Loveland area info (Berthoud, Platteville: renters, safe neighborhood, good schools)

[chaz1178]

Hello, my family and I will be moving to Colorado soon and although I have read a lot of info on the area, I feel you can never have enough information about the city you live or will be living in. We are a family of 5, 2 girls ages 14 & 13, 1 boy age 12. We also have 2 dogs and 2 cats. We will be renters at first, so finding a place to rent with a yard would be great...as well as a safe neighborhood. We aren't set on Loveland, and would consider other towns close-by, as my husband will be working in Plattville. We are coming from NW Arkansas. My youngest and oldest are in band, my middle child is in orchestra and choir, all 3 are in at least one advanced class or more, so good schools is important as well.

So I'm looking for any kind of information you can provide, the good, the bad, and the ugly (or pretty). Thanks!

[StealthRabbit]

Be sure to search the forums diligently, as your answers are all here.

Renting with animals is a challenge. Maybe you can find a rural place between Loveland and Berthoud. Either town would probably be fine, but chances are you will be driving to Loveland A LOT as kids age and participate in more activities. Berthoud is a pretty nice little town. Loveland, more variety. (but more competitive for Band, Choir, Drama). Schools are pretty similar and both good. You might need to come and try each town on (do exhaustive interviews with parents and schools / research the options).

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Personally I would seriously look at Berthoud and SO Loveland to ease the commute. I would avoid N Loveland just for that reason. (Tho I have a friend who has commuted to Platteville from Ft Collins for 30 yrs (no kids, BETTER for commute). You might also look east (Kelim) (but then you would be commuting on 34 with KIDS activities... I DON"T like traffic on East 34. (But then I don't like traffic PERIOD.... one traffic light per day, is one too many for me... thus I had to leave Loveland MANY yrs ago, but return several x/yr))

One 'rear-end' collision from a 'cell phone talker' can keep you in Physical Therapy for YRS... Don't go there. NO CO (especially Ft Collins) is Terrible for accident risk due to traffic (cell phone talking soccer moms w/ LARGE SUVs' They can really SMASH you up)