Living in Loveland, Colorado
Sweetheart City
LookyLOO Review of Living in Loveland, Colorado
Loveland sits just south of Fort Collins and has grown into a steady, predictable, and easy-to-live-in city with a mix of older neighborhoods and newer developments. It is prized by locals for its bounty of lakes, parks, skiing, and access to the I-25 corridor for those who need to commute or just want to get to other areas without any hassles. People move here because it offers more space and more affordable home prices than Fort Collins, while still being close to all the outdoor opportunities Northern Colorado is known for. If you're looking at Loveland and Fort Collins, know that many locals joke that Loveland is Pawnee and Fort Collins is Eagleton. Locals who like it just the way it is caution against development turning it into Eagleton!
The city has a local arts culture and a compact downtown that continues to grow. It also has a busy network of parks and recreation programs, good for families and young professionals looking to play. It’s less hectic than Fort Collins, more affordable, and practical for people who work north toward Fort Collins or south toward Longmont and Denver.
Loveland Hiking
Lifestyle in Loveland
Lifestyle in Loveland is built around easy access to lakes, parks, and the foothills, along with quiet neighborhoods and a growing set of local restaurants and breweries. Boyd Lake, Lake Loveland, and the trail systems draw residents year-round, and the hiking trails west toward the foothills are close enough for quick after-work outings.
Downtown Loveland is small but improving (if you are excited about more social options). You’ll find coffee shops, breweries, galleries, and the Rialto Theater. The city is also known for its public art, with installations across parks, roundabouts, and walkways. Festivals happen throughout the year, including the Sweetheart Festival, art walks, and family events around Lake Loveland.
Suburban convenience is a big part of life here. Groceries, parks, schools, and shopping are scattered evenly through the neighborhoods, making the choice of neighborhood less of an issue, and the newer developments along I-25 link directly into Centerra’s shops, dining, and medical offices. It’s a lifestyle that balances quiet residential living with fast access to Fort Collins, Windsor, Longmont, and Denver.
To see what locals do for fun, check out the Loveland [Calendar of Events](https://visitloveland.com/events-calendar/).
We highly recommend visiting Loveland and staying in the community at a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our [partnership with Expedia](https://expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ).
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies
Worklife in Loveland
Loveland’s job market is steady and practical, with most work centered around healthcare, education, manufacturing, engineering, and professional services. The major employers line up cleanly with those sectors:
- Healthcare: UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, Banner clinics
- Education: Thompson School District, Aims Community College (nearby)
- Manufacturing/Industrial: Keysight Technologies, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, regional light industrial firms
- Professional & Technical Services: engineering firms, design studios, logistics and corporate offices in Centerra
- Retail & Hospitality: restaurants, shops, and services spread across the city
Instead of relying on a single dominant employer, Loveland’s economy is a mix of mid-size companies and regional offices, with many residents also commuting to Fort Collins or Longmont for specialized jobs.
Remote & Hybrid Work
Loveland has a large hybrid and remote-work population tied to companies in Fort Collins, Longmont, Boulder, and Denver. Reliable internet and quiet neighborhoods make working from home easy, and there are several useful coworking options:
- desk chair workspace (Downtown Loveland)
- Cohere Coworking (Fort Collins)
This blend of local jobs, regional employers, and remote-friendly infrastructure makes the overall worklife in Loveland stable and flexible.
Loveland High School
Schools in Loveland
Loveland is served primarily by Thompson School District, which scores a "B" on niche.com, and is one of the more stable districts in Northern Colorado. The district includes neighborhood schools, several choice-based programs, and solid high schools.
Elementary Schools (Notable Options)
- Ponderosa Elementary – strong parent satisfaction
- Namaqua Elementary – smaller, community-focused campus
- High Plains PK-8 – modern facility with a project-based approach
- Centennial Elementary – long-time favorite for families in central neighborhoods
Middle Schools
- Bill Reed Middle – central to town, good extracurricular options
- Lucile Erwin Middle – strong programs, newer building
High Schools
- Loveland High School – strong academics, long-standing reputation
- Mountain View High School – popular for STEM, solid athletics
- Thompson Valley High School – serves south/west Loveland neighborhoods
Choice & Charter Options
- High Plains K-8 – STEM/project focus
- Thompson Online – flexible schedules
- Charter schools in neighboring Windsor/Fort Collins are accessible for some families
Families tend to choose neighborhoods based on access to Mountain View and Thompson Valley high school zones, or proximity to High Plains and Centennial for younger students.
Reviews of Living in Loveland from Locals
I live in and grew up in the Loveland area and really don’t think there’s any “bad” areas in either Fort Collins or Loveland. I’ve spent a ton of time in Vegas and it’s going to be a pretty big change from what you are used to even moving to Fort Collins. Not in a bad way at all. If you are ok driving a little bit, Johnstown, Timnath, Wellington, Laporte are all small suburbs that you can usually find some cheaper homes but are all 15-20 minutes from Fort Collins. Fort Collins will have more night life but there are still some fun bars in downtown Loveland. As far as things to do, the mountains are very close and once it warms up horsetooth lake is a popular place as well as all the trails around it for hiking and biking. Lots of 4wheel drive trails are close as well. Breweries are plentiful and almost all of them have some sort of live music. I’m sure you will enjoy which ever area you settle down in.
For more reviews of what living in Loveland is like from locals, check out The Reviews.
Loveland FAQ
Q: Is Loveland cheaper than Fort Collins?
A: Yes. Housing is noticeably more approachable.
Q: Is Loveland good for families?
A: Yes. Stable schools, lots of parks, and steady neighborhoods.
Q: Is there a walkable area?
A: Downtown Loveland is the most walkable, with restaurants and shops close together.
Q: How is the commute to Fort Collins or Denver?
A: Fort Collins is quick (10–15 minutes).
Denver is manageable for hybrid workers (45–60 minutes).
Q: Is Loveland near outdoor recreation?
A: Very. Boyd Lake, Lake Loveland, and the foothills are close.
Q: Is Loveland a good place for remote workers?
A: Yes. Many people work hybrid schedules for Fort Collins, Longmont, Boulder, and Denver companies.
Want to give Loveland a shot?
Use our friends at VRBO and Expedia to help get you going!

Living in Loveland
Neighborhoods in Loveland
View AllCenterra Neighborhood
Families, commuters, remote workers, young professionals.
The Neighborhood Vibe:
Centerra is a large, newer planned development near I-25 with modern homes, townhomes, and apartments. It has shopping, medical offices, dining, and trails all built into the layout. Homes are newer and energy-efficient, with predictable neighborhoods and easy access to commuting routes.
Zoned Schools:
- High Plains PK-8
- Mountain View High School
Median Home Price: $500,000–$700,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Highlands Ranch lite
-Central Park/Montclair-adjacent areas in Denver
-Timnath Ranch
