looking for info on longmont (Denver, Lakewood: credit, relocation, budget)

[chilaili]

Hello!
I'm also English and I moved to Longmont about a year ago and I like living here. It's a large-ish town (74,000) and has all the modern conveniences and amenities of the USA. There are probably two main roads thro town: Hover and Main. Hover St has most of the newer shops and supermarkets and an older mall with a cinema and lots of places to eat (mostly fastfood chains). Main St is the older part of town with the city council buildings nearby and the public library. There is a Historic Downtown between 3rd and 9th which is very pretty and residential. There are several decent parks, golf courses, lots of housing - new and old. Longmont also has a pretty good public transport system - not fantastic, but adequate.

A good website to check out is http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/ which lists local events, festivals, etc.

Some people may tell you about the gang problem Longmont has. I've never really noticed it and in the past few months, nothing's been reported in the local press. I think other towns around here have bigger problems with it.

Longmont is about 25 mins' drive from Boulder which is a great place to go look around and people-watch and has lots going on. It's also about 45 mins from Denver and the airport and 35 mins from Estes Park which is in the mountains and right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The area around Longmont is rural looking, there is quite a bit of horseback riding and a small regional airport. You get a great view of the Front Range, ie; the Rocky Mountains, from Longmont and driving into the mountains takes about 15 minutes.

What sorts of things are you looking for in terms of entertainment, housing, Are you going to need a flat to rent or buying? When will you get here?

[sunsprit]

Colo Theraputic riding center is on Hwy 52, slightly south of Longmont and out in Weld County.

They are well known for their riding programs and certifying Theraputic Riding Instructors.

The area there used to be farms and ranches, but is now being subdivided into fairly pricey housing. It's most likely that you'll find rental housing in Longmont and commute only 10-15 minutes to the riding center because it's away from the main Hwy 52 traffic between I-25 and IBM Boulder. An alternative might be affordable housing in the Erie area, a few miles south from Hwy 52 down County Road 5.

You will need your own transportation to get around the area, a modest front wheel drive car will be adequate for most of the time. They do a very good job clearing the snow in season; the bigger problem is the "black ice" from melted/refrozen snow on the road. A FWD or AWD car is best for this road condition, not a big 4x4 truck or SUV.

Shopping in Longmont is pretty good, there's an "outlet mall" 30 minutes up the road at Loveland, and 35-40 minutes away is Denver or Boulder for shopping, restaurants, etc.

If you are into horseback riding, there's lot of open spaces and public greenbelts in the immediate area where you can ride. You can trailer a horse to many public lands just west of the area, with many thousands of acres to trail ride for day riding, or head further west 30 minutes into the mountains for National parks and camping/hiking/riding on more land than you can explore in many years.

Longmont has a great little general aviation airport with a friendly FBO, so if you'd like to fly or skydive, it's the place. You're welcome to watch the activities from the skydive colorado hangar or staging area, or just watch planes fly from the FBO front benches. You'll get a chance to meet a lot of nice folks, and you might want to join in. Free parking, and it's just 15 minutes from the riding center on the west side of Longmont.

Skiing if reasonably close from Longmont. You'll have good access to Loveland Ski Area, or keep going up I70 to Copper, Vail, or around to Keystone. Eldora's up the canyon from Boulder, and an inexpensive day ski area when they have snow (which they do, this year ...) In a good year, you can ski Arapahoe all the way into June ....

Boulder reservoir is close by for boating and a "beach". Further up I70 is Lake Dillon, with boating and fishing in season. There's lot's of streams close by Longmont where you can fish, hike, picnic, or just watch life go by.

Colorado "fourteener's" are close by, too, if you like to hike/climb on the big peaks. Many have trails going up to the top which range from moderately difficult hikes to very difficult hikes.

Be aware that you'll be over a mile high in altitude at Longmont. It will take awhile before you'll acclimate to the decreased oxygen levels, so don't overdo physical activity until you feel comfortable with it.

The sun is intense at this altitude, too, so be prepared with sunscreen or covering clothing when outdoors; otherwise, you risk severe sunburn.

[bashep]

I have heard great things about Longmont. But you can also click on the "search" tab on the top of the page and type in Longmont. You should get all the threads that have been posted on it. bashep

[kat1804]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Hello!
I'm also English and I moved to Longmont about a year ago and I like living here. It's a large-ish town (74,000) and has all the modern conveniences and amenities of the USA. There are probably two main roads thro town: Hover and Main. Hover St has most of the newer shops and supermarkets and an older mall with a cinema and lots of places to eat (mostly fastfood chains). Main St is the older part of town with the city council buildings nearby and the public library. There is a Historic Downtown between 3rd and 9th which is very pretty and residential. There are several decent parks, golf courses, lots of housing - new and old. Longmont also has a pretty good public transport system - not fantastic, but adequate.

A good website to check out is http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/ which lists local events, festivals, etc.

Some people may tell you about the gang problem Longmont has. I've never really noticed it and in the past few months, nothing's been reported in the local press. I think other towns around here have bigger problems with it.

Longmont is about 25 mins' drive from Boulder which is a great place to go look around and people-watch and has lots going on. It's also about 45 mins from Denver and the airport and 35 mins from Estes Park which is in the mountains and right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The area around Longmont is rural looking, there is quite a bit of horseback riding and a small regional airport. You get a great view of the Front Range, ie; the Rocky Mountains, from Longmont and driving into the mountains takes about 15 minutes.

What sorts of things are you looking for in terms of entertainment, housing, Are you going to need a flat to rent or buying? When will you get here?

Hi there,

Thank you very much for the info, it sounds really nice. I'm looking forward to coming over. As for renting/or buying, i'm still in nursing school at the mo, finish feb 08. I'm spending time in longmont as part of my placement for three weeks. Although, moving over their once my training has finished is something i'm thinking about. There are a lot of things that need to be sorted out before that will be possible so i'm going to look into it.

Oh and thank you for the web page, i'm going to have a look at that. As for entertainment, i love horseriding, looking round the shops, reading, watching movies, that sort of thing. Are there any nice places that you recommend for meeting people, i'm not there for that long but it would be nice to make some new friends.

I'm not sure what i'm going to do in respect to renting yet, that's something i need to discuss with the riding centre, i'm hoping that they will beable to suggest something that isn't too expensive, as i'm only there for three weeks.

Thank you again, if you don't mind me asking what made you move to longmont? sound like you like it there.

[kat1804]

Hi sunspirit,

Thankyou for proving the info, it seems a very nice place with lots to do, i'm looking forward to coming , although i am a little nervous, he he

[longingforthewest]

It is looking like we will be moving to Longmont or Lakewood. I am still trying to research the areas. Here is an excellent link for school info:

http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/education/index.cfm

Good luck!

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by kat1804

Hi there,

Thank you very much for the info, it sounds really nice. I'm looking forward to coming over. As for renting/or buying, i'm still in nursing school at the mo, finish feb 08. I'm spending time in longmont as part of my placement for three weeks. Although, moving over their once my training has finished is something i'm thinking about. There are a lot of things that need to be sorted out before that will be possible so i'm going to look into it.

Oh and thank you for the web page, i'm going to have a look at that. As for entertainment, i love horseriding, looking round the shops, reading, watching movies, that sort of thing. Are there any nice places that you recommend for meeting people, i'm not there for that long but it would be nice to make some new friends.

I'm not sure what i'm going to do in respect to renting yet, that's something i need to discuss with the riding centre, i'm hoping that they will beable to suggest something that isn't too expensive, as i'm only there for three weeks.

Thank you again, if you don't mind me asking what made you move to longmont? sound like you like it there.

Just three weeks?! That isn't nearly long enough. Oh well, hopefully you'll get the chance to come back in the Summer. I moved to Longmont mostly because I couldn't afford to live in Boulder, where I was working. Then I got a job in Loveland which north of Longmont so that actually worked out well. Longmont isn't as "scenic" as maybe Boulder or Lyons but it's a very down-to-earth kind of place and it's easy to get to the scenic stuff from there. I would think/hope that the riding centre can provide you with accommodation for such a short time - maybe a homestay of some kind?

[kat1804]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Just three weeks?! That isn't nearly long enough. Oh well, hopefully you'll get the chance to come back in the Summer. I moved to Longmont mostly because I couldn't afford to live in Boulder, where I was working. Then I got a job in Loveland which north of Longmont so that actually worked out well. Longmont isn't as "scenic" as maybe Boulder or Lyons but it's a very down-to-earth kind of place and it's easy to get to the scenic stuff from there. I would think/hope that the riding centre can provide you with accommodation for such a short time - maybe a homestay of some kind?

Hi, chilaili,

I know three weeks isn't very long, but its better than nothing, i'd love to be able to come back, in the summer but untill i've finished nursing college i'm not sure i'll be able to afford it, (The joys of being a student nurse), you never know maybe i'll love it that much i'll have to come back he he he. Have you recently got your new job? or have you been there a while.

I know i haven't got long so I'm hoping to get the chance to do a little sight seeing, i've just no idea where to start!. Hopefully the riding centre will give me some ideas.

As for the accomodation i'm hoping that they will be able to accomodate me too. If not i've no idea i'll have to look into motels or somthing. "Whats
Homestay" Sorry, I'm more than likely being thick now, do you just mean accomodationan the centre or something else.

Kat

[chilaili]

I would ask the Centre if perhaps one of them running the place would provide you accommodation - like renting a room in their home? I'm not sure if that's the "done" thing out there, but if you're coming all this way they should help you out with that. One less thing to worry about at least.

Well, in 3 weeks you should at least go visit Boulder - just for the experience. Estes Park is a good place to go and the drive alone is fun and very scenice. Nederland along the Peak-to-Peak Highway would be good if the weather is good. And perhaps a trip down to Denver to stand on the steps outside the Capitol building and truly be 1 Mile High.

[kat1804]

Originally Posted by chilaili

I would ask the Centre if perhaps one of them running the place would provide you accommodation - like renting a room in their home? I'm not sure if that's the "done" thing out there, but if you're coming all this way they should help you out with that. One less thing to worry about at least.

Well, in 3 weeks you should at least go visit Boulder - just for the experience. Estes Park is a good place to go and the drive alone is fun and very scenice. Nederland along the Peak-to-Peak Highway would be good if the weather is good. And perhaps a trip down to Denver to stand on the steps outside the Capitol building and truly be 1 Mile High.

I'm hoping that that's going to be the case too (re: accomodation) Keep your fingers crossed for me. I must admit i'd be a little nervous about staying with someone i don't know, especially as it's in their home. The lady at the theraputic riding centre is also english, she only moved their 5 years ago, so hopefully she will be able to give me some advice.

Thanks for the suggestions for places to visit, sounds like a plan, whats the weather like during october?

Thanks again for all your help and advice

kat