Move to Colorado Springs and/or near-by areas (Denver, Lakewood: real estate, HOA)

[Lucyontheprairie]

I have been searching a bit on this forum and I see a number of ppl are moving to the Colorado Springs area.

Our son and his wife gave us an early Christmas gift...a beautiful baby girl...our first grandchild. Thus, we are seriously considering a move from the Midwest, where we have lived all our lives, to the Colorado Springs area. This would be a MAJOR lifestyle change for us! We are both from small towns and have lived our 32 years together in rural subdivisions (2).

I have been searching properties, though my husband says a job for him is first and foremost. The whole "neighborhood" concept is so new to us...houses next to each other, HOA dues, etc. We are pretty sure we dont want to go north of Denver, as our son and his family are sw of the city. I am working with a realtor in the Springs area, but wanted to get other views from local residents. I am thinking of perhaps a ranch w/full basement, fenced yard, 3 BR and 2 BA, backed up to an open space. Also, square footage of 1600 or so and no more than $225,000. I could go on and on, but I have written enough already!

So, please, what are your thoughts on your various neighborhoods? Any and all suggestions and/or comments are very much appreciated.

Thank you.

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Lucyontheprairie

[Josseppie]

Not sure what kind of work your husband does but you should look at Pueblo, here is a link to the page about pueblo:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...ml#post6736580

[Lucyontheprairie]

My husband will be seeking a hospital pharmacy position.
To be truthful, I have read on some other threads, that Pueblo isn't that nice of a city.
I dont mean to offend.

[Josseppie]

People in Colorado hate on Pueblo cus we are more of a industrial city and working class. It is a very nice city with the fastest growing university in the state, Colorado State University - Pueblo, best weather among the large cities and close to skiing. Pueblo, also, has the lowest cost of living among the major cities in the state.
As far as your husband there are two regional hospitals, Parkview medical center and St. Mary Corwin medical center, that he could get a job at. They serve the entire southern Colorado and northern new Mexico region. We also have the Colorado State Hospital here and they are currently building a forensic unit.
Just look at the Pueblo page to get a feel for your self.

[sesamekid]

Originally Posted by Lucyontheprairie

I have been searching a bit on this forum and I see a number of ppl are moving to the Colorado Springs area.

Our son and his wife gave us an early Christmas gift...a beautiful baby girl...our first grandchild. Thus, we are seriously considering a move from the Midwest, where we have lived all our lives, to the Colorado Springs area. This would be a MAJOR lifestyle change for us! We are both from small towns and have lived our 32 years together in rural subdivisions (2).

I have been searching properties, though my husband says a job for him is first and foremost. The whole "neighborhood" concept is so new to us...houses next to each other, HOA dues, etc. We are pretty sure we dont want to go north of Denver, as our son and his family are sw of the city. I am working with a realtor in the Springs area, but wanted to get other views from local residents. I am thinking of perhaps a ranch w/full basement, fenced yard, 3 BR and 2 BA, backed up to an open space. Also, square footage of 1600 or so and no more than $225,000. I could go on and on, but I have written enough already!

So, please, what are your thoughts on your various neighborhoods? Any and all suggestions and/or comments are very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[+] Rate this post positively
Lucyontheprairie

You should easily be able to find your ideal home in that price range in Colo Springs. It is a beautiful city - moreso than Pueblo, and has more amenities. In CS, you are right up against the mountain range, whereas in Pueblo you are further out on the eastern plains. Real Estate in Pueblo is more affordable though and the temp is usually 10-15 degrees warmer in Pueblo than CS.
Castle Rock is also a nice alternative just south of Denver, but you will find more options in terms of housing and jobs in CS. Pueblo is known to be more liberal, progressive and Colo Springs has a reputation for being conservative, Republican, right-wing. Both cities have crime problems with gangs and meth, etc.
If you are looking for a more "Colorado" mountain-y experience, then CS would be the better choice. Pueblo has more of a southwest flair which is nice in a different way.

[CS-Urbanist]

Pueblo is a nice city with a progressive downtown. Where is your son? Southwest of what city? Denver?

My suggestion as to whereever you go is to find a location that is more suited for small town life. I have friends who live near downtown Castle Rock where you do not have heavy traffic like in the burbs of all cities. They are from a farm community in Eastern Kansas and love the ability to still walk downtown, etc. and be close to Denver. I suggest Castle Rock because of the adjacency to Denver and the low crime rates. Suburban Colorado Springs is a complete mess, so I would suggest staying away from it. My family is from a small town as well and my dad absolutely hates going into the 'burbs where there is no street connectivity, therefore heavy congestion on major roads (i.e. North Academy, Woodmen, etc.)

Downtown Colorado Springs has nice areas and I have heard that property values are actually going up there as well as Manitou and Old Colorado City. The only thing that could take you a way from this is the crime. Not as high as the crime maps indicate when you consider the density (people never consider it).

[PokerMunkee]

If you want acreage, check out Divide. It's about 30 miles west of Colorado Springs, at 9000' elevation. So it will be more cooler than COS and have more snow. But you are up in the mountains and closer to fishing, camping, hiking, and skiing.

[froggin4colorado]

I remember hearing that many midwesterners really like the falcon area. It is more similar to what they are coming from. You would can find a home with that price range, more yard/space. Please check out that area. Good luck! And I did PM you back.

[reginhild]

Since your husband is seeking a hospital pharmacy position, Colorado Springs may work out well with two new fairly large hospitals that just opened up on the North side. There is also a large hospital as you are leaving Denver to the South.

[Lucyontheprairie]

All...
Thank you so very much for your great information! I had PM'd several of you and you were wonderful with your responses.
This is such a big move for us, leaving behind our sisters and their families, and being in our comfort zone for years. However, to be a part of watching our precious little granddaughter grow up will be priceless to us. Actually, we have traveled a great deal around Colorado on various vacations and always thought about moving here. Thus, we are familiar with many areas, but with our son in Lakewood, we knew we needed to settle somewhat close.
We encouraged our son in 2001 to find his freedom, even though it meant flying so far away from the nest. Remember the Dan Fogelberg tune...Leader of the Band..."I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go"...I believed that if his parents could do that, so could we! And, now, my husband and I are about to follow our son and daughter-in-law to the Centennial State.
Again, many many thanks to all who have replied.