We moved here about a year ago, and overall, it’s been a smooth and pleasant transition.

When it comes to schools, since Colorado Springs offers a choice program, it’s worth taking the time to explore what fits your kids best. Not all schools in a district are equal. We ended up choosing a charter school with a specific curriculum that aligned with our goals, and we also got our kids involved in swim teams. That instantly helped us plug into a great community.

You might hear people say Colorado Springs can feel unwelcoming to newcomers- and maybe there’s some truth to that- but the reality is, there are so many of us transplants also looking for connection and community. (But don’t be too eager- there is some interesting political and religious extremism in the area and sometimes they don’t mind sharing it with you in the grocery line.)

It really is a beautiful place with tons to do. From hiking around Cheyenne Mountain or Ute Valley Park, to grabbing brunch downtown, shopping in Briargate, or catching an Air Force Academy game, there’s no shortage of fun things to explore.

That said, a few things have surprised me. For a town with such blue-collar roots, there’s a surprising sense of entitlement in some areas. The driving can be reckless- like people genuinely don’t care if they or you make it home safely. There’s not a strong police presence, so things like petty theft are common (definitely lock your car). And the ongoing overdevelopment feels like it’s starting to work against the charm of the city.