Colorado Springs: The Perfect Harmony of Nature, City, and Your Budget

Just the name Colorado Springs makes me think of home. I’m Darla, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Colorado Springs, CO. I spent most of my life growing up in Nebraska or moving around on the East Coast, but Colorado Springs always felt like my home. My mother moved there when I was old enough to live independently. It was her dream city, and after my first visit, it wasn’t hard to see why.

Colorado Springs is the best of all worlds. It uniquely blends natural beauty, cultural attractions, and affordable neighborhoods. This guide will highlight the top 10 affordable neighborhoods in The Springs.

Broadmoor

If you love a bit of history, look no further than the Broadmoor neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Situated on the northern spur of the Cheyenne Mountain and adjacent to North Cheyenne Canon Park.

The proximity to Cheyenne Mountain State Park gives the residents of Broadmoor easy access to 28 miles of hiking trails, including the Dixon Trail and the Limekiln Trailhead. People come from all over the country to hike these infamous trails.

The Broadmoor-Oaks neighborhood is also known for its spacious home lots. That offers homeowners privacy that is hard to find in some city areas. Diversity in architecture is another striking feature of Broadmoor. You’ll find everything from 1,200-sq-ft bungalows to stucco ranch-style homes to million-dollar mansions.

Centrally located, Broadmoor puts you close to almost anything you need. You can shop at Chapel Hills Mall, hop on State Road 94, and head to the airport.

The Citadel

The Citadel neighborhood in Colorado Springs gets its name from its most famous destination—the Citadel Mall, the largest indoor mall in Southern Colorado. Situated in the city center, it is just 10 minutes from the downtown area, Peterson Air Force Base, and the airport.

That central location also gives residents access to major roads and public transportation. The Citadel Mall is a central hub for the public bus system.

The Citadel is also an excellent area for those who want to enjoy apartment living in Colorado Springs. Multiple apartment complexes in this area are known for their affordability, making the Citadel neighborhood a popular choice for young professionals and singles. Citadel is very commercial, unlike other areas of The Springs, so it is not as suited to families as some neighborhoods.

Gleneagle

The relaxed neighborhood of Gleneagle is along the northern edge of the city near the Air Force Academy. It is just south of Monument, CO, an area known for its stunning mountain views. It is also just minutes from the Fox Run Regional Park and miles of hiking and biking trails.

Along with the picturesque scenery, Gleneagle is a culinary haven with some eclectic restaurants in the area. It is home to Japanese cuisine, authentic pizzerias, scratch kitchens, and the largest self-pour taproom in the state. It is foodie heaven. It appeals to middle-income professionals with families, with a median age of 44.

The homes are modern and large, ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 sq. ft., and they typically sit on large lots that offer plenty of green space. That fits in with the general feel of the neighborhood. Gleneagle features a lot of open space for a relaxed and spacious lifestyle.

Pinon Valley

Pinon Valley is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, which makes it appealing to first-time home buyers. The housing style leans toward contemporary Craftsman homes and New Traditional architecture.

Like many areas of The Springs, you’ll enjoy fantastic mountain views from your windows if you live in Pinon Valley. It sits northwest of the Garden of the Gods and southeast of Mountain Shadows.

Along with the affordable housing, Pinon Valley is a popular choice for families because of its highly rated schools. Chipeta Elementary School, for example, offers a Gifted and Talented program. Great Schools gives it an 8/10 rating.

Convenience is another plus for this area. You can access major roads in The Springs, like Powers Boulevard and Platte Avenue. They take you just about anywhere in the city, including the military installations and shopping centers.

Downtown Colorado Springs

If you are all about the culture, start looking in the Downtown Colorado Springs neighborhood. This area is a vibrant city hub with plenty of urban energy and historical charm. Like many cities in this country, downtown Colorado Springs is going through a revitalization period to create residential developments, lofts, and more public spaces. It has everything a young, urban professional needs to be happy.

There will be plenty of things to explore if you live downtown, too. Cultural attractions include the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Training Center, and Aradia Park. You won’t want to miss the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. This institution has been a mainstay of the downtown for almost a century. Downtown is also known for its public art that brightens up each street.

Pine Cliff

Pine Cliff is the downtown neighborhood in reverse. It is a heavily wooded area, hence the name, for residents who want to live in a more natural setting. The diverse architectural style offers smaller two-bedroom houses, townhomes, and luxury mansions. If you choose to live in Pine Cliff, you do so because you want to be far away from the city's hubbub. That means it may take a few extra minutes to go shopping or dine out. It sits near Interstate 25, which allows for easy travel routes. That will take you into the downtown area.

Nearby attractions include the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum, Ute Valley Park, and the Space Foundation Discovery Center. All three are big hits with kids and adults alike.

Rockrimmon

In the northwest corner of Colorado Springs is the handsome neighborhood of Rockrimmon. Rockrimmon gets its name from the amazing rock outcroppings and formations that make up this scenic housing area. It is also known for its abundance of green spaces, including Ute Valley Park.

Rockrimmon consists of homes primarily built in the 1970s and 1980s on large lots. They offer a variety of architectural styles that focus on integrating the neighborhood's natural terrain. There is a real sense of community in this area of The Springs. It has some of the most highly regarded schools, including Rockrimmon Elementary and Eagleview Middle School. Great Schools gives the elementary school an 8/10 and the middle school a 7/10.

Along with beautiful scenery, the residents of Rockrimmon have easy access to I-25, which makes this neighborhood a practical choice for commuters heading into the city, the Air Force Academy, or even toward Denver.

Westside

The Westside neighborhood of Colorado Springs provides both historic charm and historic architecture. This area is home to the Old Colorado City Historic District, a major tourist draw. The homes lean toward well-preserved Victorians with classic spindle railings and large porches. The Westside is nestled against the foothills, giving those older homes a majestic backdrop.

Two things really stand out about the Westside neighborhood. First, it has a strong art community, with streets lined with eclectic galleries. The Michael Garman Museum & Gallery is a must-see.

There are also plenty of artisan-style restaurants in and around the historic district. From Italian to Front-Range BBQ, there is something for everyone. The Westside is my favorite neighborhood in The Springs.

Kettle Creek

Kettle Creek might suit you if you want something well-rounded to call home. It consists of newer homes with a mix of mid-sized to larger structures. This area showcases what architects call ‘Mountain Modern’ designs. They showcase natural stone and earth tones with a stucco exterior and covered entryways.

As a resident of Kettle Creek, you have easy access to the Powers Corridor. It is a major throughfare in the city that goes from north to south. You’ll find plenty of shopping venues, restaurants, and entertainment opportunities alongside it.

Pulpit Rock

If you want panoramic views of Colorado Springs and lots of nature, check out Pulpit Rock. This neighborhood is named after a dramatic rock formation in Pulpit Rock Park.

Rocky is a good description of the area, but the architecture is built around it, making the homes part of the natural terrain. They blend into the landscape and take advantage of the natural vegetation.

While this neighborhood is somewhat removed from the heart of The Springs, it does offer access to major roads. That makes it a time-efficient option for commuters who want a little of everything.