Would i be happy in Greeley Colorado?

Travel Info
I can move there w/my company and be making about 45-50 k a year to start in addition to my wife's salary whatever that is. I currently live in the bay area in california and i am looking for somewhere with actual seasons such as fall, winter, spring and summer rather than just spring, then summer, then spring, then summer all year round. We enjoy skiing and cheap housing. would i be able to survive there w/o going crazy? i dislike traffic. does it really smell that bad there or is it just in certain areas?

Travel Tips

I moved to Greeley, CO from Monterey, CA. Greeley is a lot like Salinas. So if you want to make a quick visit, without getting in airplane, drive down Hwy 101, and stay in Salinas for the weekend.

Greeley has a population of about 100,000. As previously mentioned, it doesn't have the cultural aspects of SF. By this I mean, it lacks good ethnic restaraunts, theatre, and a million things to do whatever time of night. Greeley rolls up its sidewalks around 9:00 p.m. However, if you want activity, you can always go to Fort Collins or Denver.

Greeley offers a large national rodeo, they bring in headliner music, both rock and country. They have a symphony, a university, a dinner theatre, and normal shopping (again similar to Salinas, not like SF).

You will probably miss the ocean. I do. However, if you like to ski, waterski, hike, or do any of the outdoorsey stuff, we are close to several beautiful areas.

Here is the thing you will like the most. In Greeley, you can buy a brand new house, with three beds, two baths, a yard, and a basement for anywhere between $165,000 to the sky's the limit. Housing here is a tenth of the price of SF.

Now, the smell. Greeley is rural. When the wind shifts you can smell it. Is it horrendous? No. Is it wonderful? No. Do you get used to it? Sort of. The thing is that the wind doesn't shift that often. So, you may smell it, but it is no worse than walking past restaraunt garbage bins after they've been sitting in the sun. It doesn't smell like death (as was printed by some dude who had never been here), but it does occasionally smell like manure.

If Greeley is not for you, then you still have options. You could live just outside of Greely in Windsor or Johnstown. Both towns are smaller, but away from the smell, and still an easy commute. Windsor is a bit more upscale, and Johnstown is just a bit more small town.

If you are interested in moving out here, I'd be happy to help. Just email me and I'll send you additional information on Greeley and the surrounding areas. Source(s): Colorado Real Estate Broker, Realtor, ABR, GRI
Other Travel Tips

ok, i lived in greeley for 2 years for college, moved from the city and i didn't like it. although, that doesn't mean that you and your family won't...if you like the slow paced neighborhoods, where everyone knows everyone...this is the place to take your family. if you are interested or want the truth about the racial population, i can tell you about that as well...
it stinks on the way to and from the city, only because of the farmland and grazing that goes on all around Greeley. Once you are there, you will get used to the smell.

There is a city called Brighton about an hour from Greeley and it is a developing area, not too expensive and between Denver and Greeley in case you wanted to break away from the boring and head to the city =)
I would definitely visit before moving there!
I lived near there, ft collins, and love the area. Not to big or to small. It is short drive to mountains or Denver or Wyoming. Fun little college town. Lotta snow in winter but doesn't stick for long time. Hot now, but spring and fall are great. Then there is the smell. My buddy lives there and says he doesn't notice anymore. Whe the wind changes I could smell it, so that is probably your biggest if.
It's hard for me to imagine anyone who enjoys the culture and lifestyle of SF being content in a boring cow town like Greeley. If you are looking for a much slower pace and family friendliness, then maybe Greeley will work for you. There are seasons and skiing is not too far away, though its not super close. Housing is cheap, especially compared to Denver and SF. Don't let anyone kid you- it DOES smell. Some days are worse than others and sadly, after living there for so long some people actully dont notice it anymore! Bottom line, you'd have to pay me alot more than 45-50k a year to move to Greeley (I wouldnt go for anything less than 6 figures!)
I think you need to take a trip and look around. If you hate SF so much then maybe Greeley is for you. But I wouldn't even consider such a move without actually coming out here and checking it out. It will definitely be a change in lifestyle but it sounds like that is what you are looking for.
Can't say that we'd move there but hey - you never know. Plus, coming out here can let you take a whiff of it for yourself and decide if you can take it :)
yes, greeley does have a distinct 'cow' smell. however, if you don't mind a commute of half an hour or so.... you can just as easily live in windsor, ft. collins or loveland.... these are all nice places to live.... rent is reasonable..... if you dislike traffic, ft. collins may not be the best place for you as it is a college town. johnstown and milliken are not far from greeley, are relatively small and have good schools, if you have any children.