Fort Collins, Colorado is a quaint college town situated on the Northern Front Range. Just an hour’s drive away from Denver, it allows for easy access to the amenities of the state capitol while also providing a quick retreat to Colorado’s stunning natural areas. Considering relocating to Fort Collins?
That’s no surprise. The city is attracting more and more potential new residents from across the nation. If you’re eyeing Fort Collins as your next home, you should consider a few facts before making the jump.
Here’s what to keep in mind before relocating to Fort Collins, whether you’re from out-of-state or you’re coming up from another county.
Fort Collins is currently enjoying a thriving housing market in the year 2021. It’s a great time to be a homeowner with a 1-year appreciation rate of around 10%. Buying, on the other hand, can be a little bit tricky right now. Fort Collins is a reasonably new city. When more people started to move into the area in the 1980s, builders moved quickly to get as many new-builds up as possible. This led to an influx of lower-quality tract homes and a shrinking number of well-crafted, custom homes.
Today, we’re looking at a high-pace market with a low inventory of existing houses. Someone moving here from, say, Arkansas might be confused about why many of the houses in Fort Collins are so pricey yet so… boring. They can get a custom home for a fraction of the price in their home state after all. That’s where home remodeling comes into play.
There are a handful of neighborhoods that feature good options for home remodeling, including Old Town, University Acres, Taft Canyon, and more. These homes maintain a reasonable price point while giving a buyer room to realistically invest in renovations.
Turn to a designer and builder to assist you if you decide to relocate. Here at Forge & Bow, we are well-versed in how to approach homes in the Fort Collins area. Our strategy is to honor the existing architecture to find a style that will suit you for years to come. If you've decided to relocate to Fort Collins and want to consider us for a remodel project, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Remember when relocating to Fort Collins, you'll want to get the inside scoop on the sporadic weather! One thing any resident of the Front Range will tell you is to prepare to be unprepared for how quickly the conditions can change even within a day. It’s not uncommon for it to snow in the morning, hit the high 60s in the afternoon, and be windy in the evening. The weather in Fort Collins will certainly keep you on your toes!
Winter is pretty unusual for those who aren’t accustomed to cold, snowy climates. We can get snow from October all the way to May. Yes, that’s right. Sometimes Fort Collins does experience decently heavy snow in the springtime. But the good news is, Colorado is famous for its 300 days of sunshine a year! Even on the coldest days, the sun will most likely still make an appearance. Also, if it does snow, it will most likely melt away quickly. You get to experience every type of season here!
As unpredictable as the weather may be, the one thing you can count on is getting to make the most out of your time outside. Colorado has very few bugs compared to muggier climates such as the south. Colorado has an average humidity of 54.1%. That means there’s a lot more potential for homes with indoor spaces that can open up to double as an outdoor space. Many homes and businesses use collapsible doors to easily convert a space for outdoor use on nice days – no fear of a bug infestation!
The pride and joy of Fort Collins are our breweries. You can unwind with a craft beer on a patio after a long hike or bike downtown to celebrate the famous Tour De Fat at the end of summer. Beer is more than just a beverage here; it’s a lifestyle! There are tons of breweries to choose from including New Belgium and Odell Brewing Company.
Fort Collins is also home to Colorado State University. With humble beginnings as a land grant university, CSU still serves as a celebrated agricultural school as well as one of the nation’s top public research universities. There’s a highly visible presence of Ram pride throughout the city so if you’re a CU Buffs fan, tread here at your own risk!
If you’re a fan of walking, biking, and taking public transportation, Fort Collins is probably your speed. The city is very walkable and features plenty of bike lanes. You can also take advantage of the robust public transport including the Maxline shuttle that connects the southern part of the city to the downtown area.
Speaking of downtown, you’ll likely become a regular at one of the many local eateries in the Old Town area. Relocating to Fort Collins will provide plenty of dog-friendly patios, breakfast joints, and bars to explore. Once you grab a bite to eat, stick around for some live music at the Lyric or the Aggie.
Outdoor lovers welcome! Fort Collins is a gateway for many outdoor recreational activities. From kayaking on the wild and scenic Cache La Poudre River to hiking up to Horsetooth, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado. Some of our favorite local natural areas are Lory State Park and Maxwell Natural Area. If you want to go the extra mile, take a day trip out to Estes Park to visit Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you’re looking for a place to settle down with your family, Fort Collins is a great contender. There are a host of benefits to raising kids in this city. For one, there is a great sense of community here. Every summer, Old Town is buzzing with fun festivals and celebrations. There are also attractions such as the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and outdoor spaces such as Lee Martinez Park that the whole family can enjoy.
Fort Collins boasts one of the best school districts in the state, the Poudre School District. They offer a wide range of educational programs and are consistently recognized for their excellence in academic success.
There are plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from in Fort Collins too. Since the city has a relatively low crime rate, you don’t need to worry about landing in a “bad part of town”. In 2018, there was a rate of 233.11 crimes per 100,000 population which is well under the national average. There are plenty of green spaces with parks throughout the city too. Since Fort Collins is a midsized area, your family will have easy access to all the amenities it has to offer.
We touched on this earlier but Fort Collins is a haven for dog owners. Many of the businesses in Old Town allow dogs to accompany their owners inside. There’s even an adorable shop dedicated to your furry friends: Wagz Pet Market & Grooming. You’ll notice water bowls throughout the downtown area so your dog can cool off during a stroll on a warm day.
There are also plenty of dog-friendly trails and hiking spots to enjoy in town. Some favorites of ours are Red Fox Meadows Natural Area and Horsetooth Falls. You can also take advantage of the many dog parks located throughout the city. The most popular park is Spring Canyon Dog Park. It’s situated near the foothills and features a pond for your dog to take a dip in.
While the cost of living index in Fort Collins is above the national average, it’s still significantly cheaper than living on the west coast. For instance, the average gas price by state is almost $1 cheaper per gallon in Colorado than in California. The city has continued to see fruitful economic growth for years now. With low unemployment rates and an increasing job market, this is a great place to plant roots if you’re looking for new opportunities. Jobs are continuing to develop in the private sector, the federal government, university research, and more.
Local business is everything in Fort Collins! We love nothing more than to celebrate the shops, restaurants, and other businesses that call our city home. You’ll notice many local boutiques and eateries downtown. We also have a great local food scene in town. There are several farmers’ markets to choose from even during the winter. One of the biggest summer markets is the Larimer County Farmers' Market. Here you can take home fresh produce, homemade tortillas, artisan jewelry, and much more. If you love to support small businesses, Fort Collins is a great place to be!
Community and prosperity live in Fort Collins, Colorado. It’s a lovely town with a lot to offer. If you’re looking for economic opportunities and a place where you can tote your dog around with you just about anywhere, this might be the city for you. Just be sure you’re prepared for the frigid winter months! We hope this was a helpful and enlightening guide to those considering relocating to Fort Collins. If you happen to need experts in custom home renovations and building, give us a call!
