Denver - Colorado Springs Info Requested
 

Our family is relocating to Colorado this summer and I've been tasked with asking the resident experts for information on best places to consider in the Denver - Colorado Springs area.

I'm keenly aware of the commute challenges and my apologies for being one more guy fighting for a Jumpseat! But family comes first so the mission begins.

Any and all comments appreciated in advance concerning residential locations, schools, the whole experience really. Currently left seat MD-11 (junior) living in Memphis (well past the time to bail out).

Anywhere in reasonable proximity to the I-25 corridor between the two cities is the focus. Planning on a number of visits over the next few months for fact finding. Two kids - one approaching middle school and the other in elementary school.

Thanks!

Are you retired military (i.e. want to be near base to use shopping and golfing privileges?) If so, there's an area just north of USAFA on east side of I25 where a lot of ex-mil airline types live. I think it's called Eagle Glen or something with eagle. I know a NWA/Delta guy who put both his kids through middle and high school there and he seemed happy with it. Nice golf course, too, although dragging a bag around at 6000ft will wear you out.

Ex-military but not retired.
Thx for the info.

Parker is a good area too. It's on the southeast side of Denver. From my house it's 35 mins to DEN and 1:10 to COS.

It's Gleneagle, on the south side of Monument. It's an older community (home age). To commute out of both cities, Castle Rock is a little bit closer to Denver, but commutable to COS. Monument/Palmer Lake is closer to COS but commutable to DEN. Schools in Monument are very good.

As far as CS goes, and if your primary concern is good a good public school system, make sure you get a house in the District 20 School System (This is the area around the Air Force Academy). They are some of the best public schools in the country. On the other hand, Monument has very good schools too and can commute to DIA in just over 30 minutes provided traffic is good.

I did the same as your doing 10 years ago. Denver was my first choice. But cost of houses in Denver made me check out C-Springs and thats where I ended up.

Need more info, what are you looking before besides good schools? I live in North Springs, it's fine and the schools are great. Personally though, I find this town....it's the world biggest suburb--with little or nothing to be suburban too (nice downtown, but it's small). Obviously there is tons of outdoor stuff to do and the area is incredibly beautiful, but as far as city kind of stuff....not much to do here. So, if you're looking for a nice suburban area with good schools, Springs and Monument area are great.

I was up in Denver today, thought to myself "I need to live in Denver." Just depends what you and the fam like.

Thanks to all for the info provided.
Planning on a couple of trips to the area. January, March, and May at a minimum.

I've heard some excellent feedback on Castle Rock -- nice homes, schools, proximity to Denver, etc. Areas North and West of Denver are also on the table if anyone has opinions in these areas. I'm definitely interested in Parker as well.

Around C-Springs, Black Forest, Palmer Lake, and Glen Eagle are of interest.
I'm an Academy grad so these areas could definitely be a factor.

The general Denver area sounds like it has a lot more overall selection to offer across the spectrum: homes, schools, church, golf, general recreation, entertainment.

At this point, the big picture question is what location has the best of everything? I know I have to do the legwork but I appreciate everyone's input to help narrow the search.

If it were me, I'd go North to Fort Collins. GREAT town! Hopefully, You're not FEDEX; too many commuters there already.

My kids grew up in Erie. Nice school and good area. Denver seems to be growing in that direction, so plenty to do up there. Relatively quick access to the airport via the toll road.

My sister and her family have lived in Gleneagle for nearly 15 years. As mentioned before, district 20 is great. The other solid district is 12, but that is a bit more south. Careful buying land in the city and holding...the taxes are incredibly high. I learned that one through experience. We plan on moving there (or Denver) next summer...currently in FL. Is commuting for FedEx tough out of Colorado?

that would be putting it mildly.

Even commuting out of Denver? More research required on my part...

I think you will be all right as long as you dont move in next to Tebow. Because if there is a gas line explosion, a tree falls, or an airplane crashes in the neighborhood, my guess, it wont be his house.

Jumpseats on FedEx are a premium into/out of Denver. Deadheading is easy though. COS isn't as competitive, but it's only pm to Memphis and am to COS. Parking at Denver is yet another issue, very, very limited at the ramp.

Den
 

If it was me, I'd head to Larkspur and check out "the hidden forest". Big time deals to be had on gorgeous homes nestled in towering ponderosa pines with nothing but wildlife around you. No traffic, hidden, just the sound of wind in the trees. Awesome place with some SWA pilots that live there. I heard the elementary school is top notch. I think the middle/high school would be in Castle Rock.

The Hidden Forest in Larkspur

Castle Rock is booming right now.

Thanks. These look like great places. I have two kiddos, 11 and 6, so if the schools are top notch, even better. I'm guessing the SWA pilots living there are either out of PHX or LAS and it's probably an easy commute out of Denver.