What Should You Know Before Moving to Fort Collins, Colorado?

Are you considering moving to Fort Collins? We understand why. In 2020, Fort Collins ranked No. 1 on Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live” and No. 4 on Livability’s “10 Best Places to Raise a Family.” From a strong school district to a fantastic selection of craft beer, Fort Collins has a lot to offer. We’ve teamed up with the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Collins to provide you with helpful tips for the relocation process, background on the area and what life in Fort Collins has to offer. 

Living in Fort Collins  

Situated in Larimer County in Northern Colorado, Fort Collins is both close to Denver’s amenities and the open space, foothills and Rocky Mountains that help you disconnect. Fort Collins has a population of 170,243, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. It is home to Colorado State University, a public land-grant research university. Fort Collins is an active community with 285 miles of city trails you can walk or bike across the whole city. Fort Collins has a budding tech industry, an impressive selection of craft beer and beautiful Old Town Square. 

Working in Fort Collins 

The major employers in Fort Collins are Colorado State University, University of Colorado Health System, Poudre School District, Larimer County, Columbine Health, Woodward and City of Fort Collins. Fort Collins is also home to companies like OtterBox, Hewlett Packard, Odell Brewing Company and a host of others!  

Fort Collins is also a great city to call home for remote workers. Fort Collins was ranked No. 5 on Livability’s list of the Top 10 Remote-Ready Cities in the U.S. and No. 14 on PC Mag’s list of The Best Work From Home Cities for 2021. Thanks to Fort Collins Connexion, every resident and business can access gigabit-speed internet. 

Education in Fort Collins  

Education is central to the Fort Collins community, making it one of the best cities in the U.S. to raise a family. Fort Collins is in the Poudre School District (PSD), which is consistently one of the best districts in the state and is the ninth largest school district in Colorado. PSD offers school of choice as well as neighborhood schools. Poudre High School in Fort Collins provides the respected International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Four elementary schools and two middle schools in PSD also offer the I.B. program. Teachers in Fort Collins average 12 years of experience, and 62.1% hold master’s degrees and above. * 

Schools in Fort Collins total:  

• 31 elementary schools  
• 10 middle schools  
•  3 high schools  
•  4 charter schools   

Fun in The Fort 

If you love the outdoors, Fort Collins will be perfect for you with easy access to parks, open spaces, trails and water, including Horsetooth Reservoir, a 6.5-mile-long reservoir west of Fort Collins. Maybe you’ve had a long day of mountain biking or paddleboarding and are looking for something else to do? Fort Collins is also home to diverse cultural attractions like Art Lab Fort Collins, a vibrant nightlife scene downtown. Plus, there are tons of options for family fun, like a trip to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. So many are choosing to call Fort Collins home because it offers something for everyone. 

Fort Collins real estate  

Fort Collins has a relatively low cost of living compared to Denver and Boulder. It was ranked #1 on Livability’s list of The 5 Most Affordable Cities in Colorado. According to Realtor.com, the median listing price for a home in Fort Collins is $450k, but there are homes currently on the market from $35k to $4.9M. There is a great diversity in property types within Fort Collins. 

Considering buying a home in Fort Collins? Talk with one of our local, experienced Northern Colorado Mortgage Loan Officers today to learn more about your mortgage options. 

To find out more about Fort Collins or to request a relocation packet, contact the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce today. 

_{* Statistics and information on Poudre School District provided by Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.}