Are you “New” to Colorado Springs?

If you’ve just moved here – Welcome to Colorado Springs! I hope you’ll love it here! And to make things a little easier for you….to get “moved in and aquainted” – check out the following links:

Colorado Springs City Map

City of Colorado Springs Website

El Paso County Government

Chamber of Commerce

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Colorado Springs Schools

Hope you were able to find what you were looking for! 

Most affordable places to live…

By no means do I want to “turn you off” from Colorado Springs – far from it. I still think it’s the best place to live for a long list of reasons….however…in case you’re interested what else is out there, what others think, or if you’re looking for a vacation home – check out the article by Matt Woolsey, that appeared in Forbes.com on October 6th, 2007.

What’s YOUR favorite place to live? And why?

Moving to Peterson Air Force Base – Colorado Springs?

Peterson Air Force Base is located on what used to be Colorado Springs’ East Side – south of Platte Avenue (Hwy 24) and East of Powers Blvd.

The Base was established in 1942, at the Colorado Springs Airport as Colorado Springs Army Air Base. In August of the same year, the Base was officially renamed to Peterson Army Air Base, yet most commonly, it was called Peterson Field.  It was deactivated by the Army in 1945 and turned over to the city of Colorado Springs. It was briefly reactivated, from 1947 to 1948. In 1951, after the official “birth” of the United States Air Force – Peterson Field was once again, reactivated and in 1976 it was renamed to Peterson Air Force Base. In 1982 the Air Force Space Command was activated on Peterson Air Force Base, to be joined by the 1^st Space Wing in 1983. In 1992 the 21^st Space Wing took over responsibilities on Peterson Air Force Base.

Peterson is a “town within a town”. It offers almost anything you would expect to find in a small town – a post office – offering complete services,  on post housing, a BX (Base Exchange – Store), a Commissary (Grocery Store) – with a new Commissary to be completed in June, on the East Side of Peterson Air Base. For recreation purposed you can find a fitness and sport center with a running tracks and basketball courts, a climbing wall, tennis, handball and racquetball courts.  An aquatic center is open year round, like the bowling and auto skills center.  An on Post Library, a Clinic and a Dental Clinic are available, as well as a Childcare Center  and/or in home childcare for the youngest family members. An 18 hole golf course and outdoor recreation program take advantage of our Colorado weather. A Family, a Community and a Youth Center offer programs for everyone.

Peterson Air Force Base also  offers clubs and groups for spouses and family members, including a Spouses Club, a Lunch Bunch Meeting, a new Adventures Club, Stamping and Scrapbook, Moms & Tots, a Bunco Group, a Book club, a Mahjong Club, a Quilting Group and a Gourmet Group. A Credit Union, Bank and the American Red Cross, Thrift Store, Base Chapel and Museum are also available.

FYI: If you are moving to Peterson and are bringing a vehicle – remember – it must be registered on base within the first 72 hours after arrival. Also be conscious of the altitude you are moving up to – take it easy for the first couple of weeks and drink plenty of water, you will be residing above 6000 feet.  Aside from that – Welcome to Colorado Springs!

Making your Move easier on your Family

People generally have two kinds of needs during a home purchase. First are the transactional needs, such as searching for a home, obtaining financing, negotiating the terms of purchase, completing paperwork and legal documents, and arranging the move.

The second are emotional needs, which can be more stressful than the financial ones. The following are some tips to help ease the stress.

Prepare your children
Although you may have lived in your current home for just a few years, four years is half the lifetime of an eight-year-old. Your home may be the only home your children remember. It’s where they feel safe and it’s probably the center of your son or daughter’s world.

Be sure to announce the move in a completely upbeat way.
You might talk about how beautiful the new neighborhood is and how good the schools are.

Bring your children to the new house, if that’s possible or positively describe it to them.
Find out what your children’s favorite things are in your current home, and then try to re-create them in the new house.

Keep your children actively involved.
For instance, take them shopping for paint, bedspreads, carpets, and other items for their new room.

Your children are bound to have worries during the move.
Help lessen these anxieties by finding ways to make parting pleasant. For example, plan a going-away party or create a photo album with pictures of neighbors, their house and the neighborhood.

Gain knowledge
As you begin the process, you may start to feel out of control, as though other parties to the purchase transaction are running the show. Your mortgage company, the appraiser, the inspector, and the seller all have certain powers to approve or disapprove of your overall plan to purchase this home and move successfully. To alleviate your feelings of helplessness, one of the best things you can do is to understand as much of the purchase process as possible. Work with your real estate agent to prepare yourself for the unknown and tie down loose ends.

Trust the process
here can be so much to do that it’s easy to panic. Buying a home may feel risky, but the truth is it’s an opportunity for you and your family. Even though you can’t predict what will happen every step of the way, your real estate agent helps people buy and sell homes as a profession! Your agent has been there before and understands that this is a major upheaval in your life. Trust that your agent is looking out for you on your way to a successful closing and move.

Be flexible
Although your agent will do everything possible to prepare you for your home purchase, there is no such thing as a perfect world. The property inspection may reveal areas of concern, or closing may be delayed for some reason. Try to take a deep breath and be flexible in your thinking.

Seek entertainment
Whenever you feel things are spinning out of control, find a diversion! Take a walk around your new neighborhood; go out of town or to a movie with your family. Whatever outlet works best for you, this is a good time to engage in it! Remember to take one “move” at a time.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group

Home Buying and Kids

School Districts in Colorado Springs

If you have children and are looking to buy a home, you have a whole new range of Items to take into consideration. In addition to finding the perfect home, getting financing and closing, you’ll most likely consider School Districts as a major part of your decision.Check out the following websites for the different School Districts in Colorado Springs.

One of the biggest Districts, is Home Website for D-11 has links to all schools in the District, Information, Board of Education Information, Delays and Closures and much more.

North of D-11 is D-20.You will find Information about the District, Enrollment Procedures, Boundary and School Information.

The area North of D-20 includes Monument, Palmer Lake, Trilakes, Gleneagle and this area is served by the Lewis Palmer District 38.

On the East Side of Colorado Springs is D-49.Schools, Publications, Departments including contact information, and a variety of Community Information.

The South Side is serviced by D-3 Security Widefield, D-8 Fountain/Ft. Carson, D-14 Manitou Springs and D-12 Cheyenne Mountain.

West of Colorado Springs lies Woodland Park and it’s School District is Re-2.

Consider not only checking out Neighborhoods, but School Districts as well, prior to making your final decision.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group