Best Places to Live in Greeley, CO

Mankind has quested through the ages to find Utopia–that perfect place to live that blends the essentials of life with fun things to do. That search brought people westward to what is today Greeley, Colorado. Early colonists visioned a Western utopia with streets wide enough to turn a wagon, shaded avenues, and happy people.

You won’t find anyone three-point turning wagons today on Greeley’s streets. This city northeast of Denver embraces its agricultural traditions but is growing quickly because of the well-rounded amenities. Perhaps moving to Greeley could be your Utopia.

Get to know a little more about this Front Range city at the confluence of the South Platte and Cache La Poudre rivers. Start your home search with these popular places to live in Greeley, Colorado.

Why Live in Greeley, CO?

Some people consider Greeley a Denver suburb, but it’s actually about halfway between Denver and Fort Collins. Both are easy to get to because I-25 is just 15 miles west of Greeley. Residents can access the perks of both cities when they want without dealing with the urban congestion and the more expensive cost of living in these two major metro areas.

Farming is still important. In fact, Weld County is one of the top 10 agriculture-product-producing countries in the nation. About 75% of the land area is dedicated to farming, and predominantly livestock. Locals like to say there are more cows than people!

But push aside that image of a manure-smelling outpost. Greeley’s population is over 100,000, making it a small city rather than a rustic farm town. And this city was one of America’s first planned communities, so it was designed to meet the needs of its people and not four-footed bovines.

Modern Greeley has a thriving downtown creative district with breweries, coffee shops, and great restaurants. There is a First Friday Art Walk and dozens of public art displays around the town. Events like the Greeley Stampede and the AgriCULTURE Fest and Feast celebrate the town’s heritage but recognize where it is today.

The University of Northern Colorado is based in the town. Its leading programs are in nursing, performing arts, and business. Each year it runs one of the nation’s largest jazz festivals.

And, as you likely know, Colorado has some fantastic weather. It claims it has 300 days of sunshine a year and not a lot of rain. To get outside and enjoy those beautiful days, Greeley has 300 acres of neighborhood parks like Houston Gardens, Glenmere Park, and Island Grove Park.

Where to Live in Greeley, CO

Think of Greeley more like a small city, and it will make more sense as you begin to explore where to live. You have the historic downtown center built around Lincoln Park. West Greeley is becoming more popular to live in because of the convenient interstate access to nearby Loveland and Fort Collins. East Greeley will bring you closer to the ample farmlands that comprise most of Weld County. South Greeley is closer to Denver if access to that city is important to you.

So where can you live in Greeley to enjoy its perks? Check out a few of the top neighborhoods.

Top Neighborhoods

Poudre River Ranch

One place in high demand is Poudre River Ranch. Its great location west of downtown Greeley allows residents to head downtown whenever they want to visit the restaurants or go to one of the festivals or music events.

Poudre River Ranch is master planned with an active lifestyle in mind. Community amenities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a playground. Get outside on 150 acres of open space, walk to the Boomerang Links Golf Course, or take a horseback ride on the nearby equestrian trails. It’s uniquely hilly than other sections of Greeley.

For fun outside the neighborhood, residents are near the Greeley Family FunPlex with its indoor waterpark, miniature golf, walking track, and gym. Or get outside on the Poudre River Trail, which runs to Windsor and eventually will stretch to Fort Collins.

The 318 homes here are custom-built; some may even be on the riverfront or back up to a canal. The lakes usually have water but could dry up in severe drought spells. The development began around the 2000s and continued through the 2010s. Predominantly ranch-styled, other choices are two-story or bilevel. A typical home will be between 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft. with 2-3 car garages and potentially a basement.

Owl Ridge

Moving over to East Greeley, Owl Ridge has a prime location with some fantastic mountain views. It’s close to the town of Windsor, and the homes are zoned for the Windsor School District.

The perks include community parks, a pool, and tree-lined walking trails. As a newer community, the homes tend to be custom designed with energy-efficient features.

Pine Ridge Estates

Pine Ridge Estates lies north of 20th Street, a little closer to downtown Greeley. Its location is one of the perks, as it is close to two Greeley golf courses and the college. On top of that, residents get some great mountain views and some top-rated schools for their kids.

Like many of Greeley’s neighborhoods, residents will have community parks and walking trails inside the community. A gated entrance adds to the intimate feel.

Homes tend to be built in a ranch style of around 4,000 sq ft and may have an in-ground pool, basement, and lots sized around 0.75 acres.

Downtown

Downtown is where it is at! Residents can walk to the Friday Art Walk, the live music, and anything else happening in Greeley. As one of the most historic parts of town, homes and buildings charm with their bungalow and craftsman character.

Naturally, the atmosphere is pretty lively living near downtown. Walkability is an advantage, as you can head to the breweries and bars when you’re done with work without ever jumping in your car. Besides Lincoln Park, catch a movie at the independent Kress Cinema and Lounge, complete with a full-service bar and restaurant. Break free from the local escape room, or throw some axes at Greeley Hatchet House.

The Monroe Historic District is around 9th Avenue. Here you’ll find some modern lifestyle homes beside older homes that have been lovingly cared for. The result is you have a full range of housing options if you want to live close to the downtown area or the creative district.

Downtown had three homes for sale at a median of $320,000 in May 2023.

Kelly Farm

This West Greeley neighborhood is a newer choice for a home. Development began around 2000 in its three subdivisions: Forest Glen, Glen Eden, and Cottesmore Reserve. Each community has a swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness facility, and other amenities.

As an example of what is available to you in Kelly Farm, the local pool is a six-lane, 25-yard pool with showers and a concession stand. It has a swim team and runs swim lessons. The playground area is shaded, and there are sand volleyball courts and a picnic area. The local school is Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy, a K-8 school named after the first teacher in space. Residents can walk or bike outside the neighborhood to Coyote Run Park or Hunter’s Cove Natural Area.

The homes here are typically on decent-sized lots, so you may be able to have your space if that’s important to you. Many single-family homes will have attached garages and feel more contemporary in their design. Townhomes and duplexes are also available. The HOA is optional.

Kelly Farm had six homes for sale at a median of $560,000 in May 2023.

Bittersweet

Near Bittersweet Park is a charming neighborhood of a similar name. As it was built during the 1970s and 1980s, your home styles include branches, three-level homes, and traditional two stories. Sizes range from around 1,000 sq ft to just over 3,000 sq ft.

Bittersweet Park has a pond surrounded by a long paved path. Families enjoy bringing the kids to the playground, and the park includes recreational fields for sports. It’s undergoing a revitalization to return it to a more natural state with native grasses and flowers.

Promontory

Working at JBS USA Foods or State Farm? Or need to jump on I-25 to head out of town? Living in Promontory slashes down the commute to work.

Families appreciate the local schools, which fall in the Windsor School District and are consistently ranked high-performing by Colorado. Promontory Park is the local open space for the community, with 600 acres that include ponds and a loop trail. The park’s fantastic mountain views set the backdrop for gathering with your neighbors for barbecues and movie nights. For a more interesting stop, try Missile Site Park, an area used during the Cold War for national defense.

The community’s location is convenient for healthcare offices, grocery shopping, and other retailers. Development is ongoing, so it’s a great place to look if you want a new custom home.

Living in Greeley, CO

Think about what you get by moving to Greeley. The homes are more affordable, but you still have those classic Colorado amenities like the open spaces, great places to eat, and fun community events. It’s close enough to Fort Collins and Denver to access their advantages but far enough away you don’t need to worry about congestion and being priced out of the market.

Besides these neighborhoods, check out other development options, like Boomerang, which backs up to the golf course, or Mountain Vista, which has many cul-de-sacs. There’s plenty more to explore in Greeley, so let a local real estate agent show you why living here makes sense.