Why you'd want to live in Fort Collins

Fort Collins was once overshadowed by Colorado’s heavily populated Front Range and famous mountain ski towns. That status has changed as new residents – increasingly priced out of the Denver or Boulder markets – have moved an hour north to join a growing community that retains a small-town feel. Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins is known to many nationally as the Napa Valley of craft beer, hosting big names like New Belgium Brewing Co. along with new up-and-comers. Outdoor recreation is a big driver of the economy and popular in social circles. The city’s access to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park and other pristine public spaces helps feed this dynamic. It’s not uncommon to see locals at the trailhead in the morning for a hike, run or bike ride, and then on a brewery patio with friends later that night. Many surrounding cities in northern Colorado boast similar advantages, contributing to growth in the region. Because of that popularity, Fort Collins has been forced to reevaluate its transportation and infrastructure systems. via realestate.usnews.com