Woodland Park or where else?

[Todd TCE]

I'm just disappointed that there's a Walmart and that folks value it so much. Big box mentality in a small mountain town. Very sad.

[johnnyrocco]

My wife and I, along with our two young sons, are contemplating a move to the Woodland Park area later this year. Everything we read on the internet is positive from our perspective, but I would like some input on one issue I haven't seen addressed. We are very liberal and decidedly unreligious, and I'm concerned about a possible conservative, evangelical spillover from Colorado Springs infecting Woodland Park. Are my fears real or unjustified? I would find it difficult to live among people who think the earth is 7000 years old.

[Mike from back east]

Shouldn't be a problem... all that stuff about religious fervor here is more of an urban myth than anything else, i.e., no one bothers anyone. We've been here almost two years now, on the NE side, and despite being within sight of both New Life Church (14,000 members, and that Rev Ted chap) and Focus on the Family, not once have we crossed paths with anyone who said or did anything of note, either for or against religion. We don't hear religion or faith mentioned. Seems to me that folks here are cool with their faith. People back in VA were a lot more outspoken about their faith than people here. Many of our friends and neighbors here do have a strong faith, but they don't preach it, they just live it. The main religious organizations are located mostly in the north/east section of COS and there are many churches all over town. Up in Woodland Park people seem to have a strong live and let live outlook on life, and I cannot imagine you'll have any issues up there.

I don't think you'd have a problem anywhere in COS or WP, and suggest you scratch this off your list of concerns.

[clive]

How is the winter commute from Woodland Park to Colorado Springs? Do people live in Woodland Park and work in Colorado Springs? I have the same question about Black Forest. Thanks so much!

[Mike from back east]

Yes, people do commute into COS from both WP and BF.

Winter commute can be difficult from either, but not that often.

WP commute is noted for having to climb or descend Rte24 between the two places, rather steep road in parts with a lot of twists and turns, an old road that I'm sure goes back 75 years, maybe more, for sure not a wide safe interstate hwy.

BF commute would largely be level, nothing like going up/down to WP.

s/Mike

[clive]

Thank you. Black Forest seems a bit more safe and probable. Schools out there good? Colorado is ranked high within the US.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by clive

Thank you. Black Forest seems a bit more safe and probable. Schools out there good? Colorado is ranked high within the US.

Generally the schools serving BF are excellent, especially if in District 20 (Academy District) or District 38 (Lewis Palmer District). Very small parts of BF are in District 49, which has had problems with growth issues, not sure how good the schools are there.

Use the Search this Forum tool with key words school schools csap to find the ton of stuff already in here.

s/mike