Sell me on Woodland Park (Colorado Springs, Black Forest: for sale, real estate, to rent)

[irisheyes999]

So a little bit of background info. I'm southern California native (don't roll your eyes and tell me to go back) that has been living in Granby, Co for the last nine months. 22 yo unmarried college graduate. Love it here, but job prospects are gloomy. Come September I have to move and am deciding between staying in Co or moving back to the central coast of Ca. Woodland Park was brought to my attention and seems perfect on paper.

Obviously an in-person visit is in store, but I was hoping some of you helpful forumers could give me some input as to what makes Woodland Park great...or not so great.

If this helps...
My likes: rural areas, hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, hobbyfarming (chickens/goats/rabbits), gardening, horses, mountain views, commute distances under 1hr each way, small towns, rodeos, art, theater, sense of community, housing under $600/mo per room

My dislikes: Los Angeles style traffic, smog, suburban hell, pretentious/fake people, ultra liberals, soccer moms

Obviously securing a job is a big part of the decision, but let's pretend that I have a job somewhere in CS...

[Mike from back east]

All the things you wish for are in Woodland Park. Use the Index and/or the search tool to find tons of info already in our threads.

[cosublady]

You will LOVE Woodland Park it is rural and has a lot of fishing, camping, etc. Also, no soccer Moms or ultra liberals.
Hooray pack up and start moving!

Originally Posted by irisheyes999

So a little bit of background info. I'm southern California native (don't roll your eyes and tell me to go back) that has been living in Granby, Co for the last nine months. 22 yo unmarried college graduate. Love it here, but job prospects are gloomy. Come September I have to move and am deciding between staying in Co or moving back to the central coast of Ca. Woodland Park was brought to my attention and seems perfect on paper.

Obviously an in-person visit is in store, but I was hoping some of you helpful forumers could give me some input as to what makes Woodland Park great...or not so great.

If this helps...
My likes: rural areas, hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, hobbyfarming (chickens/goats/rabbits), gardening, horses, mountain views, commute distances under 1hr each way, small towns, rodeos, art, theater, sense of community, housing under $600/mo per room

My dislikes: Los Angeles style traffic, smog, suburban hell, pretentious/fake people, ultra liberals, soccer moms

Obviously securing a job is a big part of the decision, but let's pretend that I have a job somewhere in CS...

[froggin4colorado]

When I saw the post...I wanted to ask, "do you care what corner I stick you on?" LOL! Then remembered the big fight with the chicken standing on the corner and thought yea right...I'm not selling you on a corner, I will have the whole city after me!
Does anyone else get that besides me?

IMO, Woodland Park is one of CO's best kept secret. It has that romantic vision of CO that so many see when they think of CO and yet it isn't overpriced like Aspen, Vail, etc. I would love to live in Woodland Park or Black Forest.
Sorry about the joke above if it offends you.

[irisheyes999]

Thanks for the replies. WP sounds awesome so far. Will definitely have to make a trip down there and see for myself.

Tell me about the weather. 5 month winter? -40* temps? Year round sun? I don't mind snow in the least, but love Colorado in the summer just a tiny bit more. I've heard that Woodland Park has a pretty mild winter compared to lots of Co?

Enlighten me.

[Bullitt007]

I remember the "chicken man" story very well. A whole lot of fighting over nothing...well, chicken I guess.

[irisheyes999]

Chicken man story? Do tell.

[PokerMunkee]

The chicken story: KOAA.com - Battle over signs in Woodland Park

This winter has been extremley mild. Maybe 3-4 snow storms that were gone the next day. We are getting some snow right now but it won't last. Before today, there was no snow on the ground since Christmas.

You should be able to find places to rent for $600-700. Just did a search on cosprings.craigslist.org and there are a number of places.

Search Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek CO Real Estate Listings For Sale

$745 (everything is negotiable!) with a garage. Forest Edge is a decent place, some nice houses with a mix of duplexes, right in Woodland Park by the schools.

What do you do for work? The casinos in Cripple Creek (25 miles from WP, 35-40 min drive) are hiring. If you can deal craps/roulette/BJ, you would be in high demand!

[cosublady]

If you have to apologize for offending someone after you write a joke maybe you should not be posting that joke?

Originally Posted by froggin4colorado

When I saw the post...I wanted to ask, "do you care what corner I stick you on?" LOL! Then remembered the big fight with the chicken standing on the corner and thought yea right...I'm not selling you on a corner, I will have the whole city after me!
Does anyone else get that besides me?

IMO, Woodland Park is one of CO's best kept secret. It has that romantic vision of CO that so many see when they think of CO and yet it isn't overpriced like Aspen, Vail, etc. I would love to live in Woodland Park or Black Forest.
Sorry about the joke above if it offends you.

[treedonkey]

I've only been to Woodlan Park a few times, but it seems like a nice little town to me, and it has stellar access to the high country, for a place within commute distance of a city. However, you should note that that commute distance, of 'under an hour' to COS will depend greatly on a) weather b) time of day and c) where in the COS are you have to get to... it can take an hour just to get across town there sometimes.

Why don't you live in the town where you hope to find a job at first, then you can decide where to 'settle' once you know what your commute will be.

Oh, and as far as CA goes... If you're struggling financially here, I wouldn't even think of moving out there without having some serious job prospects lined up first. I say that as someone who just moved here from Silicon Valley. Maybe the central coast is different.