Which Northern Colorado Neighborhood to Live In?

Where you live affects everything about your daily life. Your daily commute, social life, and family activities are all influenced by your home location. Finding a Northern Colorado neighborhood that matches your wants and needs is critical to your happiness.

If you want to improve the home itself, you can always fix up the garden, renovate, or remodel it. However, there isn’t much you can do to change the quality of your neighborhood. This article will explain how to best research neighborhoods and provide some excellent tips and resources to get you started.

Why Neighborhoods Matter

Your little daily habits make a big difference in where you live. A particular neighborhood may not match what you love to do every day. Why frustrate yourself from the get-go? Consider what you do and don’t like about your current neighborhood. Write it ALL down. Keep asking yourself questions such as these:

• Do you love being able to walk or bike to work? Do you love going to your local coffee house every day? Do you like to go for runs outside? 
• Do you want to be near work and have a short commute?
• Do you love to be near restaurants, theaters, or close to more vibrant hot spots? Alternatively, do you hate crowds, busy streets, and traffic?
• Is the local community important to you? Do you wish to live in a good school district?
• Do you feel the need for green space, grass, trees, and lots of open space? Do you love to garden or want a large backyard for children or dogs?

Neighborhood Research 101

As soon as you’re ready to start the homebuying process, schedule time to gather as much information as possible on various Northern Colorado neighborhoods. Don’t automatically dismiss certain parts of town based on preconceived notions.

Look at real estate trends, development projects, school districts, and county contracts. In five years, what looks like a desolate suburb today might be a highly coveted neighborhood. However, the opposite is also true. An area full of expensive homes and well-groomed lawns may be on its way out. The bottom line is: that there’s more to a neighborhood than meets the eye. Thorough research is necessary to determine your ideal neighborhood.

Additionally, I’ve been selling homes in Northern Colorado for a long time, and I know the neighborhoods in and out. If you’re looking for something in particular, just ask, and I’m sure I can share several Northern Colorado neighborhoods with you that could be a good fit.

Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

The internet makes it easy and convenient to get information on different neighborhoods. The following websites are chock-full of Northern Colorado neighborhood statistics and relevant information.

• Neighborhood Link is an excellent resource. This website makes it easy to compare similar neighborhoods. Simply enter a zip code, and you’ll find tons of information on any Northern Colorado neighborhood. 
• Nextdoor is a social network for your neighborhoods. It helps neighbors connect and ensure the safety and well-being of the community. 
• FC Maps Neighborhood Groups gives you an interactive map showing the various neighborhoods throughout Fort Collins. In fact, many towns in Colorado feature similar maps on their city websites.

Do Some Foot Work

Even though the internet is full of helpful information, it’s still good to put some boots on the ground when it comes to vetting a neighborhood. Not sure where to start?

• Ask friends, family, and colleagues about the neighborhoods they live in (or wish they did!). When you have some ideas about potential neighborhoods, take a tour. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and ask residents about their experiences. 
• Plan to visit friends and family to see their neighborhoods in person. Meet them for lunch or dinner, walk around, and visit stores. You’ll get a better feel for the atmosphere and amenities of the area. It could help you get honest and direct answers about schools, crime, traffic, parking, etc.
• Drive around a potential neighborhood as much as possible to see how the neighborhood operates both day and night.

Don’t Forget About Resale

You never know what life will throw at you. Even if you plan to live in your new home for many years to come, it’s worth thinking about the resale value when you’re buying a new home. Certain factors about your home’s location affect the resale value. Crime rates, proximity to good schools, neighborhood development, and traffic are only a few neighborhood metrics you should look at. Remember that buying a home in an up-and-coming neighborhood could allow you to purchase a home at a lower price and sell it for a massive profit in a couple of years. Timing is everything.

When it comes to choosing a neighborhood, you can never do too much research. With so many resources available, it’s easier than ever to make an educated investment. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing information overload, reach out! I’m happy to help you navigate the process and use my professional expertise to find your dream home in a fantastic neighborhood. No matter where you are in the process, don’t hesitate to ask for advice. Together we can make your homebuying dreams a reality.