Relocation to Fort Collins/Loveland area (rent, townhouse, neighborhoods)

[Peacechic2007]

My fiancé and I are relocating to the Fort Collins/Loveland area tentatively. We have a 9 year old daughter. We are somewhat familiar with the area but only through vacationing. I am pursuing a Masters program at CSU. Advice needed for elementary and middle school options, good neighborhoods, job availability.

School info I am sure explains itself but as for neighborhood info...we don't mind townhouse style communities. We spend quite a bit of time outdoors; camping, biking, hiking, SUP...my daughter currently plays volleyball at our local YMCA. We want to continue with that.

As for jobs, my fiancé is in property management and maintenance. Soccer coaching...
I am involved in business portion of the medical field currently.

Thank you ahead of time for information and opinions!

[Sunderpig2]

I usually discourage a lot of people from moving here, but your occupational backgrounds seem like a good fit and match.

People will have favorites as to schools and areas to live. A lot of people rave about the SE area, but I've found it to be a bit superficial and trendy. Some seem to get carried away with all the latest novel approaches to schooling. The west side is more traditional, but also less advanced. South central might have a good balance.

Jobs, well, can be horrible or good. I'm not sure if medical and property management jobs have reached the point of saturation yet or not. This town seems much smaller than I was originally expecting. Jobs and job growth seem quite small compared to the population growth. I now realize that my background doesn't match this area at the present time, although in years past I would have done well. It's very important to get current data and look at the trends.

[EastwardBound]

We moved to Fort Collins two years ago and then bought in Loveland last year and have enjoyed it overall. I can't speak for the schools, because we don't have children and I don't know much about the quality of the schools.

From where are you moving? And, during which seasons have you visited? I ask because you should be sure of the climate before moving here, particularly if you're coming from a 'wet' place. It is very dry here most of the year, which is great in many respects, particularly for the low energy costs, comfort level and year round outdoor recreation, but it can be difficult for some, who aren't used to this level of aridity.

[Peacechic2007]

Thank you both for your information!

We have visited predominantly in the winter with a couple quick early summer stops. We are currently in Florida, pretty humid climate...but neither of us are Florida natives and I have experienced a dryer climate prior to my FL stay. I have used a humidifier a couple of times while vacationing and I do try to keep in mind it will take some adjusting. The humidity here can be quite suffocating at times. I always enjoy the drier air when we are out.

Do you mind me asking where you moved from EastwardBound?

Are either of you, sunderpig eastward bound, CO natives?

Overall, beyond adjusting on a personal level we want to contribute to the community we end up moving too and hope as newcomers that that notion will be well-received. I do believe it's what you make of it.

We have heard great things about the school system in that area from acquaintances who have family in the Fort Collins area. I will continue my research on that front.

Our next trip out to explore and do some more research is January.

Thanks again...

[Sunderpig2]

Originally Posted by Peacechic2007

Are either of you, sunderpig eastward bound, CO natives?

...we want to contribute to the community we end up moving too and hope as newcomers that that notion will be well-received.

We have heard great things about the school system in that area.

I'm not a CO native, though I've visited the state many times over the past few decades. I have more of a Gulf Coast background. This area really stands out as different from what I'm used to. I didn't think it would be so significant, but it is. It's clear too that this area is changing in personality and character. I'd say that it's losing much of its down-to-earth midwest character and culture.

My family had big hopes of connecting with and contributing to the community, but people here seem to keep to themselves quite a bit. Unless you're in someone's inner circle, or just like them (background, appearance, age) I've found that they keep a big distance. You can initiate interaction and try to contribute, but if they aren't interested or want to reciprocate, it really goes nowhere. We feel like outsiders, and are probably considered outsiders, so I guess that's just the way it will remain. We'll eventually move back to where we used to live, so it's okay. We now see the area of our roots in a new light and with new appreciation.

I'm not completely sure why schools seem to be thought of as so superior from outside the state. It might be due to Internet press and PR (all those "Best of" rankings from years ago that continue to live on). The schools seem about the same as where we used to live. One big problem though, in our experience, is bullying, and that it doesn't get dealt with. We've constantly had to deal with teachers and administrators about bullying issues, and they seem to be afraid to do anything. Maybe they're afraid they'll offend or bother the parents of the guilty kids or something. It's weird.

[Peacechic2007]

Thank you sunderpig!
I appreciate your honesty.

All we can do is try right? We are keeping an open mind. We keep to ourselves in a sense but definitely do not push away connection. We will always try to contribute wherever we land. Seems silly for a community not to appreciate that doesn't it?

The bullying issue is puzzling. With the heads up, I will certainly be aware of that. There are hang ups everywhere. Our school system here has its issues as well. Parent participation is important to us in any setting, as well as quality education and safety.

Thank you again for the information. I feel it will all be useful to us and you are giving me things to watch out for which is much appreciated.

Is your family active outdoors? Any favorite activities or areas to visit?

[EastwardBound]

Originally Posted by Peacechic2007

Thank you both for your information!

We have visited predominantly in the winter with a couple quick early summer stops. We are currently in Florida, pretty humid climate...but neither of us are Florida natives and I have experienced a dryer climate prior to my FL stay. I have used a humidifier a couple of times while vacationing and I do try to keep in mind it will take some adjusting. The humidity here can be quite suffocating at times. I always enjoy the drier air when we are out.

Do you mind me asking where you moved from EastwardBound?

Are either of you, sunderpig eastward bound, CO natives?

Overall, beyond adjusting on a personal level we want to contribute to the community we end up moving too and hope as newcomers that that notion will be well-received. I do believe it's what you make of it.

We have heard great things about the school system in that area from acquaintances who have family in the Fort Collins area. I will continue my research on that front.

Our next trip out to explore and do some more research is January.

Thanks again...

I moved here from Los Angeles, so the aridity was similar enough, that it wasn't a huge change. I'm a St Louis are native and lived in South Korea for several years, however, so I've had my share of humid weather.

I can say the arid climate is mostly better most of the time, but month in and month out, it can become a bit trying at times. Rain is often lacking so much, that a nice shower or thunderstorm is a time of celebration! If you want to garden, as I do extensively, you have to make sure you have an irrigation system in place and constantly have to be concerned with water, particularly compared to a climate like Florida.

That said, the dry air is wonderful year round at night, when you hardly ever have to use an A/C. I'd suggest trying to buy a place with an attic fan, or having one installed, which you can run at night and then close up the windows in the morning.

[Jenneelee28]

Originally Posted by Peacechic2007

My fiancé and I are relocating to the Fort Collins/Loveland area tentatively. We have a 9 year old daughter. We are somewhat familiar with the area but only through vacationing. I am pursuing a Masters program at CSU. Advice needed for elementary and middle school options, good neighborhoods, job availability.

School info I am sure explains itself but as for neighborhood info...we don't mind townhouse style communities. We spend quite a bit of time outdoors; camping, biking, hiking, SUP...my daughter currently plays volleyball at our local YMCA. We want to continue with that.

As for jobs, my fiancé is in property management and maintenance. Soccer coaching...
I am involved in business portion of the medical field currently.

Thank you ahead of time for information and opinions!

My suggestion is to pick the schools you want your child to go to (look at middle school and high schools too) and buy a house or rent a house there. Look up greatschools.org for school info. It is hard to tell somebody what the best school for their child is without knowing them. There are some I would stay away from though. There are a lot of programs through the recreator (Fort Collins) that have sports for kids. I have boys so I am unsure of the Volleyball options.
There are many neighborhoods that have townhomes. There also seem to be a lot of property management companies that your fiancé may consider. He should also consider working for the school district. They seem to have a few facilities positions posted from time to time.

Good luck!