Johnstown (Denver, Loveland, Wellington: real estate, house, neighborhoods)

[fracpilot]

My wife and I are moving to the Ft Collins/Loveland area and we are looking to purchase a newer 3 bedroom house and noticed several nice new places in Johnstown for really good prices. So what is the catch? We don't have jobs that require us to commute everyday so we don't mind being a little out but the prices seem too good to be true I guess of course we are use to Alaska real estate that is absolutely absurd for the price. Just want to hear the good and bad of being a little outside of town I guess.

[krh6609]

If you're not needing much commerce, the Johnstown might be good for you. Keep in mind that there is a bit if difference living East Vs West of the interstate.( Sort of like living near the beach or inland from it ), Even though it is hardly any farther drive to the mountains, which adds value, it does "feel" more removed. Johnstown was just a very small community not too long ago, but is now more surrounded by neighborhoods. Very similar to most of the East side towns.
I don't think it will ever be much more than a suburb, but that might be a good thing.
Also- Be aware that, same as anywhere, there are good builder tracts and bad ones. I've found that the beginner home neighborhoods seem to go down hill very fast here. Johnstown has both so don't go too cheap because the neighborhood may never revive. Find out who built the home and that will tell a lot.

[Mike Weber]

If you don't wish to be right in FC or Loveland, you could also look at Wellington or Severance for homes that are priced below the larger towns. Johnstown does have grocery stores and is closer to Denver than these two.

Good luck,
Mike Weber