Superior/Ft. Collins for early retirees (Louisville, Estes Park: apartment, house, neighborhood)

[ShanMar]

After years of summer vacations in Estes Park, my husband and I are strongly considering retiring (early 50s) to CO from N. California. We have looked at the Superior/Louisville area as well as Ft. Collins. We are looking forward to most of the weather there, and the outdoor lifestyle we've seen. Ideally, we'd love some charm, friendliness, lots of nearby hiking/biking, shopping w/in short distance (coffee!), perhaps a view, and definitely a quiet neighborhood. Our price range is up to $450K or so. Is anyone out there familiar with the Rock Creek neighborhood? Or The Ponds development of Ft.Collins?. We seem to be attracted by living on hills, but maybe we just haven't found the right neighborhood in the flats. Thanks for any help.

[2bindenver]

both are great choices. Ft. Collins regularly make the list for best places to live as a retiree. Rock Creek is a newer subdivision with access to boulder & denver.

Do you have a desire to be closer to a big city? skiing? college town?

[Micktooth]

My family and I moved to Superior about 3 months ago. We were living in an apartment and recently bought a house in Louisville. We just love the area. There is plenty of shopping and recreational areas. Rock Creek is very nice but some areas have had an issue with ground settling, so check before you buy. This area reminds me of a "Norman Rockwell" lifestyle, very americana. We moved from New Orleans and the difference is night and day. We love this area.