moving to Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock: home, high school, living)

[vbuck]

My husband and I are ready to leave Southern California for good and are looking to move to Southern Colorado. I have narrowed it down to 3 areas, Monument, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs. We are looking for a home with at least an acre of land. I love what I read about Monument but am of course concerned about the weather, being a So. Cal native. Does Monument get a lot more snow, or ice for that matter, than Colorado Springs?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by vbuck

My husband and I are ready to leave Southern California for good and are looking to move to Southern Colorado. I have narrowed it down to 3 areas, Monument, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs. We are looking for a home with at least an acre of land. I love what I read about Monument but am of course concerned about the weather, being a So. Cal native. Does Monument get a lot more snow, or ice for that matter, than Colorado Springs?

Monument will get more than COLO SPGS because it's at a higher elevation. Downtown COLO SPGS is about 6000 feet, here on the north end (Pine Creek High School) we're at 6800 and up at Monument it can go to 7500 feet. Often when they give the weather report, they'll tell us at what elevation the "snow line" is at for a given weather event. If they say the snow line is at 7000 feet, then it will be snow above 7000 and usually rain or a mix below 7000 feet. Sometimes the snow line is 10,000 feet, etc. I've been here 3.5 years so far, from the DC area, and never seen an ice storm, though I'd bet they do happen.

You can get an acre of land up in Monument / Palmer Lake / Tri-Lakes / Black Forest, but not really in town, even though a few place may exist with such a lot, they are rarely on the market. In Black Forest, zip 80908, most lots are 5 acres and nicely wooded, so long as you don't mind well and septic living.

Castle Rock should have less snow and I'd bet there are acre lots in that area, though they may be pricier.

Monument is a good area to be in as you can commute to both COLO SPGS or the Denver Tech Center almost equally, without paying Denver area prices.

Keep in mind that all of these areas are east of the mountains, and all that show you see in the TV news up in Aspen and Vail does not fall here; we're alpine desert, a dry climate with low humidity. A few miles east of here you get into short grass prairie for almost a thousand miles to the east.

[vbuck]

Monument schools have an excellent rating which makes it at the top of our list. Although I'm sure most schools in Colorado are better than CA schools. We will be coming to look in April so should get a pretty good idea about the weather as it looks like you should still have snow then.

[MMichelle]

Mounment is a nice town. But the weather is far more harsh than Colorado Springs.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by vbuck

Monument schools have an excellent rating which makes it at the top of our list. Although I'm sure most schools in Colorado are better than CA schools. We will be coming to look in April so should get a pretty good idea about the weather as it looks like you should still have snow then.

There might be snow, and there might not. It might be 80 degrees one day, and 25 the next. ETC. The snow doesn't stick around long, so if it snows a few days before you get there, you will only see patches on the north facing areas.

[reginhild]

I think you will find the area nice - let us know here how your visit goes!

[vfrpilot]

We do get a lot more snow here than COS or Castle Rock. The roads will stay snow covered longer due to the cooler temps and the trees providing shade. But the tradeoff is worth it. We are in natural pine forests. Our summer temps are cooler and we also get more summer storms. This winter has been mild and I am looking forward to more snow this weekend. We've been here 5 yrs and other than missing family, this has been a great place to live.

[lalahartma]

Don't forget about the potential gas drilling in Monument!

[vbuck]

I have heard about the gas drilling, which doesn't alarm us as there is a lot of that here in Orange County. I was wondering if Monument has high speed internet? My husband works from home and needs a fast connection to the web. Also, is there a lot for kids to do? We will still have an eleven year old at home when we move there?

[vbuck]

Sounds good to me. I can't wait to live in a place without all the hustle and bustle. A much simpler life.