I am a veteran, now college student finishing up a degree at a univ. here in the CA. I am interested in attending vet med school at CSU and if I am unable to do that, possibly a masters program there while I gain residency.


I am going to be looking into possibly buying a house in that community or somewhere within a reasonable commuting distance from there. Something modest of course, the wife and I arent exactly wealthy and I am going to be continuing to be a student. I have heard of condo/townhouses in the 160k range. Does this seem about the going rate?

What is the job-outlook in the area? Crime much of a problem? Anything interesting in the area?

The gun laws look to be a huge plus, CCW is SHALL ISSUE I assume?

Tell me what you think!

Thanks  


ETA: I am not too worried about the weather. I lived in CT for a few years before I moved out here, and the wife is from NY.

You dont need to worry about weather,  Other than that nothing of consequence to report about the city. (read .....just like any other for its size)

In the month of February the lowest temp was about -6F  and the high temp on this Tuesday was almost  +70F


For what its worth the CSU Vet school is supposed to be one of the best in the country.   It would be worth it to attend even if you hated the city and the people.

Just stay out of the Peoples Republic of Boulder there are a bunch of nut jobs in that town.

You should be able to get a condo/townhouse in that range or even an older house. Loveland, Windsor, Wellington are some other close towns to look into also.

The vet school is great but don't expect to make much after you graduate if you stay around Fort Collins. I know several and the pay isn't that good.

Crime is very low.

Yes the entire sate of CO is shall issue, just have to take a class or have other formal training and pay the fees for background check.

Weather is a lot milder than people think, don't tell everybody though, keeps some of them out.

BTW I live in Fort Collins.

Quoted: You should be able to get a condo/townhouse in that range or even an older house. Loveland, Windsor, Wellington are some other close towns to look into also. The vet school is great but don't expect to make much after you graduate if you stay around Fort Collins. I know several and the pay isn't that good. Crime is very low. Yes the entire sate of CO is shall issue, just have to take a class or have other formal training and pay the fees for background check. Weather is a lot milder than people think, don't tell everybody though, keeps some of them out. BTW I live in Fort Collins.

Does prior service count?

No Prior Service does not count with regard to the CCW permit as far as I know.

Quoted: No Prior Service does not count with regard to the CCW permit as far as I know.

Well, ponying up for a class is much better than the celebrity only issue where I live

Quoted: No Prior Service does not count with regard to the CCW permit as far as I know.

Don't qoute me on this, you'll have to check up on it, but it may be true.  I think some military service counts if you can prove you had extensive handgun training, i.e an MP.  Like I said I'm not 100% sure, so read up on it.

Zach

Quoted: Does prior service count?

From Larimer County site

The applicant must demonstrate competence with a handgun by submitting the following:   1. Evidence of experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competitions or current military service.   2. Evidence that, at the time the application is submitted, the applicant is a certified instructor.  3. Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States Armed Forces within the three years preceding submittal of the application.   4. Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States Armed Forces that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application.   5. A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado Law Enforcement Agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application.   6. A training certificate from a “handgun training class” (see definitions) obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application.  The applicant shall submit the original training certificate or a photocopy thereof that includes the original signature of the class instructor.  In obtaining a training certificate from a handgun training class, the applicant shall have discretion in selecting which handgun training class to complete.

Fort Collins is ok, pretty quiet, but on average I find that the people are a bit on the snooty-rich side.  I used to live in Windsor, about 5mi from Ft. Collins.  The town council seems to want to turn it into a mini Boulder.    Not to say that I didn't like living in that area, and my family still lives there.  I would move back, but I would not live in Ft. Collins, but I won't be a student after my next move.  

If you really want to get a vet degree, CSU is quite possibly the best in the world.  The large animal specialists are surperb.  However, the local area is extremely oversaturated with vets, especially large animal.  

PS: If you plan on buying, you would probably like Weld county better than Larimer(ft. collins), as the Sheriff & county .gov are easier to get along with.  

ETA: This has to be my worst post ever grammatically.  

I lived in Ft. Collins for two years while I got my grad degree.

One of the best places I have ever lived. Around 110,000 people I think.  Very safe, and very good for families. Not cheap, but also not as expensive as Boulder or Denver. Jobs would be tough to come by for a Animal doc I would assume.

Quoted: Quoted: No Prior Service does not count with regard to the CCW permit as far as I know. Don't qoute me on this, you'll have to check up on it, but it may be true.  I think some military service counts if you can prove you had extensive handgun training, i.e an MP.  Like I said I'm not 100% sure, so read up on it. Zach

Last I heard you just need to take your discharge papers in with a photo and your good to go.

If you wind up moving here, IM me.  I live in Ft Collins also.

Quoted: If you wind up moving here, IM me.  I live in Ft Collins also.

Me too

Quoted: Quoted: If you wind up moving here, IM me.  I live in Ft Collins also. Me too

Thanks  

Me three

Quoted: I don't think I realized how many of us live in Fort Collins.  hr

+1

Longtime lurker here, just started posting.  How often are we waiting on each other in line at Jensens, Jax, Sportsmans and the like?  Probably pretty often.  

For more affordable housing you can look to Windsor, Wellington, Severence, Ault, or even Loveland.  I recently bought my first house and went out of Fort Collins because my dollars went a lot further.   A bit further of a commute is Eaton, but might be worth a look.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I don't think I realized how many of us live in Fort Collins.  hr +1 Longtime lurker here, just started posting.  How often are we waiting on each other in line at Jensens, Jax, Sportsmans and the like?  Probably pretty often.   For more affordable housing you can look to Windsor, Wellington, Severence, Ault, or even Loveland.  I recently bought my first house and went out of Fort Collins because my dollars went a lot further.   A bit further of a commute is Eaton, but might be worth a look. Welcome aboard GabRanch!  Glad you decided to join in. I wonder how many of you people I actually have seen.  h

Thank You for the welcome.  Damn you defcon, you must be my girlfriend, I was wondering what she was doing on the computer at all hours of the night!  34D might be pushing it though, Oh, and quit lying about your age.h.gif

Quoted: Welcome aboard GabRanch!  Glad you decided to join in. I wonder how many of you people I actually have seen.    We would probably recognize at least a few us. I am 26 yrs old, 5'10", blonde, 125#, with 34D boobs.  I kind of look like Jessica Simpson.  If you think you all see me around town, come up and say hi, oh and pinch my butt, I love that.

Heh, I'm a 5'11" lardass, short brown hair and 30-something years old.  No need to pinch my sexy ass.....

well, unless you are the woman mentioned above.

Great Choice!  Great place to raise a family.  Do not find people there to be snooty?  My only complaint as a child growing up there, was that it was a little dull; however, great place to raise a family and being a blast for kids are usually incompatible.

It's very safe (except for the rape statistics for the past 3 years - don't know what that's about?); every other statistic is way below national average.  The city is well maintained, and the surrounding area provides many potential activities for the outdoor minded individual: great hunting, camping, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, rafting, etc.

My family has been in the Fort for almost 100 years, and while it has changed a lot, it still has that "small town" feel for the most part.

I was born and raised there, and I graduated from CSU as with about every one of my immediate and extended family members who went to college.  My father still works there in Admin, and three other relatives work there as well.

While my first inclination would be to tell you it's horrible place, and warn you not to move there (way too much growth in the last 20 years), since you're an ARFCOMMER, I'll give you the straight dope....just don't tell anyone else.

If you have any specific questions about the city, the university, or the surrounding area, don't hesitate to send an email, I'd be happy to answer your questions.  If you do decide to move there, drop me a line, and I'll show you some good places to hunt/fish/shoot; again, on the condition you don't tell anyone else....especially Californorodoans.

Liles1977

Best of luck to you with your move

Quoted: I don't think I realized how many of us live in Fort Collins.

Where do we all live....I am at Taft and Elizabeth.

Quoted: Quoted: I don't think I realized how many of us live in Fort Collins.   Where do we all live....I am at Taft and Elizabeth.

Drake and Lemay

Near Trilby and College, basically behind Fossil Creek Nursery

Mummmmmm www.fazolis.com/

Time for a run to Jax and Fazolis

Noodles and Company is way better than Fazolis.

Quoted: Noodles and Company is way better than Fazolis.

Nothing can be better than all the FREE super yummie breadsticks ya can eat at Fazolis

Get a small pasta with meat sauce & bring on the breadsticks

Yes the breadsticks are very good. I think they sprinkle them with crack.

down the street from Jax

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I don't think I realized how many of us live in Fort Collins.   Where do we all live....I am at Taft and Elizabeth. Drake and Lemay

Off of Overland Trail, near Elizabeth.

I live on Azalea, near the stadium.  Planning on moving up to Buckhorn canyon in the next few months.  Overall I like Fort Collins, I've been here a little over 10 years.  I get really sick of all the Kerry bumper stickers and the city council though.