The document discusses some of the most affordable cities to live in Colorado. It describes Greeley, which was named the 7th most affordable city in the US in 2016, and has a low cost of living alongside a thriving economy. It also outlines Fort Collins, which is located near hiking trails and has over 20 craft breweries, good schools, and major businesses. Additionally, it mentions Loveland as a good place for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing near the Rocky Mountains. Finally, it briefly describes Longmont and Westminster as affordable family-friendly cities close to Denver that have cultural attractions.

1. T H E M O S T
A F F O R D A B L E
C I T I E S I N
C O L O R A D O T O
L I V E I N
> B Y : K I R S T E N H A M L I N G <
B O O K R E P O R T B Y A D A M S M I T H
K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M

2. K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M
G R E E L Y , C O
Greeley, Colorado was named livability.com’s seventh best
affordable place to live in the United States for 2016. This
town has low real estate costs but a thriving economy
based in agriculture and food production. Meanwhile,
residents have access to museums, breweries, restaurants,
music festivals, and even a local philharmonic and
chamber orchestra. The town also has a good school
system that benefits from the support of the University of
Northern Colorado, which is located within Greeley.

3. K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M
F O R T C O L L I N S , C O
Sunny Fort Collins, Colorado is located in the foothills of
the Rocky Mountains, making it an ideal place for hikers,
bikers, snowboarders, and kayakers on a budget. It’s also a
great town for beer lovers, with more than 20 craft
breweries. The schools are excellent, with more than 82
percent of students enrolling in college within three years
of graduation, and more than 70 enrolling immediately.
Finally, it has a booming economy, containing businesses
such as Anheuser-Busch, Eastman Kodak, and Hewlett-
Packard.

4. K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M
L O V E L A N D , C O
Like Fort Collins, Loveland is a great town for
outdoorsmen, with the Rocky Mountains in the
background and the Big Thompson River flowing
through the town. It’s a good place for hikers and
an even better place for fly fishers. The health of
the residents is also good, both due to the
opportunities for healthy activities and the
availability of quality healthcare. There’s also a
unique sculpture garden, a strong performing arts
scene, and, for the romantics, a unique Valentine
Remailing Program.

5. K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M
L O N G M O N T , C O
Just a half-hour from Boulder (and an hour from
Denver), Longmont’s proximity to the big city makes
it a convenient place to live for those who are willing
to commute in exchange for an affordable, family-
friendly town. Longmont is also a center for the arts,
with a downtown area filled with shops, restaurants,
and cultural centers.

6. K I R S T E N H A M L I N G . C O M
W E S T M I N S T E R , C O
Like Longmont, Westminster profits from its proximity
to a big city–in this case, Denver, which is a mere 12-
minute train ride away. The town itself is walkable,
with a strong public art program and some gorgeous
hiking trails.