Researching the Springs for my writing (Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs: chapel, houses, neighborhoods)

[WriterSJR]

Hi, I'm writing a novel set in Colorado Springs. I'll be visiting some time this year. I lived there for a while in the 90's and have visited twice since moving away. I hope to return for good someday. It has grown a lot since I lived there but I still love it and miss it.

Since I won't be able to spend much time there for my research this go-around, I was hoping that you could narrow some things down for me. I know that like most cities, certain types of folks are scattered around everywhere, but I was wondering:

Are there certain neighborhoods that are more artsy/bohemian than others? Certain coffeehouses, restaurants, etc.? The two main characters in my novel are 30-ish artsy folks who like to go for coffee, dinner, and long walks in their free time. (They're not grunge or hippie types.)

What about wealthy neighborhoods? One character is quite wealthy.

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'll have more questions prior to my trip.

I appreciate your assistance!

[otowi]

Old Colorado City, Downtown both come to mind. Wealthy and also artsy - perhaps Peregrine/Mountain Shadows, Country Club by Garden of the Gods, Broadmoor, etc. Mainly I would say you want to be West side and downtown.

[Marcy1210]

Artsy, hippie, Bohemian would be more Manitou Springs than Colorado Springs. You can look on Yelp and get reviews for some coffee bars and restaurants in Manitou.

Wealthy would be the Old Broadmoor area around Lake Avenue and the streets around there. You can Google Earth the area and take the "little man" icon down to street level and "drive" the streets and see what the neighborhoods are like. Also the North End of Colorado Springs, on Cascade, for example. But if a character becomes wealthy, he's hob-knobing with the rich guys at the Broadmoor country club, playing golf, and eating at the Penrose Room.

[Littlekw]

"Bohemian" for 30-ish year olds is definitely going to be Manitou Springs and Old Colorado
City. That's where most tend too live, anyway. The hangouts tend to be the breweries such as Bristol and Phantom Canyon. Oh, and Front Range Barebeque in OCC. That's a favorite of a lot of my friends that fit that description. :-)

[WriterSJR]

Thanks everyone!

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by WriterSJR

Hi, I'm writing a novel set in Colorado Springs. I'll be visiting some time this year. I lived there for a while in the 90's and have visited twice since moving away. I hope to return for good someday. It has grown a lot since I lived there but I still love it and miss it.

Since I won't be able to spend much time there for my research this go-around, I was hoping that you could narrow some things down for me. I know that like most cities, certain types of folks are scattered around everywhere, but I was wondering:

Are there certain neighborhoods that are more artsy/bohemian than others? Certain coffeehouses, restaurants, etc.? The two main characters in my novel are 30-ish artsy folks who like to go for coffee, dinner, and long walks in their free time. (They're not grunge or hippie types.)

What about wealthy neighborhoods? One character is quite wealthy.

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'll have more questions prior to my trip.

I appreciate your assistance!

Well, hippie doesn't necessarily mean grungy ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/tr...html?8dpc&_r=0

[WriterSJR]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

Well, hippie doesn't necessarily mean grungy ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/tr...html?8dpc&_r=0

Very true. That's why I said, grungy or hippie, not grungy and hippie.

Further explanation: the characters in my novel I described in my original post as "artsy," are professional folks who have careers in the arts - photography and dance. Their friends are art teachers, writers, musicians and singers.

Hope that makes more sense.

[Maynerd]

Fully agree with most of the posters above.

Your Bohemian niche should be Manitou Springs. Old Colorado City is somewhat artsy, but I think Manitou is a far better choice. Your upscale neighborhood would be the Broadmoor area.

[Littlekw]

Do a bit of research on the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, too. I know some people that are into the arts in the Springs and that tends to be their go-to for most events. Downtown, primarily on Tejon St., is home to a few galleries. And homeless people playing music for spare change... The artsy crowd definitely sticks to the area from downtown west to Manitou. This is also the part of the city with the most character and history, so those elements go hand in hand. Wealthy is absolutely the Broadmoor area and the hills above it.

[WriterSJR]

The artsy neighborhoods are in the same location as when I lived there in the '90's.

Of course, the population has doubled.

I remember going to the Fine Arts Center, and Manitou, and Old Colorado City. I lived near the Chapel Hills Mall back then.

Thanks again.