Woodland Park/Divide area questions (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: middle school, to live, versus)

[cadelong]

Hello,

First off it was nice to find this site and the wealth of information on it. I got hooked into reading it for a few hours now and should probably go to sleep for work soon.

My family and I have been contemplating a move to Colorado and the Woodland Park area. As we currently live in Minnesota we are not worried about the temperatures nor the snow. Both of those look to be better in Colorado, more snow and higher average temps in the winter and lower in the summer. As I have been reading posts I have some concerns and would like some more input on those.

Firstmost is school's. We have an eight year old girl and an eleven year old girl. What is the school system like in the Woodland Park area for both elementary, middle school and high school? I have read some posts stating that the drug and suicide rates are higher in this area. I would like to hear some information on this from those of you that have children in school currently.

We are seriously considering this move however we tend to research alot before taking a step this large. Have lived in several states and are trying to find that one to finally settle down in that feels entirely like home. Hoping this may be it as I love the mountains, snowmobiling, atving, boating and fishing. I believe that it is a right move for the family but am trying to ensure it is.

Any info on the Woodland Park/Divide area would be greatly appreciated. I currently work in the IT field and do not want to commute to CS as I commute 55 miles one way right now and would like to work local if possible. Seems to be a few possibilities but not many, crossing my fingers.

Thanks.... C&A

[cadelong]

So after more research I am still liking the Woodland Park area the best however as the position I was hoping for is most likely gone as they made a verbal offer to someone. So the question is what is the commute like to/from Woodland Park area and Colorado Springs. I currently commute 55 miles each way resulting in about an hour and fifteen minute drive each way normally. While I don't want to do this if it will get me down there I may be willing to do it.

Also, does anyone have any opinions on Fort Collins. I have been reading about that but am not sure if I want to live on the plains versus in the mountains.

thanks again.......

[bouldergranola]

I think the commute from Woodland Park to CS wouldn't be too bad. We have friends in Black Forest ( they LOVE it there) and they are ten minutes from Academy Blvd. Also, you could take the FREX (broken link) bus from Monument.

[Sallyanne]

Hi Cadelong, have just read your post. I live in the Springs and the commute from Woodland Park to the Springs is not bad at all - takes about 15 to 20 minutes in the summer depending on where you live in Woodland Park - they keep the pass well gritted and clear during the winter - a lot of people do the commute - some have snow chains on their vehicles and other don't and our winters are great - the snow melts quickly due to the high rv rays and the warmth of the sun and blue skies during the winter months. Hope this helps. As far as schools go I have not heard about the excessive drugs and suicides at all -and believe me it would be in our daily paper if this was so.
Regards

[cmiller1014]

What did you end up doing?