Fort Collins, Cupertino or Boston?

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by isak7985

So, I was actually in Fort Collins at the end of last week for business, and I stayed in Colorado for the weekend too. This was the first time I had spent any real time in FOCO(as you put it). It was definitely a huge change of pace for me. Firstly, the sunrise wasn't hazy from smog, and the people were A LOT nicer than the people in Houston. I think Old Town was nice, but other than that, I wasn't a huge fan of the north part of the city. I liked the rest of the city though. I'm use to larger cities, so it would just be a big adjustment for me(one I could make though).

I looked around and tried to get a feel for the neighborhoods and housing options. After I was finished I stayed in Estes for a bit. I took 36 down to Boulder to get back to Denver. Part of me feels like Boulder(even though smaller) is a better fit(just the vibe I get). Boulder isn't an option though.

As for my other options, I like having something to do if I want it, but I am not interested in the "fast-life" as much as diversity/culture. I'm a girl, so meeting beautiful women and emptying my pockets isn't exactly a priority =P Basically, Cupertino has been ruled out, and its between Boston & FOCO. If Boston had the type of mountains that Colorado did, I wouldn't question it. I also think it might be good to live somewhere like FOCO while I can because I'll probably look into the east coast for graduate school in 3 or 4 years anyways.

I've read that there are lots of foreclosures, like you mentioned. If the city is growing so much, why are there all of these foreclosures? What areas do you recommend for living in FOCO? Also, what made you move there?

Cool beans I'm glad you like it! It def lacks the nightlife as in Austin eh. I met a lot of people in Denver/Boulder as well, it's a great scene. Sporting events in downtown Denver is a lot of fun, I think I've met a new friend every time I've been bar hopping. And if your looking to stay here for the next 5 years I would say it's perfect, CO can get small at times, def small compared to TX so by that time you'd be an expert on CO. Get a lift ticket when winter hits, definetly something CO is known for, snow.

I'd say prob live near old town and room with some people when you first move to FOCO, you'd meet people in no time and then maybe look for a foreclosure or beginner home, you can usually get a list from mortgage companies and banks at their EOA dept. and a normal house range in FOCO @ $250,000 for a 3 bedroom will prob go for $200,000. The economy's just bad that's why there are forclosures, the house is usually the last time go, but after a 90 default, the house gets taken away and lenders don't want to lose money since a foreclosure is already 3 months behind on mortgage they will compare it with the purchasing range and drop the price. When the economy goes up again and people are always moving to CO, I'd say that house you bought for $200,000 should easily go a lil over $250,000, the original price, and you can make off the equity.

Personally, Colorado is home to me and I like it here, but I finish my Masters and employment contract in about a year and I might stay for another 4 years for a PhD and buy a home here in FOCO next year or I might be moving as soon as I finish my Masters, good luck with the move though, I hope you meet a lot of beautiful men!

[Katiana]

I looked around and tried to get a feel for the neighborhoods and housing options. After I was finished I stayed in Estes for a bit. I took 36 down to Boulder to get back to Denver. Part of me feels like Boulder(even though smaller) is a better fit(just the vibe I get). Boulder isn't an option though.

The population difference isn't huge between the two, and since Boulder is closer to Denver (actually a far-out suburb in some ways), it seems bigger than Ft. C (IMO). There are people who live in Boulder and work in Ft. Collins. It would be a heck of a drive, but doable. Or you could live in Loveland or Longmont and be between the two (Loveland closer to FT. C and Longmont closer to Boulder). Just a thought.

[RangerDuke08]

PS We were probably talking about this on another thread earlier and I checked population predictions from Larimer county and Fort Collins 1990 110,000 people, 2010 predictions 220,000, 2016 predicitions over 300,000 people! Wow! Denver and Suburbs, including Boulder is at 3,000,000 I think Boulder is just under 100,000. Def. a lot of growth compared to when I was kid.

[isak7985]

I've actually decided on Fort Collins as a location. With cost of living compared to Cupertino and Boston, it just makes more sense. Why not have the experience of Colorado while I have the chance, when I know I will eventually end up in the other places in the long run. So, I guess I'm contributing to the 2010 predictions of 220,000.

I'm actually deciding if I want to live in Fort Collins, Boulder, or in between right now. I agree that Boulder seems larger that its actual population because its closer to Denver and whatnot. I definitely don't like Loveland, and don't have the best feel about Longmont. Economically, it seems like living in Fort Collins would make more sense. I'm just checking out the potential living situations at the moment...which is a whole new task in itself.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by isak7985

I've actually decided on Fort Collins as a location. With cost of living compared to Cupertino and Boston, it just makes more sense. Why not have the experience of Colorado while I have the chance, when I know I will eventually end up in the other places in the long run. So, I guess I'm contributing to the 2010 predictions of 220,000.

I'm actually deciding if I want to live in Fort Collins, Boulder, or in between right now. I agree that Boulder seems larger that its actual population because its closer to Denver and whatnot. I definitely don't like Loveland, and don't have the best feel about Longmont. Economically, it seems like living in Fort Collins would make more sense. I'm just checking out the potential living situations at the moment...which is a whole new task in itself.

I would just live in Fort Collins itself. Not many under 30 lives in Loveland; it's actually known as being a retirement community, plus lots of families. It would take you about 45 minute to commute from Longmont to Fort Collins; Boulder over an hour. Not worth it. Fort Collins rent would be likely cheaper than either. Boulder would be fun to visit over a weekend, though.

[Raziel]

Originally Posted by isak7985

I've actually decided on Fort Collins as a location. With cost of living compared to Cupertino and Boston, it just makes more sense. Why not have the experience of Colorado while I have the chance, when I know I will eventually end up in the other places in the long run. So, I guess I'm contributing to the 2010 predictions of 220,000.

I'm actually deciding if I want to live in Fort Collins, Boulder, or in between right now. I agree that Boulder seems larger that its actual population because its closer to Denver and whatnot. I definitely don't like Loveland, and don't have the best feel about Longmont. Economically, it seems like living in Fort Collins would make more sense. I'm just checking out the potential living situations at the moment...which is a whole new task in itself.

Fort Collins Joe nailed most of it as far as comparisons. I grew up in North Eastern Colorado my parents still live in Greeley. Ironically, I currently live in Austin. Been here two years I can see why you loved it, you must have a fantastic job opportunity to leave.

Fort Collins- It's a dry,dry climate compared to Austin..Oh man.
Growing up, Fort Collins was a place to go shopping which now is a commercial nightmare as College Ave is lined with the nation's consumer outlets.. up the wazoo, with the exception of Old Town which is still quaint. Go with your instinct...you're right, Boulder is the only place worth checking out on the front range if your not living in Western Colorado..go with your instinct on that one. Denver is big but, lacks the character of a Boston (which is too expensive) and going from Austin to Boston? Culture shock!
Cupertino is a nice community nestled in the South Bay Area and home to Apple. I also lived in Mountain View/Sunnyvale/Cupertino for 15 years and in Cupertino you have many getaways Los Gatos, Saratoga, Santa Cruz (ocean) and San Jose if you need a city.. blows away Ft.Collins and it's limitations. If the job pays comparable to the location consider Cupertino...you can get to several Boulder like communites instantly.
Money magazines #1(Ft. Collins)? Doesn't mean it's necessarily desirable in a cool vibey sort of way..but, then that's subjective. However, I think I understand what you like about Boulder enough to say that although more expensive, if it's gotta be Colorado..then it needs to be Boulder without a doubt!! Good luck

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by Raziel

Fort Collins Joe nailed most of it as far as comparisons. I grew up in North Eastern Colorado my parents still live in Greeley. Ironically, I currently live in Austin. Been here two years I can see why you loved it, you must have a fantastic job opportunity to leave.

Fort Collins- It's a dry,dry climate compared to Austin..Oh man.
Growing up, Fort Collins was a place to go shopping which now is a commercial nightmare as College Ave is lined with the nation's consumer outlets.. up the wazoo, with the exception of Old Town which is still quaint. Go with your instinct...you're right, Boulder is the only place worth checking out on the front range if your not living in Western Colorado..go with your instinct on that one. Denver is big but, lacks the character of a Boston (which is too expensive) and going from Austin to Boston? Culture shock!
Cupertino is a nice community nestled in the South Bay Area and home to Apple. I also lived in Mountain View/Sunnyvale/Cupertino for 15 years and in Cupertino you have many getaways Los Gatos, Saratoga, Santa Cruz (ocean) and San Jose if you need a city.. blows away Ft.Collins and it's limitations. If the job pays comparable to the location consider Cupertino...you can get to several Boulder like communites instantly.
Money magazines #1(Ft. Collins)? Doesn't mean it's necessarily desirable in a cool vibey sort of way..but, then that's subjective. However, I think I understand what you like about Boulder enough to say that although more expensive, if it's gotta be Colorado..then it needs to be Boulder without a doubt!! Good luck

Great post, very different each but can't really go wrong with Austin, Boston, Boulder or Fort Collins and to sum it up what she said "go with your instinct" ... EXCEPT avoid Cupertino at all cost (that whole are is called the Bay Area from Silicon Valley to Oakland to San Francisco) high prices, social dysfunction, may look good on paper but the rate of petty crimes is alarming and when you get to the good neighborhood, Saratoga, Sunnyvale even Cupertino is a pretty good neighborhood there it isn't really about the crime but more of a "twilight zone" feel where people avoid each other and partly might be because a lot of people simple don't even speak English there.

[orangepeel]

Having lived in FTC now for 10 months, I will express my likes and dislikes about living here, for what it's worth. (I've lived previously, as an adult, in SD, Fort Worth TX, and Prescott, AZ)

Pros: Beautiful in summer (but hot --sun beats down hard) and fall--all the nature stuff goes without saying; friendly people overall; great schools; great bike town. That's about it. Oh, a SuperTarget and DSW are coming soon. Yippie! I don't even shop much, but like to have options.

Cons: Can't find a decent restaurant to save my life. Have found one or two that are pretty good, but nothing along the lines of a "favorite" restaurant. VERY disappointing. Dining is subjective, but . . .e.g., Chili's is perpetually packed. That says a lot. No really great cafes/diners for Sat. morning pancakes, etc. It's a quality of life thing . . .

Neighborhoods and businesses are interspersed within a very densely populated 7 x 6 mile city area. I can't get used to it. Businesses and homes all around each other. Strange.

Cookie-cutter (ugly) two-story homes mean very little backyard privacy. A few nice enclaves tucked away here and there, but in general the houses here are not very attractive at all.

Very gloomy in winter. Don't know where the 300 days of sunshine comes in . . .Days are so short then——the sun feels like its setting at 3:00 pm. Not good. Sun peeks out for and hour or two during the short day, then the gloom moves in.

No local news station! Felt very isolated at first, like I fell into a black hole or something. Local newspaper is . . . . OK.

Overall, it IS a nice town, no doubt. I guess I had too many expectations. It's just "different" somehow. Lacking in history, culture, and amenities I've become accustomed to. Perhaps it's the lack of diversity. I also know it takes time to adjust to a new place. So I anticipate I'll feel better about being here. It's just the little things: Very few DVDs at the library, barren trees for months and months, aggressive drivers between the block after block stop lights; lukewarm food at restaurants; and lack of good jobs and the social ills that that brings (that's actually a big thing). Perhaps I'm more set in my ways than I realized. But I plan to make the best of it while here and to be a good citizen. Onward and upwards! Cheers.

[Tom Emmerling]

Originally Posted by orangepeel

Cons: Can't find a decent restaurant to save my life. Have found one or two that are pretty good, but nothing along the lines of a "favorite" restaurant. VERY disappointing. Dining is subjective, but . . .e.g., Chili's is perpetually packed. That says a lot. No really great cafes/diners for Sat. morning pancakes, etc. It's a quality of life thing . . .

May I suggest the silvergrill, the breakfast club(FOCO), or mimi's cafe(loveland). I like all of these for breakfast. I agree with you though there are not many that I would write home about.