• Median home price of $192,250 compared to national average of $256,659 was a GREAT economic indicator

• Colorado Springs has some of the highest education scores in the country.
  

• Better ease of living (Good commute times and health)

Falcon, Colorado is an unincorporated exurb 14 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. As a railroad hub in the early 20th century, the town spent several decades as a quiet ranching community until it experienced rapid residential growth throughout the 1990s. The backstory is  that on September 20, 1888, the first announcement of "Falcon, Colorado" was advertised in the Colorado Springs Gazette. The Falcon Land and Town Company, associated with the Chicago Rock Island Railroad, were selling lots to individuals. By 1896, Falcon had two hotels, a newspaper, six saloons, a pool hall, stockyards, two train depots, two general stores, a blacksmith shop and a school.

Falcon is growing as of late.  Walmart has recently opened a supper store and several fast food establishments have opened also.  Falcon was a little overbuilt and has suffered somewhat.  Several 'new home' builders have stopped building new homes.  A number of neighborhoods have a glut of homes on the market.  The prices have somewhat depressed as of late.  It's a great time to take advantage of the price decrease.  You can get a bigger home at a lower price and let Falcon continue to grow up around you.  Highway 24 and Woodmen Road offer quick jaunts into Colorado Springs from Falcon.

Black Forest is a census-designated place (CDP) in El Paso County, bordering just north of Colorado Springs. Black Forest is named such for the high density of Ponderosa Pines located in a generally small area. Rumors are that the area was named by a German immigrant who thought that the dark hue of the Ponderosa Pine resembled The Black Forest in Germany. In 2006, residents voted against a proposal to incorporate as a city.

Most of the established areas of Black Forest include plots of land around five acres.  A large percentage of these are in the pines.  There are plenty of newer, modern homes in the Black Forest.  Most of those have more modest 1 acre plots.  Black Forest is growing as Colorado Springs is growing towards the east.  Plots of vacant land still exist for those interested in building their own home.  There aren't very many plots available in the woods, but they can be found on occasion. 

Monument is located roughly 15 miles north of Colorado Springs, just shouldering off of the Air Force Academy. It was founded in the late 1800's by a group of Iowans heading for the California gold rush. It was said that the area was so attractive that the group decided to settle down in this location, instead of head to California for gold. It is named after the Monument Creek that rises north of Monument in adjacent Palmer Lake.

Monument is a growing area near Colorado Springs.  Just a few years ago, a shopping trip included a drive into the Springs.  Now, the major retailers have begun moving in and the town is spreading out.  You might like a home here if you want to live near Palmer Lake or would enjoy living in the midst of the trees.  Many people that work in the Denver area choose to live in Monument and commute into the Denver metro area.

The City of Manitou Springs is a Home Rule Municipality bordering just west of Colorado Springs. Manitou Springs derives its name from two dozen mineral springs situated throughout the area, many of which have spigots that locals and tourists alike may drink from. The minerals present at each location change the flavor of the local water. In the early 1900's, the town became known as a health destination for people suffering from tuberculosis. The clean mountain air and mineral springs waters were part of a healthy retreat for people arriving by rail from across the country.

Today, Manitou is a nice little town and a very popular tourist destination.  There's plenty of shopping and reasturants.  Artisans flock to town for the various events all year.  Manitou is on the west side of the Springs off of Highway 24 just a couple miles from downtown Colorado Springs.  It's a great place to live for those wanting mature landscaping (lots of large trees).  Manitou is located right up near the base of Pikes Peak with hiking trails leading up the mountain just west of town.  The Garden of the Gods is just north of town and downtown Colorado Springs is just a few miles to the east.  Manitou has a simple old-town feel to it and it's a great place for families and family fun.

Security-Widefield is an unincorporated community bordering just south of Colorado Springs. In the mid-1800's a few ranchers and pioneers settled alonside Fountain Creek due to the rich farming soil and clean drinkable water that it provided. Shortly after WW2, developers invested in Mel Anderson Dairy Farm. Through the success of the dairy farm the area eventually grew and became what we know today as Security-Widefield.

Security-Widefield is actually the town of Security and the town of Widefield.  The two towns are so inter-meshed that we often refer to them together.  It's very near the Colorado Springs airport and centrally located between Peterson AFB and Fort Carson (a little closer to the latter).  The roads have been extended eastward to ease the commute of those heading out to Schiever AFB.  The southern campus of Pikes Peak Cummunity College is just a couple miles away for those wanting to grab a class or two or head for an Associates degree.

Appropriately named after Fountain Creek, the City of Fountain is a Home Rule Municipality located just south of Colorado Springs and neighbooring Fort Carson. The city was founded in the mid 1800's and settled by farmers and ranchers because of the lush plains and good farming soil. Fountain was named an "All-America City" in 2002 by the National Civic League. It is also the home of the infamous Pikes Peak International Raceway.

Fountain continues to grow even with the horrible news that continues to pervade the media these days.  There are several areas of town with newer construction and established neighborhoods.  The town is near Fort Carson and offers those living there and working at the Post an easy commute.  Lowes and Walmart have move into town.  They expect the growth to continue.  The Colorado Springs evening news recently featured the Fountain area as defying the housing bubble drag on the economy.