Looking for a more affordable way to live in Colorado? See what $1,300 can get you in Greeley, a growing northern Colorado city.
Over the past several years, the cost of living in Colorado has climbed, and housing has been one of the biggest contributors. Home prices have risen, rents have followed, and some of the places people most want to live have become increasingly difficult to afford.
Depending on where you live in Colorado, that price tag will look different. In some places like Boulder, Denver, and popular mountain towns, the cost of living is going to be higher. Part of that comes down to demand: Colorado’s most popular cities and mountain communities have limited housing and plenty of people who want to live there, which drives prices up. However, you don’t have to live in the most popular places to enjoy Colorado and have access to its beautiful outdoors.
In northern Colorado, Greeley has quickly become one of the best places to live! It’s a little farther from the mountains, but it’s more affordable and has plenty to do between the downtown scene, The University of Northern Colorado, Poudre River Trail, and more. And the best part? Rent in Greeley sits below the state average, with the average rent ranging between $1,297 and $1,400 per month, according to Trulia.
I took a look at what’s currently available to see just how far a $1,300 budget can stretch. Here’s what that will get you in Greeley, with a range of sizes, locations, amenities, and styles.
Glenmere Park Neighborhood
The Glenmere Park neighborhood is one of Greeley’s more historic and peaceful places to live. Centered around Glenmere Park, the neighborhood was developed in the early 1900s and reflects the City Beautiful movement, which encouraged cities to aspire for aesthetic value. For Glenmere Park, this meant tree-lined streets and historic homes surrounding the park.
The park’s pond, footbridges, gazebo, and walking paths make it a pretty place for neighborhood walks. The neighborhood is situated between the University of Northern Colorado and downtown, meaning there’s lots of coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and other local spots nearby.
Housing here ranges from larger, historic single-family homes to smaller houses and apartment buildings. Many of the homes have three or four bedrooms, while smaller apartments offer a more affordable way to live in the neighborhood. For $1,300 a month, you can find apartments in the area, including units such as those at Royal Gardens, while those willing to rent a room can find options in larger homes for even less. Depending on the property, that budget can get you a one- or two-bedroom apartment.
Downtown Greeley
If you love being close to the action, Downtown Greeley is one of the best places to look. The historic downtown is filled with local restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, shops, and entertainment, and the University of Northern Colorado is just a short distance away. You can spend the morning grabbing coffee at Spotlight Cafe & Creamery, walk around downtown, and end the day with a beer at WeldWerks Brewing Co. without having to go far from home.
$1,300 can go surprisingly far here. Downtown Greeley has a mix of newer apartments, renovated historic buildings, and smaller, older complexes, with studios, one-bedroom, and even some two-bedroom apartments falling within that budget. You might look at spots like Mead Apartments, Apartments at Maddie, and Knight Apartments for one- and two-bedroom units.
Bittersweet
If you’d rather have a little more space and greenery nearby, Bittersweet is worth a look. The neighborhood sits around Bittersweet Park, where you’ll find a 1.2-mile paved walking path around Grapevine Pond, playgrounds, sports courts, and lots of open space. It’s a quieter and more residential spot in Greeley. It’s also near Westlake Shopping Center with options for coffee, restaurants, and groceries. Located near major roads such as 35th Avenue and US-34 nearby, it’s easy to get around Greeley and reach other parts of town.
Your $1,300 budget can get you a little more space here, too. The neighborhood has a mix of single-family homes and apartment communities, although most of the houses are larger three- and four-bedroom homes and generally fall outside this budget. For renters, apartments are the more realistic option. Options include Westlake Apartments, which sits directly across from Bittersweet Park and offers one-bedroom apartments within the budget. There are also smaller rental options nearby, including rooms in single-family homes for less than $1,000.
Kelly Farm
If you want a neighborhood that feels a little removed from the busier parts of Greeley, Kelly Farm has a more suburban feel. About five miles west of downtown, the neighborhood is made up mostly of homes from the late 1990s and early 2000s; you’ll find tree-lined streets, parks, and plenty of other places to get outside.
The Poudre River Trail runs just north of the neighborhood. There’s also Coyote Run Park for kids and Rover Run Dog Park for the pups. When you want to grab dinner or coffee, West 10th Street is just a few blocks away. Local favorites include Coyote’s Southwestern Grill and Ziggi’s Coffee, and then Walmart, Safeway, and Food King for groceries.
With a $1,300 budget in Kelly Farm, you’ll mostly be looking at apartments rather than the neighborhood’s larger homes and townhomes. Current listings include one-bedroom apartments at Country Club West for around $1,263, or nearby Westlake has one-bedrooms starting around $1,175. Larger houses and townhomes in the neighborhood, however, are generally well above the $1,300 mark.
East Greeley
On the east side of Greeley, you’ll find a mix of established neighborhoods, open farmland, and newer development. Areas like Clayton Park have century-old homes and are close to downtown and Island Grove Regional Park, while neighborhoods farther east have more open space and a quieter, residential feel.
Delta Park is a six-acre neighborhood park with a playground, basketball courts, splash pad, and green space, while the Poudre River Trail runs through the eastern side of Greeley and gives you plenty of room to walk or bike. You’re also close to US-85 and US-34, which makes it easy to get around town.
A $1,300 budget can go pretty far in East Greeley. The area has a mix of single-family homes, smaller apartment buildings, and other rental options, and current listings include two-bedroom apartments for around $1,000 and even a three-bedroom for about $1,295. Those listings won’t always be available, but they show that $1,300 can get you considerably more space here than in some of Greeley’s newer apartment communities.
