COL SPGS vs Denver (Colorado Springs, Ken Caryl: townhouses, neighborhood, school)

[Landy]

Can some knowlegeable folks offer some comparisons/suggestions/advice, etc. between COS and Denver (and surrounding suburbs)?

We have lived in Albuquerque for some years and are thinking about a change. I've done some research on the job market in both areas and think my wife and I can get relatively good jobs (obviously, Denver has quite a few more job opportunities). Comments/suggestions/advice on the following topics would be appreciated.

I'd like to live in a semi-rural area compared to suburbia. What's available?

No more than a one-way 45-min. commute time. I know that will vary significantly depending upon where in the Denver area I work and live, but just some ideas would be useful.

Good public schools.

What's available in the $450k to $550k housing range?

Is the weather significantly different between COS and Denver?

Are there reasonable flights skeds out of the COS airport?

Good community feel, e.g., kid friendly, kid activities, safe, low crime, etc.

Thanks!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Landy

(obviously, Denver has quite a few more job opportunities).

What line of work are you two in? (I'm surprised you didn't mention this in you post.)

Denver has more jobs, but what's more important are per capita jobs. What are the unemployment rates in your fields?

I live in Monument, halfway between jobs in the Springs and jobs in south Denver. These two places have lots of engineering jobs. Monument has good schools, many 1-5 acre lots, and low crime. It also gets more snow than both the Springs and Denver. I moved from Southern California last year and last winter was pretty rough even by the locals' standards.

[Landy]

Surprisingly (to me, at least), not much response to my questions, but I guess the info is out there if I dig enough. I'm an engineer and my wife is a federal gov't contractor, so I think we're fairly employable, hence my interest in lifestyle qualities rather than the job market.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Landy

Surprisingly (to me, at least), not much response to my questions, but I guess the info is out there if I dig enough. I'm an engineer and my wife is a federal gov't contractor, so I think we're fairly employable, hence my interest in lifestyle qualities rather than the job market.

Well, you can do a search. Most of these questions have been asked many times over, sometimes some of us old-timers kind of overlook them.

My knowledge of COS is fairly limited, but:

I'd like to live in a semi-rural area compared to suburbia. What's available?

Not much, in the Denver area, even with a 45 min. commute to downtown. More in COS, as I understand things. I think, though, that the semi-rural places there are rather suburban as well, e.g. people working at regular city jobs rather than farming.

Good public schools.

Depends on how you define "good". Do you want super-strong academics with college credit in HS, do you want good sports teams, music, theater, etc? Do a search. Everyone has their own opinion about this topic.

Is the weather significantly different between COS and Denver?

It's a little different b/c COS is at a slightly higher altitude. This is also a searchable area. City-Data provides stats on the COS main page.

Are there reasonable flights skeds out of the COS airport?

No idea. My niece/nephew who live down there usually use DIA when they go to visit the relatives in Pittsburgh.

Good community feel, e.g., kid friendly, kid activities, safe, low crime, etc.

Pretty much any suburb of Denver. I would imagine the same holds true for COS.

[scarmi]

My husband and I (along with our newborn) are moving to Colorado from a small Los Angeles suburb next year. My husband is part-owner in a company that is expanding to the Denver or COS area (not sure where yet) and he works from home, so we can live pretty much anywhere as long as he can commute into either city maybe once a week or so.

We've never been to CO and are coming out as soon as the kid can make the trip, just to check out the areas, but wanted to see if we could get some neighborhood opinions on here on where we should focus our attention. We are excited about the weather and change of pace from LA.

We are both college educated and liberal, into outdoor activities and don't mind the suburbs. We love good restaurants and want to be within a 10 minute drive of "stuff" to do - shopping or movies, etc. And we definitely want a great school district.

Can anyone offer a list of GREAT/favorite neighborhoods to check out either near Denver or COS? We are looking to buy a place around $400k.

Many many thanks to everyone with a few moments to spare!!

[COflower]

Honestly, I think a place like the South Metro Denver area would be perfect for you.

Denver is a little more "liberal" than Colorado Springs and there is a ton to do up in the area. I live in C Springs and it's a wonderful place to live too though. I've lived in Denver metro too. But for a small family with a decent income, I would live in south Denver Metro or Castle Rock with the $ you have to spend on a home.

It gives you the best of both worlds. Close to Denver with all it's activities, a nice house and still a quick trip to C Springs.

On the other hand, if you want a more secluded lifestyle with a bit more property for your $, Monument (Tri-Lakes area) is a great area to maximize your property dollars. It's between Denver and C Springs, 35 minutes to the south Denver area and 20 to C Springs .

I will say though, and many others have said it before me here, rent a place first to get a feel for what it is you really want. This will initially take some $ out of your pocket but it's better than plunking down money and hating where you live and with the way home sales are at the moment, I would be hesitant to move to a place where you don't know the people and the location from another state. That just doesn't make good economic sense.

Anyhow, I know that was kind of vague but moving to a new place from another state is something thing that until you can actually experience the place...in addition to the nature of the internet, one man's "perfect" place is another's "hell".

[Mike from back east]

Scarmi: From what you said, lots of Denver would be great, maybe parts of COL SPGS, too. That "10 minutes to stuff to do/movies" can be a bit tough to do in some respects.

In COL SPGS, IMO, look at the N.E. area, aka Briargate, zip 80920, school district 20. Use the search tool with keywords Briargate or 80920 or D20 to find all the good recent threads on these topics. We're there, and it's 20 minutes to downtown's eateries and Pikes Peak Center (live theater/shows). The area down around Colorado College is cool, with lots of old charming homes, a few minutes to downtown, even walkable, but not in D20. That area of town is in D11, where schools can vary from outstanding to average, and maybe a few sub-par, depends on the individual school. $400k will get you a fine house in most areas of COL SPGS, less so in Denver.

[ranchosantamargarita]

If you're wanting something different than Southern California, then move to Colorado Springs, not Denver (although I love to visit Denver). I also moved here from Southern California (23 years ago). I was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and then moved to Orange County, I moved here in 1984. I too am a liberal, so if you come to the Springs, stay away from some of the north parts of the Springs, home to Focus on the Family and New Life Church. Although I've met a lot of nice people from these places, a lot are extremely judgemental.

You might like the downtown area of Colorado Springs. You also may consider the area off of Woodman Road to the east of the Springs. Colorado Springs is a diverse town with everything from New Agers to the Religious Right.

Catherine
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[Momzilla]

Which do you prefer. We are in Denver now (moved here in Oct) and maybe it is because we are in the dead of winter.. but I don't know I was hoping for more mountains and nature... and it isn't all what I expected.

How is it there in Colorado Springs?

[kristenfromdenver]

I can't speak to Colorado Springs, but if you want more mountains, it is a very quick drive. Most people move here for the skiing and winter sports, but the saying goes that people stay because of the summer. But, on a nice winter day, pick up a few friends and family and drive up the hill to maybe Breckenridge (about 90 minute drive) or even Idaho Springs (maybe 25 minutes). It will make you feel much better. Walk around a little, stare at the mountains, have a nice dinner and drive home. We try not to let a little snow stop us from enjoying nature!!