and took in the evening.

It had been a very Colorado kind of day.

But, this wasn’t just a vacation day.

It was another glimpse at what an ordinary day in Grand Junction could look like if this became home.

Megan’s Take: Day two was a big day for me. I’m not typically an early riser so leaving as the sun came up to go for not just any ordinary hike, but my very first REAL hike was both exciting and nerve racking. I vividly remember walking to the beginning of the actual mountain, already sweating and controlling my breathing, thinking oh boy… We haven’t even touched rock yet and I’m already burning calories! Slowly but surly, I was able to get into the swing of things and the adrenaline and endorphins running through me not only made the experience unforgettable, but already rewarding in the moment. 

Once we made it to the top, the only word that left my mouth was, “Wow.” I think it was starting to hit me that Grand Junction was not a city that just happens to have outdoor recreation nearby. The recreational landscape is part of the identity of this place. And that statement stood to be true as we later on drove from Fruita back to Grand Junction observing the Colorado National Monument. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the CMU mountain biking team zooming past us multiple times. It was truly incredible seeing their talent, but even more astounding to realize this place is likely one of their regular routes. I’m on one side of the road freaking out over the big horn sheep trotting around without a care in the world, while the bikers are probably hoping and praying for one ride where they’re not interrupted by a road block! The clear distinction between my perspective and what one of the locals may be was eye opening to say the least.

Day 3 – Thursday: People and Community

After a couple of days, it was time to settle into some ordinary life.

Megan, my wife Michelle and I started the day by meeting a local resident and colleague for coffee at Kopeka Coffee in Grand Junction.

This was just one of numerous conversations I had planned for Megan throughout the 10-day challenge. I wanted her to speak directly with people who had relocated here, people who went to college here and never left, people who grew up here, and people who eventually retired here.

I wanted her to hear a variety of perspectives straight from the source: the people who actually live here. Megan was incredibly inquisitive, asking about everything from daily life, work and schools to quality of life and what it’s like to raise a family in the Grand Valley.

After our morning coffee meeting, it was time for some real estate work. Megan shadowed me as we visited a home I had listed for sale, drove through some neighborhoods, ran some errands and eventually headed back home for some work-from-home time for both of us.

That’s when Megan said something that made me realize she was beginning to experience Grand Junction differently. Not just as a visitor, but as someone trying to imagine what it might be like to actually live here.

“I know we’re playing things by ear to some extent, but could you give me some idea of what might be on the agenda for the next few days?”

It was the first time I realized how difficult it must be to simply show up somewhere you know nothing about and take each day as it comes without knowing what’s next.

And maybe that was the point.

When you’re on vacation, you usually have a plan. You research the restaurants, book the activities, map out the sightseeing and make a list of the things you don’t want to miss. You try to make every minute count.

That’s not how real life works.

When you actually live somewhere, you work. You run errands. You sit on the deck. You change your plans. You decide at the last minute to go somewhere for an hour. You come home and have friends over for dinner.

Initially, we had intentionally kept the agenda quiet. I didn’t want Megan to research what was coming or form expectations before experiencing it.

Michelle and Megan sitting in chairs at the Colterris Winery in Palisade

Michelle and Megan at Colterris Winery in Palisade

For this challenge to stay unbiased, fresh, raw and as un-vacation-like as possible, I wanted her to simply go with the flow. I did give in a little and give her a glimpse of a few things that were coming up, mostly so she could prepare, but I didn’t want her knowing exactly what was around every corner.

After an afternoon of working from home, we realized we had enough time to sneak over to Palisade for a visit to the Colterris Winery before two couples arrived for an early dinner at our home.

This was mostly a spur-of-the-moment decision, and that was the beauty of it.

We could simply hop over to Palisade, have a glass of wine, enjoy the views and be back home in time to entertain guests. We didn’t need to dedicate an entire afternoon or evening to the experience.

On the way home, we took the Fruit and Wine Byway so Megan could get a firsthand look at just how much agriculture surrounds Palisade, along with a glimpse of the area’s 30-plus wineries.

It literally made the day.

We scheduled dinner early because we also wanted to make it downtown for Thursday night’s Market on Main. Dinner was filled with wonderful conversations about living in the Grand Valley. Everyone had a different story about how they ended up here.

Megan and Michelle walking down Main Street at the Market on Main in Grand Junction

Market on Main in Grand Junction

Talk about a melting pot. But there we all were, sitting around the same table.

After dinner, we made our way back downtown to stroll Main Street and take in the vendors, live music and strong sense of community.

This wasn’t a one-time event created for tourists. The Grand Junction Market on Main happens every Thursday night during the summer and early fall. It’s a place where people gather. And the vibe is hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it.

For Megan, I was hoping this day provided another important distinction.

She wasn’t just being shown what Grand Junction has to offer.

She was getting a glimpse of how people actually live here.

It was another perfect ending to an ordinary Thursday in Grand Junction.

Megan’s Take:  Truthfully, I enjoyed every day for different reasons but if I were forced to make a top three list, day three would be up there! Day three was full of, for a lack of better words, experiencing the mundane. Although, I don’t even think mundane is the correct term but rather experiencing a real example of routine. I had the pleasure of meeting a local and picking their brain on life in GJ, followed by getting to shadow Paul through what a real day on the job calls for. 

For some reason, doing the most ordinary things sparked curiosity to know what was in store for me in the days to come. Not because I wanted to prepare for anything but because I was finally feeling settled and wanted to know more about the place I was calling home for the next week. 

I experienced my first Grand Junction dinner party which was wonderful to meet even more locals, ask questions and hear honest truths about the people who know the place best. This dinner in particular gave me a plentiful list of things to think about. Not a projection of opinion I was going to identify with, but important questions to ask myself during and after this journey in order to help me develop and understand my own perspective. We then ended the night with a quick drive to Market on Main where I get yet another glimpse of the kind of community GJ has to offer. 

The Challenge Continues

By the end of Day 3, Megan had experienced the landscape, explored different communities around the Grand Valley, met people with very different stories, and gotten a glimpse of what an ordinary workday could look like here.

But we were just getting started.

Over the next several days, she’d discover just how much of the Western Slope was within reach of Grand Junction, and experienced some adventures that would push her well outside her comfort zone.

CONTINUE TO…
the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Days 4–7 — Discovering the Western Slope and Beyond

Want to understand Grand Junction from Megan’s perspective? Read her entire independent account of the challenge, including what surprised her, what questions she was left asking, and whether she could imagine building a life here.

CONTINUE TO…
Could I Actually Build a Life in Grand Junction? A 10-Day Challenge

 

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

Paul Aspelin REALTORPAUL ASPELIN
Your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or send Paul an email

Megan Jirele Independent Journalist and WriterMEGAN JIRELE
Independent Journalist & Writer
Digital Storytelling & Content Creation
Connect with Megan on LinkedIn

 

© 2026 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Exploring Beyond Grand Junction

ARTICLE 2: DAYS 4-7

 

The Grand Junction Backyard: Mountains, Small Towns and National Parks

What if you could spend Friday exploring the San Juan Mountains, enjoy a relaxing Saturday on the Grand Mesa, spend Sunday driving off-road trails, and visit a national park in Utah on Monday, all without taking a vacation? That’s exactly what I wanted Megan to experience during Days 4–7 of the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge. As we explored mountain towns, discovered familiar scenery, experienced the thrill of getting off the pavement, and crossed state lines for a day trip, I wanted her to see something bigger than the destinations themselves. I wanted her to understand what makes living in Grand Junction, Colorado, different: the freedom to explore an extraordinary variety of places without having to travel far from home.

Day 4 – Friday: Your Backyard Is Bigger Than You Think

What does Grand Junction’s location make possible?

Megan looking out to the Million Dollar Highway in the San Juan Mountains at the Bear Creek waterfall

Bear Creek Falls overlook with the San Juan Mountains in Ouray, CO

By Friday, everyone had agreed that we would start the Labor Day weekend a little early. It was time for Megan to experience her first real day trip of the challenge, taking us 100 miles south into the San Juan Mountains and the towns of Ouray and Telluride.

In one of our conversations before Megan arrived, she mentioned that she wanted to visit Switzerland someday to see the mountains. I took that as the perfect invitation to introduce her to our own “Switzerland of America” on the Western Slope.

This day was the biggest itinerary challenge of the entire 10 days. There was simply too much to experience and nowhere near enough time to do it all. So, I thought long and hard about what I wanted Megan to get out of this experience.

Most importantly, I wanted her to understand something: When you live in Grand Junction, monumental vacation-like experiences can become simple day trips. Grand Junction isn’t just a place to live. It’s a basecamp for experiencing unforgettable moments.  

We got an early start and headed directly to Ouray for our first stop.

Red Mountains along trail in the San Juan Mountains

Red Mountain Mining Trail view from the top of the Red Mountains in the San Juan Mountains

This quaint little mining town tucked into the heart of the San Juan Mountains will literally take your breath away. And then there’s the adrenaline rush and sheer amazement of driving the Million Dollar Highway toward Silverton. Megan was getting to see the eye candy that people come to Colorado for. But I didn’t just want her to see the mountains. I wanted her to experience them.

After driving much of the Million Dollar Highway, we took a mountain-pass detour that put us into four-wheel drive low and well off the beaten path. We were taking Megan over Red Mountain Pass, climbing to elevations of more than 11,000 feet and into some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Colorado.

Backroad exploration is part of living in Colorado. But on the Western Slope, it can also become part of everyday life. I wanted Megan to realize that there was an entire layer of Colorado that most visitors never get to experience. I didn’t want her driving past trailheads filled with people unloading their RZRs and ATVs, wondering where they were going and what they were seeing that the average tourist never gets to experience.

Because getting there is part of the experience. The drive up these mountain roads can be spectacular in itself, but what I really wanted Megan to understand was that some of the most incredible places I’ve experienced during my time in Colorado weren’t found along the paved highway. They were off the beaten path.

There are places people visit on vacation. And then there are places locals go exploring.

Halfway through our up-and-over adventure, we stopped for a picnic lunch, explored the remnants of some old gold and silver mines, and eventually made our way back toward Ouray, stopping at the ghost town of Ironton along the way.

Megan enjoying hot chocolate at a coffee shop in Mountain Village, CO

Enjoying hot chocolate at a coffee shop in Mountain Village, CO

Our original plan was to take the heart pumping, off road, Ophir Pass into Telluride, but it was closed for some maintenance work. And, frankly, after some of the anxiety-inducing driving we’d already put Megan through, I think she was perfectly happy to take the longer paved route.

On our way to Telluride, we pulled over at the Double RL Ranch overlook. Megan was amazed to learn that the ranch is owned by Ralph Lauren of fashion industry fame.

Then we arrived in Telluride. The town was hosting a film festival, so it was busier than normal. We parked and immediately headed for the gondola to go up to Mountain Village. There may not be a better way to experience the incredible mountain scenery of Telluride than from the gondola. It was spectacular.

We first got off at the San Sophia station to explore the empty ski slopes and soak in some views before hopping back on and continuing to Mountain Village.

My wife, Michelle, tells everyone that Mountain Village feels like Santa’s north pole village.

Paul riding the Gondola in Telluride CO

Telluride free gondola up to Mountain Village

She’s not wrong. It’s spectacular, upscale and almost surreal. Walking through the village during the off-season offers a completely different experience than being there during ski season, but the scenery and atmosphere are always impressive. As we wandered through the European-inspired village, we stopped for some Telluride hot chocolate, found an empty table outside, and simply soaked it all in. 

And then, because this day apparently wasn’t already full enough, we noticed our barista taking pictures of someone outside. We soon realized there were some A-list celebrities in town for the film festival. Megan’s eyes lit up. “I literally cannot believe this right now.” It was one of those completely unplanned moments that you couldn’t have put on an itinerary if you tried. But it made the day for her and us too. 

We took the gondola back down to Telluride, walked the shops along Main Street and eventually headed out of town. And since this day had already been one surprise after another, of course we spotted a herd of roughly 50 elk in a field on our way out.

Seeing one elk for the first time is memorable. Seeing fifty of them together? That’s something else entirely.

By the time we finally made it home, it was late. We were tired. We were exhilarated. And we had packed an absolutely ridiculous amount of Colorado into a single day. For most people, a day like this would be the highlight of a two-week Colorado vacation.

For Megan, it was only Day 4. 

This wasn’t about how much we could cram into one vacation. It was about showing her what could be possible when Grand Junction was your home base.

Megan’s Take: Boy oh boy there is so much I could say about day four. I think I lived ten different lives that day. Day four was the day of firsts, the day of high blood pressure, and the day of wondering if this is real life? We had another early wake up call in order to hit every stop Paul had planned for the day, which I was ready for! 

It started with the San Juan Mountains in Ouray and when I say I felt like I was in Switzerland, I mean it. Pictures will never do what my own eyes saw, justice. My life flashed before my eyes on the million dollar highway as I was both in awe of the scene around me but concerned if I moved even one muscle I was going to flip the car over the mountain. One of the most incredible parts about that morning in Ouray was making our way through the Red Mountain Pass, where I experienced my first natural bathroom break, riding at what felt like a 90 degree angle in a moving vehicle, and exploring a gold mine. The fact that I experienced all of that in the span of a few hours was incredibly surreal.

And then there was Telluride… I still sometimes can’t comprehend how ALL OF THESE PLACES are just a couple hour drive at most from Grand Junction. This town was one I see in my dreams to be honest. The energy of the town, the endless shops and restaurants, and then you hop on the gondola that takes you to one of the most incredible places I have ever been too. It is like its own little oasis, and I felt like I was in a movie scene. I was in complete awe with every single thing I experienced that day.

Day 5 – Saturday: A Little Taste of Home

After a long day on Friday, we were all ready to sleep in and have a little downtime. Saturday morning was exactly what we needed. We had coffee, made a big breakfast, did some laundry, and Megan went out for a quick run. There was no set in stone agenda for the day other than dinner at my daughter and son-in-law’s house that evening.

We would simply play things by ear. And that’s exactly what I wanted Megan to experience.

After a slow morning at home, we decided to take the afternoon to explore the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain and home to more than 300 lakes. I was especially excited about this one because I knew it would give Megan a little taste of northern Minnesota right here on the Western Slope.

One of the things I wanted Megan to experience throughout the 10-day challenge was just how dramatically the landscape can change within a relatively short drive of Grand Junction. There aren’t many places where you can snow ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. But that’s possible here, with Powderhorn Mountain Resort only about 45 minutes from Grand Junction.

After our slow morning at home, we were caught up on our chores and ready to head up the mountain. 

The leaves were just beginning to change, but the views were already impressive. And, because apparently we were becoming magnets for wildlife, we spotted a few bighorn sheep soon after we exited I-70.

We drove through the small town of Mesa, and our first stop was Powderhorn.

Although the ski season was still months away, the resort was open for its summer activities, with mountain bikers using the chairlift to get to the top before riding back down. We wandered around for a while, talking about all the activities Powderhorn offers beyond skiing, including events like Color Weekend and Oktoberfest. It really is a fun place even if you don’t ski.

Megan had downhill skied before, but this was her first time standing at the bottom of a Colorado ski run and looking up at the terrain around her. A bit intimidating to say the least.

From there, the elevation really started to climb. Our next stop was Mesa Lakes Lodge. Michelle and I love walking around Beaver Lake because the water is so clear that you can actually see trout from the shoreline. On this particular day, the lake was alive with people fishing from shore and others out enjoying the water in kayaks.

Megan immediately recognized something familiar. That was another thing I loved about watching her experience the Grand Mesa. It wasn’t Minnesota. But there were pieces of it that I’m sure felt surprisingly comfortable.

Megan on top of rocks on the Land o' Lakes trail on the Grand Mesa with expansive mountain views behind her

Land o’ Lakes Trail on the Grand Mesa

Next, we headed to the Land o’ Lakes trailhead for a short quarter-mile hike to an incredible overlook of Island Lake. 

From the overlook, you can see the Elk Mountains and the San Juan Mountains stretching out in the distance. A must-see overlook when visiting the Grand Mesa. 

A few more quick stops at Grand Mesa Lodge and Mountain Top Resort gave Megan an even better feel for the whole “Up North” Western Slope experience.

And then, just like that, our relaxing little afternoon was getting away from us. 

We headed back down the mountain and made one more stop in Palisade at Clark & Co.’s Distillery. Megan had never visited a distillery before, so this was another first for her. It’s one of our favorites, and the combination of unique drinks, incredible food, the riverfront setting and views of Mount Garfield makes it a pretty great place to spend an hour.

By now, we were officially running out of Saturday. We quickly headed home to get cleaned up and ready for dinner.

We had a wonderful relaxing evening at my daughter and son-in-law’s house, filled with good food, great conversation and, of course, some fresh Palisade peach cobbler to finish things off.

It had been a completely different kind of day than Friday.

Just coffee, breakfast, laundry, a little exploring, family, dinner and peach cobbler.

And somehow, we still managed to squeeze a pretty incredible amount of Colorado into it. That was the point, too. Not every day in Grand Junction has to be an adventure. Sometimes, it’s just Saturday. And that’s pretty damn good.

Megan’s Take:  Day five was another perfect day to grasp what a free day could look like as a Grand Junction local. I really appreciated that we got to have a slow morning but still do some exploring. This day was another experience I didn’t quite realize until the ten day test was over, just how possible adventure can be in Grand Junction if you desire. You can sip your coffee and relax on the porch, but still get a hike in and observe the mountain beauties on the same day while not feeling rushed. Or you can wake up and say I want to do absolutely nothing and have a total change of heart hours later and still go on that adventure. The lakes were the perfect slice of home and also mind boggling to me just how diverse the environment in and around Grand Junction was.

Day 6 – Sunday: Getting Off the Pavement

Palisade Farmers Market showing booths and Mount Garfield in the backdrop

Sunday Palisade Farmers Market

By now, Megan was starting to get a pretty good feel for what everyday life in the Grand Valley could look like. But there was still another part of the local lifestyle I wanted her to experience. 

We started the morning in Palisade at the Sunday Palisade Farmers Market. Megan was really excited about this one.

The Palisade Farmers Market runs from early June through early October, and Michelle and I probably make it there about three weekends out of every month. It’s one of those things that has become part of our own routine.

We wandered through the streets of Palisade, stopping at the different vendors, visiting storefronts, and just taking our time. There is a vibe to this market that is difficult to explain until you’re there. Megan grabbed a coffee with sweet peach cream, which seemed like a pretty appropriate way to start a Sunday morning in Palisade. “When in Rome” as she stated a few times over her visit. 

And then there was the produce. Oh, my. If you’ve never had fresh Palisade peaches, I’m not sure you’ve really experienced what a peach can taste like. All of the local produce at this market is something else.

But what I really wanted Megan to experience was the community.

The market is incredibly easy to attend. You don’t have the parking headaches you might expect at a similar event in a larger city. You’re not packed shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of people trying to navigate through the crowd. Instead, you can park, walk around, talk to vendors, run into people you know, get what you came for, and simply enjoy the morning.

It feels relaxed. 

It feels local.

And it feels like something local people actually do, not something created just for tourists to come experience. That’s part of what I love about Palisade. There is a genuine sense of community here, and the Farmers Market captures it perfectly. After spending some time wandering the market and enjoying a slow Sunday morning, it was time to shift gears.

Polaris RZR side by side off road vehicle

Polaris RZR side by side off road vehicles

It was time to get off the pavement.

Megan, Michelle and I rented a side-by-side RZR and headed toward Rabbit Valley in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area near the Utah border with our daughter and son-in-law, who joined us in another RZR.

This was going to be a first for Megan. She had never driven an ATV, much less a RZR, and I wasn’t quite sure what she was going to think once we got out on the trails.

For the first half hour, I did the driving. The trails were incredible, but the machines were even more impressive. These things can climb, maneuver and tackle terrain that would make you think twice about taking a regular vehicle anywhere near it.

After about 30 minutes, we pulled over and I asked Megan if she was ready to take the wheel. She reluctantly said yes, with a smile.

“Just take it slow and drive at your own pace.” 

She did great. But I knew she was nervous.

There was a lot to take in. The terrain was unfamiliar, the RZR was incredibly capable, and we also had another RZR leading us that was being driven by someone who was very experienced and fast! Keeping up was a little intimidating.

At our next stop, I asked how she liked it so far. She said, “When we descended that one hill, I think I closed my eyes for part of it.” Oh my!!!! I took the wheel again for the next leg. 

We eventually stopped for lunch overlooking the Colorado River. Sitting there, high above the canyon walls, soaking in the incredible scenery, it was hard not to appreciate how different this experience was from simply driving through the area.

After lunch, I asked Megan if she was ready to give it another try.

“I think I am OK,” she said.

I encouraged her a little, not wanting to push too hard. She reluctantly climbed back behind the wheel. This time, I could tell something changed. She was still cautious, but she was starting to figure it out. She was getting a feel for the machine, learning what it could do and becoming more comfortable with the terrain.

Then we got separated from the other RZR. We were following the same trail when we suddenly lost sight of the vehicle in front of us. We continued for a while, but after about ten minutes we still hadn’t seen them and the trail was getting rougher.

Had we taken a wrong turn? We weren’t sure.

Eventually, we came to a particularly technical section of trail and decided to stop. The other RZR was stopped up ahead waiting to see if we needed guidance or help on this next obstacle. 

Megan was still driving.

The RZR was sitting at what felt like a 45-degree angle from side to side, and directly in front of us was a huge mud hole with an immediate climb up on some rocks beyond it.

You could see the deep tire tracks coming out the other side showing us others had struggled to get through. Apparently, we weren’t the first people to wonder whether this was a good idea.

Megan looked at the obstacle.

Then she looked at me.

“I’m not sure I can do this.”

My advice was pretty simple.

“If you’re going to go for it, just don’t stop. If you hesitate in the middle, we might get ourselves into trouble.”

I hadn’t even finished the sentence when Megan essentially had a “hold my beer” moment.

She hit the gas and plowed straight through the obstacle. Like an absolute pro. We cheered with excitement as she came out the other side. I still haven’t ever asked if her eyes were open on that one. But, I think I know the answer. 

Right then, I was so proud of what had just happened. That was her moment. She had gone way outside her comfort zone, trusted herself, trusted the machine and absolutely crushed it.

Sometimes you just need a little experience before something that initially feels intimidating starts to feel like fun. And sometimes you need someone sitting next to you saying, “You’ve got this. Go.”

That was exactly what happened with Megan.

I also understood why she was nervous. This wasn’t a gentle scenic drive. We were bouncing over trails, climbing rocky terrain and navigating a landscape that looked very different from anything she was used to driving. But that’s part of what I wanted her to experience.

Group photo of Michelle Paul Megan and more with helmets on with Colorado River Valley in the background

RZR ride in Rabbit Valley – Colorado River view stop for a snack at the Knowles Overlook Campground

Outdoor trail riding is a big part of the culture on the Western Slope. People explore on mountain bikes, motorcycles, RZRs, ATVs, four-wheel-drive vehicles and just about anything else capable of getting beyond the pavement.

For someone moving to Grand Junction, I think that’s an important part of the equation to understand. This isn’t just a place where you can look at the outdoors. It’s a place where you can actually get out into it. 

As our afternoon was coming to a close, we loaded up the RZRs and headed back toward Grand Junction. Megan had gone from being nervous about what these machines could do to understanding why people on the Western Slope enjoy them.

And that was another piece of the puzzle I wanted her to notice. The Grand Valley isn’t just surrounded by incredible scenery. There is an entire culture built around getting out and experiencing it.

By the time we got home, we got cleaned up, had some appetizers, talked about the day’s adventures, and enjoyed a quiet dinner at home.

Another day. Another completely different experience.

Suddenly, this entire challenge was starting to feel less like we were trying to show Megan everything Grand Junction has to offer and more like she was simply beginning to experience what life here could actually look like.

Six days in.

And we still had four to go.

Megan’s Take:  I woke up on day six ready for whatever was in store! There are a few lessons that have truly stuck with me from my ten day experience and this day provided one of them. The morning was filled with dare I say the best farmers market I have ever been to. The community at the Palisade farmers market was one I’d never seen before between every single stand being a small or locally owned business, to the energy just walking down the street. 

Afterwards I experienced my first ever RZR as both a passenger and driver. Like Paul mentioned in the day six debrief, I had a major “hold my beer moment.” I won’t lie, I was freaking out, not sure whether or not I would be able to make it through as the driver. The anxiety and stress of the mudhole situation definitely made me uncomfortable, but afterwards I felt like I was on cloud nine. The adrenaline and joy I felt was an incredible reminder that sometimes you just have to go for it. Sometimes you’re left with no option but to just step on the gas and pray you make it. This experience reminded me to do things even when you’re scared because if you don’t, you’re likely going to miss out on some of the best lessons, greatest adventures, and some awesome stories. 

Day 7 – Monday (Labor Day): Two States. One Day.

Colorado in the morning. Utah for the day. Back home in Colorado by evening. 

Paul and Megan standing on the side of I-70 at the Welcome to Utah road sign

Day seven started with what has become something of a rite of passage for our out of town guests whenever we head west from Grand Junction.

A stop at the Welcome to Utah sign for pictures and proof. 

We had crossed the state line, and just like that, we were off to explore another state for the day. But this wasn’t going to be an overnight trip. We weren’t packing a suitcase. We weren’t booking a hotel. We weren’t even particularly far from home.

We were headed to Moab and Arches National Park.

One of the things I wanted Megan to understand during the 10-Day Challenge was that Grand Junction’s location isn’t just a nice bonus. It fundamentally changes what a normal day can look like. Moab is only about 90 miles from Grand Junction. Only an hour’s drive if you ask some local people. I know…Feel free to do the math. 

And because we were coming in from the Colorado side, we were able to enter Arches through what I think of as the park’s back door. That little geographic advantage would essentially give us another hour or more in our day. Instead of driving all the way to the main entrance and then backtracking, we could enter from the north, work our way through the park, and keep moving. 

And we were going to need it.

Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

The hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

First up was the quintessential Utah experience: Delicate Arch.

If you’ve seen pictures of Arches National Park, or even a Utah license plate you’ve probably seen this one. But pictures don’t really prepare you for standing there. The hike has such a “moment” attached to it because you come around the corner on a cliff-like ledge of a trail and “BOOM”…the arch is right there in all its glory.

We stopped at the arch for a half hour, took in the scenery and let Megan experience one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Southwest for herself. And then, because apparently one famous arch wasn’t enough, we kept going.

We explored a few more incredible arches, stopped for a picnic lunch, and took in more of the park before eventually making our way toward the visitor center.

By then, we were all getting hungry. So we headed into Moab.

You might enjoy this post about going in the back door to Arches and hiking Tower Arch.

A Little Bit of Moab

The first priority was iced coffee.

Then we did what we always like to do when we’re in Moab: wander through some of our favorite shops along the main drag. One of those stops was the Made in Moab store, where we took our time looking around. We didn’t need to rush through town just to check another box off the itinerary.

That was another little distinction I wanted Megan to experience. 

Yes, we had spent part of the day hiking through one of Utah’s most famous national parks. But we weren’t treating Moab like some distant destination where every minute had to be maximized because it might be years before we return, if ever. 

We could slow down. Grab a coffee. Browse a few shops.

And eventually make our way to the real star of the show.

Pasta Jay’s

Oh, how we love this place.

After a full day of hiking and exploring, sitting down for dinner at one of our favorite Moab restaurants felt less like the end of some epic vacation excursion and more like what it was becoming throughout this challenge: Just another day out.

Except this particular day happened to include two states, a national park and Delicate Arch. And we weren’t done yet.

The Scenic Way Home

After dinner, we could have simply headed back to Grand Junction on the interstate. Instead, we took the back way. We followed the Colorado River past Castle Valley and into some of the most unmistakably Western scenery you can imagine. This stretch of road has been used as the backdrop for countless Western films, including movies associated with John Wayne. 

And as we drove through it, I couldn’t help thinking about the bigger point of the day.

This wasn’t just about getting to Moab. It was about what was between Moab and home. The red rock cliffs. The river. The enormous canyon walls. The open landscape that seems to stretch forever. And then, eventually, we were back in Colorado.

And Megan still had three days left.

Megan’s Take:  What kind of place allows a national-park experience to become a routine day trip? Well, I’ve got an answer for you. Day seven was a multi state day and even just saying that is still so surreal. The drive to Arches National Park felt like a breeze, and in my opinion was the perfect distance to feel like you are entering a whole new world even if it wasn’t all that far from Grand Junction. It felt like you had a little slice of everything between rock, sand, agriculture, animals and more.

The hike to the Delicate Arch was extraordinary. When I tell you my jaw was on the floor, I mean it. The view of the Arch and the surrounding area didn’t feel real at first, and it took me a minute to take it all in. I could have sat and looked out at it for hours. 

Afterwards we explored Moab which was a wonderful little town that didn’t feel all that large but still offered so much as far as activities, culture and community gathering spots go. Once we wrapped up dinner having some of the best pasta I’ve had, we were on our way home. 

It didn’t dawn on me until we were all settled into the car and half way through our drive home that this day was nowhere near a vacation for the group I was with. 

They can just wake up and do this. 

Four days. Four completely different experiences. And a whole new perspective on what it could mean to live on Colorado’s Western Slope. From the mountain scenery of Ouray and Telluride to the familiar comforts of the Grand Mesa, the community atmosphere of Palisade, the excitement of off-road exploration, and a day trip to Arches National Park, Megan was beginning to understand that Grand Junction’s appeal isn’t just about what you can do here. It’s about everything you can experience from here. But could all that adventure translate into a lifestyle she’d actually want to call home? We still had three days left in the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge, and it was time to explore another side of life in the Grand Valley.

The Challenge Continues

CONTINUE TO…
The 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Days 8-10: Discovering What Life in the Grand Valley Is Really Like

Want to understand Grand Junction from Megan’s perspective? Read her entire independent account of the challenge, including what surprised her, what questions she was left asking, and whether she could imagine building a life here.

CONTINUE TO…
Could I Actually Build a Life in Grand Junction? A 10-Day Challenge

 

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

Paul Aspelin REALTORPAUL ASPELIN
Your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or send Paul an email

Megan Jirele Independent Journalist and WriterMEGAN JIRELE
Independent Journalist & Writer
Digital Storytelling & Content Creation
Connect with Megan on LinkedIn

 

© 2026 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Could Grand Junction, Colorado Feel Like Home?

ARTICLE 3: DAYS 8-10

 

The 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Discovering What Life in the Grand Valley is Really Like 

For the first seven days of the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge, Megan experienced mountain towns, national parks, off-road adventures, scenic drives and the incredible variety of places within reach of the Grand Valley. But there was one question we hadn’t fully answered: What would Grand Junction feel like when the adventures stopped and everyday life took over?

During the final three days, I wanted Megan to experience something just as important as the scenery: ordinary mornings, workdays, conversations with locals and the small moments that make a place feel like home. Because visiting Grand Junction, Colorado, and deciding whether you could actually build a life here are two very different things. And as Megan prepared to head home, it was time to consider the biggest question of the entire challenge: Could Grand Junction become a place she would want to call home?

Day 8 – Tuesday: An ordinary Tuesday

Realty One Group Western Slop office interior showing conference room and lobby

Realty One Group Office in downtown Grand Junction

The extended holiday weekend was over. It was time to go back to work. No national parks. No mountain passes. No RZRs. No two-state adventures.

Just Tuesday.

And that was exactly what I wanted Megan to experience.

Megan and I got up and out fairly early and headed to my office in downtown Grand Junction. I wanted her to experience something we hadn’t really done yet during the challenge: what it felt like to park, walk through downtown and actually go to work.

Bekah and Megan with matching tattoos

matching tattoos!

We both had plenty to get done, but I had also arranged a few meet-and-greets with some of my colleagues. One was born and raised in Grand Junction. Another had grown up in Ouray before eventually making her way to the Grand Valley. Different backgrounds. Different paths. Same place they had ultimately chosen to build their lives.

After a productive morning and more firsthand insight into what living in the Grand Valley is actually like, we ran a few errands.

Nothing particularly exciting.

We headed home for lunch, and then spent the afternoon working from home.

No agenda. No sightseeing. No big reveal.

Just a normal Tuesday.

That evening, we had a quiet dinner at home. No restaurant. No activity planned. No place we needed to be. And maybe because there was nowhere else planned for us to go, we ended up staying up late talking about the journey so far.

Eight days in, Megan had experienced an incredible amount of Grand Junction and the surrounding area. We talked about the places she’d seen, the people she’d met, the things that had surprised her and, perhaps most importantly, how her perception of the Grand Valley was changing as the days went by.

I had purposely built this day into the challenge because I didn’t want Megan to spend ten days falling in love with Grand Junction only because I kept taking her to the best places.

This day was designed so Megan could experience something we hadn’t really given her yet: the mundane. 

What would Grand Junction feel like when it was just Tuesday? 

Especially after a holiday weekend. We’ve all experienced that dreaded re-entry, day-after feeling when the fun is over, the calendar fills back up, and it’s time to get back to work.

Would the magic disappear? Would the reality of everyday life feel like a letdown after everything we’d experienced? Or would she discover that maybe a place doesn’t have to be extraordinary every day to be a pretty damn good place to live? 

Megan’s Take:  I like to think of day eight as my own personal recollection convention. This was the first day I was no longer exploring and digesting life in Grand Junction, but rather recapping everything I had experienced and how it was starting to give me my own developing perspective. It was a very relaxed day which allowed me to sit down, look at any notes I’d taken, and revisit feelings and ideas I’d put on the back burner. It was extremely beneficial to be able to share all of my insight with Paul, ask questions I had, and more. It was both an overwhelming but astounding realization to sit there and recap everything I’d experienced in just eight days, knowing the ordinary and extraordinary could coexist in everyday life in Grand Junction. 

Day 9 – Wednesday:  More Than a Vacation

As we got closer to the end of the challenge, Megan and I started talking about what she still needed to experience before she could make up her mind. The answer wasn’t another adventure. She needed more life. More time simply being in Grand Junction. More conversations with people who actually lived here. More glimpses of what her life might look like if she weren’t here as a visitor.

We started the morning with a long walk along the Riverfront Trail, beginning at Dos Rios. It was a beautiful way to start the day, but Megan was just as intrigued by the workout equipment scattered along the trail as she was by the views. People were out walking, running and exercising, with the Colorado National Monument rising in the distance beyond the Colorado River.

It wasn’t an attraction we had come to see. It was just part of a normal morning.

For lunch, I arranged for Megan, Michelle and me to meet a colleague at Las Marias, a Mexican restaurant near my office. This person grew up in Grand Junction, went to college here, got married and started a family here. In other words, she wasn’t someone telling Megan what Grand Junction was like from the outside. She was someone who had actually built a life here. The conversation gave Megan another valuable perspective on the community.

After lunch, we walked along Main Street through the middle of the workday. Downtown was busy enough to feel alive, but not so busy that it felt overwhelming. People were having lunch, running errands, heading back to work and going about their day.

Again, nothing spectacular was happening.

And that was becoming spectacularly important to this challenge.

That evening, there wasn’t another big outing or carefully planned experience. We spent our time talking, collaborating and getting everything ready for Megan’s flight home the following day.

The adventure was almost over.

But by this point, I was less interested in whether Megan had enjoyed Grand Junction.

I wanted to know whether she could imagine living here.

Megan’s Take: Like the day before, day nine was one of processing yet still grasping everyday life in GJ. The most important part about this day was that it was my last full day in Grand Junction and it was time to start asking myself some of the big questions that would ultimately determine whether or not I felt I could build a life here…

Day 10 – Thursday: The Final Question

The challenge was coming to an end. Megan was flying home later that afternoon, so we were intentionally playing the day by ear, while giving her plenty of time to pack, get organized and prepare for the trip home.

Then we received an unexpected invitation to lunch at Basecamp Provisions in Fruita from one of my coworkers, whom Megan had met a few days earlier. The two of them had hit it off immediately, and apparently one conversation wasn’t enough. So we squeezed in one last meeting over lunch.

And honestly, that felt like the perfect way to spend our final few hours. No itinerary. No big adventure. No box to check. Just lunch with someone she had met during her time here and a conversation that happened naturally.

Then it was time.

Megan with a sad face sitting in the car as we drive to the airport

The drive to Grand Junction Airport

We drove Megan to the airport and said our goodbyes. There were hugs, thank-yous and that strange feeling you get when something you’ve been looking forward to for a long time is suddenly over.

Ten days had gone by remarkably fast.

From the first time we spoke about the Grand Junction Challenge, the goal was to give Megan something very different from a typical vacation. I didn’t want her to simply see the best of Grand Junction. I wanted her to experience enough of the community: the spectacular, the ordinary, the people, the work, the weather, the food, the conversations and even the downtime, so she could begin to answer a much bigger question:

Could I actually build a life here?

I also knew I had something to learn.

Megan agreed to do this without knowing exactly what she was getting herself into. More importantly, she agreed to keep it raw and real. She wasn’t here to tell me what I wanted to hear, and I wasn’t interested in giving her a carefully scripted version of Grand Junction.

That made her questions and observations invaluable.

Over ten days, she asked things I probably wouldn’t have thought to ask. She noticed things I had stopped noticing. She challenged some of my assumptions. And she gave me a much better understanding of what someone experiences when they are considering leaving the place they know and building a new life somewhere completely different.

That may ultimately be the most valuable thing I took away from the challenge.

My wife and I moved to Grand Junction after doing several years of research. We knew what we were looking for. We knew why we wanted to be here.

But Megan reminded me what it feels like to not know. And that is something I never want to forget when I’m helping someone else make this same decision.

Because relocating isn’t really about finding a house. It’s about figuring out whether you can see yourself building a life in a new place.

Megan came to Grand Junction with a challenge for me:

“You keep telling me Grand Junction is the hidden gem of America. Prove it.”

I don’t know if I proved it.

That’s for Megan to decide.

But I do know that after ten days, she had something much more valuable than a vacation. She had experienced Grand Junction.

And now she gets to decide what she thinks.

A Special Thank You to Megan

Paul Megan and Michelle Aspelin standing on a rock at the top of the Grand Mesa with alpine trees and a lake behind us

Grand Mesa Land O’ Lakes Overlook

Megan, thank you for saying yes, for being willing to experience the Grand Valley on its own terms, and for sharing your perspective so honestly. I hope the experience gave you as much to think about as it gave Michelle and me to appreciate all over again about the place we call home.

Whether you’re simply curious about Grand Junction or seriously considering a move here, I hope Megan’s experience gives you a useful starting point. And if you’d like to dig deeper, I’ve created this website to help you understand what living here is really like, so you make a more informed decision about whether the Grand Valley might be right for you. 

Thank you for following the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge!

As always, I am here to help.

Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®
Relocation Specialist since 2001

Consider one of these articles to continue your exploration of the greatest hidden gem in America.

Our Living in Grand Junction Experiment

What We Learned After Living in Grand Junction for Three Months

Why Retire in Grand Junction

Why People are Moving to Grand Junction

All blog posts – you can search for any topic that interests you or read the posts in your favorite category first.

 

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

Paul Aspelin REALTORPAUL ASPELIN
Your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or send Paul an email

Megan Jirele Independent Journalist and WriterMEGAN JIRELE
Independent Journalist & Writer
Digital Storytelling & Content Creation
Connect with Megan on LinkedIn

 

© 2026 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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Your Grand Junction Relocation Guide

Your Grand Junction Relocation Guide

Rather than handing you a printed Grand Junction Relocation Guide to help decide if relocating to Grand Junction is right for you, I will personally provide you with an opportunity to ride along with me on a valley-wide tour.

I AM your Relocation Guide!

You will discover all the high points while getting ALL your questions answered. I arrange tours for clients any time of the year. Most visitors don’t even want to look at property, they want to understand what this valley has to offer. How can it get any better than having a new friend show you around for an afternoon?

I know that relocating isn’t just about moving boxes from one place to another. It’s about building a new life, in a new community, with confidence. If you’re considering a move to Western Colorado, allow me to be your Grand Junction Relocation Guide. I have real estate experience, along with corporate and personal relocation process experience! More importantly, when you choose me as your relocation partner, you’re not just getting a real estate agent, you’re getting the relocation expert for Grand Junction and the Grand Valley.

I was recently featured in The Grand Junction Sentinel for my work helping people relocate to Western Colorado.

Partnering with a Grand Junction Relocation Guide starts with the biggest question: why move here in the first place?

Paul Aspelin in front of the Grand Valley in the Colorado National MonumentGrand Junction isn’t simply another stop on the map, it’s a destination. Nestled between the Colorado National Monument, the Book Cliffs, and the Grand Mesa, it’s a place where stunning landscapes, thriving communities, and opportunity come together. A place where many people who relocate here finally understand what it’s like to “live your vacation.”

Relocation requires more than just touring a list of homes for sale. It requires insight, connections, and someone who can show you exactly why you will love living here! Finding a home you’ll love is the easy part, deciding if this is the right place for you…. that takes insider knowledge and a personalized helping hand, which is where I come in.

Personalized Relocation Tours for a Seamless Move

With over 25 years in real estate and 18 years owning and running a boutique brokerage, I’ve guided countless families and professionals through successful relocations. You don’t have to worry if you’ve picked the right agent. Just book your travel plans and come for a visit!

I love to provide personalized Relocation Tours of the Grand Valley. I don’t just hand you a brochure. You hop in my vehicle, and I give you a guided tour of neighborhoods, schools, parks, local businesses, and hidden gems so you can truly understand what life here feels like. My role is bigger than helping you buy a house. I am here to help you discover if the Grand Junction lifestyle and community fits your goals and needs. Get started with my step-by-step relocation guide.

When you’re looking for the Grand Junction relocation guide who can make your move seamless, you’ll quickly see why people trust me.

What to Expect on a Relocation Tour

Paul Aspelin standing in front of the sign for the east entrance of the Colorado National MonumentI will pick you up at your hotel and coordinate certain stops to your interests. We will tour Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade showing all each city has to offer. From the storybook downtown of Grand Junction to Fruita’s outdoor biking-focused community to Palisade’s Fruit and Wine Byway, you’ll see the personality of each area.

Depending on your goals, we will highlight what you’re hoping to learn more about.

School Insights: I’ll drive you by schools of your choice and help coordinate meetings with administrators if needed.

Lifestyle Stops: Craft Breweries, Distilleries, Cideries, Wineries, hiking/biking trailheads, bike/raft rental shops, the CMU campus, CMU Outdoor Program, the shops, and restaurants along the downtown main streets of Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade, The Colorado National Monument, and the numerous farmers markets! Together, we’ll explore the places that define life here.

Housing Market Breakdown: You’ll get a clear picture of which areas will work in your budget while we discuss pricing, availability, and competitive trends so you can make informed decisions.

Skip the Learning Curve: Explore Grand Junction with Me

I love connecting newcomers with the resources and insider places that make them feel at home immediately. My clients often say working with me feels like they “skipped the learning curve” and plugged straight into the community and where to go and what to see first!

As a Grand Junction Relocation Guide who lives here, works here, and helps families like yours move to Grand Junction, I would love to offer you an afternoon of my time to show off this wonderful place I call home!

Relocating is one of the biggest moves you’ll ever make, and you deserve someone who is willing to give you the time to understand the community you will be living in. I’d love to be that guide for you. Whether you’re early in your home search or ready to move now, I’ll show you everything the Grand Valley has to offer and help you find the right place to call home. Read my post about Grand Junction Housing Market Reports. I can customize one for you!

Read my post about What Relocation Buyers Find Shocking about Buying a Home in Mesa County, and I do too!

Ready to Explore?

Paul Aspelin is your Grand Junction Relocation Guide. Here he is standing in front of his Toyota Tacoma at the Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument Tour Stop

If you’re thinking about relocating, let’s schedule your Grand Junction Relocation Tour. Your move is more than a transaction to me. Let me be your guide.

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveYourVacationinGrandJunction

Text/Call 612-306-9558 with your questions.

Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Learn more about Paul Aspelin
Serving Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and all of Mesa County Communities.
Licensed in Colorado.

© 2025 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR® MovetoGrandJunction.com.
Copyright protected. All Rights Reserved.

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Don’t wait! Semi-Retire in Grand Junction

Find the Perfect Work/Life Balance in Grand Junction

For a simpler, more fulfilling work/life balance, many choose to Semi-Retire in Grand Junction. To me semi-retirement means working full or part-time and having a flexible lifestyle that allows you more freedom. Full retirement in Grand Junction is fabulous, but why wait until you fully “retire” to move to Grand Junction or any of our beautiful communities here in Mesa County?

Learn more about Why People are Moving to Grand Junction.

Paul Aspelin and Michelle Aspelin semi-retire in grand junction co

Moving to Colorado!

If you are at a point in your life that would allow you the opportunity to move, take it! If you had children, maybe they are now in college or have graduated from college and are out of the house. We’ve gone through those emotions of becoming empty nesters. Our dog died right after our youngest graduated from high school and went off to college in Arizona. We became complete empty-nesters in 2021. However, we were not ready to retire yet, being in our early 50’s at that time.

Over the years, we reflected on the places we’ve been and the experiences we’ve shared. A lifestyle change felt like the next step. Minnesota and Wisconsin offered everything we wanted to see and do, with dozens of road trips to Michigan to visit family along the way. After all that, it was time to explore a different part of our amazing country. You can read more about our story on my About Paul page.

Get notifications about new posts and watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

The point is, I know what it’s like to pivot. I understand what it means to research new communities and consider moving across the country. When we moved, Michelle could continue her same business offering website services since she is free to “work from anywhere”. I, however, had to establish myself again in a brand-new community. Thankfully, I had 20+ years of experience so getting acclimated wasn’t too difficult.

Working in Grand Junction

If you own a business or can work from home, consider checking out GJEP, the Grand Junction Economic Development nonprofit that serves our business community. There are incentives to bring your business here, especially if you offer higher than average wages.

If you are ready for a career change, maybe pivot to something less stressful in a different industry that would allow you to semi-retire in Grand Junction. There are lots of options in the Grand Valley. We are not a resort town, but we have lots of retail and hospitality opportunities. Colorado Mesa University has opportunities for instructors as well as administrative and community focused staff.

With three hospitals and related clinics in the Grand Valley, jobs in healthcare are plentiful. I get a lot of calls from people who were recruited by St. Mary’s hospital and are now moving here, looking for a place to live. Mostly nurses, but some doctors too.

Each community has an active Chamber of Commerce. Everyone is very friendly and will welcome you with open arms. Bring your business or start a new one after you get here. There is a high entrepreneurial spirit here, a “can-do” attitude, at least that is what we have experienced.

The Western Slope vs the Front Range

If you are moving to Colorado from a higher cost of living area, then your higher work from home wages will go far in our lower cost of living community. Mesa County is less expensive than living on the “front range” in cities like Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs. When you read or hear statistics about Colorado, be sure to consider the point of reference. The western slope tends to be more rural and therefore more conservative, just like other states.

The west slope moves at a slower pace. There is less congestion with fewer people. We don’t experience “traffic” here. So, if you have been commuting to a job and want to reclaim hours of your day and week, it’s time to semi-retire in Grand Junction.

Experience More in Grand Junction

Mesa Lakes Lodge Lake Loop

Mesa Lakes Lodge Lake Loop on the Grand Mesa

I could write more here about all the things to do, places to eat, and outdoor activities, but that’s basically what this whole blog is about. I’ve said this a thousand times; Grand Junction makes a great base camp to access so much more within a 2-3 hour drive. It’s a truly diverse area when you think you can live in the desert yet be in the Rocky Mountains within 2 hours. Every drive we take is amazing. We say “Wow! Look at that!” a whole lot more than we used to, that’s for sure. Read about the day trips from Grand Junction that I’ve posted. I am continually adding more as we explore this diverse region of the country.

The key takeaway is life is precious. LIVE your best life every day. Don’t get stagnant and think you are stuck. You are not. Don’t wait to move to Colorado until you retire, semi-retire in Grand Junction now. We are waiting for you with open arms. If you’re considering fully retiring in Grand Junction, start here.

Call/text me at 612-306-9558 if you are coming into town and want to connect. I’d be happy to show you around Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade. I can help you with buying a house in Grand Junction, anywhere in Mesa County, or buying a house in Colorado communities near Grand Junction that you may be considering. I’m up for a road trip, how about you?

Check out the post I wrote about living in a place that your kids and grandkids will want to come for a visit. We have so much to offer people of all ages.

Learn more on my Get Started page!

Don’t wait! Experience the Grand Junction Lifestyle in your semi-retirement years!

Paul Aspelin working on his laptop at the kitchen tableFollow me on Facebook: Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Real Estate Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Serving Mesa County and the Grand Valley in Colorado

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

© 2025 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

 

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Moving to Colorado? GJ Ranked #1 in Survey

Moving to Colorado?

I just love it when the media reconfirms our decision about Moving to Colorado. We looked at several small towns in Colorado and Arizona, but just kept coming back to Grand Junction, CO. We discovered the Grand Valley when our daughter wanted to do a college visit to Colorado Mesa University in 2017.

I’ve seen Grand Junction in the media since our initial discovery. It has been making more and more “top lists” and “best of lists”. Below is a link to a USA Today Homefront article titled “Moving to Colorado?” that lists the 5 best cities, according to their 2024 survey. And low and behold, Grand Junction is #1 for best cities to move to in Colorado! Beating out #5 Longmont, #4 Ft. Collins, #3 Littleton and #2 Loveland. Now their criteria were cities with a population of 40,000 or more, so Palisade and Fruita didn’t qualify for this comparison.

I post short videos and announce new website posts on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Grand Junction #1 Best City in Colorado

(Click photo to enlarge)

The Research

The research team at Homefront ranked 22 cities in Colorado across 16 different quality-of-life metrics. They considered livability factors like activities, walkability and quality of schools. They looked at life expectancy, health care and safety (crime and severe weather). And economic variables like housing affordability and unemployment rates.

They cited that more than 260,000 people moved to Colorado in 2022. And their research shows that Colorado ranked as more affordable than Texas, Florida and California. I can understand California but was surprised about Texas and Florida.

What they say about Grand Junction

Here’s how they start the description of the best city in Colorado: “Grand Junction might just be Colorado’s best-kept secret. This city has incredibly diverse landscapes — mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts and forests — as well as affordable housing.” They went on to say:

“Grand Junction is the second-most affordable place for prospective home buyers and the third-most affordable for renters. Additionally, homeowners here enjoy the lowest annual homeowner’s insurance premium, likely thanks to the area’s tame weather.” Ahh, ok, that’s probably why we rank better than Florida. Their homeowner’s insurance rates keep climbing due to natural disasters. No hurricanes or tropical storms here, thank you!

“While Grand Junction has the second-lowest median income in our study, its lower cost of living balances the scale. It has the third-lowest percentage of rent-burdened residents and typical home values are six times the median income, which places Grand Junction above average compared with other Colorado cities we ranked.”

Yes, I’ve noticed the lower cost of living for sure. Colorado mountain towns are ultra expensive. Nice to visit, but hard to buy a home and work there.

Way to go Grand Junction for being one of the best cities in Colorado! You can read the full article about Grand Junction as well as the other cities in the top 5. Here’s the link about the article. Move to Colorado, we did!

Curious about our local weather? I have written 3 posts on the subject you might find useful. Summer weather, winter weather, and all the seasons and varying temps post called Grand Junction Weather.

 

Paul Aspelin and Michelle Aspelin

Moving to Colorado!

Text/Call 612-306-9558

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients

Get Started!

© 2024 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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