Estes Park vs Loveland for age 55+ (Fort Collins, Center: co-op, townhome, place to live)

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi,

If you currently live in either Estes Park or Loveland and are age 55+ can you tell me how you like your town. Are you happy with the choice you made to live in these areas. I really like Estes but noticed that Loveland housing is cheaper and seems to have access to more stores such as Lowes, etc. I also found a couple townhome developments that are for age 55 & over.

My concern as I am getting older is that at some point in time I will need to stop driving. When I do, I will need to have access to some stores, doctors, just common things. How easy is it to get to these ammenties if you don't drive?

Thanks for your replies,

[AZheat]

Loveland and Fort Collins have some of the best medical care I've seen for smaller communities. Medical Center of the Rockies is outstanding for ER and surgery. Poudre Valley Health System is great.

So if I'm aging and faced with health problems that will come up at some point, I'd chose Loveland. It's cheaper to live in Loveland, it's closer to quality medical care, good shopping and gets less snow than Estes. We also have a transit system in Loveland.

I go to Estes Park at least twice per month for everything from eating out to shopping, golf, hiking and the RMNP. Doesn't take that long to get there and the drive is gorgeous. Kind of like having the best of both towns.

Hope this helps.

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi AZheat,
Thanks for the info. Which part of Loveland do you consider to have the best scenic views? I would like to see the moutains and not look out a window and see the side of another house.

[Mike Weber]

Originally Posted by GARDENGAL60

Hi AZheat,
Thanks for the info. Which part of Loveland do you consider to have the best scenic views? I would like to see the moutains and not look out a window and see the side of another house.

On the east side of town, you have better views of the back ranges and higher mountains. If you get too far west, you are too close to be able to see the big mountains, though the foothills are nice to look at, as well.

Many parts of town will have good views from some homes. There are some nice views in the Mariana Butte area in the SW part of town.

[AZheat]

I'm on the west side but up high enough to see Longs and Meeker Peaks. Like Mike said, the foothills are nice to look at as well as the 13 and 14'ers. We also have lakes in Loveland so don't rule out lovely scenery around a lake!!

If you can't find a home with a great view in your price range, there are walking trails all over the city with awesome views of the Rockies. So a nice long walk or bike ride will get you a dose of Rocky Mtn high.

[StealthRabbit]

Having lived in both (but not as a senior), I concur that Estes is a nicer place to visit, and Loveland a nicer place to live.

I like the west side of Loveland, and walking distance to Northshore Park (Benson Park).
http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/cultural_services/cultural_services_AIPP_sculpture_shows.htm (broken link)
The mountains are well above the foothills in any part of town accessible to public transit. Only far up against the foothills they detract from your mtn view. There are many smaller parks and I would choose a home that is adjacent to one of them, or to a cemetery. (for more open space) You may need to be on the east side of a lake to avoid looking through trees in the summer. The place gets pretty brown and barren in the winter. (Which is a good time to visit Estes, except for some really bitter cold wind you will find there).

SE Loveland is still kinda seedy, as it has been for more than my 50 yr experience there. I really like the benefit of the Chilson Center and adjacent senior housing options. They did that right, but should add some more senior housing between there and town (2 blocks). A senior housing co-op would be ideal there.