Thinking of Buying a home, ideas where? (Colorado Springs, Fountain: foreclosures, renting)

[SayomiKimura]

My husband and I just had a child, we also have a puppy. He is in the military and stationed at Fort Carson. We are looking to find a place to live possibly in the next two years. That may be a lot of time to everyone but we have a lot of research to do and so on. I'm hoping people can give me opinions on where a good place to buy one would be. Below is what i'm looking for roughly in an area.

1) Safe for children and good schools
2) Close to base, a small commute is not bad either
3) Nice looking area, don't want trash and falling apart buildings nearby
4) A community feel. Not off of a highway.

I suppose that is it really. I can find libraries, hospitals and so on once moved to the area. But those are my main concern. I currently live over near South Academy, near Hartford St. I basically can't walk anywhere as I live right off the highway in a townhome. We are looking for a nice single home for us. I'd really appreciate the input. Don't worry too much about how much i'm willing to spend. But if you have an idea about how expensive homes might be in the area you suggest let me know, otherwise i'll research into it. Thanks everyone!

[proveick]

With the continued rise in foreclosures I think 2012 might be close the bottom of this housing mess. The projections are another increase in foreclosures in 2011. Renting right now is a good idea. RP

[Mike from back east]

Agree with renting, especially with the way the Army moves people around every so often; though not as often as in the past, they still rotate people from base to base.

Fountain area is very good for your requirements; close to Fort Carson, good area, good people, good schools, lots of fellow soldiers.

Use our search tool with keywords like: Fountain and/or Carson, etc.

[SayomiKimura]

Thanks everyone for the input!

[froggin4colorado]

Also, keep the Widefield Community Center in mind for great activities for the kids and families. They have an indoor pool and a great community center. Pretty good library too. If you end up moving that way. One of the news anchors- John Carroll if I remember correctly, lives down there and you will see him at the Security Public library a lot and at Walmart.
If you do Fountain, I would suggest the Heritage Homes neighborhood. Lots of military families in the middle income range who enjoy walking the neighborhood, friendly, great for trick-or-treating. The commute to base depending on the traffic is around 10-20 minutes. I used to live by the Safeway in Fountain and even when I went to gate 2 (is that right? By Mountainside Elem...) it was a 17 minute commute.
I've had friends who live on the south side of Colorado Springs and hated it...too ghetto. But I now chuckle now that I am out east and experienced a whole new meaning of ghetto! Watch out!!!!