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| What Fort Collins is like for active adults |
When a city is chosen by Money Magazine as the best small city to live in in the U.S., it is going to be special. Fort Collins, Colorado (population 138,000) is a popular retirement community for obvious reasons – it features low crime rates, fantastic outdoor life, small town ambiance, and for those who want them - ample jobs in a high tech business environment.
The city’s great schools and outstanding outdoor life have led to its vibrant development and a place where many active adults 55+ have moved to find their retirement community. Many high tech companies locate in Fort Collins to escape California and its high prices. Like many fast-growing towns the city has a wide array of restaurants and cultural opportunities for active adults 55+. Many come because of the recreational opportunities such as exploring the nearby Rocky Mountains. The city has 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, and most major roads have bicycle lanes.
Formerly known “the lamb feeding capital of the world”, Fort Collins became very successful early in the 20th century as an agricultural center, in particular for sugar beets. A number of historical structures from this period have been preserved and give the town a unique character.
Use this link to find out more about what it is like to retire in Colorado , including other great Colorado retirement towns. Photo of downtown Fort Collins courtesy of Wikipedia and Citycommunications |
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| Where to Live & Real Estate Values |
Fort Collins has many options in retirement and active adult communities (see link at right). The average price of a home in Fort Collins was about $235,000 in late 2011 according to Zillow.com |
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| What is special about this retirement community |
| • Rocky Mountains and attendant recreational opportunities • Diverse community with young and old • Money Magazine’s #1 Small City in America • Many diverse housing opportunities for retirees • Fort Collins has 4,300 acres of green space, 25 miles of in-town trails, and 143 miles of bike lanes. |
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| What is not special about this retirement community |
| Economy is high tech dependent |
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| What kinds of people like retiring here |
| Fort Collins attracts a diverse community of young and old and is therefore quite vibrant. It tends to attract people who love the mountains and an outdoor life. |
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| Local economy is driven by |
| It is headquarters for many high tech companies. Tourism, retail, and real estate are important to the economy. |
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| Climate and Physical Environment |
| The city is situated 5,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, just east of the Rocky Mountain foothills of the Northern Front Range and approximately 65 miles north of Denver. It has nearby natural attractions like nearby Horsetooth Reservoir for boating and swimming. There are 14 ski resorts in the area. The sun shines almost 300 days a year,snowfall averages 57 inches. |
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| Restaurants & Cultural Scene |
| Colorado State University (23,000 students) is in Fort Collins and is the center of many cultural events and attractions. The Lincoln Center has 1,180-seat performance hall, two theaters, as well as exhibit galleries. The center hosts nearly 1,750 events each year. There are a number of theater groups in the city including the Debut Theater Company, Fort Collins Children's Theater, the Front Range Chamber Players, and OpenStage Theater. Larimer Chorale, Opera Fort Collins, and the Fort Collins Symphony provide a variety of musical events. The Fort Collins Public Library is well-funded. |
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| Crime |
| The crime rate is below the national average. |
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| Medical facilities |
| The Poudre Valley Hospital is in Fort Collins. |
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| Transportation |
| Fort Collins-Loveland Muni is about 10 miles away. The Denver Airport is 57 miles away. |
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What people are saying about Fort Collins | |
| i'm wondering what the difference might be between living in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Real estate prices seem somewhat comparable. But the rep i get on Colorado Springs is that it is in transition - not sure if it wants to be a city or a strip mall. Busy. And with a lot of religious fundamentalists. Any opinions? |
| Posted by junebug on December 12, 2008 |
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Facts about FORT COLLINS
- State: CO
- Environment: College Town,Mountain,Small-mid Sized City,Outdoor Oriented,Biking Community,
- City Population: 100,001+
- Median age of Population: 25-44
- Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
- Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
- Average Home Price (MLS): $200,001-$300,000
- Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
- Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
- Cost of Living Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
- Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
- State Sales Tax: Yes
- State Income Tax: Yes
- Name of the Guide: jfb
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Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts |
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Vote on the Ratings for Fort Collins |
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Update Your Ratings |
1. Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 3.9/5 ( 8 votes cast)
2. Expense: Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 4 votes cast)
3. Taxes: Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 5 votes cast)
4. Culture: None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)
5.Recreation: None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 3 votes cast)
6. Transportation: Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)
7. Security: Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 3.6/5 ( 5 votes cast)
8. Medical Facilities: None to Excellent
8. Rating: 3.6/5 ( 5 votes cast)
9. Political Situation: Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 2.5/5 ( 4 votes cast)
10. Environmental: Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 4.2/5 ( 5 votes cast)
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