Considering a move to Colorado Springs, looking for info. (Denver: apartment complex, crime)

[Dallas]

Right now my wife and I are living in eastern North Carolina where I grew up and are not very happy. We both got out of the Air Force about a year and a half ago and ended up coming here. Prior to being here we were stationed at Luke AFB in Arizona. Now that I look back we lived in a pretty good place, the summers were a little out of control, but other than that we were pleased. We are picking Colorado Springs because first of all I have always heard good things about Colorado as far as the outdoor life which we want to start experiencing. Now at the same time we are both young, 25 and 24 years old and also like to have a good time once in awhile so it seems that without living in the big city (Denver) Colorado Springs would be a good median. We like to stay out of trouble and enjoy life, we are sort of just trying to "find our way" so to speak.

Both of us don't have jobs lined up out there or anything, but I noticed there were a bunch of big companies out there seeing as it is a nice sized city and we both have military background, so I'm not extremely worried about finding a job. After establishing residency we want to start college back up, we have been going for a year, but are tired of living here. We are looking for an apartment complex to live in but we would like it to be in a nice part of town. I know every city has there good parts and bad parts, I mean I lived right outside of Phoenix for a few years so I know all about how crime can be, but if you find the "good" spots life can be great. Thats sort of what I'm looking for now is where the "good" parts of Colorado Springs are so I know where to get an apartment at. We have done some research on many different apartments, but I came across this forum, which seems to be relatively active so I'm hoping some of you will help me out. I just feel that Colorado Springs is the place for us to be able to experience a good outdoor life, but at the sametime be in a big enough city to where when we want to let loose there is actually something to do unlike the place we live now where the nightlife is terrible. My wife is beyond excited about going, I am as well, but I would like to hear from people who live there, so any feedback is appreciated.

[silverClimber2go]

...the one that has been incredibly helpful to most everyone so far is the "Why Choose Colorado Springs?" post. I wasn't originally looking at the area, but after reading all the posts from everyone, especially Mike, I ended up planning a trip to visit the area. Mike has been chatting with me, as my trip is coming up in two weeks, and he has even gone so far as sending us information in the mail on visiting the area. He is slowly becoming a friend, and I look forward to meeting him on our trip out there. My son is 8, and thrilled at all the information we've been looking up. So, my suggestion is to look at any and all posts from "Mike from back East", do your research online as much as possible, and if need be ask questions directly from the members out here posting that actually live in Colorado Springs. They are there, and they can provide you with more information than a bland article about the area. I will be making some decisions in a couple of weeks myself, after visiting the area, and am actually looking forward to the change in climate from the harsh Minnesota weather (either freezing or humid, your choice, nothing else). Good luck on your search!

[Mike from back east]

Dallas: Hello, hope you can see you way out here. This place is the "mother hive" of Air Force folks. I'd say your best job and apartment hunting will be down near Peterson/Schreiber AF Bases, i.e., along the Powers Blvd corridor or out the Rte 24 corridor towards Falcon (gee, wonder where THAT name came from, ehhh?). Then again, there is a ton of work over in the NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain complex, lastly at the USAF Academy where I'd steer you to the Gleneagles area up off I-25 Exit 156 / Struthers Rd (North Gate).

This is an amazing place for USAF, seems the whole north end of town is full of active and retired folks. I can see Falcon Stadium from my front driveway, and football tix are EASY to get. I got tix for the Army-AF game by simply driving into the Academy and buying them. I was personally escorted by the Offensive Coach to a room in the Field House where tix are sold. The Army-AF game last fall was a real treat, with flyovers and parachute guys coming right in to the 50 yard line. You gotta go if you come here. This year they play Navy here at Falcon Stadium. I'm a retired Army Civilian employee, a bit of an odd duck here, maybe, but all the folks here are great.

Half the realtors here seem to have an AF connection, the husband/wife team of realtors we used are an AF family. If I can help you further let me know, and as silverClimber2go says, the various postings in "why choose colorado springs" can answer an awful lot of your questions.

Good luck to you!
s/Mike

[Dallas]

Thanks for the info Mike, I would definately like to go to one of the games, I'm a big football fan. I'd have to say the name "Falcon" came from the object of my old job, I was a crew chief on the F-16 back at Luke. My wife said one of the people she called in reference to an apartment prior to me making this post gave some of the same suggestions as you, mainly the Northeast area and mentioned Powers Blvd. I am really looking forward to this move, I hope it is everything I expect.