Surrounding areas of Colorado Springs (Clifton, Black Forest: lease, house, find a job)

[BabyKong1608]

I have a question about the areas surrounding Colorado Springs. As I have said before, we are looking to re-located sometime in November from northern Michigan. We are looking for more private, possibly wooded settings to live in. I would like to be somewhat near the city, as I would be commuting everyday in a 2WD FWD mini-van at least for the first few months. I really like the sound of the Woodland Park area (been researching the threads), but it sounds a lot like the snow up here in Gaylord but with the addition of winding, hilly roads. Not so sure that would work with my 2WD vehicle. What other areas surrounding Co Springs are more mountain and woodsy like? We are very into birding and wildlife. We don't like to live in the city but like being nearby the city.

Manitou Springs seems pretty nice. Someone said it is only 15 minutes from Co Springs. Any input on that area?

Any suggestions on areas south, east, etc is also appreciated.

Also, what is the ethnicity/diversity factor in and around Co Springs? I have looked at demographics on city data, but would like the locals perspectives.

Thanks!

[otowi]

You won't find "wooded" areas south and east really. There are plenty of smaller communities between Woodland Park and Manitou - Cascade is the closest to town and woodsy. Manitou can be woodsy or not depending on where you are. You could also opt for Black Forest to the north east, or Palmer Lake possibly.

Ethnicity/diversity - military etc. here means it is pretty diverse, but overall it looks pretty white because the diversity is well, very diverse, and not concentrated in a particular ethnic group or skin color so much. Relatively sizeable Latin American community here, Korean also, and African American. Lots of mixed race people, lots of Pacific islanders, people from all over basically.

[vfrpilot]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...formation.html
I've posted a few pictures of the Monument area. We're on the north end of COS, high enough to have forests. I use my 2wd pickup all year, with snow tires in the winter.
Manitou Springs is a cool place, but the homes are very close and the town is over-run with tourists all summer and most winter weekends. Not a place to live if you value your privacy

[PokerMunkee]

You'll be fine in Woodland Park, nothing like the snow in Gaylord. People drive hours from WP to go snow mobiling in the winter because the snow doesn't stay around long enough. My wife has a 400hp rwd SUV (TrailBlazer SS) with Blizzaks (winter tires) and gets around fine. If you have good tires on a FWD car, you'll be fine. If you want the best traction, invest $500 for some steelies and winter tires, and you'll be better off than people with awd/4x4 with all-seasons! Remember, 4x4/awd does not help you turn or stop better! It's all in the tires, the link between your car and the ground.

[BabyKong1608]

Thanks for the information. I guess the way some folks talk make it sound like Woodland Park is comparable to Gaylord.. we also get snow in October that doesn't melt all the way until June. Our snow depth is usually 3 feet+ until May or June. We don't mind the snow at all... I just wanted to make sure the commute wasn't too horrific because I will be commuting everyday for work.

[otowi]

No, the average depth of snow at Woodland Park would be close to zero - here in Colorado, even in Woodland Park, the snow comes and melts in a few days - usually. Yes, there are times when it stays around longer. A few years ago we had a winter where the snow that was plowed into big piles in the parking lots didn't melt away entirely for a few months, but the past two winters nothing like that - it just depends.

[Cliftons]

Didn't bother reading other post as I have my own opinions and have lived CLOSE to where you are and now live IN woodland park but out in the hills.

Your FWD van will do just fine as long as you stay out of the hills and winding roads. I drive a 03 4x4 2500 and have to use the 4x4 just to get into my driveway. But, as I said we live IN the hills.

I grew up in southern MI, my mother and the rest of my family live in Mancelona MI. The roads in your area are VERY close to the roads here as well as the snowfall. IMO they clean and de-ice the roads here FAR better than in your area.

There are MANY areas of WP that you would be able to get around in w/o 4x4 in all seasons as the roads are no different than your area.

I moved to TX 5 years ago then came here for vacation and decided to move to WP less than a week later and was relocated in one month. The weather, the people, the scenerary, the wild life, and I could go on and on about the area here that makes it SO much better than ANYWHERE in Michigan. I live there for 29 years and it doesn't come close to comparing to here.

I also drive to COS for work and the drive is AWESOME....

Good luck with the move and if you need some one to drive by and check anything out for ya just let us know. I signed a lease on our hosue sight unseen but REALLY lucked out and made out GOOD.

We are in the Rosewood Hills subdivision.

Mike Clifton

[BabyKong1608]

Thanks Mike! Information is much appreciated. I am thankful for everyone's input and replies, but it is nice to hear from someone who used to live in northern MI. I know right were Mancelona is. I'm glad to hear they clear the roads there better than here... suprisingly living in Otsego county (one of the nicer, more expensive counties) and they don't seem to clear the roads for crap. I've driven in 10+ inches on the main roads... pushing snow the whole way to work.

My husband visited Colorado briefly about 2 years ago, and talks about how beautiful it is there. I think northern MI is nice, but from what I hear CO is so much better. We are likely pushing our move date back to next Spring (like Aprilish) but I am still excited and can't wait. My husband would like to find a job making more than 7 bucks an hour in retail (which is what he has here). I found it nice to see that in the CO Springs newspaper there are 600+ jobs, where the northern MI newspaper has about 2 dozen jobs. It will be a nice change from almost 15% unemployment rate! Luckily my job in healthcare is pretty steady.

Thanks again for the info! We will definitely be looking into WP, Monument, etc. for when we move.

Jackie

[Cliftons]

Jackie,

We moved here with NO job lined up. Although we owned a paint and body shop in Houston and sold everything to move here. I went out and applied at twp shops in one morning, the second shop I stopped at hired me on the spot as a paint and bodyman.

There are a LOT of job opportunities here believe it or not. The biggest thing I have noticed is that MOST people here work like they are on vacation. Not that it bothers me at all but I can't work like that.

Also keep in mind that it gets pretty hot in COS compared to "up the hill" as most people refer to the woodland park area. When it's 75 here its normally 10* warmer or better in COS.

Also if you have kids there are some REALLY good schools in this area. My almost 3 yr old will be starting at Summit Ele.in a few weeks. I'll let me wife post more about the schools if you have kids.

Mike

[BabyKong1608]

My husband and I have no kids, but thanks for the info. It's great to hear about the job opportunities there. MI is the pits when it comes to job opportunities. It's a good thing we don't own a house here or we would never get out! My husband's house that he owned a few years ago dropped 30,000 in value in 3 years because of the housing market. I am VERY excited to see CO Springs and the surrounding areas. It sounds wonderful!