Fort Collins relocation (Boulder: apartment, rentals, house)

[npauthor]

As a recent retiree, I am considering relocation to Ft. Collins. I would appreciate information regarding the most desirable (clean, safe, quiet), yet affordable neighborhoods for apartment rentals within the city limits or very close-in suburbs, far enough away from student-dominated areas. Criteria are proximity to shopping and other frequently-necessary services, near reliable public transit. Prefer older, well-maintained buildings (no high-rises). Price range: approx. $600-900/mo. for a studio or one-bedroom apt., though am somewhat flexible. I am very progressive, physically active, follow a green, vegan and animal-friendly lifestyle. Please advise if locating such a place is feasible these days. Any additional information about living in Ft. Collins is also welcome.

Ron in Oakland, CA

[Lady Crossbow]

You will be able to find your criteria almost anywhere in Fort Collins. With a weekend visit, you will have it figured out. The town is only about 7x7 miles. You can cover it all in an afternoon.

[npauthor]

Thanks. I had heard that it is beautiful but also: pricey, conservative and white bread. Would you care to respond?

[krh6609]

White bread is a pretty fair assesment other than in old town where the wanna-be hippies like to hang out. If you want more variety, then you need Boulder. The main draw to Fort Collins is safety, orderly, good parks etc... So, you can guess who mostly migrated here. I think it is changing a bit but, in my opinion, not really for the better. One Boulder is enough.

[davemess10]

I wouldn't whitewash FoCo with a "conservative" label. They elected a democrat to the house in 2008, and there is definitely a progressive feel to some of the city planning (bike lanes, dabbling in mass transit), as well as an environmental leaning. As a pretty liberal person, I never felt close to out of place there. I think the University helps with this balance.
I'd say it's pretty middle of road with libertarian leanings (which could describe most of CO, minus the Springs and Boulder).

[NBeener]

My sense of the town is that there's a lot of energy at both ends of the political spectrum.

On the right, you have the "rugged individualist" philosophy, coming from lots of farmers and ranchers, among others. I wouldn't characterize most of them as being Libertarian, though, because many of their beliefs seem to stem from religious ideology.

Classically, that results in advocacy of morality-based legislation that your textbook Libertarian would eschew.

On the left, you have the Old Town/CSU crowd, including academics and students -- a fair percentage of the total City population -- and a lot of the high-tech workers that the City draws.

There's probably a pretty large and rather "silent" group, in the center, but .... the extremes of left and right are fairly vocal, 'round these parts.