Lyons vs Longmont (appointed, condo, townhome)

[chilaili]

I'm currently house-hunting and I can't decide between Lyons or Longmont. Longmont obviously has many amenities, shopping, bus services, etc, whilst Lyons has the small-town, in-the-mountains feel to it. What do readers here think?

[chilaili]

Hi,
I posted the question about whether Lyons or Longmont would be a better place to move to and so far, had no replies. I would really appreciate some feedback on this as it's pretty major decision for me. Surely somebody out there has an opinion!

In appreciation

[kosnebbear]

Chilaili,

I live in Nebraska, but have family living in the area you are moving to. You can always travel to Longmont to do you shopping, business, go to the doctor, to go to work from Lyons and enjoy the feel of a small community. If you have children you can expect to have a community to help keep an eye on your children. In Longmont most of the people will not care as they are only interested in their own lives and could really care less about their neighbors. If I were you and had a choice I would choose the drive into a bigger city to do my business and then leave to a more secure and nicer community full of friends willing to give you a helping hand.

Bob

[chilaili]

Bob,
Thanks for the feedback. Certainly it feels nicer to live in a town of 1600 people than 74,000! Especially with all the sprawl going on with Longmont. I don't have kids but I do value my privacy and small towns have a bit of a rep for nosiness. Do you think that's true?

[kosnebbear]

I have always lived in small towns when I was growing up in Colorado or Nebraska. I have lived in large Cities like Oakland California also so I can look both ways.

Yes people in a small town are as you say do become a bit nosiness at times, but most of them are watching everything that is going on in a small town. It is an added plus if you want security as they know everyone that should be there and report the ones who should not be there. They are better that Brinks Security for protection. In a large city you will not have this and people tend to not want to get involved. You might say that in a small town they all act like your parents in when they wanted to know where you were going, who you were going with, when you would return, etc. They all become like family to you. Where I live my neigbors look after our dog when we are gone. They have a key to our home so that they can water the plants and feed the fish. This kind of trust you can get in a smaller community. They are willing to pitch in and give you a helping hand when you need it and all they expect is a thank you when the task is done.

So for me I can deal with nosey neighbors better than I can deal with neighbors who don't seem to want to get to know you after you move in. Give a small town over a bigger city any day. I can always go to the bigger city to get what I need that I can not get in my town and then leave the big city problems right there in the big city.

Bob

[Misplacd1]

Wow, and I thought a population of 74,000 was a small town.

I lived in a town of 3,000 people in MS for about 2 years. At first, I thought it was pretty great but I quickly realized it just wasn't for me.

Way too much gossip. You heard stuff about yourself that you didn't even know! Way too much time on people's hands with huge imaginations.

Way too out of the way. The closest city was an hour north or an hour south and it felt like I might as well of been on the moon. I'm one that needs city lights, with bookstores that are open late, good places to eat, and lots of stuff to get lost in and I want it to be close.

Here's the crazy part. My brother, who is two years younger than me, absolutely loved it! We were both in our twenties and he just fell right into place like he had lived in the country his whole life. Myself, well I'm 'city-folk' again.

It just shows you that each person has their own preferences. If you think you might be a small town kind of person, give it a try. If it doesn't work, the city will still be there for you.

[Bradburn1]

I agree with the other posters here about the virtues of small town living versus big town. However, there is a pocket inside Longmont where it feels like a small town and everyone knows each other. Only problem with it is the expense, you cannot find a single family home in this part of Longmont for less than 450K--Prospect New Town. It's on the south side of Longmont right off 287. It's like its own small town onto itself and everyone is friendly and social. This place is like no place else on earth, it has WILD architecture and colors you normally only see in the crayon box. Most people either love it or hate it, but it does have a small town feel.

Good luck in your move!

[chilaili]

HI all,
Thanks for the great feedback. Bradburn1: I can truthfully say that never in a million years could I afford a home for 450K, but I might go have a look just for a laugh. Kosnebbear: I really like what you have to say. I've lived in towns of all different sizes as well as some army cantonements that included 17 families, so I understand the whole "everyone knows your business" aspect. Which I think can be a problem if you let it. I used to live in a small suburb of St Paul, MN, which felt like a completely separate town unconnected to the city and I loved it there! So I guess that answers my questions. Lyons may not have everything I need, but Longmont is just 10 mins drive away.

[kosnebbear]

If my family come to visit our family living in Ft. Collins and Longmont some day we just might drop by to see how you are doing. Kind of small town folk saying hello. Good luck in your new home search.

[chilaili]

I've been agonizing all week about what to decide and worrying sick about making the wrong choice and ultimately I thought "What would I feel if I DIDN'T get the place I was looking at?" And I realised that if I didn't get the condo in Longmont it would really bother me, but if I didn't get the (smaller but more expensive) townhome in Lyons I would be disappointed. So I guess that answers my question :-)