Once a tent city, Alamosa, Colorado was literally built in a day. In 1878, the town's buildings were brought in whole on flat railway cars and set up that afternoon.
Alamosa (the name means cottonwood in Spanish) is something of a best-kept-secret resort town, and it's a good bet that lots of folks outside of Colorado have never even heard of it
Once a tent city, Alamosa, Colorado was literally built in a day. In 1878, the town's buildings were brought in whole on flat railway cars and set up that afternoon.
Alamosa (the name means cottonwood in Spanish) is something of a best-kept-secret resort town, and it's a good bet that lots of folks outside of Colorado have never even heard of it. It's their loss, however, because this unprepossessing little town is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, courtesy of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and the Great Sand Dune National Park. It's also home to the fourth tallest mountain in Colorado, Mount Blanca. There's no such thing as a bad sunset (or sunrise) here, and try as you might, you'll never find a view that isn't outrageously beautiful. With hundreds of hotel rooms and more than 35 local restaurants, Alamosa gets its share of tourism, but its prime concern is to keep its 8,780 year-round residents happy with lots of local festivals and loads of civic pride.
When to Move
Alamosa is easy to get to; it's just off US 285 in the heart of the San Luis Valley. This area does get some wild weather in the winter, with major snowfall in the mountain passes that can start as early as October, so if you're driving, stick to the late spring and summer months; otherwise, keep the weather forecast handy.
During high season, most of the tourists stay in one of the town's many hotels, so rental properties aren't affected much at this time of year, and prices and availability are pretty consistent year round.
Finding a Place
Alamosa has an extensive selection of 1 bedroom apartments, duplex for rent, and two bedroom apartments for rent, and if you come here early for a scouting trip, you should also be able to spot some unadvertised rentals as well; just keep your eyes open for rental signs. Considering the winter temps, don't expect to find any apartments with all bills paid in Alamosa; but fortunately many landlords are signed up with a utility company that offers discounts for rental housing, so your heating bills shouldn't break the bank.
What You'll Need
Plan to have ready your identification (driver's license, state ID or passport), a couple of phone numbers from personal references, and proof of your current or future employment in Alamosa. As for down payments, most local landlords will ask for first month's rent and a security deposit of several hundred dollars up front. If you have pets, let the landlord know and be prepared to pay a deposit for your fur buddies as well -- and be sure to ask for a price break on multiple pets.
Folks in this part of the West like their space, and Alamosa homes tend to be fairly large. Wherever there are homes for sale, there should be a few rentals as well, so look carefully. Here are a few places to start your search:
County Road: This area has plenty of large, mid-to-late 20th century homes, many with acreage. It's close to Walmart Supercenter and City Market supermarket, and not far from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
San Luis Avenue: This lovely wooded neighborhood has a number of well-maintained, affordable older homes from the early-to-mid 20th century, with newer homes in the mix as well. It's close to landmarks such as the San Luis Valley Museum and Cole Park, and is only minutes from Main Street.
Apartment Complexes
Mullins Avenue: Here's where you'll find Alamosa Plaza Apartments (2069 Mullins Ave), a complex featuring one and two bedroom apartments with walk-in closets. It's close to the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center and City Market supermarket.
11th Street: In this area of town, you'll find Kiva Apartments: (1305 W 11th St), which offers newly-built one and two bedroom apartments with handy onsite storage units. It's close to Boyd Park, as well as amenities such as Atencio Market, JC Penny and Family Dollar.
Mountain Weather Advisory
With an elevation of 7,544 feet, Alamosa has a typical Western mountain climate, with July highs in the low 80s. Be warned: It gets cold here, with average January temps around 17 (and plunging into single digits at night). Plus, the area typically gets around 32 inches of snow a year, with lots more accumulating on the mountain passes.
Things to Do
Want to meet your neighbors? Show up at Summerfest on the Rio, a huge annual festival held every June, where the locals eat, drink and listen to some of the area's best regional bands. In September, check out the Early Iron Car Festival, where you can see hundreds of antique cars.
Alamosa is a treasure trove of scenic landmarks, including Great Sand Dunes National Park, located off Highway 150 in Mosca. This national landmark features the tallest sand dunes in North America. For more outdoor adventures, visit the fabulous Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (9383 El Rancho Lane), a natural wildlife sanctuary set along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
If you're athletically inclined, head for Cattails Golf Course (6615 N River Rd), an 18-hole course lined with the town's famous cottonwoods. Plus, Alamosa is little more than an hour away from the famous Wolf Creek ski area (US 160 ). When you're ready to relax, stop by the Sand Dunes Recreation Hot Springs Pool (1991 County Rd 63), where you can enjoy a therapeutic swim in luxurious resort surroundings.
Alamosa was once a major railway center for the Rio Grande Railroad, and you can relive those days by putting on your engineer's cap and taking a trip back in time on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad (601 State Ave), traveling through miles of mountain passes and sweeping vistas.
Hungry? Among the area's 35-plus restaurants, San Luis Valley Brewing Company (631 Main St) is a locals' favorite, with specialties such as Bavarian sausage and Colorado stream trout, as well as a line-up of handcrafted artisan beers (try the Ol' 169 Oatmeal Stout). Another winner is Calvillo's Mexican Restaurant (400 Main St), which offers a fabulous buffet filled with fajitas, carnitas and green chile.
If you picture a mountain town as resembling something out of a Hatfields and McCoys miniseries, then think again, because Alamosa offers the ultimate in sophisticated mountain living. As for enjoying the great outdoors, it's all here -- everything from top-notch ski areas to exotic sand dunes, all in the shadow of one of the country's most breathtaking mountain ranges.
Best market dealsThese units are the best deal in town.