Stratmoor is part of the Colorado Springs area. This page covers the whole metro.
How locals describe Colorado Springs
The words residents use most, from 91 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"The short answer is: hike, bike, eat food, and enjoy the scenery. There are a lot of activities within an hour or more of Colorado Springs."
"Colorado Springs is the second most populated city in Colorado. And yet, everything here closes at like 10pm."
"Rentals have gone up about $500 a month since we moved here 2.5 years ago and the wages haven't budged."
Lively, Artsy
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Colorado Springs scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy, growing.
A walk through Colorado Springs
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Colorado Springs
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2024-07. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsPhotos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
What Colorado Springs is known for
Every year
FebGalaxyFest: comic book and science fiction conventionen.wikipedia.org
JunPikes Peak International Hill Climb: automobile and motorcycle hill climb to Pikes Peak summiten.wikipedia.org
JulPrideFest: pride paradeen.wikipedia.org
SepColorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off: hot air balloon festival at Memorial Parken.wikipedia.org
Busiest time
June to August: warm weather and festivals mark peak tourist seasontravel.usnews.com
On a normal week
Visiting Garden of the Gods parken.wikipedia.org
Hiking or biking park trailsen.wikipedia.org
Walking Monument Valley Park pathsen.wikipedia.org
Visiting Palmer Parken.wikipedia.org
Around Colorado Springs
Take a tour of Colorado Springs
"Scenic Walking Tour of Garden of the Gods | Colorado Springs’ Red Rock Paradise" by WanderingWalksofWonder, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
A hiker recommended the Palmer Loop in Section 16 and Mount Muscoco for easy, rewarding views.
“If you just want a couple of easy, rewarding hikes with rewarding views, check out palmer loop in section 16, and mt moscoco in south Cheyenne...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2024Coati downtown reportedly has the youngest crowd among nightlife spots in the area.
“Definitely, Coati downtown has the youngest vibe I've found. There's a bunch of cool places nearby as well.”
Read the full commentPosted Feb. 2024Cinchona, found inside Provision Bakery, was called a favorite for its hard to find coffee beans.
“Cinchona, (currently inside Provision Bakery) and Frankly are my two favorites. Cinchona gets beans you won't find anywhere else.”
Read the full commentPosted April 2025One resident said Black Sheep, Thrashers, Vultures, and Avenue 19 have constant events while Cowboys attracts a younger frat crowd.
“Black sheep, thrashers, vultures and avenue 19 all have events constantly. Cowboys is full of frat bros, but I def see tons of youths there.”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2026“The view is great, the parks are great, trails are so accessible.”
Cinchona, found inside Provision Bakery, was called a favorite for its hard to find coffee beans.
“Cinchona, (currently inside Provision Bakery) and Frankly are my two favorites. Cinchona gets beans you won't find anywhere else.”
Posted April 2025A hiker recommended the Palmer Loop in Section 16 and Mount Muscoco for easy, rewarding views.
“If you just want a couple of easy, rewarding hikes with rewarding views, check out palmer loop in section 16,”
Posted Oct. 2024One resident said the nature centers are awesome, especially Starsmore, Bear Creek, and Fountain, where they played in the water.
“We love Starsmore, but bear creek and fountain are great, too.”
Posted May 2026One resident recommended Trinity Brewing as a local, cool spot for an authentic Colorado experience.
“Local, easy, cool, and just plain good.”
Posted Dec. 2023From 13 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident said rock climbing gyms and the Colorado Mountain Club are good ways to meet outdoor-oriented people.
“Rock climbing gyms are a great way of meeting people. A regular gym can be. The Colorado Mountain Club is a cool way of meeting outdoor-oriented...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2023. Things may have changed since.One resident suggested starting a Meetup group based on an age range or favorite activity as a way to connect.
“I always advise starting your own group on the Meetup app. Could be based on age range or a favorite activity (karaoke, trivia, hiking,...”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2023One resident tried local meetup groups and going out alone but found everyone already in their own group.
“Like I need to make some friends. I've tried to the local meet up groups and just going out alone. But everyone else who is out is already in their group.”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident said people found partners through community activities like meetup groups, sports teams, or dating apps.
“Everyone found their partner by getting involved in community activities (meetup, sports teams, game groups, volunteering, etc) or dating apps.”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident suggested joining meetup groups, sports teams, or book clubs since online dating is difficult.
“Online dating is rough. My best advice is to join some groups in town that align with your interests. Meetup group, sports team, book club,...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident said Colorado Springs lacks a strong dating scene compared to the rest of Colorado.
“There really isn't a strong dating ”scene” in Colorado Springs. We're pretty unique to the rest of Colorado. We're a little bit more...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2021. Things may have changed since.One resident found online dating full of men only interested in promiscuity and recommended local meetup groups and singles events instead.
“I tried online dating, but it's mostly gross dudes into promiscuity, and immediately trying to get some. I'd recommend looking into groups like meetup, local events, etc. I've kind of given up looking because I stopped caring. Definitely just search in Colorado Springs events on google, and you'll see speed dating, and singles events popping up.”
Read the full commentPosted May 2023. Things may have changed since.For nightlife, one resident pointed to Tony's, Mansion, and Copperhead as go to dive bars and dance clubs.
“I like dive bars and dance clubs, so Tony's, Mansion, and copperhead sound cool. I think I'll stop by the Irish pub to just have a drink. Much...”
Read the full commentPosted June 2023. Things may have changed since.Coati downtown reportedly has the youngest crowd among nightlife spots in the area.
“Definitely, Coati downtown has the youngest vibe I've found. There's a bunch of cool places nearby as well.”
Read the full commentPosted Feb. 2024A newcomer from Oregon said they fell in love with the vibe after visiting Colorado Springs.
“Heya. Just moved from a small town in Oregon with my two cats. Visited COS a few times and fell inlove with the vibe in Colorado in general. Things worked...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2025One resident said Black Sheep, Thrashers, Vultures, and Avenue 19 have constant events while Cowboys attracts a younger frat crowd.
“Black sheep, thrashers, vultures and avenue 19 all have events constantly. Cowboys is full of frat bros, but I def see tons of youths there.”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2026One resident listed several breweries and bars around town including Goatpatch Brewery and Phantom Canyon.
“Goatpatch Brewery. Storybook brewery. Phantom Canyon. Oskar Blues. Patty Jewett Bar and Grill. Mother Muffs. Jack Quinn's. Jose Muldoons.”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2025One resident recommended Trinity Brewing as a local, cool spot for an authentic Colorado experience.
“I'd suggest Trinity Brewing. Local, easy, cool, and just plain good. If you want a Colorado experience, you shall search no further than...”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2023One resident described their quiet neighborhood with mature trees, no HOA, and large backyards outside city limits.
“Pros: very quiet. Neighborhoods are older so they have mature trees. No HOA and outside of Springs city limits. Large backyards and lots of...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2024Recent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 2,478 business locations in the Colorado Springs area, employing about 45,390 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident is frustrated that job listings on Indeed pay less than their current job.
“I'm at my wits-end with my current job. I've been looking at Indeed for some time now and all of these jobs pay less than what I make.. What gives?? Are...”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2024One resident works over 65 hours a week at $19 per hour and was able to buy a $380k home comfortably.
“I make $19/hr but work 65+hrs a week with overtime. I was able to buy a 380k home and live comfortably.”
Read the full commentPosted March 2024Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
What residents said in a local survey
From the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey.
- 72% of residents were satisfied with the number of City parks.
- 69% of residents were satisfied with biking and hiking trails.
- 60% of residents were satisfied with snow removal on major City streets.
Around Colorado Springs
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Colorado Springs area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Colorado Springs area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
Costs of moving here
What rent costs
Of about 94,577 rented homes in the Colorado Springs area, 73% rent for under $2,000 a month and 97% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Colorado Springs area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $3,000 to $3,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $4,500 to $5,997 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,500 to $1,999, that's a yearly income of about $54,000 to $71,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to Colorado: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Colorado DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Colorado voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Schools and childcare
Schools
15 public school districts in this county, with about 117,296 students in all. The county also has 36 public charter schools and 18 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.
Closest public schools to the center of Colorado Springs
Straight-line miles from the center of Colorado Springs, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on Colorado's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.
Public school districts in the county
School choice and pre-K in Colorado
School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
Colorado keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $350/week about $18,200 a year | $242/week about $12,600 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $300/week about $15,600 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $266/week about $13,800 a year | $214/week about $11,100 a year |
| School-age | $148/week about $7,700 a year |
For an infant at a center: $350/week here, $361 across CO, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 18% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
5 colleges in the county around Colorado Springs. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.