Looking for a place for my parents (Fort Collins, Greeley: real estate, apartments)

[lovethewest]

Okay, here is my story. My family and I are from Wyoming originally, but had to move to St. Louis several years ago, but we've never rid the west out of our system, and now I'm starting at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and my parents are considering retiring in Colorado. They would like a house or duplex/condo for $150,000 or less, and they would like to be a reasonable distance from Laramie, and they would like to be in a relatively nice area. Their number one choice is Fort Collins (my brother used to live there), but are open to suggestions. Thanks!

[Solidwood]

You can dream......$150k is but a figment of the past. Try 250K and up. Times have changed even in Ft Collins. Take a look at Ft Collins online real estate.

[jazzlover]

Solidwood is pretty much right. Not much in that price range in northern Colorado, unless you are willing to locate somewhere over by Greeley, Ault, Eaton, etc.--even then $150K may not be possible--at least yet (I am one who believes real estate values are poised to fall--dramatically).

If your parents do not have significant health needs that demand specialized care, there are some nice towns in Wyoming that might fit their needs. Douglas, Wheatland and Torrington come to mind. Cheyenne is also a nice town, and lower priced than Fort Collins. As they probably know, the climate is more rigorous there, though.

Though I like Fort Collins, I wouldn't live there with all of the sprawl and traffic unless my job or work demanded it. You shouldn't have to put with those aggravations in retirement.

[esya]

My mom lives in rural colorado. This is the formula: the rural parts of the plains do not go as high as the urban areas when the market goes up, and they take longer to fall and don't fall as much. Right now they have dropped but not drastically. There is a lag time and we are in it.

[StealthRabbit]

I feel Loveland (10 min south of FC) may be a more desirable choice for retirement. Weather, traffic, pace of life, community relationships.... are good. It is a really nice town with good senior focus and 'aging in place' options, including a Good Samaritan center (south of town)

Try to find a walkable location to the lake, there appear to be places from $149k>$185k. There are some retirement apartments and condos South of Eisenhower (Hwy34)(zip80537) and east of Taft; 1100 - 1400 Block of N Taft. (search for "Westlake Village + Loveland") There are a few other condo / apartments nearby. We've had friends living in 'Lakeside Manor?' for more than 30 yrs (south of lake along Eisenhower) (Winona Circle)

More places up North, near Taft and 29th (80538)
New senior center in old hospital, and nice neighborhood (Duffield and west 8th)
I would try to stay in the old sections, and avoid east hwy 34. Traffic and suburbia is worse there. Westside gives you an easy exit to Laramie, and avoids FC, for the most part.

here is a sample search I found
1339 Taft Ct, Loveland, CO - similar homes on Trulia

[lovethewest]

Thanks so much for all the info, everyone.You've all been very helpful!