Moving to Fort Collins
Neighborhoods, employers, schools, and the outdoors, plus a practical checklist for anyone relocating to the No. 1 Best Place to Live in America.
No. 1
Best Place to Live in America, Livability.com 2024
46+
Miles of paved trail across the city
~65 mi
North of Denver on I-25
5,003 ft
Elevation, with 300-plus days of sunshine a year
Contents
The City
Where people live
Work
Schools
Getting outside
Day to Day
Moving checklist
Arriving in 2027
01 The City
A College Town That Grew Into a Real City
Fort Collins sits at the base of the Front Range about an hour north of Denver, a college town that grew into a real city without losing the parts people liked. Livability.com ranked it the No. 1 Best Place to Live in America in 2024.
Short commutes, a serious trail network, a downtown people actually use, and employers stable enough to build a decade around.
02 · Neighborhoods
Where People Live
North central
Old Town and near downtown
Walkable and lively, with the oldest housing stock and the highest turnover.
West central
Near Colorado State University
Student-weighted, loudest in August, cheapest per bedroom.
Southeast
Southeast Fort Collins
Established, quieter, close to the Harmony employment corridor and top-rated schools. Where families and long-term renters land.
North and northeast
Newer construction
Faster growth, longer drives to the employment core.
If you are weighing the southeast specifically, the apartments in Southeast Fort Collins guide goes deeper.
03 · Employment
Work
The employment base is broader than a college town’s usually is:
Much of it sits along the Harmony Road corridor in the southeast, which is why housing there stays in demand. I-25 runs minutes east for Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, and Denver. See getting to work.
04 · Schools
Poudre School District
Poudre School District serves the city and is a common reason families choose a specific neighborhood rather than a specific building. Attendance boundaries shift, so confirm assignments with the district before you commit to an address. Details on the campuses near The Flats are on the schools page.
05 · Outdoors
Getting Outside
The paved trail system runs 46-plus miles citywide and is used for commuting as much as recreation. Horsetooth Reservoir and the foothills sit directly west for hiking, paddling, and climbing, with Rocky Mountain National Park about an hour and a half away. Winters are dry and sunny more often than not, with snow that clears quickly. See parks and trails.
06 · Everyday
Day to Day
Old Town covers dining, breweries, galleries, and a year-round events calendar. Front Range Village and the Harmony corridor handle groceries and errands in the southeast. Fort Collins is a genuine brewing hub, from national names to neighborhood taprooms. More on the things to do page.
07 · Before you move
A Practical Moving Checklist
01
Set your commute anchor first
Then explore neighborhoods that offer convenient access to your workplace.
02
Confirm school attendance areas
Check directly with Poudre School District before you commit to an address.
03
Budget for elevation and dry air
More water, more sunscreen, humidifiers in winter.
04
Check pet policy specifics early
Fort Collins is a dog city and good pet amenities go fast.
05
Filter for in-home laundry
Older stock often does not have it.
08 · New in 2027
Arriving in 2027
COMMUNITY
The Flats at Hansen Farm, Southeast Fort Collins
HOMES
255 new garden-style residences
FLOORPLANS
One, two, and three bedrooms, 716 to 1,331 sf
All homes include in-home laundry and luxury vinyl flooring throughout, with private balconies available in select homes. If your move falls within that window, the interest list is the first stop.
Make Southeast Fort Collins Home
Apartment homes coming early 2027.