In 1911, a fire destroyed some of the frame buildings on the west side of the main street in Johnstown. Brick buildings were soon built in their place, and Johnstown continued to prosper, due in part to the Mohawk Condensed Milk Company (later known as "Carnation") and the Great Western Sugar Company, but also because of the abundance of dairies and rich fertile farmland in the area.
Johnstown is a small town situated on the plains of Northern Colorado, with magnificent views of mountains to the west and expansive views of lush farmland to the east. Conveniently located just east of the I-25 highway, residents of Johnstown are able to enjoy a peaceful, rural life with city amenities just a short drive away.
Moving to Johnstown
Rental prices in Johnstown are reasonable and lower than many of the nearby cities and towns in Northern Colorado. Considering that this is a small town where most homes are owner-occupied, there are still quite a variety of different types of rental properties to choose from as well. Would you like to live in a large Victorian home that has been divided into one- and two-bedroom apartments? How about a guest home or small cottage? Or maybe you would prefer to search for townhouses for rent? Well, you are in luck because you can find all of these options and more in Johnstown.
Your Housing Menu
There are numerous available rental homes in Johnstown, as well as apartment complexes of differing sizes. While some of these rental properties may offer month-to-month leases, you will more commonly find rentals that require a six-month or one-year lease to begin with. While Johnstown does offer a wide variety of rentals, serviced apartments are not very common at this time.
Shopping Season
Since Johnstown is at least a 20-minute drive from the nearest university, you won't have much competition from students for rental properties. Apartment hunting is practical at any time of year, but more comfortable if you can avoid the cold winter months. That being said, even though Northern Colorado usually does get a lot of snow, the almost daily sunshine makes the cold much more enjoyable. The people in Johnstown are very friendly, so they will usually make every effort to meet your needs. However, they most likely will not want to show properties during major holidays.
Contract Day
Although Johnstown is a small town, most landlords will require an official lease, proof of income and a security deposit to rent a property, but not all will require credit checks.
Johnstown Neighborhoods
With a population of 9,887 people (2010 U.S. Census data), Johnstown qualifies as one of the 50 largest communities in Colorado. Covering just 13.52 square miles, it is only made up of a single neighborhood. This fact contributes to the small-town feel of this close-knit community.
Living in Johnstown
While driving through Johnstown, you will often see people walking or riding bikes. Coloradoans are known for their love of the outdoors, and Johnstown residents are no different. However, since Johnstown does not have any public transportation, most residents do own cars. The climate in Johnstown is seasonal, with picturesque surroundings for everyone to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
Johnstown residents enjoy a large variety of careers, and though some of them are employed in town, a large percentage of them commute to work in other cities. Johnstown's convenient location near a major highway makes it a perfect setting for people who would like to live in a more rural community and commute to one of the nearby larger cities for work, such as Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder, or even Denver.
Although Johnstown is a small town, you can find most of the necessary amenities here, including a library, fitness centers, coffee shops, restaurants, shops, parks and a grocery store. If you love to shop, The Promenade Shops at Centerra in nearby Loveland will adequately satisfy your shopping cravings. If you have a sweet tooth, the historic Johnson's Corner truck stop boasts delicious "world famous cinnamon rolls". However, if you are a jet-setter or must travel for work, the nearest airport is Denver International Airport, less than an hour's drive away.
Living in this area affords many opportunities to play outdoors. Rocky Mountain National Park is only a short drive away, and there are many great hiking trails and charming towns in the local mountains. If you are a seasoned hiker, you may even choose to take on Long's Peak, which is the closest "fourteener" (the term used for a mountain that meets or exceeds an elevation of 14,000 feet). If you prefer flatlands to mountains, Johnstown is nestled in scenic farm country, which is great for walking, biking or driving through whenever you feel the urge.
Johnstown residents enjoy a low cost of living, low crime rates and a high quality of life. Whether you prefer to both live and work in a peaceful, rural setting, or if you would rather live in a rural setting and commute to work in a larger city, Johnstown is a town where you can achieve the perfect balance and enjoy your life and career to the fullest.
