Fort collins Schools/neighborhoods (Loveland, Laporte: transplants, for sale, real estate)

[debi5828]

Hi -

I just got back from Fort Collins (yes in the big snow storm). It was our first visit and unfortuntely we didn't accomplish as much as we expected to with a snow blizzard to deal with. However, we did see a good portion of the area. We love the old town area but was wondering how it is when college is in session? Is it crazy, loud, etc.?

Does anyone know about the Claredon Hills area? What about McGraw, Webber and Rocky Mountain schools?

Any help would be great!

Thanks!

[ncrea]

Clarendon Hills is a mature neighborhood in southwest Ft. Collins. In its day, it was the cream of the crop. Now, it is a very nice, established neighborhood.

You can't go wrong with the schools that you mentioned.

I've been downtown on a Friday and Saturday night during college session, and didn't find it to be loud, crazy, or bothersome. Lots of kids at the restaurants, but behaving themselves.

[debi5828]

Thank you for your response!

Do you know anything about what it is like to live in the downtown area -- closer to the big city park? I know it is expensive but are there streets/areas that might be worth looking at? It looks so cool.

We liked Claredon Hills and the fact that it is established. How about Fossil Lake (did I get that right?). Any thoughts on Timnath/Clydesdale Park?

We need a school that is friendly, and open to the needs of our kids not just getting the highest standardized test scores. I heard Rocky Mountain was quite friendly and welcoming -- is this something that might be reality?

I figure you might not know all the answers to these questions :-).

Thanks for any help.

Debi

[ncrea]

Hi Debi,

Living near City Park or close to downtown - I don't know much - sorry. I had some clients who rented a couple of blocks from City Park that moved to Loveland. There are some rentals around, especially the older homes, that might be a little more prevalent than in other neighborhoods. There are some pricey homes in that corrider if they have had "a complete makeover". I saw a two story home built in 1909 for over $700K that had an extensive renovation. There are others for less that when "made over" may be just as nice as the one mentioned above for $700+.

Mountain Ave., Laporte, Grant, Oak, Loomis, Mulberry, Howes, City Park, and Washington are just a few of the streets close by to City Park that have homes for sale.

Clydesdale is a newer neighborhood, within the past 2 - 3 years, that has homes from $200K to over $500K. I don't know much about the schools, other than that Preston is a newer junior high school, and Poudre now has the oldest high school building in Collins. Poudre also hosts the IB program that draws students from all over Northern Colorado. Keep in mind that Ft. Collins is a school of choice, so it really doesn't matter where you live, so long as you can transport your child to the school.

Fossil Lake is also a newer neighborhood that has homes ranging from the low $300's to over a $1 mil. Schools are newer due to the tremendous growth that is taking place in that area of Ft. Collins.

I have friends that have children attending Rocky Mountain, Ft. Collins, and Fossil Ridge. I haven't heard anything negative from any of them.

[livmor]

My husband and I are planning to visit Fort Collins in February to look at possibly relocating our family there. We have heard, however, that the natives are rather hostile to newcomers. In your experience, nrcea, do you believe that to be true? We wouldn't want to move somewhere where there is an overwhelming sense of animosity...

Thanks

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by livmor

We have heard, however, that the natives are rather hostile to newcomers. In your experience, nrcea, do you believe that to be true? We wouldn't want to move somewhere where there is an overwhelming sense of animosity...

Where are you hearing that? If you peruse this forum, you will find quite the opposite being expressed.

The only animosity that there may be is if transplants try to change CO into the place they came from. Us natives like CO just the way it is.

[ncrea]

Hi Livmor,

I haven't seen or heard of any hostility. I have heard people say that they are comforted by how friendly the people are in this area.

As in all areas, there will be those people who are somewhat distant to newcomers or have that "not in my backyard" mentality. But all in all, I would rate this area pretty nice, friendly, conservative, and laid back.

If you need specifics on real estate, let me know. I can help you out in that area.

[Jnorman]

Hi,
My family is moving to Fort Collins, we have lived in japan for the past 8 years and are looking for a neighborhood that will have space around us -- not something we've had in Japan! But, we also want a neighborhood with children, as we have two. The areas we have seen that we like are Clarendon Hills, Taft Canyon, and The Ridge, any opinions of which of these would be the best for kids?
Thanks,
Judy