Getting stationed at the AF Academy... (Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy: for sale, real estate, rentals)

[jarican27]

Hi everyone,

I am getting stationed to the Air Force Academy in July. We are driving from Alaska and should get there around mid-July. I just wanted to know from you all where the better places are to live around the Academy. Some of the things that I am taking into consideration are :my housing allowance is $1285/month and I want a place that has at least 2000 sq feet, I want to live in an area that is pretty safe, has a good school district (my daughter is only 2 but i'm thinking long term--because I heard that that area is the kind of place that you would want to retire at) Also, I want to live somewhere that will be within 15 minutes of the Academy because of the nature of my new job. I spoke to a few folks around here and they gave me a few zip codes to look into. They included: 80918, 80919, 80920, 80921 and 80132.

What is your take? Thanks

[otowi]

I think everywhere within 15 minutes of the Academy would meet your criteria except perhaps price, but I think you could find something.

[froggin4colorado]

DH works at USAFA too, BUT we live in Ftn. The Northgate area is very close, but not in price range. You might end up in Monument... The northern end of town is the pricer area. I would recommend renting first and then buying, so many areas to pick from and with your housing allowance, you can take your time choosing.
Good luck, you will love USAFA!

[Mike from back east]

Using the "rent" feature of Real Estate Listings, Homes for Sale and Rental Property Listings – REALTOR.com® there are now 8 SFH's in zip 80921 at $1300 or less, most with 2000 sq ft.

I lived in that area (Gleneagle) for a while in 2005 and it's about the closest zip to the USAFA North Entrance.

Zip 80920 is a really nice area, which now has 11 homes for rent at $1300 or less and with at least 2000 sq ft.

I think they'll be something here for you.

Look in the index of threads for info on school districts and a photo tour of parts of zip 80920 - my favorite area up here.

s/Mike

[reginhild]

If you are willing to pay about $200 - $300 out of pocket above the housing allowance you will find many more rentals available that are newer, nicer, and more energy efficient.

A non-energy efficient home compared to an energy star rated home can make a $50 - $150 per month difference in utility costs in the Winter.

A yard with large amounts of grass can cost you $50 - $150 more per month in the hottest months of the summer compared to a Xeriscaped lawn.

In the end, considering renting at a higher cost can pay for itself!

Searching rentals.com in Colorado Springs for 2+ bed, 2+ bath houses, townhomes, duplexes in the $1200-$1400 range turns up 54 listings.
Searching for the same in the $1400-$1500 range turns up an additional 36 listings.

...then of course you could rent this for $2350/mo!!...a 5600 sq.ft. luxury home on 2.5 acres, even has an elevator! Thats less than my mortgage payment!
Rental Home in Colorado Springs, 80908 - $2350 per month

[jarican27]

thanx for the link guys. It's going to be a tough call. I'm sending the wife down in May to do a little recon work . Keep the goods coming...they're great

[reginhild]

Originally Posted by reginhild

Searching rentals.com in Colorado Springs for 2+ bed, 2+ bath houses, townhomes, duplexes in the $1200-$1400 range turns up 54 listings.
Searching for the same in the $1400-$1500 range turns up an additional 36 listings.

Opps! that search that turned up 54 listings was in the $1200-1300 range.
$1300-1400 range turns up 21 listings (5 overlap at exactly $1300).

Looking through the listings, this looks like the best value although a hair above your BAH: Rental Home in Colorado Springs, 80921 - $1300 per month Gleneagle is close to the Academy.

Also very nice and close to the Academy in D20 school district: Rental Home in Colorado Springs, 80908 - $1500 per month ...but this is $200 more than your BAH.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by reginhild

Opps! that search that turned up 54 listings was in the $1200-1300 range.
$1300-1400 range turns up 21 listings (5 overlap at exactly $1300).

Looking through the listings, this looks like the best value although a hair above your BAH: Rental Home in Colorado Springs, 80921 - $1300 per month Gleneagle is close to the Academy.

Also very nice and close to the Academy in D20 school district: Rental Home in Colorado Springs, 80908 - $1500 per month ...but this is $200 more than your BAH.

That last home is a few doors up from me, small world! The Gardners bought that during the boom then had a job re-lo and had to leave. They used to show movies in the backyard on Friday nights for the kids in the neighborhood.

[froggin4colorado]

Cool MIKE!!!!