Reasons Why Colorado Springs Is A Great Place To Live

Colorado Springs consistently ranks well for being a fun and livable city. In addition to its massive community of veterans, it's also a popular choice for a growing number of retirees and millennials alike. So, what is it about The Springs that makes it so great? Here are some of our favorite things.

Clean Air & Beautiful Views

Colorado Springs is home to a terrifically diverse mix of landscapes. From the towering Rocky Mountains to the awesome rock formations at Garden of the Gods and the lush forests of Black Forest to the sprawling plains of Eastern Colorado, people come from all over the world to experience the unique nature of the city. It also has one of the best air quality indexes in the state, which is great news for those suffering from allergies and easily agitated airways. And if that wasn't enough, it's (mostly) bug-free, too!

Exciting Housing Market

If you follow our blog, then you're likely familiar with how exciting the local housing market has been. Colorado Springs has one of the most exciting real estate markets in the country, so not only is it a great place to live, it's also a great place to invest. The population in the city has consistently grown since the 1800s though it still maintains a small-town charm that's rarely found in a city this size.

New construction homes are some of the hottest entities in the market and there's no shortage of inventive new communities for homebuyers to explore.

Great Sense Of Community

No matter what kind of lifestyle or hobbies you're into, there's something for you in Colorado Springs. The city has an extremely active community of social clubs and not-for-profits that run purely on the efforts of volunteers and passionate individuals. Whether you're looking for a competitive baseball league or a hardcore cycling group, a chess group or book club, or wanting to meet others who share in your collector car or model train hobbies, the city has it all. The Springs hosts hundreds of events each year for residents of all ages, and the downtown venues, like Falcon Stadium and Colorado Springs World Arena, bring in everything from local artists to big-name acts.

Meetup is one of the best ways to find out about groups in the area, so check out the website or download the app to find a fun social club that fits your lifestyle!

If you're looking for a great running group, Jack Quinn's Running Club is a great place to start. The Springs is well-known for their network of prime single-track mountain biking , which the Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates would be happy to introduce you to.

A Strong Economy & A Great Variety Of Jobs

The Colorado Springs economy is thriving and the local job market is the strongest it's been since 2000. There are loads of jobs available in a variety of industries here, so very few people find themselves unemployed. The area is doing so well that nearly every industry is reaping the benefits and looking to hire more qualified and skilled workers, which also makes it a great place to look to if you're fresh out of school.

The defense industry is unquestionable the largest influencer of the local economy, followed closely by technology and tourism. Major aerospace and manufacturing companies have setup shop in the area to cater to the needs of the military, and the bases will typically hire local employees for civilian jobs in and around the bases.

Additionally, a number of major national tech organizations, like Verizon and HP employ hundreds of residents in The Springs, and there seems to be an ever-increasing number of startups looking to make their big break here as well.

Low Cost Of Living & Taxes

The Springs ranked as the 5th best place to live in the U.S. last year for its livability, job market, quality of life, and value. Compared to cities of a similar size, the average cost of living in the city is lower for things like groceries, goods and services, and transportation than the national average. The general sales tax in particular is around 43% lower than the national average, which makes it a popular place to shop for those from out of town.

In general, Colorado homeowners enjoy much lower property taxes than many other states across the country. For a $300,000 home, owners in Colorado Springs paid as low as $1,432 per year, which is considerably lower than the national average, particularly compared to other major cities like Detroit, where owners paid an average of nearly $12,000 each year for their property.

A Variable Climate

Residents of The Springs are all too familiar with how quickly the weather can change in the city, but for the most part you can count on it being sunny for more than two-thirds of the year. If you're a weather buff and love a big storm, then you wouldn't want to be anywhere else! The area is well-known for its abundance of massive thunderstorms and unexpected snowfalls that are influence by the area's landscape and location. These weather patterns are hugely beneficial for the nearby ski resorts, which get a hefty dumping of pillowy soft snow each year.

Annual Festivals Galore

The great weather and beautiful scenery across Colorado Springs lends well to the festival life many residents love. You can find many lovely festivals held on an annual basis across this amazing region. Here are just three to check out.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest

Each June, right before the race season starts, residents are treated to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest. This festival celebrates everything motorsports with exciting motorcycle stunts and other amazing feats. The party extends across 10 city blocks to accommodate all the people who come to kick off the race season right. You can pick up your race schedule while you are touring the venue to ensure you can attend your favorite motorsports events.

Colorado Springs Art & Music Festival

In July, you can attend the Colorado Springs Art & Music Festival to see what artistic works your community members have to present. You will be treated to a wide array of fine art on display and for sale across the venue. Everywhere you go, you will hear live music played by local talent and have ample opportunities to sing, dance and play along. They have many other family-friendly activities to enjoy as well, including face painting for all ages.

Sustain-A-Fest

At the end of July, you can come down to Sustain-A-Fest to kick off the Earth Day celebration and make it a year-round occasion. They will have many exhibits set up to help everyone understand the importance of sustainability. As you learn, you can also listen to live music and participate in activities designed to entertain the whole family. You can check out the schedule when you arrive to see when they will hold live demonstrations about composting, green energy and other interesting topics.

With the festivals coming around every year, you can make it a tradition to attend your favorite ones. While in attendance, make sure to watch for advertisements about other upcoming festivals to stay on top of all the best events in Colorado Springs.

A Great Place To Be An Athlete

Run, swim, or tumble your way to greatness in Colorado Springs! Athletes and coaches come from all over the nation to train at the US Olympic Training Center. Whether you're training to become the next Michael Phelps or just want to stay in shape, you're in one of the best places in the country to hone your skills. The city has dozens of training facilities for indoor and outdoor sports and tons of industry professionals to help you take your game to the next level.

An Outdoor Enthusiasts Paradise!

From skiing to hiking, mountain biking to golfing, and fishing to rock climbing, The Springs is an outdoor enthusiast's wonderland! Earlier, we mentioned that there's a club for everything, and joining one is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local terrain and the many world-class hotspots. If you're looking for an active community to join check out PikesPeakSports. Here are just some of the area's most noteworthy activities.

• Hiking The Barr Trail and The Incline in Manitou Springs
• Aspen Ski Resort & Monarch Mountain Ski Resort are just a few hours away
• Whitewater rafting near Pueblo
• Rock climbing at Garden of the Gods

There Are Several Diverse Communities To Choose From

The area is home to a great variety of home styles and communities to match any preference. Looking for luxury? You'll find private estate homes and massive hillside residences in Broadmoor, Briargate, and Flying Horse. Looking for something a little more family-oriented? The city is home to several master-planned communities that have been designed around everything a busy family could want close to home, including shops, schools, and parks.

A Great Place To Learn

Colorado Springs has a great selection of schools for every learning style, and many of them are conveniently located on-base for military families. It's also the proud home of the United States Air Force Academy, where disciplined cadets become officers with lifelong skills and a degree at the end of their studies. Students work hard and play hard too with a great athletics program.

Easy to Navigate and Travel From

It's super easy to navigate the roadways in Colorado Springs. Everything is very well marked and the street design is logical, so many new residents find it easy to find their way around the city after the first few days. If you need to get away for a few days, several states that are just a short drive away or you can catch a flight from the Colorado Springs Airport.

If you have something you'd like to add, leave us a comment below! We'd love to hear from you.

Find out more about homes for sale in Colorado Springs with the MilitaryHomeSearch.com team today! Search the listings, send them a message or give them a call at 719.338.7294.

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