Safe Place to Live? (Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield: apartments, rentals, high crime)

[CCarr518]

Hi All,

I will be moving to Colorado Springs from Atlanta GA in a few weeks and I would like some local opinions on the area around 529 S Institute St. I may be renting a house in that general area and I'd like to know if it is considered dangerous?

Based on recent police reports and crime data, that area does seem to have relatively high crime. I'd like to know the reality though, I can live with the chance of my unlocked car being broken into on the street, but I rather not live with the risk of gang violence. Any insight into your first hand experience will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you
Chris

[otowi]

Gang crime is down all over the city in recent years, but it is possible anywhere, and slightly more likely than some other places in the area you mention. It looks like in the last year I found data for (2017) https://gazette.com/news/map-gang-re...f26fd9a4b.html there were a handful of 'gang-related' crimes in that general area - maybe around a dozen-ish. But that includes property crimes and not 'gang-violence' per se - probability of any actual threats of bodily harm to people without any association with gangs is quite low.

Me personally - I would rent there if I could visit first and see it in person both in day and night and was comfortable with what I saw/didn't see. If I had to rent sight unseen, I'd keep it on my list but also look into some other areas. I am not sure what your budget or criteria are, but have you considered any areas outside the city proper - maybe Security-Widefield-Fountain, Monument, Falcon, etc.? I'm not saying you should, but there is a chance you might find what you are looking in an expanded area with still a decent commute if you haven't considered/searched them already.

[Vision67]

I'd stay away.

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by Vision67

I'd stay away.

Me too- just today Powers Blvd. scared the heck out of me.

This place is just to dangerous!

[DrDog]

How did you come up with that house?

[CCarr518]

Originally Posted by DrDog

How did you come up with that house?

It is just one of the few rentals available in my price range that met all of my criteria. I have applied to a few others, but this was my top pick. I plan to fly out and view it before signing the lease.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by CCarr518

It is just one of the few rentals available in my price range that met all of my criteria. I have applied to a few others, but this was my top pick. I plan to fly out and view it before signing the lease.

Is this place near to where you'll be working? Just wondering what your other criteria is, aside from price. Is commuting a consideration?

[Vision67]

Originally Posted by CCarr518

Hi All,

I will be moving to Colorado Springs from Atlanta GA in a few weeks and I would like some local opinions on the area around 529 S Institute St. I may be renting a house in that general area and I'd like to know if it is considered dangerous?

Based on recent police reports and crime data, that area does seem to have relatively high crime. I'd like to know the reality though, I can live with the chance of my unlocked car being broken into on the street, but I rather not live with the risk of gang violence. Any insight into your first hand experience will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you
Chris

Here is the crime map. Look for yourself.

My Neighborhood Update

[CCarr518]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

Is this place near to where you'll be working? Just wondering what your other criteria is, aside from price. Is commuting a consideration?

I was just looking for something cheap with a yard and a garage. I will be working from home so I have been looking everywhere in Colorado Springs.

Originally Posted by Vision67

Here is the crime map. Look for yourself.

My Neighborhood Update

Thank you! That is the most useful crime map I have seen, much better than what I was looking at previously. There is definitely a higher density of crime in the surrounding area, but there seems to a good amount of crime throughout most of the city, at least most of the areas I have been looking at. Maybe I need to consider increasing my rent limit in order to find something in a safer location. I should have started my search earlier, I will be moving in 2 weeks so I unfortunately do not have the ability to be too picky.

[TCHP]

I'll dissent and say the area is not awful. This is the Hillside neighborhood which has been steadily improving the last couple of decades. I wouldn't say it is gentrifying yet, as it still has a way to go.

Its location near Memorial Park and in turn, its proximity to south Circle Drive mean that general the area has a higher than average crime rate. Using the link specifically provided, it also shows a number of domestic violence in some nearby apartments, mischief, and a collection of shots fired, which I bet you could track back to one or two specific incidences. IMO, not particularly violent, but someplace to make sure you are aware of your surroundings and neighbors.

I'd also question the accuracy of this collection of incident reports as looking at my address, there was a stabbing with shots fired practically in my front yard within in the last month. Funny, but I don't recall that happening, and since my wife works from home all day, it didn't occur when she was home to witness such a commotion.

Is it as safe as other areas, no. Will you be subject to random acts of gang violence, highly unlikely. See, the thing about crime in Colo Spgs is that whiles its rates are slightly higher, its randomness is far below that of comparable cities. The largest percentage of violent acts in the city occur between parties who now each other. You certainly could find worse areas, but we obviously have better areas.