Ten things I didn’t know about Colorado until I moved here

We moved to Colorado in 2015, and I couldn’t be more grateful to call this place HOME!

However, here are some things I didn’t know about Colorado until I moved here:

1. School choice –  I was not familiar with how this worked until I moved here. In fact, when we arrived in September 2015, I went to enroll my sons in our neighborhood school – and it was FULL! I tried to enroll them in the school just outside of our neighborhood – and it was full too!! I finally found a local charter school that had space for them, and thankfully, we had a great experience at that school. However, I learned to enroll my sons in school as soon as registration begins in January! If you have a child that you want to enroll in Kindergarten this fall, be sure to stop by the school of your choosing as soon as possible. 
2. Welcoming environment –  We have felt so welcomed into Colorado Springs. Maybe it’s because there are so many people coming in and out with our strong military presence, but I’m thankful that people are friendly and welcoming!
3. Marijuana – This is something that made me NOT want to move to Colorado. I didn’t like the idea of my four sons seeing it and smelling it everywhere we go. Thankfully, Colorado Springs and many other cities in Colorado, do not allow the retail sale of marijuana! Thank you COS!
4. Large Families – When we lived in the Chicago area – people thought we were CRAZY for having four children. In Colorado, our family fits right in! Large families are common.
5. Crazy housing market –  Good rentals are hard to find! (Click here to read that story) Houses cost more than I expected. Thankfully, taxes are much lower than Illinois, so it balances out, but I was surprised by the competive housing market.
6. Unplowed snow – When we lived in Chicago, we could wake up at 6 am and every street would be plowed and ready for driving. In Colorado, neighborhoods streets remain unplowed after a snowstorm. However, in Colorado Springs, the sun comes out and the snow melts quickly. In Chicago, it’s so cold that the snow may not melt for months!
7. The weather – We can have a 70 degree day today, and a snow storm tomorrow.
   • Sunshine, oh how I love you!  I’m so grateful for the 300+ days of sunshine we get each year because sunshine makes everything better.
   • Wind –  I’ve laid in bed at night wondering if our house might blow over! I’ve woken up to fences and trees down. My neighbor lost their trampoline – and found it across the street in their neighbor’s back yard – it had blown over the top of two houses!
   • Dry air – I always have chapstick with me and try to drink lots of water.
   • Summer love – most people think of Colorado as a place to come in the winter to SKI, and this is a great place to ski – but the summers are my favorite! It’s so beautiful here in the summer and there is so much you can do! I wrote about 20 free things to do here.
8. High altitude – Drink plenty of water and don’t go from sea level to the top of Pike’s Peak in one day unless you want a serious case of altitude sickness. Yes, that’s an actual thing. If you visit Colorado and get a headache, feel dizzy, are extremely tired or nauseous — you might just have it! Drink LOTS of water!
9. America the Beautiful – I’ve sung this song all my life, but didn’t realize it was written in Colorado Springs about Pikes Peak. Purple Mountain Majesty is a real thing – and it’s phenomenal!
10. The BEAUTY – You can’t describe how amazing this state is in words. It doesn’t even translate through photos. You just have to come and see it with your own two eyes. The beauty stops me in my tracks on a regular basis. I can’t get over how much magnificence can be placed in ONE state! It’s really not fair to those who live anywhere else. I absolutely LOVE exploring all the mountain towns, trails, little shops, open spaces, caves, and observing the wildlife. I’m so grateful to call Colorado HOME!

Don’t forget to subscribe by putting your email in the column to the right.

Read the top ten things to do in Colorado Springs by clicking here.

No matter where you live, there’s something to love about it. Click here to read 8 ways to LOVE here you live!