COL SPGS vs Texas (Denver, Colorado Springs: homeowners insurance, income, job)

[GirlsRUs]

This is the first time I have posted on the Colorado board. (I'm usually between the California & Texas ones.)

My family and I are considering moving from California to either north Texas (Flower Mound), or Colorado Springs (Briargate).

The reason that we are moving is because we have lived here all our lives and want a better quality of life for our children. We also want some adventure. I stay at home with our children, and am a full time student. By the way, what colleges are closest to Briargate area that have good graduate programs in Psychology? My husband's line of work is facilities management / operations. How many job opportunities out there, for his line of work? Is Colorado Springs "stay-at-home-Mom-friendly?"

We have narrowed our search down to Colorado & Texas, and want to know the opinions of you Colorado residents. We know much more about Texas than Colorado.

The reasons that Colorado appeals to us:
1. Family oriented
2. Beautiful scenery
3. No humidity

The reasons that Texas appeals to us:
1. Family oriented
2. Affordable housing
3. Lots of activities

I'm sure that I am missing a lot pertaining to Colorado. Please help me to achieve a correct, and informed picture of Colorado. Would Colorado be a good fit for our lifestyle, or Texas?

[pop5300]

Well I'm no expert, but I have visited both places. Flower Mound is in the Dallas area right?

The Dallas area has alot to offer in activities, more so than Colorado Springs. However, Colorado has way more scenery than Dallas.

I dont know about the neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, but there are many decent areas around Dallas.

Dallas has tremendous traffic, that would be a major point for me if I were to choose to move there.

I love both Colorado and Texas, so it would be very hard for me to choose.

There is definitely more of a southwestern feel in Colorado Springs.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Also, I would imagine Colorado Springs is just a tad bit colder in winter.

[pablo-me]

I lived in CS and just didn't feel like it was home, but rather a place in transition.

[WestCoDude]

Originally Posted by GirlsRUs

This is the first time I have posted on the Colorado board. (I'm usually between the California & Texas ones.)

My family and I are considering moving from California to either north Texas (Flower Mound), or Colorado Springs (Briargate).

The reason that we are moving is because we have lived here all our lives and want a better quality of life for our children. We also want some adventure. I stay at home with our children, and am a full time student. By the way, what colleges are closest to Briargate area that have good graduate programs in Psychology? My husband's line of work is facilities management / operations. How many job opportunities out there, for his line of work? Is Colorado Springs "stay-at-home-Mom-friendly?"

We have narrowed our search down to Colorado & Texas, and want to know the opinions of you Colorado residents. We know much more about Texas than Colorado.

The reasons that Colorado appeals to us:
1. Family oriented
2. Beautiful scenery
3. No humidity

The reasons that Texas appeals to us:
1. Family oriented
2. Affordable housing
3. Lots of activities

I'm sure that I am missing a lot pertaining to Colorado. Please help me to achieve a correct, and informed picture of Colorado. Would Colorado be a good fit for our lifestyle, or Texas?

Well....truth be told...for many of us, Colorado Springs IS Texas. lol. But all kidding aside....you should know that Colorado is EXTREMELY family-friendly and shares a lot of the same attributes with Texas--just with more beauty, less diversity, and a higher cost. Colorado is full of stay-at-homes moms and, especially COS, has a beaver-cleaver sort of pristine, clean feeling to it. It's hard to put your thumb on it--and maybe it has to do with the Springs' large evangelical presence--but there is just a very wholesome atmosphere in much of the state.

That said...Texas IS awesome and does offer a lot of cools stuff at a lower cost. If the outdoors aren't a big deal and cost is a major factor, choose Texas. Either way, I think you'll be happy in both Texas and Colorado.

[tfox]

Dallas is one of the largest cities in the country, a size that makes Denver look tiny in comparison, to say nothing of Colorado Springs. Clearly, a city of Dallas' stature is going to offer a number of things that Colorado Springs can't offer you.

If activities for you includes a concert at the symphony orchestra, a visit to a row of art galleries, going to the theater, clearly Dallas' offerings are going to appeal to you more (though you can enjoy all those things 1 hour away in Denver).

However, if activities are more outdoor oriented like climbing, hiking, mountaineering, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, etc, then Colorado Springs (or anywhere in Colorado) is going to appeal far more than Texas.

As mentioned before, dollars and cents will clearly favor Texas. Not only are housing values in Texas generally quite low, but they also have no state income tax. Property tax and homeowners insurance will likely be much lower in COS than in Texas, but this will only partially make up for it. Also, Dallas will likely have much higher salaries in most fields than will COS. From one perspective, you'll have to decide if Colorado's advantages are worth the extra money and/or the smaller salary you're likely to receive.

As for being family oriented, I can't speak to your particular choice in Texas, since I'm not familiar with it, but COS is very family oriented, particularly the north end of town, which has some of the better public schools in the state. Some would say a bit TOO much so, to the point of being sleepy, but much of that depends on your station in life.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by tfox

Dallas is one of the largest cities in the country, a size that makes Denver look tiny in comparison, to say nothing of Colorado Springs. Clearly, a city of Dallas' stature is going to offer a number of things that Colorado Springs can't offer you.

If activities for you includes a concert at the symphony orchestra, a visit to a row of art galleries, going to the theater, clearly Dallas' offerings are going to appeal to you more (though you can enjoy all those things 1 hour away in Denver).

However, if activities are more outdoor oriented like climbing, hiking, mountaineering, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, etc, then Colorado Springs (or anywhere in Colorado) is going to appeal far more than Texas.

As mentioned before, dollars and cents will clearly favor Texas. Not only are housing values in Texas generally quite low, but they also have no state income tax. Property tax and homeowners insurance will likely be much lower in COS than in Texas, but this will only partially make up for it. Also, Dallas will likely have much higher salaries in most fields than will COS. From one perspective, you'll have to decide if Colorado's advantages are worth the extra money and/or the smaller salary you're likely to receive.

As for being family oriented, I can't speak to your particular choice in Texas, since I'm not familiar with it, but COS is very family oriented, particularly the north end of town, which has some of the better public schools in the state. Some would say a bit TOO much so, to the point of being sleepy, but much of that depends on your station in life.

Dallas PD is infamously corrupt. There are parts of Dallas you do not want to stray into. You will feel much safer in Colorado Springs and the police are less likely to set you up for a phony bust or shoot you. IMHO having lived in both cities.

[cruisedude111]

Not to sure on the (flower mound) area but as far as colorado springs in the Briargate area every thing is brand spankin new. it where my wife and kids are moving in about two years.
Google wolf ranch and classic homes.
classic homes a one of the local builders up there and really know how to help people out when looking for a new home. and with over 28 floor plans im sure alot of them are pretty affordable. (Do they have basements in Flower mound?) the nice thing about the springs it that they do and for the family i think its the best thing you can have in a family home.
now the wolf ranch area is about a 15-20 year process but not in a small space so no worrys of construction all in one place.
But like i said look it up and ill think youll really like it.

Almost forgot... D20 schools Best in colorado springs

[jkcoop]

I agree with everyone - what is it you are looking for in things to do and what your interest are?
We moved from Flowermound 10 years ago to Longmont (so I can't attest to CS). Best move we EVER made. As far as good towns in Texas, you can't beat that area. I have heard though, that since we moved the growth is out of control up there.
Cost of living you are better in Texas, but quality of life? In my opinion you can't beat Colorado. But we are also major outdoors people - hiking, camping, skiing. For us, there was never anything to do in Texas except eat out and shop. The summers are miserable. You go from one air conditioned place to another as fast as you can. Not that it doesn't get hot here, but the lack of humidity makes a HUGE difference. I can't take the humidity. The lack of seasons also bugged us.
We went back a year ago to pick up some cars and the traffic was 10 fold from what I remember. When you say a lot of activities in Texas - I would assume you are talking going down into Dallas or Ft. Worth to do things, because there really isn't anything up in Flowermound. But taking that drive down into the cities isn't something we did much because it wasn't enjoyable.
Anyway, my perspective is a bit slanted because I really didn't like living in Texas at all. My husband is a native and even he would not go back. We love it here. It definitely is more expensive to live than Texas but worth it.

[soontob]

Originally Posted by cruisedude111

Not to sure on the (flower mound) area but as far as colorado springs in the Briargate area every thing is brand spankin new. it where my wife and kids are moving in about two years.
Google wolf ranch and classic homes.
classic homes a one of the local builders up there and really know how to help people out when looking for a new home. and with over 28 floor plans im sure alot of them are pretty affordable. (Do they have basements in Flower mound?) the nice thing about the springs it that they do and for the family i think its the best thing you can have in a family home.
now the wolf ranch area is about a 15-20 year process but not in a small space so no worrys of construction all in one place.
But like i said look it up and ill think youll really like it.

Almost forgot... D20 schools Best in colorado springs

I have to disagree about your assesment of Briargate. It is all not Brand New. My parents bought their home in 1993 and at that time it was about 15 years old. Briargate is expanding but is not brand new. Briargate has been around for many many years.

[cruisedude111]

Thats right
maybe thats what i meant. it has been there for a while But there is alot going up around it. at the moment.