Moving to Colorado Springs, CO:
A Guide

South of Denver and nestled at the feet of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is a bustling, thriving community. Home to some amazing museums, great schools, wonderful nature sights, and plenty of weekend activities, as well as working opportunities, Colorado Springs, CO. is a great place to live.

We’ll explore what makes this unique city so special–including what the weather is like, things you can see and do in Colorado Springs, CO, and some of the great schools that make this city amazing.

Weather in Colorado Springs, CO

When moving to any new city or town, one of the first things you might wonder about is the weather. Is it warm? Cold? Mild? Extreme? You might ask these questions if you’re considering moving to Colorado Springs. In general, you can expect mild summers and chilly winters. Let’s explore.

Temperature

Colorado Springs has mild seasons, in general. In Colorado Springs, CO, you’ll experience warm summers and cold winters. In the summertime, you can look forward to temperatures ranging from the 50s to the 80s, while in the winter, Colorado Springs can get as cold as the teens, with highs hanging around the 50s. While it can get quite chilly in Colorado Springs, seasons still tend to be milder when compared to other cities, such as Denver.

Precipitation

Colorado Springs receives less precipitation than the national average, making it a somewhat dry city. Still, there is plenty of snowfall to enjoy, particularly in the spring months. Spring, particularly March, tends to be quite snow-filled. Many residents enjoy that the climate is relatively dry, making winters more enjoyable.

Things To Do in Colorado Springs, CO

What is there to do in Colorado Springs? If you’re thinking about moving to Colorado Springs, you’re surely wondering what there is to do on weekends. It turns out a lot! With its proximity to the Rockies, amazing restaurants, rich history, and tons of incredible museums and attractions, there’s always something to do in Colorado Springs, and there’s something for everyone.

Nature

If fresh air and incredible views are requirements for your perfect outing, Colorado Springs has a lot to offer. Situated just at the feet of the Rockies, Colorado Springs has some incredible ways to enjoy nature, whether you’re into hiking, camping, climbing, or just taking a day trip in the car.

• Cheyenne Mountain: Just south and a bit west of Colorado Springs is Cheyenne mountain. There, you’ll find not only the historic Broadmoor Hotel where you can fish, golf, and climb–but also the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the highest zoo in the United States! There, you’ll find some amazing animals, including beavers and snow leopards.

• Pikes Peak: Just south of Colorado Springs, CO, you’ll find the famous Pikes Peak. At around 14,000 feet, Pikes Peak is incredibly high! Many small aircraft rarely, if ever, fly as high as this altitude. The altitude alone makes this a fascinating peak. For comparison, the highest peak in the Eastern United States is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, reaching only 6,648 feet. In fact, there are even special donuts that can’t be made at a lower altitude that visitors can enjoy!

• Garden of The Gods: This 862-acre park is home not only to some incredible wildlife, such as canyon wrens but some amazing jaw-dropping rock formations as well–including the kissing Camels, a rock formation that looks eerily like two camels–well–kissing.

Museums and History

If you prefer the pace of museums, or you’re tired out from last weekend’s nature adventure, there is a wealth of culture, history, and science to take in at any of Colorado Springs’ many museums. You’ll be able to learn about everything from dinosaurs to World War 2 and beyond. One of the great things about moving to Colorado Springs is how many museums there are!

• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum: Learn about the Olympics and Paralympics in this gorgeous building designed with accessibility in mind. The museum is home not only to Olympic torches but some amazing interactive exhibits and other treasured artifacts.

• National Museum of World War II Aviation: World War 2 was one of the largest conflicts of the 20th century but saw some incredible advances in aviation. This museum is dedicated to the role aviation played in the war. With some incredible aircraft on display, including a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, this museum is great for aviation enthusiasts and war historians alike.

• Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College: Whether you’re interested in history or fine arts, you’ll be able to appreciate this arts center, which houses pieces from Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe.

• Western Museum of Mining & Industry: Mining, as an industry, shaped the way much of Colorado and much of the Western United States look today. In fact, Colorado Springs played an important role in the mining industry during the 1800s. If you’re interested in learning more about mining in the Western U.S., this museum has a lot to offer, including working steam engines, mineral collections, and more.

• Manitou Cliff Dwellings: The ancient Puebloans are famous for Pueblo homes–made, often, from adobe. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are made up of ancient Pueblo ruins, some possibly as old as a millennium. Anyone interested in anthropological history, architecture, or just enjoying nature can enjoy these incredible ruins.

Food

High-altitude donuts are great, but you might be wondering what the rest of the food scene around Colorado Springs, Colorado, looks like. Luckily for avid foodies moving to Colorado Springs, the city is home to some amazing restaurants and a thriving food culture. Whether you’re looking for American comfort food, Mediterranean eats, German staples, hearty Italian food, or even just some great tacos, the city has something for you.

Shopping

Whether you’re tired out from all your adventures or you’re just in need of some new clothes, Colorado Springs also has some great shopping opportunities.

• Shop Old Colorado City: This shopping district boasts everything from collectibles and antiques to streetside cafes and boutiques.

• Downtown Colorado Springs: Downtown Colorado Springs is home to some amazing shopping, including artisan chocolates and candies, boutiques, and plenty of clothing options.

• First & Main Town Center: This shopping mall has everything you need in a great shopping mall–fast food, great shopping, high-end restaurants, and even a movie theater!

Public Transit

Public transit is an important factor to consider any time you’re moving to another city or town. While the heart of Colorado Springs is very walkable, you may be wondering what public transit is like around the city if you’ve been considering moving to Colorado Springs. Fortunately, Colorado Springs does have public transportation. Colorado Springs has a bus service that helps residents and visitors get around much of the city. There’s even a free downtown shuttle that runs seven days a week!

Affordability

Colorado Springs is a great place to live, whether you love nature, you love art, you love mountains, or you just want to enjoy mild summers and wonderful local culture. But how affordable is it? Thinking about the move to Colorado Springs and wondering what costs will look like? Compared to major cities, such as New York, or LA, Colorado Springs is very affordable. The cost of living in Colorado Springs isn’t far from the national average, making it a reasonably affordable place to live. And, when compared to nearby Denver, Colorado Springs is generally the more affordable of the two.

Schools in Colorado Springs

Another important thing to consider when moving to a new city is what types of schools it has. Whether you have kids aged k-12 or you’re a student looking at potential universities to attend, you probably want to know what kinds of schools you can expect to find in Colorado Springs. We’ll go over some of the big schools and school districts. Here’s what you can expect in terms of schools in Colorado Springs, CO:

• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS): With six colleges and schools, students of all types of disciplines can study here. UCCS offers business, nursing, education, engineering, arts, and public affairs, classes. With over 12,000 students and some amazing programs, UCCS is a major part of Colorado Springs.

• Colorado College: This liberal arts college boasts over 80 majors, minors, and specialized programs for students to learn from. It’s also home to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, which houses many famous works of art.

• Colorado Springs School Districts: Colorado Springs is home to more than ten school districts, but there are some amazing school districts in the city. In fact, Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 has been recognized as one of the best school districts in Colorado.

Areas and Neighborhoods

Colorado Springs is home to many neighborhoods, so we’ll discuss some of the major and well-known neighborhoods and areas. For more information about every neighborhood in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you can check here. Here are some of the main neighborhoods in Colorado Springs:

• Briargate: Briargate, located north of Northeast Colorado Springs, Briargate is an urban neighborhood where residents and visitors can enjoy everything from farmer’s markets and shopping to amazing restaurants–and, of course, proximity to downtown Colorado Springs. Briargate is often considered a great community for families.

• Northeast Colorado Springs: Just to the southeast of Briargate, Northeast Colorado Springs has some great homes, as well as an excellent range of grocery shopping options. Close enough to downtown to make the commute extremely easy, Northeast Colorado Springs is an excellent place to live if you plan on working downtown or visiting often.

• East Colorado Springs: Just south of Northeast Colorado Springs and just north of downtown lies East Colorado Springs. This area is home to Palmer Park, as well as Patty Jewett Golf Course, so there’s plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities. Residents and visitors will also be interested in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center located here.

• Old Colorado City: This historic area, full of 19th-century buildings, shopping, and more, is a must-visit part of Colorado Springs for visitors and residents alike. Here you’ll find lodging, eating, learning, and even the Ghost Town Museum!

• Downtown Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs’ downtown is a wonderful place to take in the heart of the city. Home to lots of shopping, restaurants, and even lodging, there’s a lot to do in Colorado Springs downtown, whether you’re living there or just visiting. You’ll also find the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, and Colorado College.

• Southeast Colorado Springs: Moving south from downtown, Southeast Colorado Springs sits over a stretch of I25 and offers a lot of lodging options for visitors, as well as golfing, parks, and some beautiful neighborhoods. Just south of downtown, it also offers an excellent commute for those working downtown.

• Northwest Colorado Springs: All the way back up the map, just west of Northeast Colorado Springs, Northwest Colorado Springs is the place to be for nature lovers living in Colorado Springs. With Ormes Peak, Ridgecrest scenic overlook, Ute Valley Park, Flying W Ranch, and much more, this part of Colorado Springs has a lot to offer for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Despite that, it’s still relatively close to the city’s heart, meaning that city life is only a short drive over.

Is Colorado Springs, CO, right for me?

Ultimately, your move depends on you and what you’re looking for in your next home–but Colorado Springs has a ton to offer to nearly anybody. If you’re looking for a great place to live with plenty to do, great schools, and reasonable affordability, though, Colorado Springs is a pretty safe bet.

Scratching The Surface

We’ve explored just a little bit of what makes Colorado Springs such a great place to live. There is still tons to learn, see, and do. Aside from the museums we already mentioned, there are also others, such as the Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center, Penrose Heritage Museum, ANA Money Museum at Colorado College, and many more. On top of the natural sights to see, there are many more notable ones, including Hatchling’s Peak, Palmer Lake, Big Johnson Reservoir, and much more. There’s so much to do and see in Colorado Springs that it’d be difficult to fit it all into this guide! If you do make a move to Colorado Springs, CO, you have a place to start and much more to uncover for yourself! We hope we see you there!