Longmont is a bit cheaper and I-25 isn't that terrible that far south. Loveland is also affordable and within a reasonable commute but their police are psychotic. Avoid anything in Weld County or south of Denver closer to CO Springs. Those areas are super chuddy and Greeley is one of our COVID hotspots. The closer you are to highways 34 or 36, the closer you'll be to Rocky Mountain National Park and the best trails in the state with free entry before 5am. West Denver has some cool trails around Red Rocks, an ex living in Littleton had a great location for those, but the real gems are further north. Boulder's local trails around the Flatirons are insanely packed but a good workout, while the ones closer to Loveland and Fort Collins are great for all kinds of dayhikes.
Longmont is a bit cheaper and I-25 isn't that terrible that far south. Loveland is also affordable and within a reasonable commute but their police are psychotic. Avoid anything in Weld County or south of Denver closer to CO Springs. Those areas are super chuddy and Greeley is one of our COVID hotspots. The closer you are to highways 34 or 36, the closer you'll be to Rocky Mountain National Park and the best trails in the state with free entry before 5am. West Denver has some cool trails around Red Rocks, an ex living in Littleton had a great location for those, but the real gems are further north. Boulder's local trails around the Flatirons are insanely packed but a good workout, while the ones closer to Loveland and Fort Collins are great for all kinds of dayhikes.