Everyone knows the obvious things about moving to Colorado Springs.
The mountains are beautiful. The weather is sunny. There are tons of outdoor activities. Pikes Peak is kind of a big deal.
But after you actually live here for a while, you start picking up on a few very specific Colorado Springs quirks that nobody puts in the relocation brochures.
Here are five things you might not expect until you’ve actually lived here.
1. You Will Own More Chapstick, Lotion and Water Bottles Than You Thought Possible
Colorado Springs is dry. Like really, really, dry.
You may move here thinking you’ll just drink a little more water and be fine. Then suddenly you’ve got a favorite water bottle that you carry everywhere, chapstick stashed in every nook and cranny, and lotion in every room.
The combination of our high elevation, dry climate and strong sunshine can take some getting used to, especially if you’re moving from somewhere humid.
Eventually, you learn this rhythm as you leave the house:
Water bottle? Check.
Chapstick? Check.
Moisturized? Constantly.
Sunscreen? Absolutely.
Welcome to Colorado.
2. People Give Directions Using North, South, East and West
This one can take a minute to get used to.
In Colorado Springs, people don’t always tell you to turn “left at the grocery store” or “head toward downtown.”
Instead, you might hear:
“It’s just west of Powers.”
Or:
“Head north on Academy and turn east.”
Or my personal favorite:
“It’s on the west side.”
And somehow, everyone is expected to know what that means.
The mountains make this a little easier. Pikes Peak is basically our giant natural compass, and once you’ve lived here long enough, you start instinctively knowing which direction you’re facing.
Eventually, you’ll find yourself giving directions this way too.
And you’ll realize you’ve officially become a Colorado Springs local. Congrats!
3. Which Side of the Street Your House Is On Can Actually Matter in the Winter
This is one of those things you don’t necessarily think about when you’re house hunting, but you’ll appreciate knowing about after your first Colorado winter.
Generally, south-facing areas get more winter sun, which can help snow and ice melt faster. North-facing areas tend to stay shaded longer, so snow and ice can hang around.
That means two houses across the street from each other can have completely different winter experiences. One driveway might be clear shortly after a snowstorm while the other stays icy for days.
The orientation of the driveway, roof, patio and yard can all make a difference, as can surrounding trees and neighboring homes that create shade.
It’s one of those little details that doesn’t show up in a listing’s square footage or bedroom count, but after you’ve lived through a few Colorado winters, you start paying attention to it.
When you’re buying a home in Colorado Springs, don’t just look at the house. Look at the lot, too.
4. Colorado Springs Is Big. Really Big.
You can live in one part of the city and easily spend 20 or 30 minutes getting to another part, even when both places are technically on the same side of town.
For example, today I went from the Powers Corridor (good ol’ Costco) to Briargate to take my daughter to the eye doctor. Both are on the northeastern side of town, but it still took about 20 minutes to get from one to the other. Then it was another 30 minutes to head home to the southwest side.
And yes, if you’re wondering why I just described my day using northeast and southwest instead of actual streets, go back and read #2. š
That’s why locals tend to talk about areas of town rather than simply saying “Colorado Springs.”
The west side.
Briargate.
Rockrimmon.
And depending on where you live, your version of “close” can be completely different from someone else’s.
This is one of the reasons choosing a neighborhood in Colorado Springs is about more than just finding a house you love. Your commute, schools, shopping, activities and the places you visit regularly can all be affected by where you live.
That’s also why I always encourage people moving here to spend some time exploring different parts of the city before choosing a neighborhood. The right house in the wrong part of town can feel very different once you start living your daily life there.
So when a Colorado Springs local tells you something is “close,” it’s probably worth asking what they mean by close.
Because 20 minutes? That’s basically next door.
5. You Start Talking About the Weather Like It’s a Full-Time Job
Colorado weather has a personality.
You can wake up to sunshine, see snow on the mountains, have a thunderstorm roll through in the afternoon and end the evening with a completely clear sky.
In fact, a few years ago we were at the pool on Labor Day and it was 94 degrees. The very next day, we had 6 inches of snow and a 60-degree temperature swing.
That’s Colorado.
You’ll also learn that afternoon thunderstorms are something to pay attention to, especially in the summer. And once you live here long enough, you’ll start recognizing certain raindrops that make you think, Yep, that’s probably about to turn into hail.
Having a weather radar app on your phone is basically a necessity, especially during the summer months. And if you’re especially, erm, cool… you might even own a weather station for your home…because why depend on apple weather when you’ve got the most accurate weather at your fingertips.
Eventually, you’ll find yourself checking the radar before making plans, watching the sky while you’re driving and casually discussing the forecast with complete strangers.
And you’ll start saying things like:
“It looks like we might get weather.”
Which is a very Colorado way of saying absolutely nothing specific while somehow communicating everything you need to know.
And Then There Are All the Little Things
These are just a few of the quirks that make living in Colorado Springs different.
Eventually, you’ll probably develop your own list.
You’ll learn which roads you don’t want to drive during a snowstorm, which side of town you prefer, how much water you actually need, and exactly how long it takes for your driveway to thaw after a big snow.
And somewhere along the way, you’ll stop thinking of Pikes Peak as a landmark and start thinking of it as your compass.
That’s when you know you’re home.
Thinking About Moving to Colorado Springs?
If you’re considering making the move, there’s a lot more to choosing where to live than simply finding a house you like.
I’ve put together a Colorado Springs Living Guide that breaks down the different neighborhoods and areas of the city, what makes each one unique and what type of lifestyle they offer.
And if you’re ready to start exploring homes, I’d be happy to help you figure out which part of Colorado Springs might actually feel like home. Let’s connect!