Quick links:
- FORT CARSON ARMY BASE (80913)
- PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE (80914)
- SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE (80912)
- CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN SPACE FORCE STATION (80906)
- AIR FORCE ACADEMY (80840)
- Colorado Springs 101: Events & Essentials
- Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces Map
Moving to a new city can be an exciting, disorienting, and overwhelming experience — no matter how many you’ve moved to. Colorado Springs in particular is so spread out that it can feel like navigating multiple cities at once.
New places generally mean you’re relying on someone else’s perspective to get a feel for where you’re going to settle for the next couple of years. Plus, there’s the need to find all the “new favorites,” such as:
- Your new favorite restaurant
- Who you can trust to watch your dog when you’re away
- The best hiking spot
- A great neighborhood to live in
We’ve at least got you covered on one important front: finding a great place to live.
Want to know your BAH? Click Here (military base zip codes are provided next to each name in the quick links above)
If your orders are bringing you to Colorado Springs, congratulations! You’re a mile high, a stone’s throw from the mountains, and the sights are INCREDIBLE.
Off Base Neighborhoods For Military Families In Colorado Springs
We’ve selected the top 3 best neighborhoods near each military base in Colorado Springs to help make decision making easy. Because whether you’ve been delayed or got orders 2 weeks prior to your departure, moving is stressful enough!
Fort Carson Army Base (80913)
Known as the “Best Hometown in the Army,” this Mountain Post is located at the south end of Colorado Springs and is perfectly located for anyone wanting to enjoy the mountain trails or the downtown night life.
Stratmoor
This popular neighborhood for military families is just a short 10 minute drive from Fort Carson. Stratmoor offers a range of home options including single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. Private and public schools — District 2 and District 8 — are both options for families in the Stratmoor area, along with local community parks, fields, and trail connections.
Niche.com gives the Stratmoor neighborhood an overall rating of a solid B, which is great for the cost of housing where the median rent is just over $1,000 per month, and the median home value is just under $200,000.
“The West Side” & Downtown Colorado Springs
Centrally located, these neighborhoods contain unique historic homes and a rich history, and offer a wide variety of local amenities to enjoy throughout the year. Plus, living so close to I-25 makes the drive to Fort Carson is an easy 15 minute commute. Public schools in this area are in District 11, and families enjoy the convenience of a more urban environment.
From condos to single-family-homes, there is something for everyone here. Due to its desirable location, median home prices in these areas average around $400,000.
Fountain
Located just 10 miles South of Colorado Springs is Fountain, Colorado. While not technically within city limits, this town functions as an extension of the Colorado Springs community. Another popular neighborhood for military families serving at Fort Carson, school Districts 3 and District 8 serve this area and families here enjoy a more suburban environment with a small town feel.
Median home values here currently hover around $300,000, but with many people desiring to move to Colorado Springs this area is becoming more popular month-by-month.
Peterson Space Force Base (80914)
Formerly known as Peterson Air Force Base, Peterson SFB is located on the Southeast side of Colorado Springs and has great surrounding neighborhoods and amenities for the whole family.
Stetson Hills & Springs Ranch
Just North of Peterson SFB, and these communities are located along the same road that takes you right to the North Gate — conspicuously named “Peterson Road.” With well-manicured parks and some of the best views of Pikes Peak, it’s easy to see why this is a hot spot for military families. Children attend District 49 schools and families have some of the best amenities to choose from along the Powers corridor including movie theaters, baseball stadiums, and plenty of restaurant options.
Median home prices here are around $450,000 due to their desirable location on the East side of town.
Cottonwood Creek
On the lower Northeast side of Colorado Springs you’ll find the Cottonwood Creek area buzzing with outdoor and indoor activities year-round at Cottonwood Creek Park. The commute to Peterson SFB is about 20 minutes via Powers Blvd. A great combination of affordability and convenience make this an ideal location for families moving to Colorado Springs and want to be centrally located. School districts in this area include District 11 and District 20.
Housing in this area has a median cost of around $450,000, and families can find multiple options that fit their needs.
Briargate
About 15 miles North of Peterson SFB, Briargate is often at the top of the list for people in search of family-friendly communities. Easy access to both Powers Blvd and I-25 puts Briargate in the perfect position to provide easy access to nearly every part of El Paso County amenities. The school district in this area is the competitive District 20, with some of the best schools in Colorado Springs.
With such a desirable location a higher price for housing makes sense. Median home prices here are $650,000.
Schriever Air Force Base (80912)
Once known as Falcon AFB, Schriever is on the outer Southeast corner of Colorado Springs. While there isn’t much around the base, the neighborhoods on the East side of town are great for families wanting newer homes and a little more space.
Falcon: Meridian Ranch & Woodmen Hills
If you’re looking for a new construction house in a more recently developed community, look no further. These neighborhoods are packed with “everything you love about the city without the things you don’t”. With District 49 schools, golf courses, parks, trails, and community centers, this is the suburban oasis of Colorado Springs.
Homes here are also slightly more reasonable than more Central Colorado Springs, with a median price around $550,000.
Banning Lewis Ranch
The developers of this area have incredible plans to make this tight-knit community a place where you can “kick off your boots after a day’s work, pour yourself a fine beverage, and settle back on your sunset-splashed porch.” Schools in this area are also District 49, and easy access to the biggest East-West roads, Woodmen and Highway 24, make BLR a great place for families who want to live on the outskirts of town but still enjoy the best parts of it. Do your kids play soccer? The Pride Soccer Complex is a stone’s throw away. This neighborhood is also just off Marksheffel Road which makes the 25 minute drive to Schriever a breeze.
Slightly more affordable than Falcon, this community’s median home price is around $480,00.
Black Forest
Located on the Northeast side of Colorado Springs, much of Black Forest is unincorporated El Paso County and boasts two large, popular regional parks: Black Forest Regional Park and Fox Run Regional Park. Families looking for more outdoor space and privacy will appreciate that many of the lots in this neighborhood are between 1 and 5 acres and operate under a dark sky ordinance. With more than one option for public schooling, school districts in this area include District 49, District 20, and District 38.
Black Forest has become one of the most sought after places to live in Colorado Springs and the median home price here has jumped to over $950,000 in the last decade.
Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (80906)
Where NORAD was once housed, Cheyenne Mountain SFS is located on the Southwest side of Colorado Springs and is physically INSIDE Cheyenne Mountain and is now NORAD and USNORTHCOM’s Alternate Command Center. Around this military base is the best of the foothills neighborhoods offering some of the best schools in the state, lots of wildlife, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Broadmoor
In the same neighborhood as Cheyenne Mountain SFS, this area is home to the world-famous 5 star resort with the same name, The Broadmoor. Some homes are built right into the foothills, and have some of the best views of Colorado Springs. Public schools in this area are within District 12 and District 2. There is also an abundance of wildlife and nature among the incredible homes in this area, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the main attractions.
The median home prices here are around $900,000.
Ivywild/Skyway
Two more areas that stretch up the mountainside, Ivywild and Skyway are situated just West of I-25, and a short drive to Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, or Manitou Springs. This area is typically home to Colorado residents who spend ample time outdoors because of its easy access to hiking trails in Cheyenne Cañon, Stratton Open Space, and Bear Creek Park. The school district in this area is District 12.
The median home prices here can range from $300,000-$600,000.
Rockrimmon/Mountain Shadows
These areas are surrounded by nature. The South end starts at Garden of the Gods, and the North end is the border of the Air Force Academy. These sprawling neighborhoods stretch up the foothills of the Rampart Range and see a lot of wildlife throughout the year. Public school District 11 and District 20 provide these neighborhoods with great schools to choose from, as well. There are some of the best housing options in this area of Colorado Springs, as well as some great local and bigger chain amenities.
Median housing cost in this area is roughly $650,000.
Air Force Academy (80840)
At the Northwest end of Colorado Springs, the USAFA is set on some of the most beautiful land in the city. The surrounding neighborhoods also have incredible views, wildlife, and some of the safest neighborhoods in Colorado Springs.
Northgate
At the North end of Colorado Springs, this area gets its name due to the fact that (you guessed it!) it sits at the North Gate of the USAFA. While the name isn’t incredibly unique, the housing developments in this area are close to many great amenities including Bass Pro Shops, movie theaters, Great Wolf Lodge (with an indoor waterpark), and urban trails galore. Not to mention it’s close to hiking trails in Black Forest and along the Front Range as well as right off I-25 for easy access to Downtown Colorado Springs. This area is in the popular school District 20 which has some of the best high schools in the city.
Median home prices here are around $600,000.
Gleneagle
Between Northgate and Monument you’ll find Gleneagle. This Colorado Springs suburb is quiet and more remote than any other neighborhood in the area, which means if the Downtown scene isn’t for you this might be the perfect place to live. The panoramic views and walking, hiking, biking, and horse trails offer a wide variety of activities for everyone. This area is also in school District 20 which has some of the best high schools in the city.
Median home prices in Gleneagle are $570,000.
Black Forest
Located on the Northeast side of Colorado Springs, much of Black Forest is unincorporated El Paso County and boasts two large, popular regional parks: Black Forest Regional Park and Fox Run Regional Park. Families looking for more outdoor space and privacy will appreciate that many of the lots in this neighborhood are between 1 and 5 acres and operate under a dark sky ordinance. With more than one option for public schooling, school districts in this area include District 49, District 20, and District 38.
Black Forest has become one of the most sought after places to live in Colorado Springs and the median home price here has jumped to over $950,000 in the last decade.
Welcome To Colorful Colo-RAD-o
Colorado Springs is home to FIVE military installations and as of 2019, that included approximately 40,000 uniformed and 13,000 civilian personnel according to The Gazette. Add to that over 240 aerospace and defense industry companies employing over 100,000 people, and it’s obvious that our local economy is heavily impacted by military — around 45% of it, in fact.
You can see why Colorado Springs has a lot of gratitude toward the military families living here. At Vantegic, we want to do everything we can to serve you. Let us know how we can help you find the best home for your family and your needs.
Trying to find a home out of state can be especially challenging. Reach out to us at 719-302-0602 with any questions you might have.
Extra information and events (that help you feel more like a local, faster):
- VisitCOS – Whether you’re here for a weekend trip to scout out the Springs, or making plans for your first month living here, this trip planner can help you pack it full of adventure.
- ColoradoSprings.gov – Where you’ll find everything you want to know about what’s happening in Colorado Springs.
- The Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces Map shown below displays how much Colorado Springs values the outdoors. Urban trails are everywhere, and hiking trails are never too far away.
- Downtown COS – If you’re moving near downtown or just want to spend a lot of time in the downtown area, there’s an entire website dedicated to the events and culture of downtown Colorado Springs.
- US Olympic & Paralympic Museum – This is a great activity for all ages to experience a guided or unguided tour of this brand new space.
- Colorado Springs Art Walks – Love local art? You’ll notice lots of people walking downtown and in Old Colorado City the first Friday of every month.
- Farmers’ Markets – There are markets all over the city, so chances are there is one near wherever you’re looking to move.
- Switchbacks Soccer Team – If you love soccer, you’ll love that the new stadium is right in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs.
- Baseball Fans – With tickets as low as $5 each, families often go to watch a Rocky Mountain Vibes game during baseball season instead of a movie.
