Quality of Life

Fort Collins has experienced years of unprecedented growth and change. As REALTORS®, we want to offer our special expertise to help update plans in ways that build better communities where we live and work.

What is Quality of Life and Why Do REALTORS® Care

Quality of life is determined by many factors. Is the community safe and attractive?Are there homes to buy where I want to live? Can I afford to buy a home near where I work? Are there jobs available now and for the future? Can I get to and from work safely and quickly or are the roads jammed with traffic? Are there good schools? Are good doctors and good medical facilities available? Are their good places to buy the things I need? Are there good parks, play fields, and open spaces? Are there good recreational opportunities? Are the air, water and soil clean?

As a REALTOR®, you already know that you're selling much more than homes – you're selling the livability of your community – you're selling Quality of Life. Everyone wants economic vitality, affordable housing, a safe and attractive community and a healthy environment. But these things don't just happen.

Quality of Life Principles

We have identified five principles that, when used as a guide in public policy decisions, will nurture better communities in Fort Collins regardless of size or location. Those principles call for:

• Building Better Communities: Quality of life means living in a robust community with a wide variety of local employment opportunities and commercial enterprise, good schools, safe neighborhoods, high-quality public services, efficient transportation systems, and an infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
• Ensuring Economic Vitality: Quality of life starts with a good job. Economic development increases the number of jobs, the tax base, purchasing power, diversity and the availability of goods and services. These factors make community improvement and revitalization possible.
• Providing Housing Opportunities: Quality of life means having a roof over your head. All citizens should be able to find safe, decent and affordable housing near where they work, shop and play.
• Preserving Our Environment: Quality of life means having access to parks and open space. Conservation and wise use of natural resources and critical areas lead to more parks, open space and preserve our unique natural environment.
• Protecting Property Owners: Quality of life means you are protected. A strong economy depends upon preserving the right to freely own, use and transfer real property, a cornerstone upon which this nation was founded.

Notice that these Principles depend on one another. A community plan that ignores one Principle will struggle to achieve its aims, and may fail in several other areas.