Relocation to Longmont (?)

[mmmfan500]

Mustachians, I mustache you a question.

I just got out of the military. I am looking at a possible relocation to Longmont and joining the MMM HQ coworking office and really diving deep with this community. After moving, on average, every 10 months over the past decade I am ready to set down roots.

Are the investment/real estate opportunities still good in that area? I know that's a complex question with nuanced answers but any resources, ideas, and thoughts as I begin my research will be greatly appreciated.

If I don't purchase my own place, anyone looking for a housesitter/roommate/sub-leaser?

Any one looking to partner up and find some fixer-upper homes in the area? Or business partners for any other projects? I got lots of ideas but I'm also willing to contribute capital and effort to your ideas!

Anyway, this all in the concept/research phase. If I were to make a scouting trip in December, would anyone be willing to show me around/let me crash on a couch?

Appreciate you all and looking forward to hearing from you!

[rahby1us]

Longmont has gotten decently expensive because next door boulder is impossibly priced, at least housing wise. I'd definitely encourage you to visit. What kind of things interest you in your free time?

[CNM]

I would definitely visit before you make any commitments.  This area has really exploded over the past ten years. There's a lot of traffic and the cost of living isn't as low as it once was.  There are frugal people and mustachians everywhere!

[IslandFiGirl]

The front range in Colorado is a nice place to live, but in most areas, housing prices have pretty much doubled in the last several years.  There are smaller towns near Longmont that may be cheaper, so try the surrounding areas if you need something a bit cheaper.  Personally, I wouldn't move to an area just because there's one guy with an organization that interests me there.  You can be a mustachian anywhere...I'd probably move where I felt I had friends, family, support, etc, and if I didn't have that, near the beach, since that is what makes me happy. Whatever you choose, good luck to you.  I'm sure it will be nice to settle down after a all that moving!

[mmmfan500]

I'd definitely encourage you to visit. What kind of things interest you in your free time?

I like scuba diving, biking, visiting parks with my dog, and learning new things. I've always got lots of entrepreneurial ideas so whether I end up at MMM HQ or anywhere else in the world, I think it'd be fun to surround myself with other young entrepreneurs.

Personally, I wouldn't move to an area just because there's one guy with an organization that interests me there.

Haha nice way to put it. However, it's not only the "one guy" or his organization that appeals to me. It sound perfect (to me) weather-wise and like an ideal small-town type of place with all the conveniences you could need. Since I've moved so much, the MMM HQ seems like a great spot to begin building a new set of friends and community while pursuing entrepreneurial interests.

Like you've all said though, I would visit before uprooting my life (which is something I'm used to anyway so it's not like it's a huge deal for me.)

[mmmfan500]

You should look in the PNW especially in Seattle or Oregon as I think there are far more people into the "cult" there then in Longmont. Jim Jones...er... I mean Mr Money Mustache,  ideals can work anywhere so best too go to the place you love and then find your tribe. In my experience, even if one identifies as mustashian,  their views and take on what that means and how they live might end up being very different from your own. Plus Longmont isn't all that great imho even if the surrounding areas are nice.

Haha funny you say that. I am from Seattle and this is not a place I enjoy living anymore with the perspective of having been stationed in five different states and three countries. The rain and clouds are not for me. Are you from here? Despite my general dislike of my home state, I have been considering living in the Vancouver, WA area prior to moving elsewhere.

The "being a mustachian" isn't the important thing, you are right, that can be found anywhere. The purpose of the post really is to hear how people living there are enjoying it and establish a contact prior to going out and visiting.

[mudstache]

I've lived in Seattle my whole life except college, and my husband and I visited Longmont last year to check it out!  We also explored nearby Broomfield, Erie, and a little bit around Littleton.  I loved it!  And compared to Seattle, the housing prices and traffic are dreamy!  What appealed to me most about Longmont is the main street/downtown-ish area, which reminds me of the neighborhood hubs you can find around Seattle (like in Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, etc).  I also love all the parks and the mountain views and how darn friendly people are all over that area.  Oh, and they have this cool fireball in the sky that really brightens the place up, unlike so many months here in the PNW. ;)

If it appeals to you, go check it out!  It sounds like it could be right up your alley.

For us, we hope to FIRE in the next 3-5 years and then rent a place in Longmont for a while to see if we're as happy there as I think we could be!

[HBFIRE]

If you like that type of area, I'd look at Utah (near the mountains of SLC).  Less expensive but growing fast (like the Denver area went through) and similar type of environment.  I think the SLC area will become insanely over priced within the next decade much like the Boulder area has.  I considered a move there myself.  I used to love the northwest but the cities there are deteriorating rapidly.

[mmmfan500]

I've lived in Seattle my whole life except college, and my husband and I visited Longmont last year to check it out!  We also explored nearby Broomfield, Erie, and a little bit around Littleton.  I loved it!  And compared to Seattle, the housing prices and traffic are dreamy!  What appealed to me most about Longmont is the main street/downtown-ish area, which reminds me of the neighborhood hubs you can find around Seattle (like in Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, etc).  I also love all the parks and the mountain views and how darn friendly people are all over that area.  Oh, and they have this cool fireball in the sky that really brightens the place up, unlike so many months here in the PNW. ;)

If it appeals to you, go check it out!  It sounds like it could be right up your alley.

For us, we hope to FIRE in the next 3-5 years and then rent a place in Longmont for a while to see if we're as happy there as I think we could be!

This is great info! You've got me excited to check it out. Thanks.

If you like that type of area, I'd look at Utah (near the mountains of SLC).  Less expensive but growing fast (like the Denver area went through) and similar type of environment.  I think the SLC area will become insanely over priced within the next decade much like the Boulder area has.  I considered a move there myself.  I used to love the northwest but the cities there are deteriorating rapidly.

I am looking at Utah as well. SLC is a really cool town! I think you are correct, that area will see a sky rocket in cost of living in the next decade.

[ApacheStache]

If you're dead set on the Longmont area (Boulder and Weld counties) you could save a few hundred thousand dollars by purchasing a home East of I-25 (depending on the town of course). While I like Longmont and would be happy to live there myself, I wouldn't characterize it — or most of the northern Front Range for that matter — as a hot bed of Mustachian culture. You're more likely to come across a bro in a lifted pickup truck blowing phat vape clouds than you are a Mustachian riding his/her bike to run errands. At the end of the day, a lot of the Front Range can be characterized as a scenic cow town that experienced a massive population surge :)

I would rent a few Airbnb's up and down the I-25 corridor and see which area(s) cultures best fit your lifestyle and budget.

[oldtoyota]

I am curious to see what you do.

I have visited that general area and find it a bit small for me. I wish I did not feel that way.

[MrThatsDifferent]

My thinking would be for you to spend time figuring what you want in life instead of mirroring the life choice of someone else, even if you admire the person. You don’t need to relocate to the HQ to live the Mustachian life. You’ve got ultimate freedom, you can live anywhere it seems. Believe more in yourself, and live your best life, not anyone else’s.

[Nords]

After moving, on average, every 10 months over the past decade I am ready to set down roots.

Drifting off topic for a post or two, I'd suggest taking it a few months at a time and giving yourself plenty of opportunities to change your mind about setting down roots.

Many military families have the roots feeling after separation, yet 2-3 years later they're restless and wondering why they're ready to move on. 

Separation statistics from IVMF also indicate that nearly half of all vets move again within two years of separation.  Sometimes it's because their first location isn't what they thought it would be, other times they've learned enough at their first post-military job to go find the bridge career they really want.  Once in a while it's because they've learned enough about their own preferences to change their minds:  "I don't know what I want, but it's not this."

We've lived on Oahu for over 30 years, and >17 of those have been retired years.  Yet when we travel we find plenty of other places where we could live.  The thing that keeps bringing me back to the islands is the surfing blend of many cultures from many other places.  However our interests change with each stage of life, and we could change our location too.

It's perfectly possible that you'll be Longmont for life, but just be aware that civilians are much more mobile than it seems from the military perspective.  Give yourself permission to change the plan.

[mmmfan500]

After moving, on average, every 10 months over the past decade I am ready to set down roots.

Many military families have the roots feeling after separation, yet 2-3 years later they're restless and wondering why they're ready to move on. 

This is really great insight! Thank you for your thoughts. And you're absolutely right, I can see that happening.

One thing I should probably point out is my definition of "roots". I intend to continue living a nomadic life. So wherever becomes home, will probably only be a place I spend 3-6 months in per year. Thus the questions about Airbnb/subleasing. If I purchased property it would be as an investment more than anything. And the highest priority of all would be to have a strong community I can be a part of when I'm home. Of course, as many posters have pointed out, this is possible anywhere.
And I love living in new places. What I don't love is buying kitchen supplies, spices, bedding, etc and then getting rid of it all again within a year. Moving is a huge headache, even having done it a dozen or more times. And it can get exhausting finding new groups of friends to get involved with in each new location. So my "roots" wherever that ends up being, is a place I can come to, where I can store my things of sentimental value, and just be in a place that is familiar with people I like.
I know that sounds contradictory, to be nomadic and have roots. But what I envision is living in seasons. Work really hard seasonally somewhere, say being a dive instructor in Mexico. Sublease out my place while I'm gone. Then come home, relax, and prepare for the next season. Rinse and repeat while building skills, experiences, investments. As everyone on here knows, retirement isn't simply never having to work again but rather being able to do work you enjoy and thats meaningful.
So my fact-finding mission of seeing if Longmont/Colorado in general is a place worth looking at to move is not based off "one guy" (MMM) nor is it necessarily the place I intend to spend the rest of my days. Maybe a better phrase than roots is "home out of which I base my travels."
Thanks for the discussion so far, great stuff!

[joemandadman189]

if motivation behind moving to longmont is mostly driven by the want to be at the MMMHQ then sure but i think there are many better options if you want to be in colorado. check out zillow to see houses for sale and school digger to see how the schools in town compare to others in the state. you can find homes in the mid 300ks but the schools arent great granted homes are 400k more expensive down in boulder but have some of the best schools.

if you are going to be nomadic and only around for 3-6 months of the year it may be fine but the Airbnb market wont be great, Longmont just doesnt have any big draws compared to other towns on the Colorado front range,

 its close to eldora for skiing,

as others have said, think about why you want to move there and think some more
there are tons of best places to live lists out there for any number of conditions check those too
dont come to denver
traffic is terrible, and homes are expensive
good luck