I'm not sure COS is for this New Englander - help me out. (Denver: insurance, co-ops)

[redsoxgurl]

One more thing about the food.... there are lots of chains around here and I see some ethnic food places. The food isn't the same here, they cook things different. There are a lot of meat and potato meals, the seafood is okay but not what you will be used to and limited choices (some say its great but when you are used to fresh all the time, the seafood is ehhh.....)
It will take a little adjusting but I think over all you will pay less here than in CT.

I lived in MI for a few years, sw area right on the lake, and you would definitely find what you are looking for there. There is no water here unless you drive for awhile and you will find lakes to do some fishing.

[otowi]

I wonder if there might be lots of the size you want in Fountain or Falcon. Those areas I think are more spread out than north Springs in general.

[TughillTina]

Most homes are on top of each other. You will have to look on the outskirts of The Springs. Look at Black Forest or anywhere along US 24 West (Ute Pass) both places have trees. Not hardwoods remember Colorado is a dry climate so coming from New England you will be disappointed with the fall. Taxes are much better in Colorado than the North East so you will not have such a burden on you. Good luck and I am also a SAHM.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by redsoxgurl

One more thing about the food.... there are lots of chains around here and I see some ethnic food places. The food isn't the same here, they cook things different. There are a lot of meat and potato meals, the seafood is okay but not what you will be used to and limited choices (some say its great but when you are used to fresh all the time, the seafood is ehhh.....)
It will take a little adjusting but I think over all you will pay less here than in CT.

I lived in MI for a few years, sw area right on the lake, and you would definitely find what you are looking for there. There is no water here unless you drive for awhile and you will find lakes to do some fishing.

Yea, I know the seafood will be lacking, but I also understand I would be leaving New England and can't expect everything there to be like here.

As for the water, that's a bit of a bummer. After spending the day at Watch Hill RI and Mystic CT yesterday (Classic Historic Seaport towns) I realized it would be tough not being near the ocean, but I suppose I could live without it. A river and/or lake close by would be nice to have at least.

Originally Posted by otowi

I wonder if there might be lots of the size you want in Fountain or Falcon. Those areas I think are more spread out than north Springs in general.

How far out realistically are those towns regarding shopping (Walmart, Sams, Lowes, HD etc) and "city life"? Like I said, I don't want to be out in the boon docks having to drive 20 minutes just to get a pizza or hit a restaurant or get a 2x4.

Isn't the SE part of town "seedy"? Is Fountain part of that?

I checked out Falcon. Looks nice except that it also seems flat as a board and more "Prairie" with no direct highway access to COS and/or the Mountains.

I think I would prefer to be near the mountains vs having to drive 30 minutes to get to them.

Originally Posted by TughillTina

Most homes are on top of each other. You will have to look on the outskirts of The Springs. Look at Black Forest or anywhere along US 24 West (Ute Pass) both places have trees. Not hardwoods remember Colorado is a dry climate so coming from New England you will be disappointed with the fall. Taxes are much better in Colorado than the North East so you will not have such a burden on you. Good luck and I am also a SAHM.

I was checking out the Ute area, and it seems to be more hilly and forested. Definitely more in line with what I would want.

I didn't have much luck finding decent homes with land there for under 250K though.

I realize fall will be much different, as will Spring and Summer. Here is all "moisty and green". But with that comes humidity too. It's a give and take. I've been to the SW before (AZ, NM) so I think I have an idea what COS would be like. Maybe not as arid, but a dry climate. No?

Thanks again to all for your help.

[otowi]

Fountain is not seedy, but neither is it upscale. It is a middle class community with a large military base. It has its own Walmart, Lowes, some restaurants, but does not have a downtown if you're into that kind of scene -and is about 15-20 minutes from a Sam's Club. It is about as close to the mountains as many parts of Colorado Springs ( e.g. about 5 miles to Cheyenne Mountain State Park) and has easy I-25 access. Definitely, Colorado is not green like you may have up there. We are green mainly from May to October, and brown the rest of the time. You have to go a bit further south to look like AZ and NM - Colorado Springs is really the boundary of ecological zones and once you go south of here you'll start to see more cholla cactus, etc.

[reginhild]

For the price range you are looking to stay within and land, I would suggest the Black Forest area or Hwy 24 on the way to Woodland Park. Both areas will be a 15-45 minute commute depending on where you are going to in Colorado Springs. You can find some older homes with land around in these areas for under $300K.

All of the examples below are 3+ bedroom, 2+ bath.

Black Forest Area:
Here's one for $185,000: Property Media
$270,000: Property Media
$270,000: Property Media
$280,000: Property Media
$282,000: Property Media
$287,000: Property Media

Ute pass area (between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park):
$298,000: Property Media
$300,000: Property Media
$230,000: Property Media
$250,000: Property Media

[reginhild]

Tri-lakes area is North of Colorado Springs (10-15 minutes from the North end of town). It is a short commute with more land for your money as well. I'll list some examples of 3+ bed, 2+ bath below.

$215,000: Property Media
$215,000: Property Media
$250,000: Property Media
$260,000: Property Media

Hope this helps. Your previous posts led me to believe you were looking for something right in the city of Colorado Springs with a larger lot. Your home pics you posted look like you might want something more secluded out just beyond the edge of the city.

[ga394ever]

I'm originally from MA (Pittsfield), lived in Springfield and visited CT many times - even recently on vacation in Foxwoods and Mohigan Sun caninos. I LOVE Colorado. We have a home for sale right now on 1/4 acre, treed, creek running through backyard, older remodeled home, brick rancher just 3 miles from downtown Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like its in your price range. Its just down the hill from the Broadmoor Hotel, in a great school district and neighborhood. Our asking price is $499K, though. It's actually the lowest price home in the area. The house just across the street from it is for sale - $675,000. Taxes are low and politics are very conservative in El Paso County. I don't think Colorado is experiencing as drastic an economic downturn as many other parts of the country, but we certainly have issues. I miss the ocean, too, but have adjusted to the beauty and majesty of the mountains - especially being in the shadow of Pikes Peak, America's mountain!! Activities are more geared to hiking, RV'g, camping, some boating, bicycling and skiing/snowboarding. But it is a great place to live.

[froggin4colorado]

Remember the town of Ftn is different the Ftn Blvd. And after rereading your posts a couple of times, you aren't even going to find that much land down here in that price range. We have a couple lots that are half an acre or so and they go for $400K+. Otherwise, our tract homes sit close to another just like Springs homes. You will have to stick to Black Forest, Falcon, or Woodland Park/Divide area, all above that price range I fear.

[Curious in CT]

I'm out in Falcon and think it's pretty peaceful out here. It does get flatter, but we are very close to Black Forest. I don't live in Falcon Hills, but the neighborhoods remind me a little more of back home (without all the trees). The lots are at least .5 acres or more and it's a little more established. I know you can find something in your price range for sure. There's a Super Walmart 5 minutes down the road, and a Lowes in the future. You are about 15 minutes out to the Powers corridor where you can find every store and restaurant...reminds me of Manchester. Also, within 5 minutes is US 24 which will lead you right into downtown and the mountains. We have a smaller lot, however, we back up to open space and the kids use it as their own playground. I wake up every morning to the sunrise as there is nothing obstructing my view.

If you're looking for more of a mountain feel and wooded lots, seriously look into Woodland Park if you haven't already. Every time I drive through there I say...ahhhh what a nice place and would love to live there. Not only that, but you would be much closer to downtown COS and Old Colorado City and where it's at. I picked up a flyer or two and have definitely found stuff in that price range (not that I'm moving out of my new home anytime soon)!. And by looking at your pictures, CT is just that way...everyone has a bigger lot with lots of privacy...a very normal thing. I think most cities around America with new developments look a lot like what COS has. Just watch house hunters one day and you'll notice when they venture out to see the back yard and they say "wow, what a nice backyard" when it's really only 2,000 s.f.. I think us New Englanders just take things for granted. If there's one thing I must say about it out here in Colorado, is that it's a big playground. If you like your motorcycles and hiking and etc....you're looking at the right place. Nature is at its' best out here.