Thinking of moving from or to Colorado Springs? Well, you are not alone. 24% of our population is transient every year – meaning that 24% of our population moves in or out of Colorado Springs each year.

It’s not only the real estate markets that differ from town to town — the Cost of Living does, too.

Insurance costs, tax bills and just plain, day-to-day living will dent a household budget differently depending on where that household is.  It can be a nerve-wracking fact for families moving across state borders.

For example, if you compare Denver to Colorado Springs, you can make 9.81% LESS in Colorado Springs and still maintain the same standard of living as you would in Denver.

As an aid for the budget-aware, Bankrate.com keeps a Cost of Living Comparison Calculator on its website.  The calculator asks 3 questions: (1) Where do you live now, (2) To where you are moving, and (3) What is your salary.  It then spits out a detailed, 58-item cost comparison list between the two cities.

Some of the key costs compared include:

• Everyday groceries (like T-Bone steaks, Ibuprofen, pizza …)
• Energy bills
• Routine health care (and common prescriptions)
• Home ownership (…and rent)
• Clothes
• Sporting goods

The Cost of Living Comparison Calculator is thorough, with data culled from the ACCRA. You’ll be surprised at how granular the list can get. On the ACCRA website, you can buy a similar report for $5.

On the Bankrate.com site, the data is free.

Great News! According to BestPlaces.net, “Compared to the rest of the country, Colorado Springs’ cost of living is 8.52% Lower than the U.S. average.”

When it comes to comparing Denver and Colorado Springs real estate, check it out:

In Colorado Springs (compared to Denver), homes are cheaper, mortgage payments and rent are lower and energy bills are lower, too!

How does Colorado Springs (population 380,307) compare to other like-sized cities across the US?

Moving to Colorado Springs CO from …

• Raleigh NC (pop.392,552) - You may take a 8.33% decrease and still maintain your standard of living.
• Tulsa OK (pop. 385,635) – You will need a 7.55% increase to maintain your standard of living.
• Minneapolis MN (pop. 382,605) – You may take a 19.64% decrease and still maintain your standard of living.
• Honolulu HI (pop. 374,676) – You may take a 44.46% decrease and still maintain your standard of living.
• Wichita KS (pop. 366,046) – You will need a 1.13% increase to maintain your standard of living.

If you are looking to take advantage of the lower cost of living by moving to our area, check out the homes for sale in Colorado Springs, or give us a call at: 719.434.8346

We love where we live and we love what we do!

Partial content and idea for this post compliments of Bring the Blog – Real Estate and Mortgage Blog Content.

 

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

THE LAW:

“A PERSON EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER SHALL NOT USE A WIRELESS TELEPHONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN TEXT MESSAGING OR OTHER SIMILAR FORMS OF MANUAL DATA ENTRY OR TRANSMISSION WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE.”

As of December 1, 2009, Colorado drivers MAY NOT TEXT while driving.

Anyone UNDER 18 is NEVER allowed to use a cell phone (not for texting OR calling) while driving.

Read More: Colorado House Bill 1094

THE FINES:

• First Offense: $50.00 + $6.00 surcharge
• Second Offense: $100.00+ $6.00 surcharge

This violation of law is a secondary offense. This means that you must FIRST be violating another primary enforcement law, such as reckless driving , speeding or running a red light before you can be ticketed for violating Colorado’s new Cell Phone Law.

THE EXCEPTIONS:

In the case of an emergency, where the driver,

“has reason to fear for such person’s life or safety or believes that a criminal act may be perpetrated against such person or another person, requiring the use of a mobile communication device wireless telephone while the car is moving; or Reports a fire, a traffic accident in which one or more injuries are apparent, a serious road hazard, a medical or hazardous materials emergency, or a person who is driving in a reckless, careless, or otherwise unsafe manner.”

BE SAFE.

 

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

Looking for a fun day trip, near Colorado Springs?

We spent a half day in Canon City, CO on a rafting trip down the Arkansas River. It was affordable and a lot of fun for our whole family! (Our kids are 14 and 6 years old.)

There are half-day and full-day rafting trips for all levels and all ages.

Canon City is about an hour away from Colorado Springs (S on 115 and W on 50), and if you keep traveling along Hwy 50, you will see TONS of rating companies ready to gear-you-up and take you through the different levels of rapids on the Arkansas River.

Wheeee!

Local Area Rafting Companies:

• Raft Masters
• River Runners
• Royal Gorge Rafting

Posted By: Mariana Wagner – Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection
719.434.7525

 

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

I will neither confirm nor deny our actions, the other day…

But here are some pictures from our trip to the Manitou Incline. However, before I continue, here are some info on the Manitou Incline:

• The Manitou Incline used to be a railroad track. The rails are no longer there, but most of the ties are still in place.
• The average grade is about 40%, and the steepest grade is 68%!
• The complete hike is 1 mile long and ascends over 2,000 feet in altitude.
• The first 1/4 of the incline is owned by the City of Colorado Springs and the last 1/4 is owned by the Forest Service.
• The middle section is PRIVATE PROPERTY and to cross the signs and continue the hike is TRESPASSING … and  ILLEGAL.
• Regardless of this fact, DROVES of people (athletes and non-athlete’s alike) trek up the Manitou Incline every clear day.

Read More: About the Manitou Springs Incline

For as steep as the incline is, the hike TO the incline (from the parking lot – or where we parked …. further down Ruxton Avenue) is QUITE the workout as well.

Okay … Onto the Pictures:

 

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

Part of the beauty of living in Colorado Springs is the ability to wear shorts AND wool coats in the Wintertime. As Colorado Springs real estate agents, we really appreciate the weather. Why? Well, because if it is too snowy to show homes on Monday, chances are Tuesday will be warm and sunny and great weather to buy a home for sale in Colorado Springs.

However, there are days when everyone in the house is going stir crazy and it is just too cold to go out hiking. For days like that, here are some suggestions.

Top 5 Family Friendly Things to Do in Colorado Springs This Winter

1. Olympic Training Center -  (FREE)
Every year thousands of Olympic hopefuls and world-class athletes train in Colorado Springs, at the Olympic Training Center. Stop by for a 15-minute film and a one-hour guided tour of the facilities. Every tour is different and is determined based off of the athletes’ training schedules. There are all kinds of great photo opportunities to include many Olympic inspired statues and the opportunity to stand by the Olympic Flame with spanning Rocky Mountain views in the distance.

Location: Central Colorado Springs – Close to the intersections of Boulder Ave and Union Blvd., just east of Memorial Hospital (main).

Tour Schedules: 1.888.659.8687 – Open Year-Round

2. Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Cowboy Museum
($5 Adults and Discounts for Seniors, Youth and Military. Young Kids are FREE)
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of an All-American sport that found it’s origins in Colorado in 1869 and is now a major spectator sport. In addition to the history rich museum with over 90 exhibits, there is the opportunity to meet a live, retired rodeo bull, a bucking bronco and a long horned steer.

Location: Northwest Colorado Springs – 101  Pro-Rodeo Drive (I-25 and Exit 147)

719.528.4764  -  Open Year Round  -  9am-5pm daily

3. Simpich Dolls (FREE)
Spend some time watching skilled artists and craftsmen create custom, storybook and holiday dolls in Historic Downtown Old Colorado City. Dolls can even be ordered and purchased at this location.

Location: Old Colorado City – 2413 W. Colorado Avenue

800.636.3272  -  Open Year Round

4. World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame
($3 Adults and Discounts for Seniors and youths. Young Kids are FREE)

Enjoy a tribute to all things figure skating – from the bone blades and leather straps of the 8th century all the way to the modern day stars of today.

Location: Southwest Colorado Springs- 20 First Street (Near the Broadmoor Hotel and the Broadmoor Brownstones)

719.635.5200 – Open Year Round – Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

Want to go Ice Skating? Check out the World Arena for daily year-round public ice-skating sessions. 719.477.2150

5. Ghost Town Museum
($6.50 for adults, discounts for seniors and youths, Young children are FREE)

Wild West fun in Colorado Springs! Walk down wooden sidewalks through a turn-of-the-century western town, pan for gold, and check out the 1867 Wells Fargo Express Concord stagecoach that used to run between Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Location: Westside Colorado Springs -  400 S. 21st St. – Corner of Cimarron (HWY 24) and 21st Street – Just west of Van Briggle Pottery

719.634.0696  -  Open Year Round – Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

Read Also:

• Colorado Springs Real Estate and Area Information Links
• Colorado Springs Has A ‘TUDE! – Altitude, That Is (Dealing With Altitude Sickness)
• Who Lives in Colorado Springs?
• About Colorado Springs – Quality of Life Indicators for the Pikes Peak Region

Relocating to Colorado Springs?

Contact the Wagner iTeam for information on moving to Colorado Springs
719.434.7525

 

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525