What areas in Colorado should I scout out ? (Denver, Fort Collins: college, living)

[Coast 2 Coast]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

You could also check out the area around Elizabeth. It's rural and it's on the Palmer Divide as opposed to the foothills, but it's likely cheaper than the western burbs and only 10-15 mins further from the airport. Downtown's about an hour by car, and the southern burbs are 30 mins.

Thanks Bluescreen. I'd prefer to not be on the plateau. Maybe our ideas aren't realistic, but that's all they are right now. Ideas. I don't necessarily need rural. Just want a little space and/or close proximity to trails, nature etc

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Coast 2 Coast

Just wanted to add .... The building a house idea is not set in stone.

Well even to get something that's "not .2 acre and surrounded by neighbors" will be a challenge. Land is a whole other thing.

[Coast 2 Coast]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

Well even to get something that's "not .2 acre and surrounded by neighbors" will be a challenge. Land is a whole other thing.

Thanks

[hikernut]

I’ll throw out the NW ‘burbs as an option. It’s an easy drive to the airport on the 470 tollway. Some good school districts and convenient to kids’ activities. We lived in Louisville for about 10 years. From there you can jump on a bike and easily ride to Boulder. Some nice trails in and near Louisville. Fantastic for outdoor enthusiasts. Pretty convenient access to lots of shopping. You won’t get a big lot though.

Unfortunately, Denver is not a place where it’s easy to get a lot of elbow room. If that’s a top priority you should probably look somewhere else. Doing a new build in the foothills will be probably 3x the budget you mentioned last year, not close to amenities or kids’ activities, and will be a horrible drive to the airport.

[Coast 2 Coast]

Originally Posted by hikernut

I’ll throw out the NW ‘burbs as an option. It’s an easy drive to the airport on the 470 tollway. Some good school districts and convenient to kid’s activities. We lived in Louisville for about 10 years. From there you can jump on a bike and easily ride to Boulder. Some nice trails in and near Louisville. Fantastic for outdoor enthusiasts. Pretty convenient access to lots of shopping. You won’t get a big lot though.

Unfortunately, Denver is not a place where it’s easy to get a lot of elbow room. If that’s a top priority you should probably look somewhere else. Doing a new build in the foothills will be probably 3x the budget you mentioned last year, not close to amenities or kids’ activities, and will be a horrible drive to the airport.

Thanks so much. I was just on Zillow looking at Loveland and Longmont. Fort Collins too.
To be honest, this building a house on a lot somewhere is really my wife's idea. She loves older houses and if we could find something older and charming (and lots more crap to fix lol) she'd sacrifice on having a smaller property. I'm pretty flexible with the property and even more with the house itself. I just want access to the outdoors.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by Coast 2 Coast

Thanks so much. I was just on Zillow looking at Loveland and Longmont. Fort Collins too.
To be honest, this building a house on a lot somewhere is really my wife's idea. She loves older houses and if we could find something older and charming (and lots more crap to fix lol) she'd sacrifice on having a smaller property. I'm pretty flexible with the property and even more with the house itself. I just want access to the outdoors.

I also lived in Ft Collins. It’s a really nice town. Literally right outside of town you have Horsetooth Park and Lory State Park. Some really great biking, bouldering, and trail running. Rafting on the Poudre River in the spring. A nice family town. Definitely will be easier to find a somewhat bigger property. I lived on 3/4 acre right in town, an older house but really private.

[Coast 2 Coast]

Originally Posted by hikernut

I also lived in Ft Collins. It’s a really nice town. Literally right outside of town you have Horsetooth Park and Lory State Park. Some really great biking, bouldering, and trail running. Rafting on the Poudre River in the spring. A nice family town. Definitely will be easier to find a somewhat bigger property. I lived on 3/4 acre right in town, an older house but really private.

Sounds really promising. I'm going to check it out for sure. Thanks !

[maciesmom]

Just as a heads up..there are mosquitoes in Fort Collins. Not as much as Kentucky but certainly more than many other places in Colorado.

[Coast 2 Coast]

[quote=maciesmom;56390421]Just as a heads up..there are mosquitoes in Fort Collins. Not as much as Kentucky but certainly more than many other places in Colorado.[/QUOT

Thanks again . I so look forward to you posts. lol

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by Coast 2 Coast

Thanks again . I so look forward to you posts. lol

Sigh...not trying to dissuade you -simply to get you to a more realistic expectation. Over the years we have all kinds of posters who post one version or another of "I'm planning to move to Denver! My budget is *insert amount that is probably substantial where they currently live but realistically hundreds of thousands less than what they would need for what they imagine, if what they imagine exists*. They imagine purchasing large picturesque lots in or near the mountains for what realistically is the price of an average suburban home on the plains and on a small lot. Your $5-600K is probably the of an average (maybe slightly more) home in Highlands Ranch.

I would not have mentioned the mosquitoes except you brought it up. Honestly I quite like Fort Collins. It has a very midwest vibe to it and many amenities being a college town. It also has mosquitoes.

The good news is it appears you can afford to live here. You will most likely need to adjust your expectations though.