Why would anyone live in Colorado Springs? (Denver, Fort Carson: military, jobs)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by soontob

80920? I used to live there, believe me, there is crime. Random drive bys of rock throwing to break car windows, egging of vehicles, breaking into homes, it's not what it is touted to be in that zip code...

You are 100% correct (but since it is all relative, your post didn't say much). Zip 80920 is a lot of that area north of research- not too much going on there compared to everywhere else.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by soontob

80920? I used to live there, believe me, there is crime. Random drive bys of rock throwing to break car windows, egging of vehicles, breaking into homes, it's not what it is touted to be in that zip code...

Thats petty crime.That kind of stuff happens everywhere.Thats not the type of stuff you hear about on the news.Im talking about violent crime.I don't have statistics but my guess is that the violent crime rate in 80920 is very low.I've lived in COS for three years in the Briargate section,and have never had any problems.But again,the type of crimes you listed are not major crimes.Violent crime is Murders,Rapes,Armed Robberies,and Felonious Assaults.I feel very safe living here.And as far as I can see,most other people in my neighborhood don't have any problems either.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

lol, have you visited the Pikes Peak Park area after dark? It's somewhere that you don't want to be after dark, trust me.

I've been by there before,but never hung out around there.

[ryanek9freak]

I almost got beat down by a bunch of mexican gang bangers in that area. My buddy saved my rear end cause he knew one of them or something. And I didn't do anything, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[C2H (ComingtoHouston)]

{sorry in advance-long post but.....]

After reviewing these pages in this thread, i am amazed at how defensive residents of Colorado Spgs are. I lived in Colorado Springs for 20 years of my life, 3 in Pueblo and now living in Houston enjoying the city life. I think the OP had a right to his opininon.

Don't get me wrong, i love CSprings. I was pratically born there but I couldn't wait to get out. Many of you all may disagree with me but I actually didn't see the down to earth, "live life" until I moved down south. I've turned into a cityboy, no doubt. I appreciate the city more right now because even though its not as scenic as C/S, its more representative of the way people live: shopping, restaurant, culture, festivals, entertainment, and sports games. Yes, people in C/S are too conservative. I agree with the people who said there's no sense of fashion. In cities like NYC, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, LA, and Seattle to name a few, are all fashion monguols. C/S is a little too plain when it comes to fashion

C/S has grown to be a mini- metropolitan area. That's why i find the poor mobility in C/S frustrating. There is no efficient freeway system in the Springs for a city of its size. Sorry, but putting up overpasses on Powers Blvd's busiest intersections doesn't cut it and won't for long. Quit being cheap and build another freeway! Maybe Marksheffel will become that as the city continues to grow out east. But C/S still need a continuous east and west freeway. MLK bypass 24 was good, but its not a clear shot w/out lights.

The downtown night life scene isn't bad. I think its more on the scale to fit Castle Rock or Pueblo. I think a city the size of Colorado Springs could have more options. The rest of the town basically contains sportsbars and stuff spread throughout the city.

I can see how someone could say there's not much to do. Yes, if you're young and like to explore, then C/S might not have alot on that alley. Now there's plenty of outdoor stuff to do like biking, fishing, hiking, and other things. It's a perfect place to retire or raise a family, but on the entertainment side of things, C/S is a little stale. Colorado Springs needs an amusement park for kids, and more events (Skysox games get old.) Territory Days and 4th of July at Memorial Lake are fun, but its not often enough for me. C/S needs more urban centers and less strip centers. Here in Houston, Houston used to get bashed for having too many strip malls. Now its been tearing down strip malls and building more mixed use projects. Exciting stuff! C/S is making the mistake Houston did in sprawling out too much.

If i've offended anyone, i apologize. What you're seeing is a guy who lived his whole life in this town and grew sick to death of it. I still love the place because its what made me what i am today. But C/S residents, quit attacking people's opinions. Just because they don't like the place, don't let them make you feel like you have to prove is C/S worthy. We already know Colorado Spings's worth.




BTW: To C-TownNative --- what's in Colorado Springs now that you've started to like it. Do you have more friends now, what? What is there now that wasn't there 1, 2, or 3 years ago?

It is an easy place to make friends BTW!!!

[ryanek9freak]

How could anyone say there's nothing to do? If you beleive that, you need to oepn your eyes. There are limitless things to do in COS, you just need to know where to look

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

{sorry in advance-long post but.....]

After reviewing these pages in this thread, i am amazed at how defensive residents of Colorado Spgs are. I lived in Colorado Springs for 20 years of my life, 3 in Pueblo and now living in Houston enjoying the city life. I think the OP had a right to his opininon.

Don't get me wrong, i love CSprings. I was pratically born there but I couldn't wait to get out. Many of you all may disagree with me but I actually didn't see the down to earth, "live life" until I moved down south. I've turned into a cityboy, no doubt. I appreciate the city more right now because even though its not as scenic as C/S, its more representative of the way people live: shopping, restaurant, culture, festivals, entertainment, and sports games. Yes, people in C/S are too conservative. I agree with the people who said there's no sense of fashion. In cities like NYC, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, LA, and Seattle to name a few, are all fashion monguols. C/S is a little too plain when it comes to fashion

C/S has grown to be a mini- metropolitan area. That's why i find the poor mobility in C/S frustrating. There is no efficient freeway system in the Springs for a city of its size. Sorry, but putting up overpasses on Powers Blvd's busiest intersections doesn't cut it and won't for long. Quit being cheap and build another freeway! Maybe Marksheffel will become that as the city continues to grow out east. But C/S still need a continuous east and west freeway. MLK bypass 24 was good, but its not a clear shot w/out lights.

The downtown night life scene isn't bad. I think its more on the scale to fit Castle Rock or Pueblo. I think a city the size of Colorado Springs could have more options. The rest of the town basically contains sportsbars and stuff spread throughout the city.

I can see how someone could say there's not much to do. Yes, if you're young and like to explore, then C/S might not have alot on that alley. Now there's plenty of outdoor stuff to do like biking, fishing, hiking, and other things. It's a perfect place to retire or raise a family, but on the entertainment side of things, C/S is a little stale. Colorado Springs needs an amusement park for kids, and more events (Skysox games get old.) Territory Days and 4th of July at Memorial Lake are fun, but its not often enough for me. C/S needs more urban centers and less strip centers. Here in Houston, Houston used to get bashed for having too many strip malls. Now its been tearing down strip malls and building more mixed use projects. Exciting stuff! C/S is making the mistake Houston did in sprawling out too much.

If i've offended anyone, i apologize. What you're seeing is a guy who lived his whole life in this town and grew sick to death of it. I still love the place because its what made me what i am today. But C/S residents, quit attacking people's opinions. Just because they don't like the place, don't let them make you feel like you have to prove is C/S worthy. We already know Colorado Spings's worth.




BTW: To C-TownNative --- what's in Colorado Springs now that you've started to like it. Do you have more friends now, what? What is there now that wasn't there 1, 2, or 3 years ago?

It is an easy place to make friends BTW!!!

Actually to tell you the truth,I've always liked Colorado Springs for the three years I've lived here.It was just that for awhile I wanted to move back to Cleveland,so I was being negative about everything so that made it hard for me to really enjoy Colorado Springs.I stopped being negative about things,and right when I stopped being negative thats when I really started to like Colorado Springs.

[Mike78613]

Growing up and living in zip code 80906 (It was the getto). Graduated from Harrison High School, I too moved out, just like C2H did. I left in 1996.

I found that my life was not going anywhere if I was to stay. I visit some old buddies about 4-years back and they yet seem to grow up.

We live in Austin, TX now, but eagerly wanting to move back to CO in the near future but I really doubt going back to COS though.

Some of the things I remember and hated but it was due to my father that was stationed in Ft. Carson.

GI's what a bunch of perverts. My dad and other people that was in his battalion had to CQ the barracks like crazy. The GI's goes off base, sneak in some 13 - 17 yr old girls and has sex with them.
I am sorry but COS would be a wonderful city if the Army was not there. I was only in High School and my car was broken in 4 times for music cds, clothes and other junk.

Not even once since I lived in Austin has any of my vehicles been touched or broken into. I know crimes are everywhere, but COS was lacking security from the law enforcement IMHO. My highest paying job was @ The Broadmoor but then again its probably not fair to say that I could of not made more but being there till I was 20 I go $hit jobs and no pay.

I come to Austin, land a job @ Dell Computers.... pay.. .heh, better then any job I got in COS.

I think COS would of been much better if Ft. Carson was not there. I like Austin due to the fact that Ft. Hood is in Killeen; which is far enough from Austin. I did not like my nights when I heard gun shots, police sirens or BOOM BOOM till 3am on weekdays.

I am sure zip code 80906 probably has not changed but from what I remember; I was glad I left and as I mentioned above, we do plan to be coming back to Colorado, but not COS. I know the jobs opportunity is not all that still.

I did enjoy 7-falls, Garden of the Gods and stopping @ the gate @ NATO then


BTW - from the original poster, I agree that I remember seeing a 7-eleven, liquor store, pawn shop, barber shop, check cashing stores and a Little Caesars on every corner.

I did work as a trainee carpenter for a little bit and I remember the homes being built out in Woodman area was really uppy, so I am sure South Colo Spgs is where the bad crime is at.

[C2H (ComingtoHouston)]

^^^ Well last time i saw, all te Little Ceasars left C/S in 99 but they may have started to make a slow come back.

To ryanek9freak, there are things to do but for a city the size of C/S, its very limited when it comes to the entertainment side of things. There are alot of smaller cities that provide more entertainment options. Now Colorado Springs does have alot to see and do when it comes to nature and outdoor activities as I mentioned before. I like Manitou Springs but really that's just antique shopping, same with Old Colorado City. Don't challenge a man who's lived in C/S practically his whole life and say he just needs to know where to look. I know C/S inside and out.

Denver to me is more the place to be for entertainment/dining options

[soontob]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

{sorry in advance-long post but.....] After reviewing these pages in this ...

I wholeheartdly agree with everything you said in your post.