looking to settle down, alternative lifestyle in west COspr. (Manitou Springs: fit in, rentals)

[piratekittyB]

where are the liberal minded, hippie, artsy farsty, punker, green minded, lgbtq friendly people in the colorado springs area?

my girlfriend and i have decided to settle down, we've been renting an apt for a few years, but we really need some personal space. things like a yard and a drive way. right now we look out our common room window directly into our neighbor's bathroom. chicago's nice and all... but we're ready for some slower paced living.

last summer we got to visit the lovely manitou springs and absolutely fell in love. the absolute hippie vibe was undeniable. we ourselves are old school hippies, so you can see the draw. unfortunately i've been doing my home buying research and i've realized it may not be the cheapest place in the area.

i guess my question is: is all of west co spr., or old colorado, like this? i ate breakfast in a hookah lounge/cafe, browsed artisan shops, and talked with the resident commune. we're really looking for a place we can find younger people with some of the same values as us. so, where are you? =]

[Carrera32]

We're not experts, having moved here about a year ago, but I think you've identified the most likely communities of like-minded souls (Old Colorado City and Manitou). Manitou is quite expensive for what you get for your money. Same with the area around Colorado College. You might have better luck in the OCC area. Check out the Independent weekly newspaper for possible leads/ideas (but you probably already know that).

[Terytee]

I agree with the previous post....I think you hit the nail on the head. Manitou Springs would be a good fit for you.....not that you "can't" live in other areas, but would probably be more of a natural fit in Manitou. Good luck.

[Bideshi]

Manitou fo shua.

[toxicavenger]

I wonder how people who call themselves hippies are able to live in Manitou price wise? The houses there are crazy expensive.

[ryanek9freak]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I wonder how people who call themselves hippies are able to live in Manitou price wise? The houses there are crazy expensive.

Houses, yes, rentals, not so much.

[lurtsman]

Can anyone tell me where the cut off for this lifestyle is?

Due to the places my wife and I plan on attending we were expecting to live on the western side of the high way. I don't care if our neighbors are gay, but I'd rather not have the hippie vibe. Considering camelback pointe. Is that close enough to Manitou that it has the same vibe. Perhaps I'll get there and realize that I'm entirely wrong about what is classified as Hippie. When I was in portland the "hippie" crowd was usually stoned the whole time, sometimes to the point of seeming brain damaged, refused to wear closed shoes, didn't wash their hair, etc.

Did I have a unique experience that is not related to the standard hippie crowd? I'd hate to go for decades thinking I didn't like something only to find out I actually fit in...

[proveick]

"Keep Manitou Weird" is the official motto.
This helps keep the tradition alive.
Dark Destinations - Emma Crawford Festival and Memorial Coffin Race
RP

[lurtsman]

Originally Posted by proveick

"Keep Manitou Weird" is the official motto.
This helps keep the tradition alive.
Dark Destinations - Emma Crawford Festival and Memorial Coffin Race
RP

How do they define the weirdness? We had it in Portland, Oregon. "Keep Portland weird" and I am not sure what it is they were referencing either.

[Carrera32]

Lurtsman - To get a sense of it's "weirdness" check out the Emma Crawford Coffin Races (really!) to be held on the main drag in Manitou on October 29, from 12-3 (get there early for a good vantage point). It's a cross between an historical event/myth involving a real person (Emma Crawford) and Halloween. It's a lot of fun and they take it very 'seriously.' Go the Manitou Springs web page for more info/pics. Manitou appears to thrive on and is proud of its eclectic and very diverse lifestyles. There's everything there from the survivalist to the biker to the hippie lifestyles, and everything in between. The community revels in its eclectic lifestyle or, at least, its reputation for eclecticism, particularly downtown (if you go up through Crystal Hills, the area is indistinguishable from any other older suburb in CS). My guess is some of the "weirdness" is just hype, but there are several community events each year that tend to perpetuate the reputation.