Of the Top 10 ‘Best Kept Secret’ Places to Retire in Colorado, What Makes Orchard City So Great?

Retiring in Colorado can seem like "wishful thinking" to many, but for many others, settling down in any other state would be ridiculous.

There is a town, one of ten that are noted as being "Best Kept Secrets" for retiring in Colorado; nine of them you've certainly heard of. One, you may have not.

What makes Orchard City so "retirement" friendly?

The gang at A-Z Animals recently put out a list of the "10 Best Kept Secret Places to Retire in Colorado." Reading the list, you have to think their idea of "secret" and yours are different.

• Palmer Lake
• Evergreen
• Aurora
• Greenwood Village
• Cherry Creek
• Castle Pines
• Vail
• Palisade
• Broomfield

Then, you come across Orchard City, and realize that it does sound like a "Best Kept Secret" place in Colorado.

Where is Orchard City, Colorado?

It's about 50 miles southeast of Grand Junction in Delta County.

Orchard City is Really Three Towns

Orchard City is technically made up of Austin, Eckart, and Cory.

In 1911, the area was suffering through diphtheria and typhoid, because their main source of water was ditch water.

Austin was the bigger of the three communities, but not big enough to obtain the bond that was needed to bring a pipeline with water from the Grand Mesa, so the three towns became one: Orchard City.

What Orchards Did They Have?

• Apples
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Peaches

Why is Orchard City So Great, These Days?

A-Z Animals likes the town because:

[Orchard City] offers something for everyone as it stays current with technological advancements while keeping its rural charm.

 

RELATED: Small Colorado Town Has a Great Pizza Joint Inside a Bike Shop

So, you'd be retiring to a small, laid back area, but not completely "off the grid." This area of Colorado offers great scenery, lots of wineries, the Gunnison River, great golf courses, and restaurants.