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Living in Fort Collins, Colorado

Living in Fort Collins and buying a home

Fort Collins is a lively community of nearly 130,000 positioned against the foothills of the grand Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. As a regional center of employment, education and real estate, Fort Collins offers the charm of a small town and the benefits of a larger city. There is always something going on in the community of Fort Collins from musical events to beer and food tasting festivals, this town has it all. Outdoor recreation is enjoyed all seasons of the year. Not surprisingly Fort Collins was ranked No. 2 in Best Places to Live according to CNN Money Magazine in 2008. This is easily seen in Fort Collins as it is a vibrant and flourishing community. The population of Fort Collins is estimated at 129,450 including over 25,000 at Colorado State University. The community experiences healthy progression with an average three percent growth annually that is expected to continue well into the future. Fort Collins’ population is well educated and with an average median family income of $54,000, it is easy to enjoy the best of what Fort Collin offers. Fort Collins, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, low humidity, and moderate winters, enjoys a mild climate year-round. The area receives an average of 18 inches of rain and 55 inches of snow per year. The average high in the summer is 85 degrees while in the winter it is 42 degrees which makes for moderate weather conditions. Fort Collins is nestled at the base of the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Just a few minutes to the west are the beautiful foothills where residents enjoy hiking, biking as well as fishing and boating on Horsetooth Reservoir.

Fort Collins offers one of the best educational environments available in the nation. Poudre School District students exceeded the state average by 9 to 19 percentage points in the proficient and advanced categories for reading, writing, math, and science on the rigorous CSAP tests and scored above the state on the 11th-grade ACT assessment. There have been 11 new schools built since 1986, providing excellent learning opportunities for Fort Collins children. Picturesque Colorado State University is centrally located in Fort Collins near the down town area. Colorado State University was founded in 1870 and today over 70 undergraduate programs are available that range from liberal arts to veterinary science. In addition to being Fort Collins’ largest employer, CSU adds recreational and cultural spirit not found other places. Colorado has earned a worldwide reputation as an area that offers an unrivaled lifestyle and Fort Collins represents the best of Colorado. In town, residents take advantage of the nationally renowned park system with trails that offers scenic views of the Poudre River and the beautiful Rockies. Golfers enjoy any of Fort Collins eight courses. Just outside the city limits lie miles of cross country trails, ski resorts, rock climbing, biking paths and more.

The Fort Collins residential real estate market has remained resilient. The average selling price for a home in Fort Collins has remained relatively stable in recent times while other markets have plummeted, making Fort Collins real estate a sound investment. In 2009, there were 2,276 homes sold with with an average price of $261,000. Residential property taxes are among the lowest in the country and the mild environment reduces the number of heating and cooling days.

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