The LOWDOWN on Woodland Park??? (low crime, casino, property taxes)

[Cliftons]

Quick question for the native/been here a while Woodland Park'ers

When does it start snowing? I've been told halloween but my husband seems to think it will happen before then...

[PokerMunkee]

Should get our first snow before the end of October. But won't stick around for long, I predict.

[conservativedude]

Budongman... I too work for HP and was blessed to live 4 years in Woodland Park before the IT re-org required my moving back to Houston, TX. We've been back 1 year and have decided that our hearts were left back in Woodland Park... plan on moving back in a month or two. My question is what positions for HP still remain in Colorado Springs?... I do not see any job openings for HP in the area and it looks like most of the Sales / Service jobs moved to New Mexico. What is your take on the viability of HP in Colorado Springs in the future? Ideally I would like to stay with HP (11 years employment thus far). Thanks for your time.

Originally Posted by Budongman

Moved here in Jan. 1984. Commuted 20 miles to Hewlett Packard on Garden of the Gods Rd.. Missed one day of work in 18 years. Everyone's different about weather. My only complaint is the sometimes extended winter cold. Snow was never a real problem, except 2 winters ago, about 12 feet total for the season. This winter so far, I have not started the snow blower. I would recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Air conditioning not required.
One small duel movie house, several restaurants, not including the big fast food places, a new SuperWalmart, Safeway and City Market. A new hospital, emergency med. rm., fire department, ambulance service, golf course and several small odds and ends businesses.
Virtually no crime, save a few DUI's etc.
Our bowling alley is now a auto parts store.
A fine place to raise children, that's one of our reasons for moving here.
As I'm in my mid 60's, I don't think this is the place for older folks. The ice and snow and thin air isn't always the best for the elderly. I'm sure I'll get many arguments about that. I was having breakfast with several men awhile back and one of them said this area is the finest place to live in the USA. A bold statement, I might add!

[azfam]

OMG - I am SO glad to have found this thread! My husband and I are wanting to make a move to WP and we will be visiting in 2 weeks. Where would you recommend we go if we only have 3 days or so?

And keep the posts coming - it's making a big difference in helping us plan our (hopefully) future move!

[PokerMunkee]

Well, 3 days is more than enough to get a feel for WP. If it were me, I'd probably meet with a realestate agent to scope out some properties in your price range and just tool around the town.

As for where to stay, you have a few choices in WP. The only "real" hotel is the Country Lodge, which was recently all remodeled. I know people that have stayed at the Eagle Fire Lodge (Colorado Cabin Rental Lodge Colorado Springs Lodging Woodland Park CO) and they enjoyed it. If you like gambling, you could also stay a night in historical Cripple Creek (25 miles from WP, at almost 10,000 elevation) where there are quite a few casinos to choose from. I would recommend staying at the Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino (www.triplecrowncasinos.com).

[Trinitylove]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

Should get our first snow before the end of October. But won't stick around for long, I predict.

That's what is nice about the snow/weather in this area of Colorado. Yeah, it could snow in any month of the year (like on June 16, 2001), but even in the winter it can be gone by the end of the day, the next day, or 2 days later.
Here in Wisconsin, if it snows in the winter it's gonna stick around at the VERY LEAST, a week. maybe all winter!
We've had it with the winters here. Too dang bone-chilling humid-cold and LOTS of snow. We are planning a move back next Spring. We used to live out in Divide and Florissant. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah-as far as stuff to do, we love hiking, camping, and fishing and just being around nature. So, we don't need to go to Colorado Springs that much.

We also have a nearly 6 year old, so like we are now, I'm sure we'll be involved in whatever SHE'S involved in, i.e. church activities, sports, music lessons, girl scouts, etc.

Manitou Springs had a really cool outdoor arcade when we lived there, hopefully they still have it

I honestly think the only things we'll miss when we leave Wisconsin is all the lakes, and some family.

Originally Posted by FunBunch7

I drove back up to WP again today...I went looking for the Pike Peak Web Cam...when I found it I called my wife back in Arizona and told her to pull it up on the internet...I then waved to her and built a little snow man...it was only "still shots" but she really like it. My kids thought it was cool to see me basically "live".

i love the web cam of Pikes Peak from WP.....i have it bookmarked on my computer!

[little city max]

Well, my husband and I decided to move from WP to the Springs. We just moved last night and while I love WP (and will eventually be back) I miss my city life and being around people! We're a bit young to be stuck on the mountain. I will miss it.....especially the coziness, wildlife and the overall true mountain feel of it. I LOVE wp but it's not the right time for me.

[PokerMunkee]

Nothing wrong with that, everyone has different needs and wants! For me, I don't like being around a lot of people, so WP is great. No traffic (well, on the weekends it can suck with all of the people going to the mountains) and houses on .35+ acres with plenty of room between them. We do go down to the Springs 1-2 times a week, mainly for bowling in league (no bowling alley in WP!! grr) and going out to eat.

[PAcouple]

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of moving out to Colorado and are looking into Woodland Park an Estes Park (in a separate thread in the Fort Collins forum). Can anyone give tips on both areas?
We are leaning more towards Woodland Park because of more job oportunities.
Is the commute in the snow really bad?
What are the schools like for kids? I saw some information on high schoolers that have meth labs and I do not want to raise children in that environment.
Are there a lot of outdoor activities in these areas?
Are either of these towns "up and coming" or going to be large cities in the next decade?
Are there jobs in the area or do you have to go to the closest city to get one?

Are there any good apartment complexes or realators around? (we want to rent for a month before buying)

ANY tips would be helpful...we live in Pennsylvania so this is a BIG move for us and we need any advice we can get.

Thanks!!

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by PAcouple

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of moving out to Colorado and are looking into Woodland Park an Estes Park (in a separate thread in the Fort Collins forum). Can anyone give tips on both areas?
We are leaning more towards Woodland Park because of more job oportunities.
Is the commute in the snow really bad?
What are the schools like for kids? I saw some information on high schoolers that have meth labs and I do not want to raise children in that environment.
Are there a lot of outdoor activities in these areas?
Are either of these towns "up and coming" or going to be large cities in the next decade?
Are there jobs in the area or do you have to go to the closest city to get one?

Are there any good apartment complexes or realators around? (we want to rent for a month before buying)

ANY tips would be helpful...we live in Pennsylvania so this is a BIG move for us and we need any advice we can get.

Thanks!!

From your post, I take it you want to live in WP and commute to COLO SPGS. Certainly doable. Maybe 10-20 days a years there will be snow on Hwy 24 up/down Ute Pass. Can get iffy, they plow it heavily, in the worst of storms the highway may be closed. Mostly not a problem.

Not that many jobs in WP or nearby towns, unless you want to work in a casino in Cripple Creek.

Decent schools, tons of outdoor stuff to do all year, not aware that meth is a big deal, though it is everywhere. There is almost no mention of crime in WP on the TV news or in the papers. Biggest issue seems to be some people don't like "chicken man" standing out on Hwy 24 trying to entice people to eat at a certain restaurant. Town is growing a bit, just got it's first hospital. Has a Wal-Mart and Safeway.

Some rentals up there, best to check the main websites.

When making such a move, we always suggest people rent for a year to learn the areas and be sure they know what they want.