Is Longmont Right For Us? (Denver, Boulder: renting, crime, homes)

[tarapaca]

We, my husband and I, are planning to relocate to Colorado in the next few months. Based on what I see online, along with a scouting trip to the area (unfortunately more based on Denver and Golden, rather than Boulder county), I'm thinking Longmont may well have most of what we're looking for.

We're late forties, so not really into the bar scene. Schools aren't an issue either, as the kid is in college. We'd like a safe, friendly community, with some access to a farmers market, decent restaurants and coffee shops. We work from home, so commuting isn't an issue, but we'd like easy access to hiking and biking trails. Hubs is more of a road biker, so he'd like to be able to take off for nice country rides in the middle of the day should the mood take him. I'm more into mountain biking, at an intermediate level, so am fine with having to drive for that. Same thing with skiing - we'd probably go a few times a season, but are keener on hiking and biking.

Ideally we'd like a three bedroom house, with a view, on a lot of at least 1/4 acre, with larger being better. Also need a large garage or extra storage space for toys and tools. Work means that fast internet access is important, and we'd also like to keep the drive to the airport at under an hour or so. Budget goes up to $450K or so.

Given all that, are we on the right track with Longmont?

[chilaili]

I don't think you'll have much problem finding something suitable in your price range and with your wishlist. Have a quick look at coloproperty.com with your criteria and see what comes up.

[mic111]

You sound ideal for CO. Longmont area is a good choice but many of the surrounding towns are also. I'm sure you will find what you are looking for.

[Boulder Towner]

Originally Posted by tarapaca

We, my husband and I, are planning to relocate to Colorado in the next few months. Based on what I see online, along with a scouting trip to the area (unfortunately more based on Denver and Golden, rather than Boulder county), I'm thinking Longmont may well have most of what we're looking for.

We're late forties, so not really into the bar scene. Schools aren't an issue either, as the kid is in college. We'd like a safe, friendly community, with some access to a farmers market, decent restaurants and coffee shops. We work from home, so commuting isn't an issue, but we'd like easy access to hiking and biking trails. Hubs is more of a road biker, so he'd like to be able to take off for nice country rides in the middle of the day should the mood take him. I'm more into mountain biking, at an intermediate level, so am fine with having to drive for that. Same thing with skiing - we'd probably go a few times a season, but are keener on hiking and biking.

Ideally we'd like a three bedroom house, with a view, on a lot of at least 1/4 acre, with larger being better. Also need a large garage or extra storage space for toys and tools. Work means that fast internet access is important, and we'd also like to keep the drive to the airport at under an hour or so. Budget goes up to $450K or so.

Given all that, are we on the right track with Longmont?

Yes you will do just fine in Longmont. Stay on the west side of Main Street though. You know even over by Niwot or Louisville sounds nice for you. We live in Boulder but we have family in Longmont. My Sister In law and her husband in their 60's just bought a home in Longmont in a nice neighborhood close to Longmont Hospital. It's a nice older home. I love how Longmont has all these very well kept older homes and have noticed when we go over there there are more older people over there than here in Boulder. We had a ball last summer going to a parade of Vintage cars up and down the streets of Longmont with our family. The east side of Longmont is not as nice for sure and I think more crime and drugs and things? That's what I hear.

[chilaili]

Well, in 2011 Longmont was rated Colorado's 2nd safest city and our drug/gang issues have been considerably diminished in the past several years so that's not entirely accurate. I'm not saying problems don't exist but I live on the east side and have never had any problems. There are several very nice, older neighborhoods on the east side too.

[DressageRider]

Yes, I think you could get everything you want. (How often does someone come on here and get that response?) As with everyone making a big move, I recommend renting before buying to get to know the neighborhoods/towns.

[brown_dog_us]

You might want to make another scouting trip and look at Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, and Superior. The general area fits you perfectly. It's really down to neighborhoods.

I don't know if this will help, but here is what we did: We focused on 8 neighborhoods and then went and hung out there. We went to a bike store, grocery store (seriously, what is available at the grocery store tells you a lot about a place), and went for a bike ride or run. Along the way we asked about restaurants and then ate dinner at the neighborhood place.

Good luck!

[tarapaca]

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

We're planning a house-hunting trip to Longmont in the next couple of weeks. Checking out the whole city, but I suspect we'll end up on the west side or in old town. The area up around Mcintosh Lake looks good, too. Anyway, I'd really appreciate some realtor recommendations.

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

That's great! Keep us posted.

[DressageRider]

Be prepared - the market is hot right now and things are selling in the matter of a couple days (or even hours).