West and north of Durango the valley opens into ranch properties and acreage, with room for horses, outbuildings and the kind of space that is hard to find closer to town. Rural La Plata County prices moved differently from in-town Durango over the past year, and the tradeoffs are as much about access and utilities as they are about price. For a fuller picture of the area, read Living in Durango CO: A Detailed Relocation Guide.