Firstly why Fort-Collins, Colorado?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Fort-Collins
• State: Colorado
• Population: 173,372 people
• Fort-Collins’s quick summary would be Home to Colorado State University and a thriving craft beer industry.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 7,000 annually
• Net Migration: 13000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 400

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it home to Colorado State University appeals to students and young professionals

Perk #1: Fort-Collins Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 65%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
• The median income is (and growing)  $88,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Fort-Collins is $82,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-6000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Fort-Collins’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 110 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,948
• Property Tax %: 0.94%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,650
• Rent for an average house: $2,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Old Town
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Fort-Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, and probably could include Longmont
• Avg. Age of Homes in Fort-Collins: 35 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.4%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Fort-Collins’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Fort-Collins are  Technology, Education, and Healthcare
• Fort-Collins Job Scene: growing job market in tech and education
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech scene with emphasis on clean energy and sustainable tech , ,
• Fort-Collins Resident’s pay $1,600 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Fort-Collins: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 160 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 7

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Fort-Collins

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-25 connects Fort Collins to key areas in Colorado
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on Harmony Road
• Transportation Score: 51 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Fort-Collins: 100,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Fort-Collins: dmv.colorado.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
• Local Airport: Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Fort-Collins’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Severe storms
• General Weather in Fort-Collins is best described as experiences cold winters with snow and mild summers with moderate temperatures
• Winter Weather in Fort-Collins i’d describe as cold with snowy conditions
• Spring Weather in Fort-Collins can be described as cool and mild
• Summer’s in Fort-Collins are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Fort-Collins is usually cool with sunny days
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 6 days in summer
• Days in a row in Fort-Collins below Freezing: 32
• Average Annual Rainfall: 15 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality generally with seasonal variations
• Fort-Collins Winter Air average air quality with some pollution spikes

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Fort-Collins Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Fort-Collins 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Fort-Collinss’s city limits are 4
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Fort Collins Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Fort-Collins Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Fort-Collins only Doctors is about 90
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Fort-Collins only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 30/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Fort-Collins’s Monthly utility bill average is $115
• Fort-Collins’s Monthly Gym Membership: $48
• Fort-Collins’s Water Quality Score: 81

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Fort-Collins

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: home to a university with a lively downtown and community events
• You might enjoy performances at the Lincoln Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Fort-Collins  features a lively craft beer scene with an array of bars and music venues to explore

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Fort-Collins

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local breweries and a variety of casual dining options
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 60 scattered around Fort-Collins
• The Popular Sports Team is Fort Collins Lambkins
• Top Level Political Climate in Fort-Collins can be described as liberal college town focused on sustainability and innovation
• Fort-Collins’s Longer standing religious establishment is Fort Collins Church of Christ

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Fort-Collins Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Fort-Collins has 60 Parks?
• Lory State Park is Fort-Collins’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Fort Collins Farmers Market normally open Wednesday 4pm-8pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and fishing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Fort-Collins Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Fort-Collins can be described as active college town with a blend of culture and community
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Fort-Collins hiking local trails bike riding community events
• The Cities people commute to from Fort-Collins are Loveland 12 miles away Greeley 26 miles away Windsor 10 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Fort-Collins or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on Harmony Road. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Fort-Collins’s Severe storms risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Old Town is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Fort-Collins are Loveland 12 miles away Greeley 26 miles away Windsor 10 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Fort-Collins has 32 days in a row below freezing and 6 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Fort-Collins people have an average (positive or negative) $-6000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   400 homeless people living in Fort-Collins. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal college town focused on sustainability and innovation could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Fort-Collins.

Retiree & Senior Life in Fort-Collins

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for senior citizens property tax exemptions alleviating financial strain
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Summit
• Ford-Collins Senior Center provides meals recreational programs and social gatherings

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Fort-Collins, Colorado?

If Fort-Collins, Colorado ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Fort-Collins, Colorado, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!