As a Colorado Springs storage facility, we are often asked about the area from newcomers to our city. We help people with renting storage spaces, purchasing moving supplies or storing RVs.
Are you considering a move to Colorado, but you have never visited before? The Centennial State has attracted many newcomers. People want to live in a state that has beautiful scenery and plentiful job opportunities.
Our goal with this guide is to provide you with the information you will need to plan a move to Colorado. Below is a list of things you should know before you make your move.
Colorado Offers an Outdoor Lifestyle
We are the 21st most populous state in America. Colorado has a very diverse geography. It includes the Southern Rocky Mountains, the western edge of the Great Plains, and the northern part of the Colorado Plateau.
It is this geography that makes Colorado a perfect choice for people who want an outdoor lifestyle. Yes, Colorado gets snow, but people who live here do not let that stop them from doing activities outside. In fact, the skiers that live in Colorado would say that winter is the best season.
There are a vast array of activities to choose from that most people in Colorado do, regardless of the weather. These can include, skiing, hiking, biking, and running. Colorado has the second lowest obesity rate in the country. You may not have been much of an outdoors person before you moved to Colorado. But you will find yourself doing way more outside than you did before.
Dog Lovers
Many residents have dogs, and they are welcome at a lot of establishments, leashed. Are you coming from a place that had stricter rules for dogs? You will enjoy how Colorado is so accommodating to them.
There Are Four Seasons in Colorado
Colorado has the highest elevation of any state in the US, an average of 6,800 above sea level. And even though the state has four seasons, each season is mild, and humidity is low to moderate. Of course, how mild the seasons vary throughout the state, based on its elevation.
For instance, the eastern side of the state has temperatures more like their neighboring states Nebraska, and Kansas. It has hotter weather in summer. You will see once you move here that the weather changes almost daily in Colorado.
You will hear locals saying, “If you don’t like the weather now, wait five minutes, it will change”. If you are considering a move to Colorado, it may be wise to plan it in summer or fall. In winter and spring, you will see snow accumulation. And moving in snow and cold weather might complicate things as you move.
When Moving to Colorado, Know that House Prices Are High, But Property Taxes Are Low
House prices in Colorado remain high. But, the property taxes are low, the rates are anyways. It depends on where you live. Aside from Denver, Colorado Springs is one of the fastest growing cities in Colorado.
It may be because Colorado Springs is more affordable than Denver. Colorado Springs is only an hour away from Denver and can provide similar amenities.
Housing market is on the rise
Colorado has been building a lot of new houses, and in Colorado Springs the housing market is on the rise.
The newer developments come with lower property taxes. A tactic to convince people to move there. But, because the city is becoming more popular, the housing prices are increasing. On average, the cost of owning a home in Colorado Springs has increased by $48,000 since early 2019.
The rental market in Colorado Springs is hot right now. In fact, Colorado Springs has one of the fastest growing rents in the country. The median rent on a two-bedroom apartment is $1300, which is above the national median.
If You are moving to Colorado, You Have to Get Used to the Altitude
Did you know that a high altitude has some surprising benefits? A person can use more calories and burn more fat at a high altitude. But, if a person is not used to the high altitude they may suffer from symptoms like nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Colorado Springs is at an altitude of 6,035 feet.
Five miles west of Colorado Springs, lies the charming town of Manitou Springs, which has an altitude of 6,320 feet. Even further west is the town of Cripple Creek which has an altitude of over 9,500 feet. Finally, the summit of Pikes Peak looms above them all at an altitude of 14,115 feet. New to high altitudes? Check out our list of adapting to the high altitude and preventing altitude sickness.
Adapting to the high altitude to prevent altitude sickness
Keep hydrated! The air in Colorado Springs is dry, and your body will need more water to compensate. The higher up you go in altitude, the more water you will need to drink.
Stay below 7,000 feet the first day in Colorado Springs. Remember we mentioned Colorado Springs is 6,035 feet above sea level.
Give your body a little time to adapt and do activities at lower altitudes to begin with.
Limit your alcohol intake because alcohol can dehydrate you.
No strenuous exercise the first day
If you experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or feel dizzy get to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
After you move to Colorado, you will have to deal with acclimation to the high altitude. It may be hard at first, some of those symptoms are not fun. But your body adapts, and then the symptoms decrease, or go away all together.
Colorado Is A Swing State
Colorado is a swing state. What that means is that your vote will actually matter in elections.
From 1920-2004, Colorado voted primarily Republican. However, the population boom in Colorado brought with it a younger voter base. And the state has voted with the Democrats in the last three presidential elections. In the 2016 election, the percentages between Republican and Democrat were small. With 43.4 percent of the population voting for Trump and 48.2 percent of the population voting for Clinton.
Colorado’s congressional delegation is splitevenly between Republicans and Democrats. Additionally, voter turnout is very high. In 1980, rural voters only cast about 17 percent of Colorado’s votes. But by 2016, bolstered by a big population of residents who were ages 20-40, the number of rural votes increased to 78 percent. Colorado is a true swing state. It is a state that elected George W. Bush, but also elected Barack Obama.
The Schools Are Good
Colorado is home to many excellent public-school districts, in counties spanning several regions. Colorado’s best schools are not in one area, but rather spread out across the state.
#1 School District in Colorado – Cheyenne Mountain School District 12
Colorado’s top ranked school district is Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, in El Paso county. Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 has five elementary schools. It has one junior high, one high school, and two charter schools. Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 has been the top large school district for eight years in a row.
#2 School District in Colorado – Steamboat Springs School District Re-2
Steamboat Springs School District Re-2 has been recognized as a “District of Distinction” for seven years in a row by the Colorado Board of Education. It is the number two school district in the state.
#3 School District in Colorado – Douglas County School RE-1
The number three top school district in Colorado is Douglas County School RE-1. It is the largest district in the state with 90 schools with enrollment of 68,000 in 2017.
#4 School District in Colorado – Boulder Valley School District No. RE-2
Boulder Valley School District No. RE-2 places fourth. It serves Boulder, Colorado, and the surrounding unincorporated communities within Boulder County.
#5 School District in Colorado – Academy School District 20
Academy School District 20 is number five. Located in Colorado Springs, it has 26,178 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. According to state test scores, 60 percent of students are proficient in reading. And 50 percent of students were proficient in math.
When it comes down to it, public schools in Colorado prepare children for higher learning. The High School graduation rate is nearly 90 percent, which is way above the national average.
There are many community colleges throughout the state and four-year universities. Colorado College and the University of Denver to name a notable few. Also, the U.S. Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs.
Military Culture
The presence of military culture is vast in the state of Colorado. There are six military bases in Colorado. And they are both Army and Air Force bases. The water-based branches which are Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard do not have bases here.
Colorado Springs is home to both Air Force and Army bases. In fact, there are four military bases in Colorado Springs, read below as we discuss them each.
Fort Carson
Fort Carson is a United States Army installation located in El Paso County, near the city of Colorado Springs. It is home to the 4th Infantry Division, the 10th Special Forces Group, SFAB or Security Force Assistance Brigade, the 4th Engineer Battalion, the USAR or 440th Civil Affairs Battalion, the 10th Combat Support Hospital, the 71st Ordnance Group, the 759th Military Police Battalion, the 43rd Sustainment Brigade, the 423rd Transportation Company, the Army Field Support Battalion-Fort Carson, and the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force. This post also hosts units of the Navy and Army Reserve, and the Colorado National Guard. Finally, Fort Carson is home to the 5th Infantry Division, known as the Red Devils.
Peterson Air Force Base
Peterson Air Force base is also located in El Paso county, near Colorado Springs. This military base shares an airfield with Colorado Springs Airport. It is home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the Space Force’s 21st Wing, and the United States Northern Command headquarters. This base was built as a WW2 air support base for Camp Carson. The facility conducted Army Air Forces training and supported Cold War air defense centers at Ent Air Force Base, and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. From 1987 to 2019, this base was the location of the Air Force Space Command headquarters and has had NORAD/NORTHCOM command centers since 2006.
Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is in El Paso County near the city of Colorado Springs. It was developed in 1983, but was originally called the Consolidated Space Operations Center, then renamed the Falcon Air Force Station when the base became operational. The base was renamed after General Bernard A Schriever in 1988, the only Air Force Base to be named after a veteran still living. He passed away in 2005.
Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is a military academy for officer cadets. It is located to the north of Colorado Springs. Graduates of the academy’s four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science degree, and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. This base is a big tourist attraction, as the grounds are beautiful and afford stunning mountain views.
Moving to Colorado Springs?
If you are moving to Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Self Storage has your moving needs covered. We are a family owned business that has served the Colorado Springs community for many years.
We offer top of the line storage units, with very affordable pricing. All designed to meet your personal or commercial needs. Garden of the Gods Self Storage also has packing supplies and storage insurance.
We are in the northwestern region of Colorado Springs. And we are the largest self-storage facility in the city. At our facility, you will find a variety of storage units ranging in sizes from 5’ X 10’ all the way up to 12.5’ X 50’.
This includes RV storage, car storage, and boat storage. Our self-storage units have climate enhanced units in select sizes. Which adds more protection to your assets during extreme weather conditions. The facility is well lit, and we have onsite management for added security and peace of mind. You can safely pack your things, and put them into your storage space at your convenience. Our gate access hours are from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. We offer discounts for senior citizens, military, and students!
Colorado Offers an Outdoor Lifestyle
Colorado Offers an Outdoor Lifestyle
