Nobody Talks About This, But Colorado Springs Has Two Very Different Personalities
I’ve lived in Colorado Springs for over twenty years, and there’s something nobody tells you when you’re thinking about moving here. This city has two completely different personalities depending on which side of I-25 you land on.
The west side and the east side of Colorado Springs might as well be different towns. I’m not exaggerating. The vibe, the pace, the lifestyle, the neighborhoods — it’s a totally different experience. And most of those “best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs” articles you find online don’t bother explaining why that matters for your daily life.
I’m a west-side guy. I’ll be upfront about that. But I’m going to give you an honest take on both sides because the right answer depends entirely on what you’re looking for. So let me walk you through it the way a friend would — not the way a realtor would.
The West Side — Why I Live Here
Most people moved to Colorado to spend more time outside. That’s the whole point, right? You didn’t pack up your life and drive across the country to sit in traffic next to a Chili’s. You came here for the mountains, the trails, the air, the space.
That’s the west side.
I live near Ute Valley Park, and my regular routine is hopping on my e-bike, riding through downtown, and cruising around Garden of the Gods. That’s not a weekend special occasion — that’s a Tuesday. Garden of the Gods is five minutes from my house. I can be on a trail in the time it takes most people to find parking at a strip mall.
Here’s what the west side gives you:
- Immediate access to nature. Garden of the Gods, Ute Valley Park, Rampart Range Road, Red Rock Canyon — they’re not day trips, they’re your backyard.
- Manitou Springs right next door. Quirky little mountain town with its own personality. Great restaurants, the Incline, Barr Trail, and a vibe you can’t manufacture.
- Old Colorado City. Local shops, galleries, restaurants with actual character. This is the original Colorado Springs, and it still feels like it.
- Less traffic. Dramatically less traffic. I cannot overstate this. The west side is calmer, slower, and more spacious. You’re not fighting your way through six lanes of stoplights to get a gallon of milk.
- The mountain vibe. You can see Pikes Peak from everywhere, the air feels different, and the pace of life is just… quieter. There’s a beer garden near Garden of the Gods where I’m a regular, and sitting there with the rock formations in view never gets old. Twenty years and it never gets old.
The west side attracts a certain kind of person — outdoor people, artists, folks who moved here for Colorado, not just for a job that happened to be in Colorado. It’s not pretentious about it. It’s just naturally that way.
The East Side — What It Does Well
Now, I’d be lying if I told you the east side has nothing going for it. That wouldn’t be fair, and it wouldn’t be true.
If you like restaurants and movie theaters and the hubbub of town, the eastern side is the place to be. It has the newer neighborhoods and much more activity. The Powers corridor is where most of the commercial growth has happened over the last fifteen to twenty years, and it shows.
Here’s what the east side does well:
- New construction. If you want a house built in the last ten years with modern finishes, open floor plans, and that new-home smell — east side. Neighborhoods like Stetson Hills, Banning Lewis Ranch, and parts of Falcon are full of newer builds.
- Shopping and dining. Every chain restaurant you can think of, plus big-box retail, movie theaters, and shopping centers. If convenience is king for you, the east side delivers.
- Newer schools. A lot of the east-side growth brought new school construction with it. Families with kids often land on this side for that reason.
- Family-friendly neighborhoods. Briargate and Northgate in particular are popular with young families. Parks, playgrounds, community pools, HOAs that keep everything looking sharp.
- More affordable entry points. Generally speaking, you can get more square footage for your dollar on the east side, especially the further east you go toward Falcon.
The east side is a perfectly fine place to live. It’s just a different lifestyle. It’s suburban in the classic American sense — wide roads, big developments, lots of options, lots of activity. Some people love that energy. I get it.
It’s just too busy for me. Especially out around Powers. But I know plenty of people who wouldn’t live anywhere else.
The Neighborhoods — A Quick Rundown
West Side Neighborhoods
Old Colorado City / Westside. The original heart of the city. Walkable, artsy, full of local businesses. Older homes with character — Victorians, bungalows, mid-century ranches. Not cookie-cutter. Close to everything that makes Old Colorado City special.
Skyway / Upper Skyway. Tucked against the foothills south of Manitou. Some of the best views in the city. Winding roads, pine trees, and that feeling of being in the mountains while technically being in town.
Broadmoor Area. The fancy side of the west side. The Broadmoor hotel anchors this area, and the surrounding neighborhoods are beautiful — mature trees, larger lots, well-maintained homes. Higher price point, but you get what you pay for.
Ivywild. Up-and-coming neighborhood south of downtown. The old Ivywild School got converted into a marketplace with a brewery, restaurants, and shops. The surrounding streets have older homes that are getting renovated. It’s got energy without being overwhelming.
Downtown. Colorado Springs’ downtown has come a long way. New restaurants, breweries, the Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and actual foot traffic now. Living downtown puts you right in the middle of the west-side lifestyle with walkability to boot.
Peregrine / Ute Valley Park Area. This is my neighborhood. Slightly newer than Old Colorado City but still west side. Right next to Ute Valley Park, with easy access to Garden of the Gods and downtown. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
East Side Neighborhoods
Briargate. The original east-side suburb. Built mostly in the ’90s and 2000s. Good schools, nice parks, shopping nearby. It’s the baseline for east-side living — solid and predictable.
Northgate. North of Briargate, a little newer. The Polaris Pointe development brought more retail and restaurants. Families flock here for the schools in District 20.
Stetson Hills. Further east, newer construction, more affordable. Growing fast. Lots of young families and military families. The trade-off is you’re further from everything on the west side, and the Powers corridor traffic is your daily reality.
Falcon. Technically unincorporated El Paso County, but it’s become a bedroom community for Colorado Springs. Brand-new homes, bigger lots, lower prices. The downside: you’re driving into town for everything, and the infrastructure hasn’t fully caught up with the growth.
Powers Corridor. Not a neighborhood exactly — more like the commercial spine of the east side. Powers Boulevard is lined with every store, restaurant, and service you could need. It’s also lined with traffic. Lots of traffic.
So Which Side Should You Pick?
Here’s how I’d break it down, friend to friend:
Choose the west side if:
- You moved to Colorado for the outdoors and you want to actually live that lifestyle daily, not just on weekends
- You prefer character over cookie-cutter — older homes, unique neighborhoods, local businesses
- Less traffic and a slower pace matter to you
- You want to be close to Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and the trails without making it a production
- You value community and walkability over big-box convenience
Choose the east side if:
- You want newer construction with modern layouts and finishes
- Schools are a top priority and you want the newest facilities
- You like having shopping, dining, and entertainment close by
- You’re coming from a bigger city and the suburban feel is comfortable and familiar
- Budget matters and you want more house for your money
Neither answer is wrong. But they are very different answers to the question “where should I live in Colorado Springs?” and I wish more people understood that before they signed a lease or made an offer.
What Nobody Tells You About Either Side
Alright, real talk. Every neighborhood guide gives you the highlights. Here’s what they leave out.
West Side Reality Check
The homes are older. That character I mentioned? It comes with older plumbing, older electrical, smaller closets, and the occasional “creative” renovation from a previous owner. If you want move-in-ready perfection, you’ll pay a premium on the west side or you’ll need to budget for updates.
Fewer shopping options. You’re not going to find a Target or a Costco on the west side. For big shopping runs, you’re heading east or south. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a reality.
Higher price per square foot. You’re paying for location and lifestyle. A 1,500-square-foot home near Garden of the Gods costs more than a 2,500-square-foot home in Stetson Hills. That’s just how it works.
East Side Reality Check
The traffic is brutal. Powers Boulevard during rush hour is genuinely unpleasant. It’s not Denver-level, but for Colorado Springs? It’s a lot. And it’s getting worse as development keeps pushing east.
It can feel generic. I don’t say this to be mean, but a lot of the east side could be anywhere in America. Same chains, same subdivisions, same HOA rules. If you moved to Colorado for something different, the east side might not scratch that itch.
You’re further from the mountains. This seems obvious but people underestimate it. Living on the east side means every hike, every trail run, every trip to Manitou starts with a 20-30 minute drive across town. That friction adds up, and a lot of people end up going less than they planned.
Both Sides
Downtown is evolving fast. Five years ago, downtown Colorado Springs was pretty quiet after 5 PM. That’s changing. New restaurants, breweries, the Olympic Museum, and residential development are bringing life back to the center. Keep an eye on it — downtown might be the sweet spot for people who want both sides.
The military presence is everywhere. Fort Carson (south), Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases (east), the Air Force Academy (north). This is a military town, and that shapes the housing market, the economy, and the culture on both sides of I-25.
Altitude matters. We’re at 6,035 feet. Wherever you land in the Springs, give yourself a couple weeks to adjust. Drink water. Take it easy on the trails at first. This applies to both sides equally.
My Bottom Line
After twenty-plus years here, I wouldn’t trade the west side for anything. I can hop on my e-bike, ride through Ute Valley Park, cruise past Garden of the Gods, grab a beer at my favorite beer garden, and be home before the east-siders are done sitting in traffic on Powers. That’s not a knock on them — it’s just a different way of living.
But the best neighborhood in Colorado Springs is the one that fits your life. If you’re raising a family and want new schools, new homes, and every convenience within five minutes — the east side will make you happy. If you came to Colorado to actually be in Colorado, with the mountains and the trails and the quirky local spots — come to the west side. We’ll save you a seat at the beer garden.
About the Author: Dominic Ferrara has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. After working for Delta Airlines and visiting just about every major city in the United States, he chose Colorado Springs for its scenery, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. He lives on the west side near Ute Valley Park, where he e-bikes, camps, and explores the mountains regularly. His recommendations come from two decades of eating, hiking, and living here — not from a weekend visit.
