What’s It Like Living in Fort Collins, Colorado? A Firsthand Guide from a Local Family

Chances are, since you’re reading this post, you’re considering moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. You want to know: what’s it really like living in Fort Collins? We were once in your exact position, and we recall there being a lack of real, firsthand information online about Fort Collins — so we put this guide together to help you get an honest, ground-level account of what life is actually like here.

If you’re looking for a complete overview of everything involved in the move, check out our Moving to Fort Collins, Colorado — The Complete Relocation Guide.

Common questions we answer in this guide:

• What’s the weather like in Fort Collins?
• What is there to do in Fort Collins?
• Is it expensive to live in Fort Collins?
• What are the property taxes?
• What are people like?
• Are Fort Collins schools good?
• Are there good jobs in Fort Collins?
• Is Fort Collins a good place to live?

These are exactly the kinds of questions we help our clients answer every day — because today, we’re not just a family who moved to Fort Collins… we’re local real estate experts helping others do the same.

Carrie and I run The Levi Group, and we’ve helped hundreds of people find their footing (and their dream home) here in Northern Colorado. Whether you’re moving from out of state, relocating for a job, or just chasing that gut feeling that life could be better somewhere else — we’re here to help.

Table of Contents

Our Story — Why We Moved from Chicago to Fort Collins

Ten years ago, my wife Carrie and I made a decision that quietly reshaped every part of our lives: we moved from the Chicago suburbs to Fort Collins, Colorado.

At the time, we weren’t chasing a hot real estate market or trying to time a trend. We were a young family asking a simple but important question: Where do we actually want to live our lives?

If you’re researching moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, wondering what it’s really like to live here, or trying to decide whether relocating to Northern Colorado makes sense for your family, this is our story — and why we’re still here a decade later.

Life Before the Move: Suburban Chicago Living

We were living in Libertyville, a well-known suburb north of Chicago. It was a great place to grow up, raise kids, and stay close to family. The schools were solid. The neighborhoods were established. Everything was familiar.

But Midwest winters have a way of wearing you down slowly.

Long stretches of gray skies. Cold that limits outdoor time for months. Life increasingly happened indoors, and without realizing it, our routines started to shrink around the weather.

Over time, we began asking ourselves bigger questions:

• Were we wasting our lives away, sitting in the house for 8 months of the year waiting for the weather to change?
• Could we find a place where being active outdoors wasn’t seasonal?
• What kind of environment did we want our kids growing up in?

Those questions pushed us to start exploring options beyond the Midwest.

Why We Looked West

Like many families in Illinois, our first thought was California. I had a work conference in Newport Beach, and we turned it into a short family trip. The weather was incredible. The ocean was beautiful. The lifestyle looked appealing — until we started looking at housing costs, taxes, and overall affordability. Southern California simply didn’t align with the long-term lifestyle we wanted. We weren’t looking to stretch financially just to live somewhere warm.

That’s when Colorado entered the conversation.

Exploring Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins

Around that time, I was offered a job opportunity that included a relocation package, giving us the chance to explore several Colorado cities firsthand.

Denver

Denver had energy, job opportunities, and a growing economy. But for what we wanted — space, neighborhoods, and long-term livability — the housing felt tight for families who didn’t want to compromise.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs offered affordability and dramatic mountain views. But culturally and lifestyle-wise, it didn’t quite fit what we were looking for.

→ Related: How Far Is Fort Collins From Denver — What You Should Know

Discovering Fort Collins: The City That Felt Right

Our first stop was Old Town Fort Collins.

Almost immediately, it felt different.

Old Town had character without feeling dated, energy without chaos, and a strong local identity. The presence of Colorado State University gave the city life, but it didn’t feel like a college town that shut down when school wasn’t in session.

There were families, professionals, students, and retirees all sharing the same spaces — restaurants, patios, parks, and trails.

The next day confirmed it.

→ Related: 5 Reasons You’ll Love Historic Old Town Fort Collins

Neighborhoods, Trails, and an Outdoor-Centered Lifestyle

We spent time touring Fort Collins neighborhoods, driving through areas with parks, sidewalks, and kids riding bikes. We learned about the extensive trail system that connects large parts of the city.

Then we visited Horsetooth Reservoir.

Families paddleboarding. People hiking before dinner. Outdoor recreation wasn’t something people planned for — it was built into daily life.

Coming from the Midwest, that was eye-opening.

By the end of that visit, we knew Fort Collins wasn’t just a place we liked. It was a place we could see ourselves building a life.

→ Related: Map of Fort Collins Neighborhoods

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→ Related: Kayaking and Paddle Boarding at Horsetooth Reservoir

Making the Move: The Hardest Part

The hardest part of moving to Fort Collins had nothing to do with logistics.

We were leaving behind family — parents, siblings, and the support system that makes early parenthood easier. There’s no sugarcoating that part.

But we also knew something important: if we didn’t make the move then, we probably never would.

So we committed fully, packed up our lives, and started over in Northern Colorado.

→ Related: Best Moving Companies for Relocating to Fort Collins

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What Living in Fort Collins Is Really Like

A City That Grows With You

Fort Collins has a rare ability to support people through multiple stages of life.

• Young professionals love the social scene, breweries, trails, and walkability.
• Families appreciate the neighborhoods, schools, parks, and sense of safety.
• Empty nesters value the culture, outdoor access, and manageable pace of life.

It’s not a city you outgrow.

Outdoor Living Is Everyday Life

In Fort Collins, outdoor access isn’t a perk — it’s part of the infrastructure. Trails, open space, foothills, and water are woven into the city itself. That changes how you spend your time.

Strong Community Feel

Despite steady growth, Fort Collins still feels personal. Local businesses matter. Community events are well-supported. Neighborhoods feel like neighborhoods, not just collections of houses. That balance is increasingly rare.

→ Related: The Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Collins

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Why So Many People Are Moving to Fort Collins, Colorado

Over the years, we’ve met countless people relocating to Fort Collins from Chicago and the Midwest, Texas, California, and the East Coast.

Most share similar motivations: better quality of life, four distinct seasons without extreme winters, easy access to nature without sacrificing city amenities, and a welcoming, down-to-earth culture.

Fort Collins doesn’t try to be a massive metro or a quiet mountain town. It sits comfortably in between — and that’s exactly why it works.

→ Related: Fort Collins vs Loveland — Which City Is Right for You?

Fort Collins Weather: What It’s Really Like Year-Round

If you’re considering moving to Fort Collins, there’s a good chance you’re wondering about the weather. Coming from the Midwest, the promise of more sunny days was a big attraction for us. The good news: Fort Collins has four true seasons and some of the most enjoyable weather in Colorado.

Winter in Fort Collins

Fort Collins winters are surprisingly manageable. The city sits around 5,000 feet — which means less snow and milder conditions than higher-elevation Colorado towns. Expect a few snowstorms from November through February ranging from a dusting to 6–10 inches. March and April are actually the snowiest months, with occasional storms bringing up to a foot.

Snow tends to melt quickly thanks to strong sunshine and low humidity. Roads are usually cleared fast. The biggest challenge is shaded sidewalks and north-facing driveways, which can stay icy longer.

As for temperatures: 30 degrees in Fort Collins feels warmer than 30 degrees in Chicago or Dallas. The dry air and intense sun often make winter days feel 10–15 degrees warmer than the actual reading. Daytime highs average in the 40s, and sunny skies are common even in January.

Spring and Summer in Fort Collins

By mid-April, things start to green up. Snow gives way to blue skies, tulips, and hiking weather. From May to October, expect daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s with cooler evenings in the 50s. Even in July — typically the warmest month — temps usually peak in the high 80s to low 90s. With dry air, even warm days don’t feel oppressive.

Fall in Fort Collins

Fall might just seal the deal. By mid-September, the foothills come alive with golden cottonwoods and glowing aspen groves. Crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings make it perfect for hiking, backyard dinners, and football season. Fort Collins also comes alive with harvest festivals, CSU game days, and pumpkin patches.

→ Related: Fort Collins Weather — A Month-by-Month Guide

→ Related: How Much Snow Does Fort Collins Get?

What’s There to Do in Fort Collins?

If you’re considering a move to Northern Colorado, the lifestyle here is one of the biggest reasons people fall in love with Fort Collins.

Fort Collins is surrounded by scenic trails for all skill levels, with hiking hotspots like Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Arthur’s Rock, and Lory State Park right in our backyard. Fort Collins is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, with over 285 miles of biking and walking trails winding through town and along the Cache la Poudre River.

The nearby Poudre Canyon offers world-class fly fishing and whitewater rafting just 20 minutes from town. In winter, you’re a couple of hours from top ski resorts like Breckenridge, Loveland, and Winter Park.

Fort Collins also ranks as one of the best cities for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting more than 25 breweries including New Belgium and Odell. If you’re moving with kids, you’ll find a wide variety of youth recreational sports offered year-round.

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Is It Expensive to Live in Fort Collins?

Yes and no. On average, homes here are pricier than homes just south, east, or north of us. In Chicago, we found that we wanted a bigger home because of the heat, extreme humidity, and long winters that kept us inside. Here, we’ve found we can function with a smaller home because of the comfortable summer weather and outdoor lifestyle.

Housing is available in Fort Collins below the $500K range, but you’ll mostly be looking at three-bedroom homes around 2,000 sq ft that may require some work. Sales tax in Fort Collins is 4.35%, and groceries and utilities are very reasonably priced compared to Illinois.

If you’re looking for more affordable housing in Northern Colorado, check out Windsor, Timnath, Loveland, and Berthoud.

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What Are Fort Collins Property Taxes Like?

Coming from Chicago, we were used to high property taxes — but that’s not the case in Fort Collins. Colorado has some of the lowest property taxes in the U.S. In Fort Collins (Larimer County), the average effective property tax rate is around 0.55% of a home’s assessed value.

For example, on a $500,000 home, you can expect to pay roughly $2,750 per year in property taxes. Colorado taxes are based on a percentage of assessed (not market) value, which is typically lower than the sale price. Your actual bill may vary depending on the neighborhood, special districts, or school zones.

What Are the Schools Like?

Poudre School District (PSD) primarily serves Fort Collins, offering a blend of traditional, charter, and alternative schools. As of 2024–2025, Fort Collins has approximately 32 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 9 high schools.

PSD is known for offering various academic paths, including International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM, dual-language immersion, and career/technical education programs.

→ Related: A Parent’s Guide to Schools When Moving to Fort Collins

What Kinds of Work Are Available in Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a developing and diverse economy. Colorado State University (CSU) is one of the largest employers in the region, creating jobs in education, research, and administration. The city is also home to major tech and engineering companies including Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Broadcom.

Healthcare is another major sector, with UCHealth and Banner Health hiring across medical and administrative roles. Fort Collins also supports biosciences, clean energy, brewing, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and outdoor recreation.

With the area’s growing population, the job market remains strong — and Fort Collins is increasingly popular with remote workers who want lifestyle without sacrificing career opportunities.

→ Related: Your Guide to Healthcare Resources in Fort Collins

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fort Collins