Relocation (Denver, Colorado Springs, Fountain: new home, neighborhoods, living)

[ctblackmon]

Hello to all, I am wanting to relocate to Colorado. I was wondering if I could get some advice on the housing/hospitals. I currenlty live in North Carolina and I do billing for the hopsital. I have seen parts of Colorado on My First Home/My First Place and I really like what I see. I love the cold winters but I hate snakes. I don't get out much so entertainement is not that big of a deal. I would like to live in a newer home (0-7 years). What is the cost of living like ? I want to meet new friends. I am planning on a visit before the end of the year to check some things out. I am starting with Colorado Springs so if you have some ideas/places or areas for me to visit please let me know....

[Fullback32]

Well snakes should be of minor concern here in the Springs. While there are snakes in Colorado, they are mostly found up in the mountains. Even there, you rarely run across one. In all the time I spend up in the mountains (which is a lot) over the nine years I've lived here, I've only run across two snakes. Neither of them rattlers. This doesn't mean they are not there, but you rarely see (or hear) them. In the city itself, I've neve seen a snake. So no worries there. Bugs are minimal as well...just so you know.

What's the cost of living like? Well, that's pretty relative. Compared to my home state of Texas, it is more expensive. On the other hand, lot's of folks move here from California and they all seem to marvel at how cheap it is to live here.

If you are not worried about entertainment, then the Springs will suit you just fine. I like to call it "the biggest small town you'll ever find." If you need to get an entertainment fix, then Denver is only an hour away. As to housing, there's everything from new home to old neighborhoods. It kind of depends on what you are looking for. If you are more interested in newer homes (as you said), then the northern part of town has more of that. Housing prices vary. Check in zip codes 80920, 80922, 80923, 80840, 80908 and 80919 will have more of your newer home. There are some new develoments in the southern part of the city as well, but to be honest, I am not as familiar with them. Someone else will have to fill you in on that.

Things to check out? Well, outdoor activities are a staple here. There's hiking, ATVing, white water-rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing in the winter...these are my things though. For attractions, there is the Cave of the Winds, The Manitou Cliff-Dwellings, Florissent Fossil Beds, the Royal Gorge, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (it's a really neat zoo in a beautiful setting), and of course just driving through the mountains. As you notice, lots of outdoor and natural attractions....more than I have listed.

I hope you enjoy your visit!

[treedonkey]

Number of snakes I've seen in the past year = 0

[froggin4colorado]

I've seen gardner snakes down by the pond at Fountain Creek Regional Park and along the creek. However, BIL has had a rattler at his property off Marksheffel.

[Sabrinakelley]

Colorado Springs has great proximity to the joys of the mountains and the benefits of the city. It also is growing in the medical field because there are too few hospitals for the population. The cost of living is a little higher than North Carolina but the benefits are great. Snakes are few if you go into the Teller county area and the high country in Park county has almost no snakes. The Cheyenne Mountain zoo is one of the most beautiful around Colorado. [ mod cut ]

[otowi]

Seen a few garter snakes, but none in recent years, and my friend almost stepped on a rattlesnake in Cheyenne Mountain State Park - but on the whole, snakes are pretty uncommon herein settled areas.

[ctblackmon]

Well that is good to hear. Hear in Winston Salem snakes are everywhere. They say the black ones are harmless but the copper heads are the ones to watch out for....
What are some of the major hospitals there ?
Also this is my first time on a site like this. It has taken me 2 days just to find my own posting :-)

[Fullback32]

Originally Posted by ctblackmon

What are some of the major hospitals there ?

The Memorial and Penrose systems are the biggest I believe. Being a military retiree I use the militray hospitals, so I am not as familiar with the civilian side.

http://www.memorialhealthsystem.com/wps/wcm/connect/MH/
http://www.penrosestfrancis.org/