5 Reasons People are MOVING OUT of Fort Collins

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Fort Collins is an amazing place to live, but it’s definitely not perfect. Just like any other town, it also has its flaws. So, today, we’re going to talk about 5 reasons people are moving out of Fort Collins.

Let’s dive in.

Population growth

It’s safe to say that Fort Collins has grown substantially over the past few years. And it’s continuing to grow and expand by the day. So if you prefer to live in a smaller community and have that small-town feel, Fort Collins may not be for you anymore.

To be honest, it’s becoming more of a small city/big town kind of place so that’s one of the reasons why some people are deciding to move out of here in 2022.

Wildfires and air quality

Another reason why people are moving out of Fort Collins is that we had two substantial fires in the area over the past few years. We had the Cameron Peak fire in Colorado in 2020. There was smoke in the air, ashes on the cars, and orange skies for days on end. With that and COVID in 2020, it felt like the world was coming to an end.

Then, again, in 2022, we had the Marshall fire in Boulder which was one of the most destructive fires in Colorado history. The winds combined with the dry time of year (January) really caused havoc in Louisville and Boulder.

Unfortunately, experts suggest that Colorado will probably have more fires in the future due to the drought and climate change. It will be up to the population and the people living there to really have an intentionality and focus behind practicing safe fire habits.

Political reasons

As the population in Fort Collins increases, the community is turning more blue than red politically speaking. So, given the fact that some families have grown up in a more conservative republican climate, they don’t necessarily affiliate themselves anymore with the current political climate of Fort Collins. Fort Collins is not a far left leaning community, but it has turned from red to purple to more blue over the past 10 years.

This is a reason that some of the older population that has been here for generations may find themselves relocating to more rural parts of Colorado.

I’m not suggesting this is right or wrong, it is just how Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins has voted recently.

Housing costs

Another common reason why people are moving out of Fort Collins is the cost of housing. According to some studies, 92% of people feel that the cost of housing in Fort Collins is untenable. This can be attributed to a lot of different factors, from population growth to supply chain issues.

It is not just buying a house either. Rental rates have shot up over the past 12 months, increasing 10-20%.

With no relief in site, I don’t see our cost of housing going down any time soon. I would love to see it level off though, for a few years. Here is to wishful thinking!

Cashing out on properties

The final reason why people may be moving out of Fort Collins is due to the big migration that’s happening all around the country. People are cashing out on their properties and moving to a more affordable areas. If they are retired, able to work remotely, or just want to change their lifestyle, over the past 2-10 years, those who have bought or own property, have seen their property value skyrocket. It is an amazing time to cash out and make decisions on what to do next with the proceeds.

Final thoughts

So there you have it! Those are the 5 reasons people are moving out of Fort Collins. Hopefully, this article helped you understand our town a little bit better and decide whether Fort Collins is a good place for you.

For any help with buying, selling, or investing in Fort Collins Colorado, feel free to contact Soukup Real Estate Services. We’d be happy to help and welcome you to our town.

In the meantime, check out the full video below:

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