Hi all, With a population of 98,958, Longmont is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,755/month for a decent place. Median household income is $89,724, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Longmont sits at 430.9 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
24 upvotes
23 Replies
Willow S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Dallas about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Abigail M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Robert C.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
38 upvotes
Joshua P.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
38 upvotes
Ruby Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Evan Murphy
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Landon T.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Santiago Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Evelyn T.
underrated comment
25 upvotes
Abigail Reed
underrated comment
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Joshua M.
I work in education here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Jessica F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Isla
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are surprisingly good. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Joseph W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
10 upvotes
Emilia Thompson
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
Santiago
spot on
10 upvotes
Skylar Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Randy R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Katherine
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Jack G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Gabriella Thomas
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
3 upvotes
Jayden Baker
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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