The Complete Guide to Living in & Moving to Colorado Springs, CO [2022]

History of Colorado Springs

The area of current-day Colorado Springs was once part of the American frontier. During the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in the 1800s, Old Colorado City was built in 1859. Initially, Colorado Springs was founded as a resort town, and the city was a junction for seven railways, bringing in plenty of tourists from all over the country.

Many successful mine owners decided to live in the city permanently. At the same time, there was a bustling tourist population taking advantage of the beautiful weather and popular attractions. In the late 1920s, the Alexander Aircraft Company relocated there. The city became the home of three military bases through World War II and the Cold War.

Weather

The climate in the area lends itself well to all the fun outdoor activities. It’s dry and mild, and winters are relatively mild as well, but there is the occasional blizzard with wet and heavy snow. From December to February, there’s an average of 5.5 inches of snow each month. The state sees plenty of sunny days as well.

Housing Market

Colorado Springs is an affordable alternative to living in Denver. However, the housing prices are still higher than the national average. In the last two years, housing prices have increased by over 27%, and El Paso County is one of the fastest growing in the country.

The market is diverse, and there’s something for everyone. There are condos, townhomes, single family homes, multi-family homes, new construction homes, and luxury estate homes available. Colorado Springs home prices range from $50,000 to $10 million.

The rental market in Colorado Springs is more affordable than in Denver and less competitive. It’s an excellent alternative for those struggling to find a rental property in Denver that meets their needs. The average rental property costs around $1,500 a month in Colorado Springs.

Cost of Living

While the cost of housing in Colorado Springs is above the national average and continues to rise, the cost of living in every other category is lower.

Food costs, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and miscellaneous costs are below the national average by a few points.

Fun Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Colorado Springs:

• Colorado Springs has an elevation of 6,036 feet, making it one of the tallest cities in the country.
• There are over 300 days of sunshine each year, approximately.
• The city used to be nicknamed the “City of Millionaires” after the gold discovery in the 1890s.
• Cadet Chapel is an award-winning example of modernist architecture, even though it initially sparked controversy over its design
• The song “America the Beautiful” was written about Pike’s Peak by Katharine Lee Bates. She was an English teacher at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
• The Pike National Forest is the home of the elusive Big Foot.
• Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is home to the world’s highest suspension bridge, looming over 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River and located about an hour away from the city.
• The US Olympic Training Center is the first of its kind and is the home of the Olympic committee and has been since 1978.

The Cheyenne Mountain School District

The Cheyenne Mountain School district is not only one of the best in the Colorado Springs area but also one of the state’s top districts. While serving over 5,000 students, the district has an impressive number of students who graduate and attend college.

The Colorado Springs School District 11

The Colorado Springs School District 11 has a longstanding history of being one of the best districts for providing the best education to the students it serves.

The Academy School District 20

The Academy School District 20 is one of the larger districts in the northern part of the city that serves over 25,000 students. Although there are many students, the class sizes are kept small to ensure the best learning experience for all students.

Colorado College

Aside from the excellent public schools in the city, there are plenty of public and post-secondary schools. Colorado College is an art school considered one of the best in the country. The school offers 42 majors and 33 minors, including programs like environmental science, American culture studies, Asian studies, and biochemistry.

University of Colorado Springs

Those looking for an undergraduate degree can visit the University of Colorado Springs. The school offers bachelor’s degrees in nursing, health sciences, arts, public affairs, engineering, education, and many more disciplines. The UCCS is home to the National Institute for Science, Space, and Security Centers and the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization.

Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School

Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School is the number-one public elementary school in Colorado Springs. The school aims to provide a safe, engaging, and empowering environment for all students.

The Vanguard Junior High School

The Vanguard Junior High School is the top-rated public middle school in Colorado Springs. Students are given a well-rounded and intensive education to prepare for the demands of high school. Not only are they taught academic subjects, but there’s also a focus on character development.

Cheyenne Mountain High School

Cheyenne Mountain High School is the number-one public high school in Colorado Springs. The school has been awarded the Blue Ribbon for academic excellence. It has also won the John Irwin School of Excellence Award every year since 2001. The athletics teams and arts programs are also award-winning and nationally recognized.

Briargate

The up-and-coming community of Briargate is home to plenty of military families, large homes, and some fantastic amenities. Living in Briargate means quick access to great schools, shopping, and parks. Located in the northeastern part of the city, the well-planned community is becoming more and more popular because of the oversized homes and yards for the price.

Established between the 1980s and 2000s, the community is near the Peterson Air Force Base, so many military personnel and their families choose this area to settle down. Houses that go up for sale don’t stay on the market for long. Homes in Briargate range in price from $220,000 to $1 million, and there is something for every budget and housing need.

Residents are just minutes from the Chapel Hills Mall, which features over 100 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. The Promenade Shops at Briargate is an outdoor shopping mall with various retail stores, cafes, and restaurants.

The John Venezia Community Park is a neighborhood favorite. It has one of the nicest playgrounds in the city, walking trails, picnic spots, large pavilions, trails, and sports courts, and it is the perfect place to spend a beautifully warm day.

Peregrine

Peregrine is in one of the most sought after locations in the city. The secluded residential community is in the far northwestern part of Colorado Springs, surrounded by the Air Force Academy and the Rocky Mountains. There are around 1,000 homes in the community close to fantastic amenities with incredible mountain and city views. It’s one thing to see the city during the day, but overlooking it at night is a whole new experience.

The District 20 School District serves the community. It is home to Woodmen-Roberts Elementary School, Eagleview Middle School, and Air Academy High School. The average home in Peregrine is around 4,100 square feet and will cost around $625,000. Most of the homes were built in the 1990s.

Peregrine features some beautiful parks, like Blodgett Peak Open Space, Woodmen Valley Park, and Marshall-Sprague Park. The community is just minutes from the Garden of the Gods. This community is a fantastic option if you want quick access to green space, playgrounds, hiking trails, tennis courts, and walking trails.

Rockrimmon

The residential area of Rockrimmon is a small cluster of communities situated on the city’s northwestern side. It’s a fantastic option for those who want to live in a peaceful community away from the hustle and bustle of downtown but have quick access to major highways, so getting around is easy.

The homes in the neighborhood were primarily built in the 1970s and 1980s, so there are many split-level single-family homes with unique architecture and large windows. The homes in Rockrimmon range in price from $240,000 to $1.7 million. If you are in the market for a home with a large plot of land, you’ll find spacious properties here.

Rockrimmon is very desirable because it offers so much to residents. Located in the top-rated Academy School District and near military bases, many people want to relocate here.

Some locally-raved spots in Rockrimmon include the Trinity Brewing Company, Caspian Cafe, and the Pikes Peak Athletics Training Center.

Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley is considered a hidden gem in the heart of Colorado Springs. The ranch-style homes are on the smaller side, but they’re bursting with charm from the 1950s and 1960s. The average home price is around $365,000, so it’s a more affordable option for those who don’t need much space.

Located close to the base of Pikes Peak, the views are one of the best things about the community. It’s minutes from the Garden of the Gods, so there can be some tourist traffic on 31st Street during the busy times of the year. Otherwise, it’s a quiet and charming area near Old Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.

Students are within walking distance from elementary, middle, and high schools in the Pleasant Valley School District #11 or Manitou District #14, which offer excellent education.

The community’s attractions include Westmoor Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, and Garden of the Gods park. It’s a fantastic option for those who love being close to nature and want hiking trails and beautiful parks in their backyard.

Broadmoor

For luxury buyers, Broadmoor is an incredible community with some of the most extraordinary homes. The picturesque community is filled with tree-lined streets, perfectly maintained lawns, and breathtaking homes. Broadmoor is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city, so you’ll pay an average of $1.5 million for a property here.

While homes are expensive, there is some variety, including spacious lots perfect for those who want to have horses or other animals. There are some incredible views of the mountains, and residents are close to some popular parks like the Bear Creek Regional Park and Cheyenne Mountain State Park.

The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort is an upscale destination in the community that offers a golf course, fitness center, tennis courts, spa, swimming pools, cafes, restaurants, and shops. People travel worldwide to visit this resort, which just happens to be in Broadmoor residents’ backyard.

Black Forest

Black Forest is for you if you’re looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle. The community has a Homeowners Association that covers all the maintenance and snow removal. The community is beautiful if you want to be on a spacious lot, have animals or horses, and want to feel at one with nature. There are plenty of wooded areas surrounding properties, making it a great spot if you are looking for that kind of beauty.

The gated community is surrounded by The Pineries Open Space, a 1,000-acre space with an 8.6-mile long trail with a river. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, and walking for all skill levels. The Black Forest Regional Park is a wooded park spanning over 380 acres that offer beautiful views of Pikes Peak. Falcon Regional Park is another local favorite for its recreational area, green space, and baseball fields.

Homes range in price from $400,000 to $1.5 million and often feature one to five acres of land. While it feels like you’re living far from civilization, residents are just minutes away from outdoor activities, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.

The Farm

The Farm is one of the newer communities in the northern part of Colorado Springs. The area surrounding The Farm has seen impressive growth in the last few years. The new amenities make it a fantastic choice for those who want to be close to the best amenities. Surrounded by shopping and restaurants, residents can get everything they need in one place.

The nearby Powers Corridor provides plenty of shopping and dining options but also has significant hospitals nearby. The community is served by the Colorado Springs School District 11. Torchy’s Tacos is one hidden gem and a must-try spot in the neighborhood. You’ll quickly see why it’s a local favorite serving up Mexican street food.

Homes in The Farm range in price from $600,000 and can cost over $2 million. The 1980s-built homes are large and range in size from 2,000 to 3,500 square feet. Featuring miles of walking trails, a community center, and the perfect spots for fishing, it’s no surprise that people want to move here.

The Gathering Place is the community clubhouse where residents can use the new swimming pool, indoor and outdoor spaces, and a fully-equipped fitness facility. The Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is an excellent place for all ages to enjoy an expansive indoor water park, great spots to eat, and other family-friendly activities.