Prospect: Best place to live if you’re a socialite

What once inspired ire from critics and jealousy from outsiders has slowly transformed into a happy community of new urbanites. Prospect, the mod neighborhood-turned-shire just south of Longmont, has developed into exactly what it was created to be: chat-with-your-neighbor, wave-to-the-mailman, know-your-barista-by-name sort of place. Prospect is a social neighborhood—with common areas and restaurants and shops that feel kind of like communal areas. Sure, The Rib House, Two Dog Diner and its boutiques make it a destination, but this is new urbanism at its greatest: a work/live/play community. And play they do. Here, residents partake in the Prospect Pedalers Cruiser Rides, Hot Truck Mondays (during which area food trucks visit the neighborhood and feed its people), bike rides, Easter egg hunts and Halloween events. Plus, with Your Place or Vine open (thank goodness!), the socializing can now include wine and tapas.

{LOCAL STUFF}

Best place to socialize
first thing in the morning:
Vic’s
It’s like Cheers. But your drink
of choice is an Americano.

Best shop for making your home a social hotspot:
Nest
This décor store is trés chic.

Best nearby destination
for socializing:
Oskar Blues’ Tasty Weasel
This bar/tasting room is just
down the street.

{DETAILS}

The land: Prospect sits on what was once an 80-acre tree farm.

Accolades: 1996’s Governor’s Smart Growth Award.

Number of units at build out: 585

Perks: Your stylist is also your neighbor; ribs at The Rib House; the tastings at Tenacity Wine Shop; finding treasures at Suburban Hill.