Moving from Salt Lake City to Fort Collins next month
Alright, I work in government and Homes are going for about $548,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,661 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What are your go-to spots? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
35 upvotes
15 Replies
Rylee Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
39 upvotes
Oliver Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Piper
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
Chloe Lee
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much wild but now it's excellent.
34 upvotes
Violet Rogers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Aria W.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Cora Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
liam_guy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Waylon Martinez
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Claire Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 41, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Greenfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Brooklyn Flores
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Valentina Wood
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Elijah Carter
spot on
8 upvotes
Peyton Ramos
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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