Small town feel, active lifestyles, comfortable climate and beautiful surroundings make for a perfect place to live

Used to be, all you saw strolling the bike path in Eagle were young families and their dogs.  Not surprising since an exodus of young families took over the community not too long ago, lending to a median age of 34 years, and 42 percent of the population in the 25 to 44 years age bracket.   

It didn’t take long for the older generation to figure out the youngsters had a good thing going.  Nowadays more and more seniors are moving to Eagle to take advantage of the milder winter and an increasing number of activities geared towards retirees.   People who’ve enjoyed vacationing in the valley or living further up the road are deciding to dig down in greener and warmer down valley pastures.

In a 2006 survey, conducted for Eagle County, 29 percent of 275 second-home owners said they expect to become full-time residents of Eagle County in the future, compared to only 17 percent in a 2003 survey who said they plan to retire here.  People are choosing the Colorado High Country over other retirement areas like Arizona or Florida.  And, just a stone’s throw from the Eagle-Vail airport, they can easily jet off to visit those other spots.

Some have lived in the community for years and now are deciding to stay.  They find appeal in the small community feel and the warmer temperatures in Eagle and Gypsum.  Who can blame them?  It’s a lot easier to drive up valley to ski or snowshoe than it is the daily deck shovel so you can sit outside and read the paper. 

A 20 percent increase in senior activities tells us that while locals are aging, they are very active and very involved.  Many are taking advantage of exercise classes at the Golden Eagle Senior Center and the Active Mind Series, which brings speakers in once a month.  Others are engaged in volunteering.  Baby boomers are jumping into retirement in Eagle ready to take on some fun.

For more information on Eagle, Gypsum or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-926-6777 or karen@gatewayland.com  

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