Relocating to Fort Collins
 

<BR>I have the opportunity to work in Fort Collins, Colorado. any opinions about the area and the best place to live within 30 miles from Fort Collins

We have always loved the Ft. Collins Area and have thought about moving there in the future. We just returned from there last week and I was shocked at how bad the traffic has gotten since our last visit (about 2 years ago). We just sat in traffic (on the streets) while driving around during work hours. They just don't seem to have enough roads for all the new people and new businesses. They are also not thrilled with all the Californians moving there and we are from Southern CA so don't know if we would be welcomed. Otherwise the area is very nice and people who live there love it.

I live about 50 miles south of Fort Collins and I can tell you that this entire front range area from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins has gotten much more crowded in the last ten years. Colorado has the hottest economy in the country. The same reason that you can get a job here is the reason why it has gotten more crowded. How bad it seems to you will depend on where you are from. Not as bad here as L.A yet. As far as where to live - if you go south of Fort Collins it will be the most crowded and most expensive but you will have access to Denver and the airport, etc. If that is not important to you then you will find the least crowds and cheapest housing north or east of town. A general rule of the front range - the farther east you go (away from the mountains) the cheaper it gets. Fort Collins is still a great place to live.

We love Ft. Collins and head there often for a quick shopping trip/fun weekend stay/soccer tournament--you name it. Yes, the traffic has gotten terrible the past few years. The city fathers have let the population surge sneak up and bite them in the fannies without any thought to adequate traffic planning. Colorado State University is in FC and adds to the lively atmosphere. Denver's just 1/2 hour away (depending on <BR>traffic :-) and great hiking, etc. is literally at the town's back door. Shopping is good, restaurants are varied, interesting and plentiful, there are tons of outdoor activities and I-25 provides easy access to the arts scene in Denver. Fort Collins is a great town--too bad everyone else thinks so, too.

I have lived in the Fort Collins area most of my life. It has grown tremendously in the last few years and the traffic and related air pollution is getting terrible. <BR> <BR>I don't like to nit pik - but in the nearly 30 years here - Denver has never been 1/2 hour away. You might make the very north tip of Northglen from the farthest southeast corner of Fort Collins in 1/2 hour - but generally it is about 1.5 hours from Downtown Fort Collins to Downtown Denver - And it can be much more if traffic is bad (as it often is) on 1-25. During rush hours, 1-25 from the north side to the South side of Denver can become a depressing parking lot.

I have lived in Fort Collins for 7 years, moved out from the midwest. I love, love, love living in Colorado and Fort Collins is a great place to live. Yes, the city and traffic have grown even since I've been here; but it's all relative. If you liked it the way it was 30 years ago, of course you would probably hate it now. My friends who come in from California or Texas don't see the traffic problem, as they're used to much worse. There is a quaint downtown with a large variety of restaurants, bars and shops. The other end of the city is all newer developments and has any type of store you want. You can take a 5 minute drive and be in the foothills for hiking or boating. Denver is one hour away; Breckenridge, etc. are all 2 hours away. It's sunny here for 360 days of the year and the weather is mild all year round. Loveland is only 10 minutes south of Ft. Collins and is a really nice town, too. A little smaller - less traffic - and more low-key...and a little closer to the foothills. Windsor is also only 10-15 mins southeast of Ft Collins and is a much smaller town - but a growing community as well. Whatever you do, you should visit and decide for yourself. My guess is that you'll want to live here.