Johnstown/Loveland Relocation (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley: homes, buying, construction)

[rksinco]

My wife and I are considering a relocation up north in the coming year. We now live close to Colorado Springs. I see some great deals on new housing in Johnstown (Ryland Homes) and Loveland (Oakwood Homes). I'm a teacher so these areas seem central to several different school districts in which to look for emplyment.
We're looking for good schools, and I know that "good" is usually a reflection on home involvement. I don't care as much about the obsession on CSAP scores. I'm more concerned with class sizes and extra activities offered such as music, art, sports, etc, and school climate such as bullying, gangs, etc.
I have lived in Colorado for 3 years (originally from Southern Cal.) but really haven't been up to that area other than cruising through on the interstate.
Any pros and cons about the schools and quality of life up there would be a huge help.
Thanks a bunch in advance.

[golfgod]

I can't speak with any authority on the schools but I've yet to meet a parent here who had a bad thing to say about them. We've been to a couple of plays and other events at the high school and it seems there's always a lot going on at all levels.

We checked the area out pretty carefully and we're thrilled to be here, Loveland. I can bike to the library, post office and grocery if I want and my wife never feels uncomfortable anywhere in town.

We also looked at the Springs last year before buying here. I had spent a year there a long time ago while in the Air Force. There were no noticeable improvements and I didn't care to live in a place with that much evangelical overload, having spent the last 30 years in TX.

golfgod

[rksinco]

Thanks golfgod.
I appreciate the information. The Springs has a real transient population, probably because of the military presence. Any neighbors and friends we do meet, usually move on within a year or two. It seems hard to plant any meaningful roots. Maybe northern Colorado is more stable.

[mrsarmy]

RKS,

I lived in northern Colorado for the better part of the last 10 years. The Loveland/Fort Collins area is my favorite. I have a friend who works in the Thompson (Loveland) school district and is quite happy there. I worked in Johnstown/Milliken about 3 years ago. It was booming at the time and they had just completed construction on a new elemenary school.

If I had to choose, I would pick Loveland. In fact, I wanted to settle there, but my husband decided on the Army following college graduation (we now live in C. Springs). Loveland has so much to offer in terms of parks, lakes, and proximity to Fort Collins for hiking, rafting, etc. Johnstown wouldn't be bad, it's just much smaller. As for jobs, you are within a reasonable commuting area to several districts. In Loveland, you could look at Thompson, Poudre, Windsor, Greeley, or St. Vrain (if you want to make the commute). Johnstown would open the many of the same options plus a couple additional, smaller districts just east of Johnstown.

If you decide to make the move and have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Good luck!

[Tom Emmerling]

The Ryland homes in Johnstown seem to be very nice homes. I just drove through that nieghborhood last week and it looked very nice. Seemed like they had smaller yards but the subdivision had its own school.

[rksinco]

Thanks for the replies, it helps a lot.
So if I wanted to explore school districts for employment, does anybody know all the districts that are within a 20-30 minute drive of Loveland or Johnstown? I know the bigger ones like Poudre Valley and Thompson. I think there are also some smaller ones as well.
Thanks again.

[mrsarmy]

I just sent you a message with a list. Good luck!