Monument

[hope07]

Mike, appreciate your comment about the I-25 and the ability to avoid it if east of it. That is exactly the kind of information I was after. And looking at the map I see what you are talking about. The other info I filed in what is left of my brain these days, particularly the roof and windows issues. And thanks, Visual (I used to work for an aircraft engineering firm!) for your opinion too. I am definitely thinking I would prefer the east side too, however, it is the other side that has the house that suits our family more in terms of size etc.. We continue to think about it and keep an eye on this thread. All your wisdom is really helping.

[Lucy0524]

Charles,
We are planning on moving in or around Colorado Springs (next summer). What is this about water being brought in? We lived in Boulder 2 years, so we know a bit about Colorado, but I have never heard about this. Would you explain?
Thank you

[Djbabybokchoy]

We're thinking about moving to Monument in a year or two. My husband and I are young and don't plan on having kids. Schools and all that mess aren't important to us -- but community is.

How's the city? How many movie theaters are there? How about museums or zoos?

We're in Raleigh, NC now and they're CONSTANTLY having festivals, events, fairs and 'parties' downtown -- do they do this in Monument?

Does Monument have a flea market or a farmer's market -- are they big; have lots of vendors?

What kind of things do young couples (not teenagers) do on weekends? Are there art galleries? Do they have an 'artsy' area of town?

Thanks for the help!

[Charles]

Why are you thinking of moving to Monument?

Monument seems to be retired people and families with kids.
I think they are building two movie-plex type things.
Not much of museum town, no zoo, pretty much a bedroom community.
In downtown Monument there seems to be occasional fairs, festivals, family, community type things. Plus there is a very popular 4th of July parade.
Couples are working around their homes, hiking, shopping, lots of cyclists, walking their dogs, traveling to the Springs, Castle Rock, or Denver (all three are pretty close).

[vfrpilot]

We live in Monument and like Charles, wonder why you would want to move to Monument. It's a beautiful area with great schools, but not the things you're looking for. There is a bowling alley for entertainment and 1 bar that I know of. With the description of things you desire, you should look into Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City. Those 2 scenic places are close together and have lots of weekend fairs, car shows, crafts shows, and farmers markets. There is live theater in Manitou and some great restaurants. There is tons of outdoor activities close also. Downtown Colorado Springs is close by for the nearest thing to nightlife without driving to Denver. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is not far either. I love Monument but my kids(ages 20+) think it's pretty dead.
The 4th of July parade is the biggest event here.

[ballou3]

What is traffic/commute like from Manitou into COS Powers area.

I like a lot of what I hear about Manitou Springs, but would be kind of concerned about the drive.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by ballou3

What is traffic/commute like from Manitou into COS Powers area. I like a lot of what I hear about Manitou Springs, but would be kind of concerned about the drive.

Shouldn't be that bad, my *guess* is 30 minutes max. Route looks like Hwy 24 down from Manitou, getting on I-25 southbound at exit 141, going south two miles, taking Fountain Blvd EAST (Hwy 24) at exit 139, then a couple of miles across the south end of town on a multi-lane urban arterial, which dumps you into Powers right at the entrance to the airport.

Maybe someone who drives that will chime in. Based on what I was used to back in the DC area, a commute of Manitou to Powers Blvd is nothing to worry about.

s/Mike