We were so lonely and isolated after moving to a Colorado mountain town we went back to New York

• Jackie Branholm and her husband moved from Brooklyn to Colorado and bought a mountain house.
• They loved being close to hiking trails, but were unprepared for the realities of mountain life.
• Endless house maintenance, isolation from friends and a new baby deepened the sense they'd made a mistake. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jackie Branholm about moving to Evergreen, Colorado. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I moved from Brooklyn to Colorado in May 2019 with my now husband. After a West Coast road trip, we chose Denver for the fun city vibes, sunny weather, and access to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.