Looking into CO Springs area (Colorado Springs, Fountain: crime, home, neighborhoods)

[Grishem]

My wife and I are planning to move to Colorado in the next year or so. We currenty live new ther New Orleans, La area and are ready for a change of pace. We've heard that there is some (if mild compared to ours) gang/drug activity in the southeast of Co Springs. Could anyone give insight on this as a reality or a myth exaggerated. We are actually aiming for the west of Colorado Springs but we want to keep our options open.

Thank you

[ryanek9freak]

Ehh, it's there, but not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. If you wanna be sure not to run into any of that, try the north side of town.

Not much gang activity up there.

[CTownNative]

Yeah I agree with ryanek9freak,the northside of town is the safest part of town if you don't want a prescence of gangs around.As a whole theres really not very much gang activity in the whole city of Colorado Springs.

[otowi]

I think the whole north-south and east-west divide is largely exaggerated by people who live in the north and don't really know what the south side of town is like. I read all the police blotters, and the north side of town gets about the same level of crime as the south - but the south is older, poorer, more diverse, more urban feel so hence these perceptions. That said, there are a few blocks I would not have on my preference list of where to live, but that list is very small. I am born and raised here, same for my parents and their parents - always west side or south side of town and we love it. The Widefield and Fountain schools have historically been good schools and great communities. I'm less fond of Harrison, but every district has good schools and good neighborhoods.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by otowi

... the north side of town gets about the same level of crime as the south....

Here is a pretty recent crime map. Other weeks' maps are here:

City of Colorado Springs - Topic Pages

http://www.springsgov.com/units/police/weeklymaps/all_05312008.jpg (broken link)

[ryanek9freak]

ha, that map speaks for itself. My parents live over on the west side, almost in manitou off colorado ave. They were broken into so many times that they finally broke down and bought a security system.

It's a shame it has to be like that though. The west side has the best views, and wildlife out of the whole city. Up here off Dublin, i'm lucky if I see a fox now and then.

[Grishem]

I figured it was just a exaggerated myth. My wife told me that a lot of people say the southeast side of the springs was a bit shaddy but the numbers speak for itself. Being from New Orleans I doubt any of it is what I used to live in. I've visited the Springs and I've met many people from the area and i must say that they have a personality that best suits our taste so I think we will be more at home starting a family there. AS an example of what we are leaving behind, every time we tell someone that we want to go to Colorado we get a response, " You know it's gets cold up there right?" Yes, ... I think that has crossed our minds at least once. The first winter wil be tough I'm sure, but we will ajust.

[jrbd]

Colorado Springs had 28 murders in 2007 (the most ever). New Orleans had 209.

[Grishem]

Originally Posted by jrbd

Colorado Springs had 28 murders in 2007 (the most ever). New Orleans had 209.

*sigh* Home (not so) sweet Home...