What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Longmont, CO?

Of all the well-known cities in Colorado, Longmont isn’t one that immediately comes to mind. This up-and-coming pseudo-metropolis is quickly becoming recognized as one of the hidden gems of the Colorado Rockies.

Affectionately referred to as LOCO by its residents, Longmont is a booming bedroom community for the bigger, more urbanized Colorado cities of Fort Collins and Boulder.

Colorado has a national reputation for being one of the most desirable places to live. People from all over the United States are flocking to the centennial state in droves. Boasting a gorgeous year-round climate, affordable cost of living across the board, an endless array of outdoor activities, and a focus on health and wellness, Colorful Colorado is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

If you’re looking to move somewhere that has a big-city feel without the big-city itself, Longmont is the perfect place for you.

With its ideal location, Longmont is one of the unsung heroes of Northern Colorado. The pros of living in Longmont include its booming job market, outdoor recreation, low cost of living, and its impressive microbreweries. Because it’s such a fast-growing community, there are a few cons to moving to Longmont. A few of those drawbacks include heavy traffic, an ill-planned infrastructure, over-development of natural areas, and a lack of nightlife.

Longmont has so much to offer new residents. Read on to see if this urban adjacent city is a good fit for you!

Its central location makes Longmont one of the most desirable places to live along the Front Range. If you want to experience all a big city has to offer, without actually living in a big city, Longmont is a great choice.

Many residents live in Longmont but work in Denver or Boulder. As far as commutes go, Longmont is just central enough to not be an issue.

Several popular Colorado destinations are well within 40 miles of Longmont, making your drive from Longmont less than or a little over a single hour:

Denver, Boulder, and the smaller college town of Fort Collins offer plenty of urban fun with an array of museums, shopping, and diverse nightlife. In Boulder, you have easy access to river tubing and rock climbing.

The nearby mountain town of Estes Park is the perfect weekend destination. Home to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes has an astonishing array of hiking and biking trails.

Longmont’s proximity to Denver International Airport is a huge plus. It takes drivers less than an hour to make the trek up I-25 to DIA.

Longmont is home to some rather large companies, including the famous cobblers Crocs. Crocs, Inc. is based out of Longmont and is a major player in the manufacturing industry, employing over 5,000 Longmont residents.

Longmont’s successful and growing job market is one of the most sought after in the country. If you’re looking for a job in STEM, Longmont is the place to be. Longmont has long been a hub for startups, software, and biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

With leading STEM schools like the Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University being so close, Longmont companies have no shortage of eager and educated employees.

Because the city is quickly growing, even small businesses are expanding and hiring. There’s no shortage of job offers at the mom-and-pop shops that give Longmont its small-town feel.

Because of its central location along the Front Range, Longmont offers endless opportunities for outdoor fun. Not only is it easy to live and work in LOCO, it’s just as easy to adventure there too. In a state where the sun shines 300 days a year, outdoor living is where Longmont truly blossoms.

Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most stunning topography in the whole of the United States and offers incredible hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and Alpine lakes. All of this is within an hour’s drive!

Longmont is also home to the Union Reservoir, one of the few natural lakes in Colorado. Fishing, boating, paddleboarding, camping, windsurfing, and even sailing are all just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the residential side of LOCO.

Longmont also boasts a strong running and triathlon culture. If you’re interested in 5Ks or endurance sports, there are multiple groups that would welcome you with open arms. Local restaurants and shops aren’t immune to the 5K fad— many of them offer discounts, deals, and special products geared toward endurance athletes.

Because Longmont is growing so rapidly, city planners are having a hard time keeping up. Many natural areas are being plowed down to make room for strip malls, apartment complexes, and new businesses. Many long-time Longmont residents are unhappy with how quickly the city is becoming more urban and less agricultural.

Some would argue that Longmont is in danger of being overdeveloped. This increase in population would cause a loss of LOCO identity as it becomes more metropolitan like its neighbors Boulder and Denver. The homeless population is also on the rise. Panhandlers are a common sight at major intersections.

Longmont definitely has a huge draw for families. Its school system is sound. There are plenty of recreational activities that are both affordable and enjoyable for the whole family. Because Longmont is so family-oriented, its nightlife is sorely lacking.

Most bars and restaurants shut down around 9 or 10 pm. While Longmont is more than ideal for fun and interesting brunch and afternoon drink spots. Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins are the places to go for late-night fun. All three cities have a decent set of options for dancing, drinking, and eating late into the night.

Related Questions

Is There Really High-Speed Internet for Longmont Residents?

Yes! The self-proclaimed “Gig City” of Longmont offers high-speed internet to all its residents. The city’s fiber-fast gigabit internet has been ranked as the fastest in the nation!

How Great Is Downtown Longmont?

Downtown Longmont is not only historic, but growing. There are multiple restaurants to choose from, and an endless supply of quirky shops and haunts you’ll fall in love with.The whole downtown area is walkable and perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon outside the house. There are also several rotating public art exhibits to spice things up.