Best areas for retirement in the springs (Denver, Littleton: house, high school)

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi, I will be retiring in the next several years and I am considering Colorado Srings to retire to. I grew up in New Jersey and moved to North Carolina in my thirties for a job relocation and have been there ever since. I like the change of seasons but don't care for the humidity they have here during the summer months. Lately it has been humid for almost half the year. I would like to know the best areas of the springs for me to be looking at. I would like a small home with a little property so I can continue gardening. I have a dog so I want room for him to play. I stay on an organic diet and would like to be by stores that have organic produce, poultry, etc. Also, are there any other retirees in the springs and how do you like it for retirement?
Thanks,

[Charles]

Originally Posted by GARDENGAL60

Also, are there any other retirees in the springs and how do you like it for retirement?
Thanks,

Read Mike's masterpiece post

Why Choose Colorado Springs?

[Vision67]

I've lived here since 1977 and I am semi "retired." I still work for myself trading stocks from home, but I no longer work for the man.

I am 58 years old and went through the same evaluation as Mike so elegantly explained in his classic post. We decided to stay here and visit warmer climates in winter; my favorite is Hawaii.

I also live on the North End near Rampart High School. We are close to Whole Foods (1 mile) which is a premium source of organic and natural food. My house backs to Rampart park which is quite handy for walking the dogs and getting fresh air.

I really think it is hard to find a better place to live and the economy is virtually recession proof because of all the dod money flowing in.

My only concern is that the place will continue to grow as more people discover what you are discovering now.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Vision67

I've lived here since 1977 and I am semi "retired." I still work for myself trading stocks from home, but I no longer work for the man. I am 58 years old and went through the same evaluation as Mike so elegantly explained in his classic post. We decided to stay here and visit warmer climates in winter; my favorite is Hawaii.

I also live on the North End near Rampart High School. We are close to Whole Foods (1 mile) which is a premium source of organic and natural food. My house backs to Rampart park which is quite handy for walking the dogs and getting fresh air. I really think it is hard to find a better place to live and the economy is virtually recession proof because of all the dod money flowing in.

My only concern is that the place will continue to grow as more people discover what you are discovering now.

Thanks for the kind words. I've got pix of Rampart HS and the dog walk park in the Zip 80920 photo tour. BTW, I'm 59 and I try to understand the stock market, attending the free meetings of the local AAII chapter here in town. You don't have to be a member to attend. We have a free email list for our local chapter at: AAII_CS : AAII_CS Investors

I sometimes go up to Littleton / Denver to hear AAII presentations, for which they charge $8. There's one this Tuesday on ETFs and ETNs, and I'll be there. If you want to know more, send me a DM and I'll help all I can.

s/Mike

[Bob from down south]

Originally Posted by Vision67

I really think it is hard to find a better place to live and the economy is virtually recession proof because of all the dod money flowing in.

We thought the same thing about the Inland Empire area of southern California in the 80s...then we lost base after base in the early BRAC rounds...Norton AFB, March AFB, MCAS El Toro, George AFB, Point Mugu NAS, Miramar NAS...the list is long. No place is long-term recession-proof through DoD spending, especially in a post-war realignment. And double-especially in a place endowed with four military installations. San Antonio lost Kelly AFB and Brooks AFB in later BRAC rounds, reducing their five bases to three.

Of course, California's generally military-hostile Congressional delegation, and out-of-control environmental activism made DoD's closure choices much easier than most at the time. But it'd be hard to tell people in Macon, GA that Warner Robins is closing while COS keeps four active military bases.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Bob from down south

.then we lost base after base in the early BRAC rounds.......Point Mugu NAS, Miramar NAS...the list is long.

That's going to shock the heck out of my buddies who are still doing T&E on EA-6Bs at Mugu....They may have done some renaming but the mission is still the same.

Point Mugu Air Station

[Bob from down south]

Well, you got me on that one, Charles.

When I left SoCal in 1991 they were just getting ready to decommission NAS Point Mofo...looks like it did a little rise-from-the-ashes thing while I wasn't looking, under the (goofy) new name of Naval Base Ventura County.

I'll bet the residents of Victorville sure wish the AF would pull a similar rabbit outta their hat with the old George AFB. That town has been a disaster ever since the base closed. I was at the old Norton AFB a few years ago, and it was a real testament to urban decay, fitting right in with the pothole-and-crabgrass decor of south San Bernardino.