Thinking About Moving to Colorado Springs? Read This First.
Every year, thousands of people relocate to Colorado Springs for the mountain views, outdoor lifestyle, military opportunities, and lower cost of living compared to Denver.
But there are a few things that surprise almost everyone after they arrive.
As a Colorado Springs real estate broker who’s helped countless families relocate here, I’ve noticed the same questions and concerns come up repeatedly. Before you pack the moving truck, here are 13 things nobody tells you about moving to Colorado Springs.
1️⃣ The Altitude Is Real
Most people know Colorado Springs sits at approximately 6,000 feet above sea level. What many don’t realize is how much that elevation can affect them during the first few weeks.
Common symptoms include:
✅ Headaches
✅ Fatigue
✅ Shortness of breath
✅ Difficulty sleeping
💡 Pro Tip: Drink more water than you think you need. Most newcomers underestimate how quickly the dry climate and altitude can dehydrate you.
The good news? Most people adjust within a few weeks.
2️⃣ Colorado Springs Is Much Bigger Than It Looks
Many relocation buyers picture Colorado Springs as a small mountain town.
It’s not.
The Colorado Springs metro area is home to roughly 750,000 residents, making it one of the largest metro areas in the Rocky Mountain region.
Population Comparison
| Metro Area | Population |
|---|---|
| Denver Metro | 3,000,000+ |
| Colorado Springs Metro | 750,000+ |
Colorado Springs stretches more than 20 miles from north to south, and each area has its own personality.
A home in Northgate feels completely different from a home in Fountain, Black Forest, Briargate, or Downtown Colorado Springs.
3️⃣ Not Every Neighborhood Has Mountain Views
🏔️ This surprises people all the time.
Many buyers assume every home comes with a postcard-worthy view of Pikes Peak.
The reality is that some neighborhoods have incredible mountain views while others have very limited visibility.
Some of the best view neighborhoods include:
🌄 Flying Horse
🌄 Kissing Camels
🌄 Peregrine
🌄 Northgate
🌄 Wolf Ranch
🌄 Black Forest
If mountain views are important to you, make sure your agent understands that before starting your search.
4️⃣ Hail Is a Bigger Concern Than Snow
When people think about Colorado weather, they usually worry about winter.
Locals worry about hail.
Colorado Springs regularly experiences hailstorms capable of damaging:
🏠 Roofs
🚗 Vehicles
🪟 Windows
🏡 Siding
Before purchasing a home, pay close attention to:
✔ Roof age
✔ Insurance claim history
✔ Home insurance costs
✔ Future replacement expenses
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of relocating to Colorado.
5️⃣ Traffic Isn’t Bad… Until It Is
Compared to Denver, traffic in Colorado Springs is manageable.
However, locals know there are a few notorious bottlenecks:
🚗 I-25 near Interquest
🚗 Woodmen Road
🚗 Powers Boulevard
🚗 Academy Boulevard
Many relocation buyers choose North Colorado Springs specifically to minimize commute times.
6️⃣ The Weather Changes Fast
Colorado weather keeps you on your toes.
You can experience:
☀️ Sunshine
🌧️ Rain
🌈 A rainbow
❄️ Snow
…all within the same day.
The upside?
Colorado Springs enjoys over 240 sunny days per year, and most snowstorms melt quickly.
7️⃣ Colorado Springs Is Extremely Military-Friendly
🇺🇸 The military presence here is enormous and plays a major role in the local economy.
Major installations include:
• Fort Carson
• Peterson Space Force Base
• Schriever Space Force Base
• United States Air Force Academy
Military families make up a significant portion of the relocation market, and many neighborhoods cater to military lifestyles.
8️⃣ Outdoor Recreation Becomes Part of Your Lifestyle
Even people who don’t consider themselves outdoorsy often discover new hobbies after moving here.
Popular activities include:
🥾 Hiking
🚴 Mountain biking
🏕️ Camping
🎿 Skiing
🎣 Fishing
🚤 Boating
Living in Colorado Springs means having world-class outdoor recreation right in your backyard.
9️⃣ Home Prices Vary Dramatically by Area
One of the biggest surprises for relocation buyers is how much housing prices vary depending on location.
For example, areas like:
🏡 Fountain
🏡 Security-Widefield
🏡 Southeast Colorado Springs
often offer significantly lower home prices than:
🏡 Flying Horse
🏡 Cordera
🏡 Black Forest
🏡 Wolf Ranch
The neighborhood you choose often matters more than the city itself.
🔟 Colorado Springs Feels Very Different Than Denver
Many people compare Denver and Colorado Springs before moving.
While they share the same state, the lifestyle is completely different.
Denver
🏙️ Urban atmosphere
🍸 More nightlife
🚦 More traffic
💰 Higher cost of living
Colorado Springs
🌲 More relaxed pace
🏔️ Outdoor-focused lifestyle
🚗 Easier commuting
🏡 Better housing value
Many buyers who initially focus on Denver ultimately choose Colorado Springs because of the lifestyle and affordability.
1️⃣1️⃣ Vehicle Registration Can Be Expensive
One hidden expense that surprises many newcomers is vehicle registration.
Colorado registration fees are partially based on the vehicle’s age and original MSRP. If you’re bringing newer vehicles, registration costs can be considerably higher than what you’re used to in many other states.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re relocating with multiple vehicles, budget for registration expenses during your first year.
1️⃣2️⃣ Wildfire Risk Is Part of Living in Colorado
Colorado’s beautiful forests come with a trade-off.
While Colorado has received more moisture in recent years than during some of its drought periods, wildfire risk remains a reality in heavily wooded areas.
Most longtime residents remember events like:
🔥 The Waldo Canyon Fire
🔥 The Black Forest Fire
The good news is that communities, fire departments, and homeowners have become increasingly proactive with wildfire mitigation and defensible space practices.
1️⃣3️⃣ Home Insurance Can Be Shockingly Expensive
This is one of the biggest surprises for relocation buyers.
Due to hail, wildfire exposure, and severe weather, Colorado homeowners insurance premiums have increased significantly in recent years.
Areas that often experience higher premiums include:
🌲 Black Forest
🌲 Homes on the West side
🌲 Flying Horse North
🌲 Other heavily wooded communities
I’ve seen two homes with similar values have dramatically different insurance costs simply because of their location and wildfire exposure.
💡 Pro Tip: Always obtain an insurance quote during your inspection period.
🤠 An Insider Perspective on Living in Colorado Springs
Every city has trade-offs, and Colorado Springs is no exception. While this article highlights some of the challenges of living here, it’s important to keep them in perspective.
Over the years, I’ve helped clients relocate all over the country, including South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Many of those buyers left Colorado hoping to find lower costs, less traffic, better weather, or a different lifestyle. While some found exactly what they were looking for, I’ve also seen many return to Colorado after discovering that every state comes with its own unique challenges.
For example, Colorado has hailstorms, wildfire concerns, higher vehicle registration costs, and rising homeowners insurance premiums in certain areas. Other states may deal with hurricanes, extreme humidity, flooding, tornadoes, higher property taxes, or months of intense summer heat. No place is perfect.
My advice to every relocation buyer is simple: research both the benefits and the drawbacks of every area you’re considering. Look at actual data, compare costs, study crime statistics, and understand the day-to-day lifestyle. Don’t make major decisions based solely on social media comments, news headlines, or online opinions.
You’ll occasionally hear people say things like, “Everyone in Colorado gets attacked by mountain lions,” or “Your house is going to burn down if you live near the trees.” The reality is that those events are extremely rare. It’s similar to saying you shouldn’t move to Oklahoma because a tornado might hit your house. While those risks exist, the odds are very low, and millions of people happily live in those areas every day.
The key is understanding the risks, putting them into perspective, and deciding which trade-offs best fit your lifestyle and priorities. In my experience, buyers who take the time to do thorough research tend to be the happiest with their decision long term.
📍 Final Thoughts
Colorado Springs isn’t perfect—but neither is anywhere else.
What makes this area special is the combination of:
🏔️ Incredible mountain views
☀️ More than 240 days of sunshine
🚴 Endless outdoor recreation
💼 Strong job opportunities
🏡 Diverse housing options
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly communities
Understanding both the benefits and the challenges will help you make the best decision for you and your family.
If you’re considering a move to Colorado Springs and want honest, local advice about neighborhoods, commute times, schools, home prices, insurance costs, or lifestyle differences, I’d be happy to help.
📲 Thinking About Moving to Colorado Springs?
📞 719-221-5322
📧 casey@fortunerealty.org
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