City of Fort Collins
What is Fort Collins like?
For a broad overview of the town, see http://www.fcchamber.org/ or http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us. Fort Collins has many amenities including top-notch restaurants, shopping, parks, and recreational facilities. It's also in close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, many national parks, and the major metropolitan area of Denver. Overall, residents enjoy a moderate, four season climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine and 14.5 inches of precipitation a year.
What is the size of the town?
The population of Fort Collins is about 126,000 people. There are about 25,000 people enrolled at Colorado State University, so a large portion of the town is comprised of college students and university faculty and staff.
What is the typical age range of the people in the town?
Fort Collins has an interesting mix of residents with diverse backgrounds. Being a college town, there are naturally many young people in their early twenties. However, Fort Collins has several large, high-tech organizations such as Hewlett-Packard and Agilent, which attract slightly older (mid 20's to 40's) residents and their families. Recently, Fort Collins was voted as one of the best places to retire, so we also have a fair number of retirees. Lastly, Fort Collins is also somewhat of a farming community and some residents still make their living this way. Overall, the average inhabitant of Fort Collins is young and well educated. Statistically, the median age of residents is 28.5, and approximately 42.7% of the population has completed four or more years of college.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins?
The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average. For example, it's much cheaper to live here than Southern California or the East Coast. However, it's likely more expensive than the Midwest and parts of the south. To compare the cost of living in Fort Collins to where you live, check out http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html. Overall, the average rent in Fort Collins for a one-bedroom apartment is $600 and a two-bedroom is $700.
What do people in Fort Collins do for fun?
Outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, boating, biking, snow-shoeing, movies, and skiing, are major pastimes for Fort Collins residents. Some individuals enjoy bowling, skating, or rock-wall climbing. Ft. Collins also has several museums, theaters, and a historical old town shopping district. Additionally, the many local bars and pubs offer enjoyable evening entertainment.
What activities are available in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins?
Within a 15 minute-drive, there are many hiking, running, and mountain biking trails. Some of the most famous ski resorts (e.g., Aspen, Vail, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Purgatory) are within short driving distances. For example, it is about a 2-3 hour drive to Vail and about 5 hours to Aspen and Purgatory from Fort Collins. Other ski resorts, such as Loveland and Arapahoe Basin (which are still great and usually less crowded), are about 1½ hours from Fort Collins. Also, within a 45-minute drive are Denver, Boulder, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Many activities, such as shopping, hiking, sightseeing, and (good!) eating, are available there. Even closer in proximity (about a 15-minute drive) is a large outlet mall in Loveland and a new upscale shopping park just opened.