WHY FORT COLLINS? Fort Collins is the fourth largest town in Colorado, after Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora, with a 2022 population of 175,000. And the Fort Collins-Loveland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has a population estimated at 310,500. The Front Range Urban Corridor -- an area stretching from Pueblo, Colorado, and north to Cheyenne, Wyoming -- includes the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood MSA, the Colorado Springs MSA, the Fort Collins MSA, the Pueblo MSA, the Greeley MSA, the Canon City CSA, and the Cheyenne MSA. This corridor has a population of 4.49 million.
A highly educated population (56% of all adults have at least a university bachelors degree), along with a thriving agricultural and high tech center makes Fort Collins a great place to live. Our family has called this town home since 2008, and we love the lifestyle.
My real estate business takes me to great little neighborhoods all over the city, and so in this blog I’ll share with you a glimpse into Fort Collins’ neighborhoods, based on my experiences and knowledge. For this article, resources I drew upon included the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, World Population Review, and City of Fort Collins Demographic Review.
Average home prices were calculated in August, 2022 and take into account all homes sold for the past six months in the area. As with any generalization, take average home prices with a grain of salt. For example, in North Fort Collins, Maple Hill is a newer neighborhood overlooking the Budweiser plant, and those homes have traditionally sold for 5-10% less than central Fort Collins homes. A home in Country Club or ringing Lindenmeier Lake, however, will demand a premium and could easily be valued at $1M plus.
DOWNTOWN / OLD TOWN FORT COLLINS
If you’re looking for easy access to urban attractions with the comforts of a suburban lifestyle, then Downtown Fort Collins is the place to be. These charming, centrally located neighborhoods are why many fall in love with the city.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $675,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $399,000
- Schools: Laurel Elementary, Bennett Elementary, Harris Bilingual, Dunn Elementary, Putnam Elementary, Lesher Middle School, Fort Collins High School, Poudre High School
- Amenities: Close proximity to restaurants, shops, Library Park, Old Town Square and Colorado State University
Old Town Fort Collins With delightful turn of the century architecture and impressive mature landscaping, Old Town Fort Collins is an absolute gem. The wide streets that were created for horse drawn carriages decades ago now allow plenty of room for cars and bikes alike. That’s convenient when there are so many local shops and eateries nearby to ride too!
Whether you want to enjoy a pint at a brewery along the Poudre River, head down for live music in Old Town Square or need to be close to the Colorado State University campus, Old Town Fort Collins has you covered.
University Park With established homes dating back to 1889, University Park is a well-established neighborhood with a wide range of home styles. Most homes feature a quarter-acre lot, so it’s also a great neighborhood for anyone who wants a little elbow room from their neighbors.
Tennyson Heights, Scott Sherwood, West Side, Martinez Park, Capitol Hill, Hanna Farm, Mountain View Heights, Mantz, University Acres, Miller Brothers, and West Lawn make up most of the remainder of the Downtown/Old Town area.
NORTH FORT COLLINS
North Fort Collins offers a variety of different neighborhoods ranging from rural properties with acreage to established neighborhoods and new builds. With a number of communities surrounding lakes, it’s also a great place to look if you want to live on the water.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $718,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $446,000
- Schools: Tavelli and Eyestone Elementary Schools, Lincoln Middle School, Poudre High School
- Amenities: Golf, Tennis, Swimming at the Country Club, lakeside living at Lindenmeier, Long Pond, &Terry Lake, North College King Soopers
Maple Hill For newer homes near the Fort Collins Country Club, Maple Hill has plenty of options. Many homes feature open floor plans with vaulted ceilings and three to four bedrooms. Plus, it’s centrally located near Long Pond Reservoir, Richard’s Lake and Lindenmeier Lake so residents have plenty of opportunities to bust out their paddleboards!
Country Club Estates Located on the south side of Richard’s Lake, Country Club Estates is an established Fort Collins neighborhood with homes that sit on larger lots of half an acre. Most units are single-story ranches built between the 1960s and 1970s that are 90% owner-occupied.
Want to play a quick 9 holes? Then head to the Fort Collins Country Club located just around the corner!
Terry Point and Terry Shores Located along the north and east shores of Terry Lake, Terry Point and Terry Shores offer an idyllic waterfront location. These Fort Collins neighborhoods feature homes with mature landscaping and large lots as well as townhomes for easy maintenance.
Residents can take advantage of living along the lake with a number of water sports or simply swimming out to lounge on one of the lake’s floating docks.
Lindenwood, Linden Lake, Richards Lake, Greenbriar, Evergreen Park, and Adriel Hills round out the other neighborhoods in North Fort Collins.
MID-TOWN FORT COLLINS
Talk with a Fort Collins long-timer, and mid-town used to be ‘south Fort Collins’. Not anymore! Foothills Mall, including Trader Joes, Cinemark Bistro Theater, Sierra Trading Post, Gilded Goat Brewery, and a host of great upscale shopping and dining merchants, is centrally located off of College and Horsetooth. Biking and walking along the Mason Trail, running north-south, and on Spring Creek Trail and Swallow Road (a designated bike-friendly avenue), running east-west, makes getting out of the car easy and fun.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $602,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $362,000
- Schools: Riffenburgh, Beattie, Shepardson, O’Dea or Lopez Elementary Schools, Lesher Middle School and Boltz Middle School, Fort Collins High School and Rocky Mountain High School
- Amenities: Numerous walking/biking trails, Whole Foods, King Soopers, Sprouts, Foothills Mall
Old Prospect Located within walking distance of the Gardens on Spring Creek, Whole Foods, King Soopers and area schools, the Fort Collins neighborhood of Old Prospect offers an extremely convenient location.
Due to its central location, a large portion of residents bike to work (more than 99.5% of other neighborhoods in the country, in fact!)
Warren Shores is a highly sought-after Fort Collins neighborhood for its ideal location and numerous amenities. Located next to picturesque Warren Lake, homes here offer mature landscaping and easy access to the university, highway, and downtown shops.
Plus, Warren Shores has several nearby parks including Warren Park, Golden Meadow Park and Landings Park. So, getting out to enjoy Colorado’s 300+ days of sunshine couldn’t be easier!
Scotch Pines, Collindale, Stonehenge, Parkwood, Woodwest, Wagon Wheel, Village East, Thunderbird Estates, Indian Hills comprise most of the other mid-town Fort Collins neighorhoods.
SOUTH FORT COLLINS
South Fort Collins is filled with many family-friendly neighborhoods. One of the more rapidly growing areas of the city, it boasts a number of residential and commercial new builds, a plethora of parks and excellent schools.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $810,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $416,000
- Schools: Kruse, Linton, Traut, Zach, Bacon, McGraw, & Werner Elementary, Preston & Kinard Middle School, Fossil Ridge High School
- Amenities: Close to Fossil Creek Park, Twin Silos Park, Fossil Creek Reservoir and Natural Area, Southridge Golf Course and the Harmony Corridor. Clubhouse, tennis, pool and recreational areas. Also located near several paths including Warren Lake Path, Golden Meadow Park Trails and Power Trail.
Huntington Hills Regarded as one of the most family-oriented neighborhoods in the city, Huntington Hills has something for everyone. Whether you want to partake in one of the area’s many attractions or enjoy some fun in the sun at the pool and tennis courts, Huntington Hills in a crowd-pleaser.
This Northern Colorado neighborhood also offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. With the nearby foothills and Portner Reservoir, there’s no shortage of things to do. Or, head to Fossil Creek Park for a picnic and a game of baseball!
Southridge Greens offers a wide range of property types in varying price ranges to accommodate different lifestyles and budgets. This quiet and peaceful neighborhood also has a below-average crime rate, making it one of the safer places to call home.
The neighborhood is among the 15% highest income neighborhoods in America. Its residents are comprised of executive and management professionals, remote workers (more than 98.5% of other neighborhoods in America, in fact!) and retirees.
Oakridge Village If you like parks and open space then you’ll love Oakridge Village. Located just north of the Southridge Golf Course, this community features a large neighborhood park and an abundance of trails.
Homes here are generally two-story on larger lots in addition to several patio homes, so there’s sure to be a property type that meets your needs.
Clarendon Hills, Stetson Creek, Harvest Park, Stanton Creek, Observatory Village, Colland Center, Westchase, Kechter Farm, Willow Springs, Paragon Point, Fossil Lake, Brittany Knolls, Provincetown, and Timber Creek round out the majority of neighborhoods in southern Fort Collins.
EAST FORT COLLINS
Featuring easy access to I-25 and panoramic mountain views, East Fort Collins neighborhoods are as convenient as they are scenic. Many have a rural feel, so they’re wonderful for anyone who wants the charm of country life inside the city.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $637,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $432,000
- Schools: Liberty Common, Ridgeview Classical, Linton, Shepardson & Riffenburgh Elementary, Lesher Middle School, Fort Collins High School
- Amenities: Swimming pool, brewery, coffee shop, farm to table restaurant, boutique clothing shop, park, open space, bike trails, community events, adjacent to the Prospect Ponds Natural Area, Arapahoe Bend Natural Area and Power Trail runs north-south.
Bucking Horse Are you focused on healthy living? Then you’ll love Bucking Horse! This Northern Colorado neighborhood features multiple walking trails, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and edible landscaping. Plus, its idyllic location between Johnson Farm (a future working farm) and Jessup Farm (where locals can enjoy the artisan village) makes it feel like a country retreat.
Still not convinced? Well then, check out one of the neighborhood’s many events. Whether you enjoy free live music, painting or yoga and beer, this community has it all!
Homes here are new and range from single-family residences to condos and townhomes, so it’s easy to find a property to fit your lifestyle.
Rigden Farm Featuring ranch and two-story homes built between 2000 and 2011, Rigden Farm is an easy walk or bike ride from the grocery store and nearby restaurants. Plus, this Northern Colorado neighborhood has a selection of townhomes and condos for those looking for great amenities with less maintenance.
English Ranch, Stone Ridge, Dakota Ridge, Meadows East, Parkwood East, Foxstone, Sidehill, Sunstone, and Fox Meadows create the rest of the major neighborhoods in East Fort Collins.
WEST FORT COLLINS
For those who love the mountains, the neighborhoods of West Fort Collins are pure perfection. The extensive network of trails to nearby Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park and Mountain Park makes it easy to get out and enjoy the Rocky Mountains in minutes.
The neighborhood at a glance:
- Average Single Detached Home Sales Price: $621,000
- Average Attached Home Sales Price: $386,000
- Schools: Bennett, Johnson, Irish, Bauder and Olander Elementary School, Blevins, Lincoln, Cache La Poudre & Webber Middle School, Rocky Mountain High School & Poudre High School
- Amenities: An abundance of natural trails and easy access to nearby state parks and downtown
The Ponds at Overland Trail Nestled against the foothills, The Ponds at Overland Trail is a popular west Fort Collins Neighborhood with plenty of community open space. That’s 73 acres of open space, to be exact! Featuring native grass and natural walking paths that connect with the nearby Foothills Trail and Maxwell Natural Area, The Ponds makes it easy to get back to nature.
The Ponds is also conveniently located near Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park and the Holiday Twin Drive-In Movie Theatre (for anyone looking for a great date night idea!)
Many of the neighborhood’s single-family homes back to open space, so residents can enjoy stunning Colorado views right out there back window.
Poudre Overlook If you love the mountains and outdoor activities, then the neighborhood of Poudre Overlook is the place for you. Located where the Poudre River runs under Overland Trail, this Colorado neighborhood is just 12 minutes from the Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest.
Plus, with so many nearby trails it’s the perfect spot to kick off your Rocky Mountain escapades. Bike along the Poudre River Trail all the way to Old Town for some live music, or head out to Lions Park to breathe in some fresh mountain air. No matter which direction you head, you’re sure to find adventure.
Brown Farm With an affordable price-point and easy access to Colorado State University and downtown Fort Collins, Brown Farm is a great Northern Colorado neighborhood for first-time homebuyers. In addition to nearby public lands, the community also features an impressive 7.25-acre park, making it a great location to enjoy time outdoors. Blevins Park boasts a playground, picnic shelter, two sports fields and restroom facilities.
Need a place to keep your boat, RV or camper? Look no further! Brown Farm’s lack of an HOA means you can park your recreational vehicles right in your driveway. That’s great news if you want to enjoy them at nearby Horsetooth Reservoir or anywhere else along the Front Range.
Silverplume, Casa Grande, Bella Vira, Trail West, Miller Brothers, Rogers Park, Rossborough, Red Fox Meadows, Cedarwood, Lexington Green, Sienna, Hampshire Court, Quail Hollow, Village West, Registry Ridge, Silver Oaks, Wagon Wheel, Westfield, Westbrook, Kensington, and Heatheridge are just a few of the others to complement West Fort Collins.
With an endless list of amenities, a great school system, an idyllic location and a lively cultural scene, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to live in Fort Collins. Now the only question is, which Fort Collins neighborhood will you choose?