Advice for moving to Fort Collins with a young family (Denver: to rent, neighborhoods)

[Kelly Moore]

My husband just got a great job offer in CO and we are considering moving to Fort Collins. I have a 4 year old and baby due in Sept. I have never been to CO and everything is moving rather fast. With this job we can move anywhere in CO, but my husband thought Fort Collins looked fun.
Is it a good place to move with kids? If yes, what neighborhoods should we consider keeping school districts and safety in mind? Do you think it is appropriate to move to Fort Collins being that it is a college town? Also, if not Fort Collins, do you have any other areas you recommend for a young family in CO?
Thanks for any advice you have. We just want this to be a good experience for us all.

[Mike from back east]

Denver is the big job area and has massive amounts of things to do, museums, arts, culture, pro sports.

There are tons of places in Denver metro area.

Especially on short notice, you are far better to rent a year and spend the time looking around the region and seeing all that is available before attempting to make a decision on buying.

Renting in FC is fine, as would be many areas in the Denver metro area.

If he has to fly much, you'll want to be closer to Denver.

Most school systems out here are very good, no need to worry.

[ledjar]

Louisville is like THE family town, its right outside boulder. My mom lives there and i where ever to have kids an live in Colorado i wouldn't hesitate to try to raise them there.

[sally36]

Kelly, the place is a COLLEGE TOWN! It's overrun with college kids all the time, night and day. I don't know when they ever study! It's not a FAMILY town. It's busy and congested, full of traffic. I hope you'll find some place more "hometown."

[Cmanuel]

Originally Posted by sally36

Kelly, the place is a COLLEGE TOWN! It's overrun with college kids all the time, night and day. I don't know when they ever study! It's not a FAMILY town. It's busy and congested, full of traffic. I hope you'll find some place more "hometown."

I respectfully disagree with this post.

I have been a graduate student at CSU for 2.5 years now, and have lived in quite a few areas around town. Currently I live on the southside right across from troutman park.

Yeah, its a college town. Its hard to escape the fact that there is a college with 25,000 students located in the heart of town. However, I've lived in a few college towns, and can tell you that this is pretty laid back for a college town.

It all boils down to one thing: It all depends on where you live. As you start getting away from campus, it starts getting out of the student housing. I live in a neighborhood that is nothing but families. I have not once had any incidents with rowdy neighbors/students/parties.

I think you would be doing yourself a huge disfavor by immediately removing fort collins from your list of places to live just because a college is located here. There are a LOT of amenities that fort collins has that caters to young families...There's a reason why people always consider this one of the top places to live in the country.

[Juliemac]

I agree with Cmanuel. I live in SE Fort Collins (Horsetooth and Timberline area). It is all young families and professional people. Moved here last november with my job. My 18 yr old son lives with us and attends college here... he is the only college student we ever see over here! Come and see for yourself

[StealthRabbit]

For No CO I would choose Loveland. Less traffic, smaller, friendlier, close enough to FC to go when you need / want too. I have a friend who likes Louisville (for over 40 yrs). It is too close to Denver /metro for me. I don't do stoplights, thus I would live in Virginia Dale or Nunn. Berthoud, is not too shabby but possibly too small for an 'active' family.

If my choices were unencumbered. I would choose something on the Western side, probably Glenwood Springs. (Carbondale).