What to Know About Living in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is a city that’s grown fast without losing touch with its small town roots. Despite its size, it’s not surprising to run into friends walking down the street. People here are polite, calm, and easygoing. They live close to nature. They enjoy spectacular views. They send their kids to great schools and build strong careers, away from the rat race. Living in Colorado Springs opens up a world of opportunities, thanks to its:

Powerful Economy

At times, it seems Colorado Springs has more jobs than it can fill. Its economy is expected to grow almost 50 percent over the next decade, fueled mostly by defense and aerospace. There are five military bases outside the city (Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, NORAD, and the U.S. Air Force Academy) and together they employ around twenty percent of the local workforce.

But the military isn’t the only way to make a living. The Combined Services Space Center and Consolidated Space Operations Center are also located nearby, along with dozens of private contractors and fortune 500 companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Jacobs Engineering, all providing a steady stream of attractive, high-paying jobs, designing and manufacturing essential components for NASA and the Air Force.

IT and cybersecurity are also major employers. Oracle, Apple, Amazon, Honeywell, and Hewlett Packard have facilities in the city. The town's healthcare, insurance, and financial service sectors are expanding too. Olympic City, the United States' Olympic training center near downtown, draws sports professionals from all over the country and the state’s natural beauty attracts large numbers of tourists, eager to explore the neighboring mountains.

Low-Cost of Living

Living in Colorado Springs costs roughly six percent less than in Denver. Gas, groceries, utilities ‒ nearly everything is cheaper here, particularly healthcare. When residents go to the doctor, they pay an average of 18 percent less than the rest of the country.

The growing population has pushed up housing prices, but they're still well below the rest of the state. Homes in Colorado Springs are $88,000 less than the statewide average, $155,000 less than Denver, and $525,000 less than Boulder.

Wide-Open Spaces

Though its economy and housing are certainly attractive, nature may be what people love most about living in Colorado Springs. With an abundance of mountains, canyons, lakes, ponds, rivers, peaks, and waterfalls, residents have more access to the great outdoors than nearly any city in the country.

The parks outside town are packed every weekend with hikers, skiers, kayakers, snowboarders, rock climbers, and mountain bikers. While it would take a lifetime to see and explore all the trails and campgrounds in the area, everyone who moves here will want to pay at least one visit to:

• Garden of the Gods. Famous for its gigantic sandstone towers, the Garden of the Gods is a true geologic wonder. Trek through rolling hills, juniper forests, and magnificent grasslands, or climb the park's unique, stratified rock formations.

• Pikes Peak. The largest mountain in the front range of the Rockies. Hike, cycle, or drive to the 14,000-foot summit for stunning views of Woodland Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, and the Continental Divide. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Denver!

• Manitou Incline. Perhaps the most popular hike in the city. Climb 2,000 feet in less than a mile: an extreme but rewarding hike for athletes and outdoorsmen of all ages. Test your mettle against a hill taller than the Empire State Building, set against the rugged and spectacular foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

• Cave of the Winds. This remarkable cavern stretches for over a mile and is filled with wondrous mineral deposits and glimmering rock formations. Guided by a flickering lantern, journey into the depths of the Earth and investigate the ancient folklore and mysterious oddities that have shaped the land and culture of North America.

Short Commutes

Colorado Springs is massive: 196 square miles, bigger than Denver, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. Despite this, it’s still possible to zip across town during rush hour! The average person spends only 24 minutes driving to work and 24 minutes driving home again.

Good Schools

Children living in Colorado Springs have access to some of the best schools in the state. In addition to its high test scores and graduation rate, the school district offers individual education pathways to help students foster their talents and creativity. There are even career and technical programs for older students, to help them develop real-world skills outside the classroom.

For anyone interested in pursuing higher education, Colorado College, the University of Colorado Springs, and Colorado Technical University offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The University of Northern Colorado and the University of Colorado also have campuses in the city.

Fine Weather

Colorado gets a lot of snow, but a lot of sun as well. Though it borders the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is actually part of the larger Sonoran Desert. Consequently, its skies are mostly clear and it has nearly as many sunny days as Miami (243 vs. 248).

And while it gets cold in winter, people rarely get snowed in. Snowfall is heavy, but within a few days the sun has returned and melted it away. As a result, there’s hardly a day where people aren’t outdoors having fun.

Casual Vibe

Colorado Springs is a place for people who like to go with the flow, and you can see it in the way they dress. Residents don’t waste a lot of time standing on ceremony. They aren’t concerned with formalities. They prefer relaxed, comfortable clothing, even in the office. And this nonchalant attitude filters down into every aspect of life. People here are laid back and accepting. Come as you are. Dress as you please. And take it easy. That may as well be the motto.

Stellar Breweries

Residents of Colorado Springs might not care much about fashion, but they’re passionate about beer. There are over twenty breweries in the area, serving some of the finest hops and barley you’ll find east or west of the Rockies. Thirsty Coloradans all have their favorites, but new arrivals should stop in for a drink at:

• Bristol Brewing Company. An independent, family owned brewery situated in an old school building. While their beers are sold in stores and restaurants all over the state, they maintain strong ties to Colorado Springs. In addition to their normal array of Scottish ales, honey wheats, and imperial IPAs, each year they brew four seasonal beers whose sales go to support local charities.

• Goat Patch Brewing Co. A large, inviting brewery that believes in balanced brews. Try their refreshing Goat Patch Punch, Baltic Porter, Baaah-ley Wine (barleywine), Oat Milk Mocha Latte Stout, and Brendtoni's Amber Lager. If you stop by on Tuesday, one dollar from every pint, crowler, and growler you buy goes to an organization working to improve life in Colorado Springs.

• Storybook Brewing. This 15-barrel brewhouse serves tasty ales handcrafted with fresh ingredients. Their flagship beers include Gnomish Beer Goggles Pale Ale, which features woody, earthy undertones, Little Red’s Rocking Ale, a warm, caramel red, and the Last Strawberry Honey Wheat, an ale/mead hybrid made with berries from local farms.

• Axe & Oak Distillery. One of the first distilleries in Colorado. The founders spent two years experimenting with different blends of grains in order to produce some of the smoothest and finest whiskey in the state.

Up and Coming Food Scene

Residents of Colorado Springs don’t have to look far for a good meal. Restaurants here are known for their ambiance, freshness, and friendly service. Most serve traditional American fare, but the bustling economy has begun to draw more adventurous chefs, eager to expand the city’s palate. Local foodies love:

• Cowboy Star. Feast on steak and wild game sourced from local farms, ranches, and fisheries, cooked in the style of the Wild West. Orange salmon, pan-seared duck, and diver scallops are served alongside aged porterhouse, wagyu beef, and midwestern filet mignon.

• Four by Brother Luck. Featured on “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” Brother Luck is an award-winning chef whose restaurant is inspired by mainstays from the American Southwest. A typical meal here might include blue cornbread, jalapeno poppers, duck green chili, boar shoulder agnolotti, bone-in pork chops, New York steak, or caramel apple churros.

• Adams Mountain Cafe. Proudly makes their food in-house, using locally grown, organic ingredients. Meat eaters will enjoy the smoked salmon enchiladas, cashew chicken sandwich, and the Royale Street shrimp and grits, while vegetarians won’t want to miss the vegan huevos rancheros, rural Italian lasagna, Tibetan vegetables, and Malai Indian dumplings.

• Zocalo. Serves street tacos out of a converted mini-bus. Visitors can munch on piping hot tortillas filled with their choice of breaded shrimp, Maui fish, slow-cooked carnitas, garlic shredded chicken, steak chimichurri, and more!

Moving to Colorado Springs

While living in Colorado Springs offers many benefits, moving there can be a challenge. Not with us, however. Allied's 24-hour customer service and unmatched resources get you there faster, with fewer headaches. We handle everything, from packing to loading to transportation and set up. So no matter where you are, Allied can get you home. Contact us today for a free quote!