Tell me about living in Colorado Springs, please.

[vulcanbill]

What a variety of terrain!  Mountains on one side and completely flat on the other?  Zoinks.  There's a fair amount of property out there on the east side to be had on the cheap (relative to DC area) but I don't want to wander into a fiery furnace or some neighborhood where I'll simply wish I wasn't.  I'm currently, and historically, OK with an hour long commute though I'd like to make that shorter.  What are some good places to look assuming we'd be OK with a nice modular or rancher on some land.  Priorities have yet to really be hashed out but anything I can definitely cross off the list would be helpful.  

Thanks.

BillO

[Mr. Whippy]

Bill,

If you're borne and raised on the East Coast, the environment may not suit you well.  When my daughter moved to Boulder, she thought she'd love Colorado.  After a couple years, she realized that she terribly missed the greenery of Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia and missed the way the seasons changed.  After 3 years, she begged to find a way to come home right away, but we insisted she finish the school year at CU Bouder.  I doubt she will ever live in the mountain west again.

I grew up in high plains desert and find it beautiful.  She found it desolate and depressing.  YMMV

[Justin]

Bill,

If you're borne and raised on the East Coast, the environment may not suit you well.  When my daughter moved to Boulder, she thought she'd love Colorado.  After a couple years, she realized that she terribly missed the greenery of Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia and missed the way the seasons changed.  After 3 years, she begged to find a way to come home right away, but we insisted she finish the school year at CU Bouder.  I doubt she will ever live in the mountain west again.

I grew up in high plains desert and find it beautiful.  She found it desolate and depressing.  YMMV

I grew up in lush green NY, and haven't missed it a bit. I think she missed you, not the east coast

[ConPilot1]

Bill,

If you're borne and raised on the East Coast, the environment may not suit you well.  When my daughter moved to Boulder, she thought she'd love Colorado.  After a couple years, she realized that she terribly missed the greenery of Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia and missed the way the seasons changed.  After 3 years, she begged to find a way to come home right away, but we insisted she finish the school year at CU Bouder.  I doubt she will ever live in the mountain west again.

I grew up in high plains desert and find it beautiful.  She found it desolate and depressing.  YMMV

Not hard to imagine. I spent six years on the Central California coast when I was younger. The year-round temperate climate was great, and there's lots of good riding out there.
Seashore 10 minutes away. Deserts, 1-2 hours due east. LA, 2 hrs south. Los Padres and Angeles National Forests 1 hr away. Bay area and the Sierra Nevadas 6 hrs north and northeast respectively.
Price to pay for the "It never rains in California" is short, brushy very dry scrubland all over the place with occasional palm trees and agave plants and cactus. There's no real greenery to speak of and unless you're in the Big Sur or NoCal area "woods" are hard to find. The natural flora out there is very alien compared to the Middle Atlantic/East Coast. I do miss the weather out there, proximity to the ocean, the small western-themed towns, and the generally more laid-back nature of the populous.The ocean on the CA coastline is quite different than the East Coast Atlantic shores. Coastlines are rugged, remote, and some of the scrubland goes right to the sea, which usually involves a 150 ft high cliff/seawall as well. And the water is very cold, surf and riptides are rough and due to the seal population it's infested with big nasty sharks, so it's really not all suited that well for swimming. The near 2x daily fogbanks are kind of a PITA, and they're not pleasant when rolling in and occupying the landscape, and it's not a light fog, generally, it's a can't see 10 feet in front of you fog. Pea Soup.

When I returned to PA the rolling mountains and the woods and greenery were welcome sights again, and I did miss the mountains and very numerous streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, and ponds. I could definitely see her point.

[vulcanbill]

It's really less about the place than the proximity to other places.  All the stuff we want and love to do is in the western part of the US.  Right now, getting there and back is not really friendly.  There are a lot of things that are a day's drive from CO.  A LOT!  There are jobs in that area as well.

I've lived on the East Coast for my entire life minus my military time spent in Hawaii, Frisco, couple months in San Angelo, TX and a few nice visits elsewhere like Australia and Korea.  I've had the opportunity to do some traveling out west as well and can honestly say that I'm so freaking ready for a change that even the scrub probably wouldn't bother me as long as I have the option of hitching up and making it to someplace else in a day if need be.  Also, I'm quite adaptable.  Not too worried about what will suit me.  I'll make it work.  

So, neighorhoods?  What's up out in Yoder and Peyton?    

[Justin]

Sorry Bill, I don't know a lot about hoods in the Springs. There are a lot of seedy areas there, but some nice ones as well. But, the proximity to the mountains is great, and, like you said, there is a lot of stuff within a day's drive. Like you, I like the west, and Front Range is a good starting place to explore it from.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I grew up in lush green NY, and haven't missed it a bit. I think she missed you, not the east coast

Meh.  Maybe not.  I've worked quite a bit in Yuma at the proving grounds and I've spent time working in Colorado Springs.  I can see where she missed the greenery of the east.  I know I did.  I enjoyed working at the Proving Grounds and CS butwouldn't want to live there.

[SalsaShark]

Wow... you weren't kidding about trading places, were you?!  

I landed in Laurel and am getting used to east coast living myself, but would move back to CO in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself. But, I was also born and raised there, so that's where my heart is. Also, I'm really having a hard time with the vast numbers of rude people out here. I'm sorry if you hate your job, but don't take it out on me!

Anyways, C. Springs has it's good and bad just like anywhere else. However, it's central location means great riding in every direction. Also, like you said, much more centralized to see a lot of the country without days of slabbing it to get there.

[vulcanbill]

So, did you guys ever sell your house?    

[JimWilliamson]

I moved from northern Illinois (Rockford) to Fort Collins CO, but not before considering a move to Colorado Springs a decade earlier.

My thoughts from a possible Colorado Springs move:
 - It seemed to sit in a bowl and trap air pollution (ugh)
 - Heavy military presence that should our government cut spending, how would the local economy fair?

My thoughts after being in Fort Collins since 2007 (would likely apply to the springs too) / biggest difference from here to northern Illinois / the Midwest
 - Much of it boils down to water.
   - There is less water "here" (Fort Collins) than "back home" (Illinois).
   - There is less green here (I do miss this)
   - There are fewer clouds here (I don't miss this) ala there's MORE SUN (specifically in Dec/Jan/Feb) [snow also melts due to more sun / less shoveling / get a sun facing driveway or you could have ice dam hell]
   - There is less humidity here / less sticky sweating (though we still have mosquitoes)

In general, while I do miss the maple tree reds in the fall, and a lot of what the Midwest offers, I do choose to live here. The "more sun" has a fair bit to do with that. I did miss the wide choice of roads to explore in the Midwest. There are fewer roads here - in plains are sparse and the mountains have "that valley road" and that's about it (an exaggeration, yes, but it sets the mentality).

Edit: This might not apply to the springs, but here in Fort Collins, I find my client roster to be more varied. The midwest has mainly meat-and-potato people. While that contingent is here, the roster also has massage therapists, ministers - a wider variety of people than what the Midwest had for my business.

0.02

[SalsaShark]

So, did you guys ever sell your house?    

closed last week... but the house was in Aurora (Centennial actually, not gang banger land)

[Ack535]

I lived in Co. Springs in the early 1980's. I wished I had never left...

[k0guz]

Colorado Springs might be nice if you're into Tea Party politics, forest fires and a city government so strapped for money that it can't maintain its own parks, pay for street lighting or provide reasonable police and fire protection.  If I was to move to the Eastern Slope of Colorado, I'd look closely at Fort Collins or Pueblo instead.  But I'm happy in the western part of the state; as a transplant from Illinois, I did miss the deciduous trees and green scenery for a while, but the lack of humidity and generally pleasant weather and good people more than make up for it.

Oh, yea, and don't forget that after January 8, pot is legal in Colorado.  Even Colorado Springs.  

[vulcanbill]

Colorado Springs might be nice if you're into Tea Party politics, forest fires and a city government so strapped for money that it can't maintain its own parks, pay for street lighting or provide reasonable police and fire protection.  If I was to move to the Eastern Slope of Colorado, I'd look closely at Fort Collins or Pueblo instead.  But I'm happy in the western part of the state; as a transplant from Illinois, I did miss the deciduous trees and green scenery for a while, but the lack of humidity and generally pleasant weather and good people more than make up for it.

Oh, yea, and don't forget that after January 8, pot is legal in Colorado.  Even Colorado Springs.  

Local gov't and politics are irrelevant just like legalized pot.  Not really ruling anything out and Ft. Collins and Pueblo are on the research list just like Boulder and Longmont.  I just like the idea of being able to pick up land for like a grand an acre even if it's flat.  That's why we were initially checking out the Springs.  As job options start to come to light, we'll likely be able to rule out some places just by virtue of geography.  

[k0guz]

Local gov't and politics are irrelevant just like legalized pot.  Not really ruling anything out and Ft. Collins and Pueblo are on the research list just like Boulder and Longmont.  I just like the idea of being able to pick up land for like a grand an acre even if it's flat.  That's why we were initially checking out the Springs.  As job options start to come to light, we'll likely be able to rule out some places just by virtue of geography.  

Fair enough.  But for $1000 an acre you are getting land which either never had water rights or from which the water rights have been stripped and sold. Without water you are living in a desert.  No, you can't go in your back 40 and drill a water well...  And it may not have reasonable access to a county road and almost surely doesn't have utilities. In other words, it's not very useful. There are thousands of acres like that just west of Colorado Springs in Park County, which years ago was subdivided into 5 acre "ranchettes." Probably one out of every 50 ranchette has any improvements, and they're pretty sad and ugly.  The rest of them went back to the county for unpaid taxes.

I think Colorado is a great place to live, but do your research carefully.  And get Steve Farson's book "Motorcycling Colorado" now so that you can daydream about the rides you can take!

[DNA]

Having grown up in the Springs and my folks are still there (though burned out an still not rebuilt) I can say it was a great place to live.

Knowing your family I'd recommend  the Black Forest area north and a bit east of colo spgs - that is where I go back ti to if I ever did.

South was the seedy part and the east has just grown massively in the last 20 years to a desolate but crowded sprawl.  To get into antelope territory you really have to go a long long way now.

Monument is nice and on the north side of Denver - i have a lot of family in Longmont and they have it pretty good up there as well.

[jbs80106]

If you're looking for a nice plot o'land, decent prices, easy commute, like other poster said, Black Forest is a good bet, can be pricey though.  We're just north of Falcon, about 15 mins from all the shopping on the East side (Powers Blvd), about 20 mins to COS airport.  2 1/2 acres.  Great views....but tends to be breezy most of the time.

Negatives/Positives....

- knucklehead politics where the only taxes that can ever get passed to support education, police, fire, roads, etc. seems to be feast/famine sales taxes.  Good side, is property taxes if you stay in El Paso County vs Colorado Springs City are stupidly low.
- no easy way to get from east side to west side of town or vice versa.
- Quick access to I-25.  About an hour up 83 to Parker/Aurora.
- to get most decent flights anywhere you have to fly outta DIA.
- lots of radicals to each end of the spectrum.  You'd think based on the rhetoric everyone was a church going born again Rommney lover.  Fact is most people don't really seem to live that way.  Depends on your own perspective.
-

[vulcanbill]

I've heard nice things about Longmont and Boulder.  

Mmmmm.  Pam Dawber.  That's about all I got for Boulder.

[DNA]

I've heard nice things about Longmont and Boulder.  

Mmmmm.  Pam Dawber.  That's about all I got for Boulder.

Although geographically close - culturally there were very different.

Not sure how it is not and how far the quirky neon suspenders and burkenstock life style has expanded.

[Beavah]

Dont know much about the area which you are coming from? I have lived in northern NJ for 30 years and then came to Co Spgs. have lived here for 10. There are few parts of the Springs that I would avoid so called bad neighborhoods. If you want access to everything within 15 minutes anything along Powers is fine. East of Powers it all becomes cheaper, more land, but no trees. Areas like Falcon or Peyton are what you make of them, plant grass and trees if you want. Much more for your money the futher east you go. Black Forest is nice but you pay for the trees. Houses are usually older, and property is a couple of acres compared to 20 or 40 further east. Depends on what you are looking for and where you will be working. Good luck in your search!

[Yankee Dog]

Just got back from visiting the inlaws in CS over Thanksgiving so I guess I will chime in as well.

First of all it is NOT flat. It just seems flat because you can see the mountains in the distance. Rolling hills is what I would call it.

I dont know if it was the low humidity, dust or alititude. But my nose bleeds the whole time I visit the place. The sis in law says it is common.

It is not a small town. Lots of people and lots of traffic. House seeds thrown out everywhere to produce lots of subdivisions that all look the same. They used to live in Black Forest and that was a bit better, but still pretty built up. Dont know how far out of town you have to be to really find your open (and cheap) space.

They live in a pretty nice three bedroom house but yikes, the payment is 2700 per month. Seems a bit high to me. But then I live in Alabama.

The weather is nice. They do get snow and cold, but they also get LOTS of bright sunshine.

The predominate color is brown. Even in the summer. Doesnt seem bad to me, I think the area is beautiful. I love the rock formations.