Ft. Collin southwest neighborhood (Fort Collins, Loveland: for sale, custom home, neighborhoods)

[trg-s338]

New to the forum. Plan to move my family to Ft. Collin late 2007 after selling my So Cal home! Big book review of FC in my research says southwest neigborhood of FC rated the best place to live. What can folks tell me about this area? Sounds expensive. Is there any place close to this area that one can own 5 to 10 acres of land with a small house on it? Plan on a trip to the area in late spring but visit will be time limited due to the rat race demands on my time in So Cal. Need to narrow down the areas I will spend time in to make my visit more meaningful with reguards to learning about the place. Thanks in advance for inputs!

[ncrea]

I think southwest Ft. Collins is a more mature area of the city. Newer growth is southeast.

You won't find any housing on 5-10 acres close to the city. Some upper end neighborhoods may have homes on an acre or a little more, but primarily, most homes will be on lots between the sizes of 8000 sf - 15000 sf.

I would think that coming inland from So Cal, you would find the area very affordable. What is expensive to you?

[MannyfromCali]

Expensive would be a priced greater than 320 grand for house and land. I have modified my property parameters to a 4 bedroom home on a 3 acre lot. Is that feasible in that area? Are there areas closer to the foothills that meet this criteria? Kept up neighborhoods, good schools for elemetary level kid, fairly close to FC, like a 15 minute drive for instance?

[ncrea]

Ouch. You're not alone in wanting to find a home on acreage in the $300K price range - close to town, schools, shopping, etc.

Unfortunately, a home in that price range with acreage is very hard to find. There are rural subdivisions that have custom homes on 2+ acres, but you are looking at homes that will be priced above $500K. The only homes that I have seen from time to time that are in the $300K price range are modulars that have been put on a foundation.

Fort Collins and Loveland both abut the foothills, so going west and up will usually not bring the price down.

You might find that one home in hundreds that meets your requirements, and I hope that you do, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Lots of homes for sale in the $300K price range, but they are on much smaller lots.