You probably already know that Colorado Springs is a great place to live, with its beautiful parks, proximity to Pikes Peak, and amazing school districts, but you may be wondering if certain Colorado Springs neighborhoods are better than others?
The answer is yes, but it depends on your individual needs and priorities. The best neighborhood for you and your family may not be the best neighborhood for someone else. Do you want to be close to work? Part of a specific school district? Have easy access to parks and hiking trails? Or something else altogether?
You probably already have an idea of what you are looking for in a home, but consider making a list of what you are looking for in a neighborhood and making that part of your search.
Colorado Springs Living
Before getting into specific neighborhoods, let’s take a moment to talk about Colorado Springs. Part of the reason for the city’s rapid growth is that it is more affordable than most other cities in Colorado. It is about a 1.5-hour drive to Denver, so many residents choose to live in Colorado Springs and commute to their jobs in Denver.
Colorado Springs is also home to several military bases and nationally accredited universities like Colorado College, UCCS, and the US Air Force Academy, so the city has a high population of veterans and active-duty military, as well as students.
The city boasts famous attractions and natural wonders, such as the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Olympic Training Center. Residents place a high priority on health and fitness, taking advantage of the over 240 average days of sunshine a year to enjoy both summer and winter sports.
Colorado Springs retains a strong sense of community and suburban feel, while still offering the amenities and attractions of a big city. There is always something to do, from going to a farmer’s market or community event to checking out local bars and restaurants downtown. Let’s move on to what you can expect in a Colorado Springs neighborhood.
Neighborhood Amenities
As mentioned above, different areas of the city are suited for different people, but no matter what you are looking for, you’re sure to find it in COS.
With the emphasis Colorado residents place on fitness, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that many of the Springs’ newer neighborhoods feature community rec centers with fitness equipment, indoor or outdoor pools, and/or tennis courts. Expect easy access to the outdoors from any part of the Springs, from high-quality neighborhood parks to larger open spaces perfect for hiking.
Check out our Local Lineup articles on our blog to get information about popular restaurants and craft beer in different parts of town. Like much of Colorado, Colorado Springs has a large number of local independent breweries and distilleries, so check out some of their amazing offerings.
Colorado Springs does not offer as comprehensive of a public transportation system as other cities of its size, so if you are planning to use public transit for your daily commute or errands, check out the bus routes near where you would like to live. Also, consider how far you are willing to commute to work on a daily basis.
Since Colorado Springs covers such a large geographical area, landscape and housing styles vary greatly throughout the city, so you might also want to consider how close you want to be to the mountains, how big of a lot you’d like, and whether you’d like to be at a higher or lower elevation, etc. before making a decision.
Though we can’t choose a single best neighborhood in Colorado Springs, here is a list of our contenders.
Central & Downtown Colorado Springs
Downtown Colorado Springs Neighborhoods
Downtown Colorado Springs is a great hub if you want easy access to local shops and restaurants. It is a short drive to Manitou, Green Mountain Falls, or even Woodland Park, so it’s easy to escape to the mountains for a day trip, while also being close to I-25 for your commute to work. Downtown is also just a few minutes from Peterson Air Force Base.
Most of the houses in this part of the Springs were built in the 1800s or early 1900s, so if you’re looking for a house with vintage architecture, this is your spot. Downtown is composed of several smaller neighborhoods, but here are three of the most popular:
Old Farm
Not to be confused with The Farm in Northgate, this neighborhood was built primarily in the 80s and 90s and is close to Old Farm Park and High Chapparal Open Space. This neighborhood maintains a traditional feel while being minutes away from the amenities and shopping in Northeast Colorado Springs.
Old North End
Old North End, colloquially known as Millionaire’s Row, features large Victorian-style homes built with early gold money from Cripple Creek beginning around 1874. The neighborhood is conveniently located near Colorado College and includes two National Register Historic Districts.
Patty Jewett
Patty Jewett is a little gem of a neighborhood and is home to the Patty Jewett Golf Course. Founded in 1898 and owned by the city since 1919, this course is one of the oldest public golf courses west of the Mississippi River. The homes in this neighborhood are slightly smaller than the ones in Old North End, but still full of vintage charm as most of them were built in the early to mid 20th Century.
Shooks Run
Shooks Run is a more affordable option than Patty Jewett or Old North End for those wishing to live in the downtown region. The neighborhood is home to Shooks Run Trail, an easy, paved walking and biking path, as well as Shooks Run Park, which features tennis courts and a children’s playground. Residents also enjoy being next door to one of our favorite coffee shops, Switchback Coffee Roasters.
University Park
This neighborhood offers luxury homes in a beautiful setting, similar to what you might find in the Broadmoor or Monument, but conveniently located in the center of town. University Park is only minutes from downtown and Briargate, whereas Broadmoor and Monument typically come with a significant commute.
Wagon Trails
Wagon Trails features newer homes than many of the neighborhoods in northeast Colorado Springs. It also has its own rec center, including an outdoor pool, and offers easy access to the Powers corridor.
North Colorado Springs & Monument
The northern part of the Pikes Peak Region consists of Black Forest, Monument, Northgate, and Briargate. Many of the neighborhoods in Monument and Black Forest are not officially in Colorado Springs, we have included them because they are still considered part of the region.
These northern communities are some of the fastest-growing areas in the entire Pikes Peak region. Both residential and commercial development in these areas have been strong since 2012, and there are no signs of slowing down any time soon. While this area offers a long list of shopping, restaurants, and commercial amenities there are also plenty of outdoor activities.
Black Forest Reserve
Black Forest Reserve is a gated community located near The Pineries Open Space, which features a popular 11-mile hiking loop. This neighborhood is governed by an HOA that provides street maintenance and snow removal for the community. It also features a community center, designated open spaces, and miles of trails for resident use. Lots are also still available if you are interested in having a home built.
Briargate
The original Briargate subdivision features older homes from the 80s and 90s while offering access to all of the Briargate amenities, from restaurants and shopping to D20 schools. This is also one of the more affordable subdivisions within Briargate.
Cathedral Pines
This neighborhood is located near Black Forest Regional Park, giving residents access to picnic areas, a playground, sporting fields, and trails. Cathedral Pines is not a gated community, but due to its layout, offers a similar level of privacy. There are still some lots available for new builds, and residents have access to a community center for events and activities.
Cordera
Cordera is a newer neighborhood located just east of Briargate and is more or less an extension of the original Briargate neighborhood. Cordera features lots of parks, trails, and open spaces. The neighborhood has a beautiful community center complete with a heated outdoor pool, kid’s splash zone, and fitness equipment and fitness classes
Flying Horse
This is a luxury golf-course community featuring 2 courses, as well as an athletic club and spa, with multiple outdoor pools, tennis courts, fitness classes, and more. Flying Horse is composed of upper-end custom homes, ranging from the $400,000s to the millions.
Pine Creek
This neighborhood was the final phase of Briargate’s development, so it consists primarily of newer custom and high-end production homes. John Venezia Park, a ranch-themed neighborhood park with a spray ground, is located in Pine Creek and provides a popular summer spot for young families. Residents also enjoy access to the 18-hole Pine Creek Golf Course and D20 schools
The Farm
This neighborhood features a great system of parks and trails from a dedicated open space to connections to La Foret and the Santa Fe Trail. The Farm’s community center has an outdoor pool, as well as nearby ponds that can be used for paddle-boarding. There are also two great coffee shops right at the entrance to this community, Loyal Coffee and Mission Coffee Roasters.
Woodmoor
Located in Monument, Colorado, Woodmoor is an established community featuring towering Ponderosa pines, large lots, and older custom homes. Many buyers choose this area because of the schools the neighborhood is in the award-winning Lewis Palmer #38 School District.
Wolf Ranch
This neighborhood is a master-planned community on the eastern edge of the Briargate region that is composed of pre-built luxury homes. Wolf Ranch offers plenty of amenities from neighborhood parks and trails to an outdoor pool. Wolf Ranch is also at a slightly higher elevation than its surrounding neighborhoods, guaranteeing a spectacular view of the mountains.
West Colorado Springs
This region extends from near Garden of the Gods on the north end to the south border of the Air Force Academy. Like the northeast region, northwest Colorado Springs contains a mix of great schools in both D20 and D11. Many residents are attracted by the natural beauty of this area, which is located in the foothills of the Rampart Range.
Cedar Heights
This highly sought-after neighborhood is a gated community of luxury and custom homes that overlooks Garden of the Gods. Residents will also enjoy a breathtaking nighttime view of the lights of Colorado Springs.
Crystal Park
Crystal Park is another beautiful mountainside, gated community that merges into Pike National Forest. Its clubhouse, complete with a kitchen, large deck, and heated swimming pool, offers social events for residents. Residents also have access to tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts. One downside is that the drive from the community’s gate to the neighborhood takes about 30 minutes, but you will certainly feel like you are living deep in the mountains.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is located at the base of Pikes Peak and is home to the infamous Manitou Incline. It has the vibe of a small mountain while still being accessible for those working in Colorado Springs. Manitou’s historic downtown is full of small local boutiques, coffee shops, and popular restaurants.
Mountain Shadows
This neighborhood was almost completely destroyed in the Waldo Canyon Fire of 2012. The Parkside section of the neighborhood lost 141 of its 178 homes in the fire, but most community members chose to stay in the neighborhood and rebuild, which says a lot about this incredible area! It offers easy access to the mountains, great local parks, amazing schools, and is just a beautiful place to live.
Peregrine
Peregrine offers luxury custom homes with beautiful views. Located near the United States Air Force Academy, this area has access to some great hiking trails via Blodgett Peak Open Space. The HOA in this area also organizes a range of outdoor activities for its residents, including live music in the park.
Rockrimmon
This is a classic northwest neighborhood with slightly older homes built mostly in the 70s and 80s. Rockrimmon is located squarely in school district 20, and like our other two northwest neighborhoods, is nestled in the foothills while being just minutes from downtown.
Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City is located near Pikes Peak and began as a supply hub for miners during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. It was also briefly the capital of the Colorado Territory before it was relocated to Denver. Residents are often drawn to this area for its history and charm.
Similar to Manitou Springs, this area features older Victorian-style homes, but OCC also has a mix of more modern homes. Expect plenty of local shops and restaurants with slightly less tourist traffic than our beloved Manitou.
The Mountain Communities
West of the west side of Colorado Springs you will find some fantastic mountain communities. After Manitou Springs, highway-24 travels up Ute Pass through neighborhoods like Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Woodland Park, and Divide. These communities each offer a unique mountain feel and lifestyle. If you are moving to Colorado to enjoy the lifestyle only the Rocky Mountains can offer, these areas are something you should probably look at. While it can be difficult to find resources in some of these communities, most local Colorado Springs movers are familiar with these neighborhoods.
Divide
Divide, Colorado affectionately named “The center of the known universe” is situated at the northern slope of Americas Mountain, Pikes Peak. Originally named Divide because the major water run-offs split to the north, south, east, and west from this point.
Divide offers a number of small neighborhoods each offering large lots (1 acre to 35 acres), These neighborhoods offer towering ponderosa pines, dramatic views, and most importantly…privacy!
Majestic Park
Majestic Park is a remarkable neighborhood, located close to the center of Woodland Park. This neighborhood has large custom estates on heavily treed 35 acre lots with some amazing views. Homes in this neighborhood range from 5,000 to 13,000 square feet. Prices in the neighborhood range from just over 1 million dollars to the mid 2 million range. The neighborhood is close to the Meadow Wood Sports Complex and downtown Woodland Park. This is a fantastic neighborhood for those that can afford it.
Paradise Estates
Located on the east side of Woodland Park and right next to Pike National Forest is the Paradise Estates Subdivision. This neighborhood offers large custom homes on lots ranging in size from .50 to 1.5 acres. Like Majestic Park, paradise Estates is close to downtown Woodland Park as well. This makes day-to-day life convenient while the neighborhood maintains the feel of an isolated mountain enclave.
Stone Ridge Village
We love Stone Ridge Village because it’s right in Woodland Park but feels very private. Lots in this neighborhood range in size from just over .25 of an acre up to almost .50 of an acre. These are newer homes featuring modern floorplans and amenities. The neighborhood is close to the national forest as well as schools, shopping, and parks. This area is a favorite with our buyers.
Ute Pass
This area is home to Cascade, Chipita Park, and Green Mountain Falls. These three neighborhoods are what many consider iconic mountain towns. Full of charm and character, these communities are the essence of what people imagine living in Colorado should be like. Of course in any mountain community, there are unique challenges residents need to embrace but most find the sacrifice well worth the effort.
Woodland Park
Woodland Park is located on the western side of Pikes Peak and close to the Pike National Forest. This offers residents fast and easy access to a wide range of activities like hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and camping. The city has plenty of shopping and restaurants as well. The short drive to Woodland Park is well worth it for those that love this area. Here are our favorite Woodland Park neighborhoods.
East Colorado Springs
The Powers area in Colorado Springs is located at the eastern edge of the city. This area offers many different housing options from apartments to large single-family homes. Powers Blvd. borders this area to the west and offers a wide range of commercial amenities from restaurants and retail to entertainment and hardware. Convenience is the biggest feature of the Powers area.
Banning Lewis Ranch
Banning Lewis Ranch is a large subdivision located at the eastern edge of Colorado Springs. Starting at Woodman Road on the north end, this project will ultimately extend south to The edge of Fountain, Colorado. The neighborhood has a fantastic community center complete with an outdoor pool, fitness center, and sports courts. There’s a wide range of builders developing some really innovative floorplans and designs in this neighborhood.
Indigo Ranch
Indigo Ranch is located along the Powers corridor, in between Powers and Marksheffel, offering residents easy access to a range of shops and restaurants. Many families choose this area because it is close to the Colorado Springs Airport and also close to local military bases, but the neighborhood itself also offers great amenities like Ken Jordan park and access to its own athletic club.
Meridian Ranch
Meridian Ranch is a golf course community located in the Falcon/Peyton area just north and east of Colorado Springs. The neighborhood offers a large public golf course, community centers, schools, and parks. This area has seen a significant amount of commercial development over the last 10 years which has made the prospect of living in this area much easier than in years past. Meridian Ranch offers larger homes and lots so you can spread out enjoy all this community has to offer.
Peyton Pines
This is a very special neighborhood. Located in the heart of the Bijou Basin and a stone’s throw from Homestead Ranch Park, Peyton Pines offers custom homes on large 5 acre lots. The area allows horses and has no covenants. If you are looking to get away from it all with your horse, this might be the ideal place for you.
Springs Ranch
Springs Ranch is one of the first neighborhoods to be developed in the Powers area. Developed in the early 2000s, Springs Ranch now has the feel of a mature neighborhood. The Powers area has grown up around the Springs Ranch neighborhood, so living here is very convenient.
Woodmen Hills
Woodmen Hills was one of the first real subdivisions to be developed in the Peyton and Falcon areas. Early on, this neighborhood offered semi-custom and production Homes on 1 acre lots add an affordable price. The neighborhood also offered a community center, complete with a fitness center and outdoor pool.
While subsequent filings offered smaller lots in the half the quarter-acre range, they continued to build in amenities to each new filing like parks, community centers, and pools. While Woodmen Hills was initially very isolated. it has seen commercial development move in and around the original subdivision. This makes Woodmen Hills a very desirable neighborhood.
South Colorado Springs and Fountain
The final area we are going to take a look at is the southern portion of Colorado Springs. This includes Widefield, Security, and Fountain. This area includes everything from small studio condominiums to large custom estates. This area is home to Fort Carson, and NORAD or the old Cheyenne mountain air station. The area is also home to the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. The wide range of neighborhoods makes it difficult to narrow it down to just a few favorites. This part of town is full of interesting little niches each offering something really unique.
The Broadmoor Resort Community
This is a truly special neighborhood. Built on the side of the old ski Broadmoor ski area, and right next to The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo the resort community sits high above Colorado Springs and features some incredible views of the city to the east, as well as dramatic views of Cheyenne mountain to the west. Residents of this private gated community have the option of purchasing a golf membership at the prestigious Broadmoor golf club.
Homes in this neighborhood are custom estate quality homes and the architectural guidelines ensure that the neighborhood has a consistent upscale mountain community feel. Homes in this neighborhood range in price from just over 1 million into the four and $5 million range. These are special homes and we’re built by some of the area’s finest builders.
The Cañon (Stratton Park)
The Cañon is an older area in the southwest part of Colorado Springs. The official name for this neighborhood is Stratton Park. The neighborhood is close to Bear Creek Park, and North Cheyenne Cañon Park. The homes in this area are a mix of updated hippie shacks and new homes. If you want to live in a truly eclectic neighborhood, the Cañon is one of the best places to find your people!
Countryside
Located at the southern edge of the city of fountain Colorado, Countryside is a bit of a hidden gem. This neighborhood offers affordable home prices in a quiet rural neighborhood setting. While not as close to amenities as neighborhoods like Cumberland Green, and The Glen at Widefield, “Countryside” is still close to shopping, schools, and other amenities. This neighborhood is also a short commute to Fort Carson and Peterson Air Force Base.
Cumberland Green
This is one of our favorite neighborhoods in the City of Fountain. Developed in the mid-2000s this quiet neighborhood features modern construction at an affordable price. Cumberland Green is close to both Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson so commuting for members of the military is a breeze. Even though this neighborhood feels very secluded, it’s just minutes from schools, parks, restaurants, shopping, and amenities.
Skyway
Skyway is situated just south of old Colorado city, and Norris of the Broadmoor Hotel. This neighborhood consists of two sections upper and lower skyway. Lower skyway features older, mostly ranch and split-level style homes. The neighborhood borders Bear Creek Park which offers hiking, mountain biking, playground, sports fields, picnic areas, and tennis courts. Lower Skyway is also home to the very popular Little Dipper Pool. This is an extremely popular members-only pool that has been in the community since 1954.
Upper Skyway is directly west of Lower Skyway and offers larger custom and semi-custom homes on bigger lots. The area offers stunning views of both downtown Colorado Springs and iconic Cheyenne Mountain.
Stratton Forest
Stratton Forest is one of a handful of exclusive, gated luxury communities located in the southwest part of Colorado Springs. This neighborhood offers estate-grade, custom homes on large wooded lots. The neighborhood is gated and very private. Homes in this neighborhood range from 6,000 to nearly 18,000 square feet. If you can afford this neighborhood, you will absolutely love it.
The Glen at Widefield
This neighborhood is located in the southeast portion of Colorado Springs just north of the “City of Fountain”. The Glen at Widefield began development in the early 70s and construction continues in this neighborhood today. The area is close to parks, schools, restaurants, and shopping. The short commute to both Fort Carson and Peterson Air Force Base makes this an extremely popular neighborhood for military families.
In Conclusion
There are so many options when you talk about the best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. The most important choice for buyers is to choose the right Realtor® to work with. Find a Realtor® that understands the different aspects of each neighborhood and what it’s like to live there. The good news is that Springs Homes has these types of agents.
If you have questions about how to choose a neighborhood or are ready to start looking at houses in one of these regions, contact our amazing team at Springs Homes.