The LOWDOWN on Woodland Park??? (commute, driveway, place)

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by PAcouple

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of moving out to Colorado and are looking into Woodland Park an Estes Park (in a separate thread in the Fort Collins forum). Can anyone give tips on both areas?
We are leaning more towards Woodland Park because of more job oportunities.
Is the commute in the snow really bad?
What are the schools like for kids? I saw some information on high schoolers that have meth labs and I do not want to raise children in that environment.
Are there a lot of outdoor activities in these areas?
Are either of these towns "up and coming" or going to be large cities in the next decade?
Are there jobs in the area or do you have to go to the closest city to get one?

Are there any good apartment complexes or realators around? (we want to rent for a month before buying)

ANY tips would be helpful...we live in Pennsylvania so this is a BIG move for us and we need any advice we can get.

Thanks!!

From your post, I take it you want to live in WP and commute to COLO SPGS. Certainly doable. Maybe 10-20 days a years there will be snow on Hwy 24 up/down Ute Pass. Can get iffy, they plow it heavily, in the worst of storms the highway may be closed. Mostly not a problem.

Not that many jobs in WP or nearby towns, unless you want to work in a casino in Cripple Creek.

Decent schools, tons of outdoor stuff to do all year, not aware that meth is a big deal, though it is everywhere. There is almost no mention of crime in WP on the TV news or in the papers. Biggest issue seems to be some people don't like "chicken man" standing out on Hwy 24 trying to entice people to eat at a certain restaurant. Town is growing a bit, just got it's first hospital. Has a Wal-Mart and Safeway.

Some rentals up there, best to check the main websites.

When making such a move, we always suggest people rent for a year to learn the areas and be sure they know what they want.

[PAcouple]

Thanks! Also, are there any good places to hunt or fish nearby WP? How is the waterfowl hunting?

[Trinitylove]

Originally Posted by PAcouple

Thanks! Also, are there any good places to hunt or fish nearby WP? How is the waterfowl hunting?

we always loved fishing out at 11 mile resevoir

[otowi]

I'm not sure that waterfowl hunting is a very big thing here in Colorado....

[MyTwoBeauties]

My husband and I are considering moving to WP early next year with our two small boys. We are thinking of either Woodland Park Christian Church or New Life in COS. Both seem to be worth considering. We plan on making a reconnaissance mission before we make the actual move, so we'll check out both churches during our trip. We're from FL, so I can totally relate about the massive heat...82 degrees today with 75% humidity - UGH. Can't wait to see if this is definitely the place the Lord wants us to move to

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by MyTwoBeauties

My husband and I are considering moving to WP early next year with our two small boys. We are thinking of either Woodland Park Christian Church or New Life in COS. Both seem to be worth considering. We plan on making a reconnaissance mission before we make the actual move, so we'll check out both churches during our trip. We're from FL, so I can totally relate about the massive heat...82 degrees today with 75% humidity - UGH. Can't wait to see if this is definitely the place the Lord wants us to move to

New Life is on the far north end of COLO SPGS, exit 153 of I-25. You are looking at almost an hour trip each way from WP.

[duster_in_mi]

Hi everyone, I'm from Michigan, and have been seriously checking into the WP area. The one thing I haven't seen mentioned much on the forums is hunting. Do a lot of the locals elk/deer hunt? I definitely want my kids (newborn and 1 yr old) to grow up in a community that has an active outdoor and hunting culture.

[PokerMunkee]

Yes, a lot of people hunt deer and elk. I work for one of the casinos and almost every male (even some females) take a week off of work to use up their tags. Teller County is a conservative area (64% voted for Bush, 62% for McCain), so you get a lot of pro gun people, which means a lot of hunters. Low crime and living in a small town is great. Fishing can be found 20 minutes away at 11 Mile Reservoir. Property taxes are still reasonable (we pay $1600 for a 2700sq ft house), but still a bit more expensive than the Springs, including housing prices.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

you get a lot of pro gun people

Just an aside: The 2nd amendment is testamony to the fact that the majority of our nation's founders were pro-gun.

Is there a shooting range at Woodland Park?

[duster_in_mi]

Thanks for the info poker. That's what I was hoping for.