Living in Salida, Colorado

Living in Salida returns with Monica McCarthy for Season 2! This week Monica talks with Lane Willson one of the founders and owners of Oveja Negra, a company located in Salida that designs, manufactures and sells top-shelf bikepacking bags. They discuss what it takes to make a small business thrive in Salida and how the biking culture is in town. Monica and Lane also connect when it comes to ecsta...

If you’re thinking about retiring in Salida, curious about its rich history, or want a deeper insight into the town’s vibrant community, this episode is for you! In our final episode of Season 1, we’re sitting down with long-time resident and local legend, Jack Chivvis. Jack wears many hats in Salida—he’s an artist, musician, historian, and runs Chivvis & Lovell Studios with his wife, Linda. T...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Katie Maher, a talented artist whose vibrant presence has made waves in the Salida art scene. Katie’s journey is a fascinating one—she started as a tattoo artist and transitioned into fine art, developing a unique style she calls "fractured art." Her distinctive work breaks down images into geometric shapes, creating a mesmerizing effect of color an...

Welcome to the Living in Salida Podcast! I'm Monica McCarthy, your host and a local Realtor. In this podcast, we explore what it's really like to live, work, and play in our small mountain town. While most episodes feature guest perspectives, today I’m sharing my own on a topic close to my heart: raising kids in Salida. As a parent of a 4-year-old, my husband and I moved here from Denver i...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with a familiar face and a local favorite—Sarah Gartzman. If you’ve spent any time in Salida, you’ve likely heard of Sweeties Sandwich Shop or The Biker & The Baker, both owned by Sarah and her husband, Rob. Known for their award-winning sandwiches, desserts, and even more impressive community involvement, Sarah and Rob have truly left their mark on this tow...

In today's episode I chat with local artist, Michael Clark. Michael is an award-winning impressionist painter with a studio right in the heart of downtown Salida CO on F Street. Michael and I go way back—I had the pleasure of helping him and his partner Molly find their home in Salida back in May 2020. We reminisce about looking at homes during the height of the pandemic, complete with masks a...

Hey everyone, Monica McCarthy here, your local realtor for Salida and the surrounding areas. In today’s episode, I’m covering everything you need to consider before buying property in our rural mountain community. From the high prices of downtown Salida to more affordable options in neighboring towns like Nathrop and Poncha Springs, I’ve got you covered. We’ll touch on important factors like neigh...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce Rachel Bove, a local powerhouse whose story embodies the spirit of Salida. Rachel is the owner of Lotic Salon in downtown Salida, where she’s known for her expertise in cut and color. But her influence doesn’t stop at the salon door. She’s also the co-founder of the Salida Women in Business Group, a devoted mother of two young girls, the wife of a Salida...

In this episode of  Living in Salida  I sit down with Paul Byars—Salida native, local musician, carpenter, and all-around dynamo of our community. Known for his role as the most recent commodore of the FIBArk Whitewater Festival, Paul is, in my opinion, Salida’s unofficial ambassador. His energy and enthusiasm for our town are truly infectious. In our chat, Paul takes us on a journey through his l...

In this episode I chat with Ben Goldfarb, an award-winning environmental journalist and one of Salida’s own. Ben is the author of the award-winning book  Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter . His latest release,  Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet , has also received widespread acclaim, including nods from the New York Times and Science New...

In this episode of Living in Salida, we’re focusing on essential mortgage tips for home buyers. I’m excited to share insights with Jess Fisher, a mortgage broker at Peakview Mortgage and a US Army Veteran. Jess brings a wealth of experience to the table, offering valuable advice on securing the best mortgage for your home purchase. In this episode, Jess shares his fascinating journey to Salida, fr...

Join me as I chat with Laura Williams, a Salida resident who wears many hats—from Doctor of Physical Therapy to founder of Hearth Healing, a business dedicated to supporting pre and postpartum women in their journey through pregnancy and birth. Laura's passion for her work as a Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist shines through as she talks about her experiences at Heart of...

Join me as I sit down with Tim Brown, a renowned Salida resident, photographer, homeowner, and active community member. We delve into Tim's journey from the early 1980s when he first arrived in Salida, reminiscing about the quaint town and its affordable home prices back then. Discover how Salida has evolved and adapted to growth over the decades, all while retaining its unique charm through T...

I sit down with Anna Edgren to discuss her perspective as a new homeowner, mother of two and remote worker who recently relocated from Denver to the Salida area. Our conversation delves into Anna's decision to buy in Howard, driven largely by the area's affordability compared to what Salida offered in her price point. She speaks candidly about the pros and cons she and her family have enco...

An introduction to the Living in Salida podcast and its host, Monica McCarthy, a realtor specializing in Salida, CO and surrounding areas. Monica discusses her Salida origin story, the pros and cons of living in Salida, CO and her $1,395,000 listing on 6395 Terrace Circle. Watch weekly videos about Living in the Salida area on her YouTube Channel @LivinginSalidaCO ( https://www.youtube.com/channel...