What is the best suggestion for a place to live in Colorado, fitting my lifesyle?

I am a 21 year old college student and my husband and I have been seriously considering moving to CO in a few years when we've both graduated. He is getting his degree to become a theater teacher, and I'll be getting my master's to be a librarian. He may later pursue a master's also. Anyways, based on that info and considering future events such as having children (good school districts for them and jobs for us), where is a good and relatively inexpensive place to live in Colorado? I realize it's a bit of a tourist state, and would enjoy living in the mountains if we could afford it as we both love snowboarding, but know that these areas can be too crowded in season. We are wanting to move from Austin, Texas to get away from the big city feel and would like a country setting as we both grew up in the country. Neither of us are rich, or plan to be based on the careers we will have, but would like to buy as opposed to renting. Any suggestions you can give would be awesome.

Public Comments

1. Golden Colorado?
2. Fort Collins is a great place. There is a university here and it is only a short drive to the mountains (less than 2 hours). The cost of living isn't to bad and it is big enough with out being a huge metro environment.