Thinking about moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2025? Whether you’re still considering your options or you’ve already committed, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about relocating to Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.
Fort Collins is an incredible place to live, but it’s not for everyone. From choosing the right neighborhood to navigating new real estate changes like the NAR settlement, this guide will help you move with confidence.
1. Is Fort Collins Right for You?
Before making the big move, let’s talk about lifestyle fit.
✅ Cost of Living: Fort Collins isn’t as expensive as Boulder or Denver, but it’s also not the cheapest place to live. Expect home prices to reflect the demand for this highly desirable city.
✅ Outdoor & Active Lifestyle: If you love hiking, biking, breweries, and community events, you’ll love it here. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced, big-city vibe, Fort Collins may feel too slow.
✅ Remote Work: Fort Collins has embraced remote workers, with a growing coworking district downtown featuring half a dozen shared office buildings. Plus, the city’s fiber-optic internet (Connexions) makes it one of the most tech-friendly places in Colorado.
2. Should You Rent or Buy in Fort Collins?
If you’re moving to Fort Collins in 2025, you have options:
Short-Term Rental Options in Fort Collins
If you want to test-drive the city before buying, consider these short-term rental providers:
- Penta Homes 🏡 – Furnished rentals, great for transitioning.
- Mountain Time Vacation Rentals 🏔️ – Ideal for extended stays.
- Carousel Properties 🔄 – Offers executive stay options.
- Eco Tenant 🌱 – Sustainable, modern rental choices.
Long-Term Rentals in Fort Collins
If you’re not ready to buy yet but want to get a feel for different neighborhoods, a long-term rental (6-12 months) can be a great option.
- Best for:
- People waiting for the right home to hit the market.
- Those who want to explore multiple neighborhoods before committing to an area.
- Relocators who want to time their home purchase around interest rates.
- What to Expect:
- Rents have stabilized but are still higher than national averages.
- Single-family home rentals can be hard to find, so start your search early.
2025 Market Update: Buying a Home in Fort Collins
- Home prices have stabilized over the last 2.5 years.
- Waiting won’t necessarily get you a better deal. Prices aren’t dropping significantly, but they’re also not skyrocketing like they did in 2020-2022.
- Interest rates are still a key factor, so affordability depends on your financing.
3. Why Choosing the Right Buyer Agent Matters More Than Ever
A major change in 2025 is the NAR settlement, which affects how real estate agents work with buyers.
📌 What this means for you:
- You need an agent who actually provides value.
- Look for structured buyer consultations. A great agent will walk you through the home-buying process before you even start looking at homes.
- Negotiation skills are more important than ever.
If you’re moving to Fort Collins and need a top-tier buyer agent, I’d love to help!
4. Choosing the Right Neighborhood in Fort Collins
Where you live in Fort Collins depends on your priorities.
New in 2025: The ADU Law
- Now, your entire property is a blank canvas.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can be used for:
- Aging parents 🏠
- College-aged kids 🎓
- A rental unit for extra income 💰
- A private studio, gym, or workspace 🎨
Neighborhood Considerations
🏡 Safety: Most of Fort Collins is safe, and you can park your car overnight nearly anywhere without concern.
🚶♂️ Walkability vs. Bikeability:
- Bikeability: 45+ miles of paved trails (with 70+ more coming!).
- Walkability: Downtown is your best bet, with a few Midtown options. Otherwise, Fort Collins is fairly spread out.
🎓 Schools: Poudre School District has boundaries, but Fort Collins offers School of Choice, so you may be able to enroll your child in a school outside your designated district.
🚗 Commute:
- DIA Access: Living in Southeast Fort Collins makes airport commutes easier.
- Traffic Flow: The city has multiple I-25 interchanges, making navigation easier than many metro areas.
💰 Home Size & Value:
- The further from Old Town you go, the more home you’ll get for your money.
5. Submitting Offers & Navigating the 2025 Market
The Fort Collins market is balanced, meaning:
- Homes aren’t flying off the market in bidding wars, but well-priced properties still move fast.
- Be prepared, but don’t expect the chaotic buying frenzy of 2020-2022.
6. The Actual Move: Best Practices
Moving to Fort Collins? Here’s how to do it without the stress.
1. Get 3 Moving Quotes & Choose Your Moving Strategy
- Full-Service Movers: They pack, load, and unload.
- You Load, They Drive: Think PODS or freight movers.
- DIY Move: Rent a truck and do it yourself.
2. Should You Move Everything? Or Sell & Buy New?
- Consider the cost vs. benefit of moving furniture.
- Affordable furniture options:
- American Furniture Warehouse (local)
- IKEA in Denver (60-75 minutes away)
3. Organize Your Move: The Sticker System
- Color-code boxes based on room:
- 🟠 Orange → Primary Bedroom
- 🟢 Green → Kitchen
- 🔵 Blue → Living Room
- 🔴 Red → Garage
- Create a floor plan for movers to avoid confusion.
4. Traveling with Pets? Plan Ahead
- Research pet-friendly hotels (Marriott, La Quinta, and Motel 6).
- Consider shipping larger pet items separately via UPS or FedEx.
5. Plan Around the Weather
- If possible, move in spring, summer, or fall to avoid snow-related delays.
7. Making Fort Collins Feel Like Home
🎉 2025 Community Updates
- Poudre River Trail Fully Connected 🚴♂️ – Now 45 miles from Bellvue to Greeley.
- Nearly 1,000 acres of parks – including 43 neighborhood parks & 7 community parks.
- Hughes Stadium Site Redevelopment 🏟️ – A civic assembly in 2025 will determine how this 164-acre site will be used.
🌟 How to Get Involved in the Community
- Join local Facebook groups like “Living in Fort Collins.”
- Explore city recreation programs through The Recreator.
- Get out and meet people – Whether it’s CSU sports, brewery events, or outdoor groups, there’s always something happening in Fort Collins!
Thinking About Moving to Fort Collins? Let’s Talk!
If you’re moving to Fort Collins in 2025, we’d love to be your real estate resource.
✔️ Watch my neighborhood breakdown videos to help you choose the right area.
✔️ Ready to buy? Let’s set up a buyer consultation to plan your best home-buying strategy.
✔️ Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more Fort Collins insights!
🏡 Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!
