Fort Collins has not always been home for me and my family. We moved from the east coast after years of visiting family and friends and being captivated by the natural beauty that the area offers.

So what made us decide to live and work full-time in northern Colorado?

1) The people -- Coming from the east coast, the most pleasant surprise by far was the warm, welcoming people of Northern Colorado. From fast-food servers to local business owners to neighbors, everyone we met had the same, consistent traits: a welcoming smile, a desire to help, and a passion to share what they love about the Fort Collins area. We constantly met people who were born and raised here, or had lived here for over 20 years, and some who had moved back after living in other parts of the country. And they all said basically the same thing, "When you see this much beauty all around you, why would you want to live anywhere else?"

2) Natural beauty -- The Rocky Mountains are captivating, to say the least. Driving across eastern Colorado, the plains give way to a stunning backdrop as you approach metro Denver. When the skies are clear, which seems to be most of the year, the massive peaks dotting the front range are truly awe-inspring! Drive an hour out of town up into the mountains, and the vistas looking back over the city are jaw-dropping.

3) Outdoor activities year round -- When spring blooms take over the landscape and the temperature warms up, people flock to the dozens of Open Space, Natural Areas, and mountain trails that are everywhere in the front range. Hiking, biking, and backpacking season is in full swing. The air is crisp and clean, and the streams are high with the winter's snow melt. As summer brings warmer temps, the humidity stays very low making for extremely comfortable hiking and white water rafting trips. Camping spots are plentiful, and weekend treks to the mountains are a popular activity. Even though daytime temperatures may reach the 90's or even 100, nights cool off into a comfortable 50-60 degree range, perfect for lighting up the fire pit. Fishing, hunting, and camping continue through fall as temperatures drop slightly but remain very comfortable. And, of course, as winter snows come to the area, new activities emerge from ice skating to snow-shoeing, skiing and snowboarding to cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. NoCo truly offers something for everyone year-round!

4) Safe environment -- I've lived in several different places throughout my life, but never have I lived in a place that feels as safe as the NoCo area. Though all cities have some crime, and our area is no different, it generally consists of minor theft and misdemeanor offenses. Downtown Fort Collins is a lively, family-filled place in the evenings. Many of the city parks are filled with evening and weekend scheduled activities to encourage community participation. Bike-share programs make it easy for couples and families to get around the city. Farmer's markets dot the metro areas on weekends, and trails bustle with joggers and bike riders almost year round. This is truly an outstanding place to live!

5) Healthy lifestyle -- it is no surprise that with the wide range of outdoor activities, and the beautiful weather that encourages you to participate, Colorado has earned a reputation for being one of the healthiest places to live in the nation! Agriculture is also big in our area, meaning that finding healthy foods is also a fun and easy activity.

It is hard to say enough great things about the NoCo area. It is an amazing place to be single, to live as a young couple, to raise a family, or to retire in! Come check it out!