Thinking about moving to Colorado Springs and wondering what life in Colorado Springs really offers beyond the postcard views?
From a vibrant downtown that’s hitting its stride to outdoor activities galore, Colorado Springs spoils the people who call this city home.
We’re not talking about another generic list with Garden of the Gods at the top (though yeah, it’s incredible and free). This is about the Colorado Springs we actually live in, where locally-owned restaurants are replacing chains, where art is literally everywhere you look, and where you can catch professional sports without fighting Denver traffic.
Let’s dive into what makes the Centennial State’s second-biggest city one of the best places to live in Colorado.
Fifteen years ago, downtown Colorado Springs was where you went for jury duty. Now? Completely different story. Now, downtown is buzzing with sidewalk patios packed, murals splashed across brick walls, and people lingering long after work.
The city has been investing serious money in the Tejon Street project: widening sidewalks, creating outdoor dining spaces, and transforming downtown into a place where people truly want to hang out. Sure, construction’s a temporary headache, but the transformation is already showing.
The Ed Robson Arena for CC Tigers Hockey is a state-of-the-art facility right on the Colorado College campus downtown, and the games are always a blast. A few blocks away, the Switchbacks FC plays professional soccer at Weidner Field. The games are super family-friendly, with the added bonus of Pikes Peak as the backdrop.
The art scene downtown has exploded too. First Friday Downtown features new art, live music, and special events on the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. at dozens of galleries, retailers, and nonprofits throughout Downtown Colorado Springs. It’s free, it’s busy, and it’s proof that downtown’s cultural renaissance is real.
Back in the day, dining out meant hitting the Olive Garden in some forsaken strip mall. Those days are gone, and thank goodness for that. Now you can grab ramen on a cold night, Nigerian jollof rice with friends, or a Tikka Masala Burger that’ll have your taste buds tingling.
Based on recent openings, the Colorado Springs food scene has transformed dramatically. Evergreen brought Euro-chic dining to downtown with dishes inspired by Prague and Paris. Mausam elevated Indian cuisine when it opened in 2024.
Gaia Masala & Burger blends Indian and Mediterranean fare with American fast food downtown. Night Ramen serves comfort in a bowl nightly. Colorado Springs even welcomed its first Nigerian restaurant, Ówàmbè, serving traditional dishes like jollof rice with chicken.
The best part? These aren’t just downtown exclusives. Great local spots are popping up all over the Springs, adding their own unique flavor to every neighborhood.
Colorado Springs has quietly become an art destination, and we’re not just talking about galleries (though we have tons of those).
The annual Art on the Streets program displays sculptures and murals throughout downtown, with recent installations featuring 13 pieces: six murals and seven sculptures. Some murals even feature augmented reality elements where you can hold your phone up and watch animations come to life.
The Knob Hill Urban Arts District is covered with nearly 60 murals, turning a stretch of East Platte into an outdoor gallery. First Friday ArtWalks take place in Old Colorado City from April to December, where local businesses and galleries cultivate unforgettable experiences. There’s also First Friday in Manitou Springs and downtown, plus Art Hop in Monument on the fourth Friday of each month.
On top of that, the Ford Amphitheater opened on the north end of town in 2024. Thousands of seats that bring in legitimate bands and symphony performances.
Between the murals, sculptures, galleries, and regular art events, you literally can’t escape creativity in this city. And honestly, why would you want to?
Colorado Springs goes all-in on community events, and these aren’t your typical small-town snooze-fests.
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is the biggest hot air balloon festival in the state of Colorado, and it’s FREE. Watch 70+ hot air balloons ascending into the sky during morning sessions, and after sunset, the balloons are illuminated in an eye-catching display during evening balloon glow sessions. The event also features synchronized drone light shows with aerial formations.
Territory Days has grown from a small neighborhood craft fair into a popular three-day street festival held every Memorial Day Weekend in historic Old Colorado City. It’s one of the state’s largest craft vendor fairs, featuring gold panning, mechanical bull riding, kids’ play areas, period costumed characters, live birds of prey, Native American dancers, and beer gardens with live music.
The Air Force Academy graduation features the Thunderbirds performing aerial demonstrations, with practice flights during the days before that you can watch from various spots around North Colorado Springs. The precision flying of F-16 Fighting Falcons in diamond formation is spectacular and free to watch.
Plus, there’s the Festival of Lights Parade, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, countless food festivals, farmers markets multiple days a week, and events at the Olympic Training Center. The calendar’s packed year-round.
This is where Colorado Springs truly shines through innovative programs and a business community that genuinely supports one another.
The Pikes Peak Makerspace, located downtown, is an incredible community workshop where entrepreneurs, artists, and hobbyists share tools and knowledge. Local libraries also have makerspaces, offering 3D printers and creative tools to everyone.
Pike Ride launched as an e-bike share program with day passes at $15 and annual memberships for $75. It’s an affordable transportation option that helps reduce car dependency in certain areas.
The business and networking community here is incredibly supportive. We’re talking real connections, not that fake “let’s exchange business cards and never talk again” networking.
People actually help each other succeed here. There are tons of social clubs, professional groups, and community organizations where you can find your people, whatever your interests.
Not everyone’s into camping and hiking, and that’s totally fine. But, for those who are into outdoor activities, Colorado Springs delivers.
Garden of the Gods? Free. Always. The Manitou Incline’s 2,700 steps? Free with a reservation, but you’ll probably have to pay for parking. Seven Falls, Paint Mines, Palmer Park for mountain biking, Red Rock Canyon’s bike park: all within 30 minutes of downtown.
Pikes Peak literally watches over everything, and with Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine, the natural beauty is undeniable, even if you just appreciate it from your car or a brewery patio.
Colorado Springs has this unique dynamic that creates genuine community. Maybe it’s the military presence that brings people from all over the country. Maybe it’s the size: big enough for variety, small enough to actually know people. Whatever it is, it works.
When small businesses open, locals show up to support them. The number of volunteer organizations, community groups, and people who genuinely want to help each other is remarkable. This vibrant community means there’s always something happening that you can get involved with.
Forget fighting I-25 traffic to Denver for entertainment. Colorado Springs has seriously upped its game.
We’ve got the Switchbacks FC playing professional soccer, Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball, and CC Tigers hockey at the Ed Robson Arena. The Ford Amphitheater brings in major concerts and events. The Olympic Training Center and Museum are right here in town, and you can literally watch future Olympians train.
For a city our size, the amount of professional and semi-professional sports, plus major entertainment venues, is pretty incredible. And you can actually get there without planning your entire day around traffic.
Ask around town, and you’ll hear parents brag on their districts and public schools in Colorado Springs.
Cheyenne Mountain District 12 has a reputation for academic rigor and strong extracurriculars. Academy District 20 covers a big swath of northern Colorado Springs and is known for innovative programs and consistently high state test scores. Up in Monument, Lewis-Palmer schools are smaller but highly ranked, with a close-knit community feel that families love.
College choices carry the same variety. UCCS (University of Colorado Colorado Springs) keeps expanding its campus and programs, attracting students from across the country. Colorado College offers its one-of-a-kind Block Plan, where students focus on a single subject for three and a half weeks at a time. Pikes Peak State College provides flexible and affordable options, from technical training to transfer-ready degrees, with unique programs you won’t find everywhere.
From the first day of kindergarten through graduation day, education here stands out as one of the big reasons families choose (and stay in) Colorado Springs.
Life in Colorado Springs feels balanced in a way that bigger Front Range cities can’t match. The cost of living is lower than in Denver or Boulder, yet you still get the mountain views and Colorado lifestyle everyone wants.
The median home price in Colorado Springs is noticeably lower than in the Denver metro area, making it easier for families to put down roots without stretching their budgets. On top of that, commutes are manageable, with most people able to get across town in 20 to 30 minutes. That extra time goes toward soccer practice, a quick hike, or dinner with friends, rather than sitting in traffic.
The local job market is steady and diverse. Military installations anchor the economy, defense contractors and the aerospace industry are expanding, and healthcare systems and tech companies continue to grow. That mix makes Colorado Springs not just livable but sustainable, giving the city both stability and room to dream.
Is everything perfect? Of course not.
But here’s what matters: Colorado Springs offers something increasingly valuable, which is great quality of life in a city that’s still accessible. Where natural beauty isn’t locked behind resort gates. Where “community” means something beyond a marketing slogan.
This city works because it doesn’t try to be Denver or Boulder or Aspen. It’s Colorado Springs: unpretentious, hardworking, and genuinely livable.
Whether you’re military getting stationed here, remote workers seeking mountain views with good internet, families wanting excellent schools, or anyone looking for a real community, Colorado Springs delivers what other “best places to live in Colorado” only promise.
Sailing Stone Real Estate is your home resource whether you’re a fresh-faced newbie to the home-buying scene, a seasoned pro with plenty of houses under your belt, or simply looking to offload that fixer-upper. We know buying or selling a home is a huge deal, which is why we’re here to help you through it no matter what comes our way.
Sailing Stone Agents will keep your buying or selling plans on course. Our seasoned pros have the expertise to steer you clear of financial disasters and guide you toward your real estate goals. Our TOP Priorities are Your Goals, Your Dreams, and Your Peace of Mind.
© Sailing Stone Real Estate. Website by Modernize My Site.
