The LOWDOWN on Woodland Park??? (Columbine, Clifton: skatepark, daycare, to buy)

[FunBunch7]

Originally Posted by tasteofclass

My husband and I will be moving to Cripple Creek/Florisant in 2011. We currently live in Virginia and plan to start retirement in Colorado. We have visited the area at least once per year since 2005 and plan to build a house on 35 acres once we get there. We absolutely love the area. I would love any information offered on what to expect.

I was just driving through Florisant today...VERY beautiful area!!! HOW it isn't more devolped I'll never know, but that is part of the charm I suppose.

I'm thinking that within the next 10-12 yrs or so Woodland Park, Divide and Florisant will be pretty much all connected.

[MountainPharmD]

Originally Posted by FunBunch7

I DO NOT miss the 115 degree heat in AZ!!!! I can't wait till' it snows this fall/winter!!!

Be careful what you wish for. The first winter the snow is pretty and fun. After the first year not so much.

[otowi]

I've never gotten tired of the snow.

[MountainPharmD]

Originally Posted by otowi

I've never gotten tired of the snow.

I got tired of shoveling it, snow throwing it, plowing it and digging my car out of 10 foot drifts after I slid off the road because some idiot from California or Texas was driving down the center of the road and would not get over. Eight months a year of this gets old fast.

[otowi]

It doesn't snow for 8 months. Truth would be closer to 8 days than 8 months.

[MountainPharmD]

Originally Posted by otowi

It doesn't snow for 8 months. Truth would be closer to 8 days than 8 months.

Uhhh okay....We are talking about Woodland Park Colorado not Woodland Park Texas.

The last full winter I lived in Woodland Park was 2006. The last day of Summer was on September 23rd 2006. I was off that weekend and it snowed 8 inches at my house. The last measurable snow fall was on June 6th 2007. On June 6th, at my house, we received 4 inches of snow. So that would make almost 10 months where there is a possibility of snow. I kept track and on my 3/4 arce lot I had snow on the ground from September 23rd 2006 until May 17th 2007 when the last trace of any snow melted.

[PokerMunkee]

2006-2007 did get a lot of snow, more than usual. This past winter was a breeze, snow didn't stay on the ground for more than 3-4 days max.

[Cliftons]

My family and I are relocating out of the 108 degree weather of Houston,TX to the lovely wonderful Woodland Park in a month or so. I'd like to be there before school starts so that I can enroll our son.

We are considering two rental homes right now and I'm coming to you guys to help. The first one is in Divide on 51. It's still on the paved road portion of it, but not by much. The second home is in Rosewood Hills, closer in to Woodland Park just before the hospital on 24.

I'm not sure which elementary school services that area but I have read there is a program/preschool for 3 year olds there. If someone knows more on that subject please let me know. Here in Houston our kids can't start school until they turn 5...and that has to be by Sept.1

My husband is from Michigan so not real concerned about the winters. While it will be new to me he is an old pro of it.

Thanks for the help and looking forward to being a "neighbor!"

[PokerMunkee]

Originally Posted by Cliftons

My family and I are relocating out of the 108 degree weather of Houston,TX to the lovely wonderful Woodland Park in a month or so. I'd like to be there before school starts so that I can enroll our son.

We are considering two rental homes right now and I'm coming to you guys to help. The first one is in Divide on 51. It's still on the paved road portion of it, but not by much. The second home is in Rosewood Hills, closer in to Woodland Park just before the hospital on 24.

I'm not sure which elementary school services that area but I have read there is a program/preschool for 3 year olds there. If someone knows more on that subject please let me know. Here in Houston our kids can't start school until they turn 5...and that has to be by Sept.1

My husband is from Michigan so not real concerned about the winters. While it will be new to me he is an old pro of it.

Thanks for the help and looking forward to being a "neighbor!"

I couldn't tell you about the schools, since we don't have kids (yet).

I personally would rent in WP, just because I like being near the city.

[cut]

The Columbine house is in a nice neighborhood (cooker cutter type homes), but would make a nice rental for $1000/month.

[MountainPharmD]

Originally Posted by Cliftons

My family and I are relocating out of the 108 degree weather of Houston,TX to the lovely wonderful Woodland Park in a month or so. I'd like to be there before school starts so that I can enroll our son.

We are considering two rental homes right now and I'm coming to you guys to help. The first one is in Divide on 51. It's still on the paved road portion of it, but not by much. The second home is in Rosewood Hills, closer in to Woodland Park just before the hospital on 24.

I'm not sure which elementary school services that area but I have read there is a program/preschool for 3 year olds there. If someone knows more on that subject please let me know. Here in Houston our kids can't start school until they turn 5...and that has to be by Sept.1

My husband is from Michigan so not real concerned about the winters. While it will be new to me he is an old pro of it.

Thanks for the help and looking forward to being a "neighbor!"

Where will you be commuting to work? That is the biggest concern you will have in determining where to live. Renting is a great idea. Until you have lived somewhere for all 4 seasons you cannot really tell if it is a good place to live.

Divide will depend on where you are driving to work. If it is the Spings I say no way. The summit of Ute pass is in Divide. Woodland Park is at 8500 feet. Small changes in elevation make a big difference in the weather, specifically in snow fall.

Rosewood Hills all depends. It can be a very tricky neighborhood to drive around. All the roads are decomposed gravel and some can be quite steep and curvy. I have looked at a couple of houses there. I think you have to take Hwy 5 to get there. If I remember then plow that road last after a big snow. I know I have driven down it before and was surprised