Colorado Springs Among Top Metros to Live

Colorado Springs has a lot to offer as a great place to live. As our region continues to grow, more people are discovering just how easy it is to call this place home. U.S. News & World Report has recently released their annual ranking of the best places to live in the United States. Of the Top 100 Metro areas, Colorado Springs was ranked number 11, scoring 7.1 out of 10 points possible.

The methodology used to rank the top 100 metro regions covered a wide range of categories to get a big picture look at why people live where they do. Data pulled from various sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Dept. of Labor, was used within 5 key categories which were deemed the top amenities or benefits people are looking for when considering a move. These categories were determined through a public survey completed by U.S. News & World Report in order to rank American metros based on American preferences.

The 5 categories listed in ranking of most importance are:

Quality of Life Index (30%)

Value Index (25%)

Job Market Index (20%)

Desirability Index (15%)

Net Migration (10%)

Colorado Springs Scoring is as follows (out of 10 possible points in each category:

Quality of Life Index  6.6

Value Index  7.2

Job Market Index  7.0

Desirability Index  8.2

Net Migration  6.8

So, what does all this really mean? Simply stated, Colorado Springs is a desirable place to live for a

variety of people with different lifestyles, the military and students being two larger groups which have long been attracted here. This is an area with a wide range of natural habitat, ideal for those who love to live closer to nature, and anyone who enjoys an active, recreational life. Combine a strong economy and lower cost of living compared to larger metros, such as Denver, and you have a wonderful place to call home. Colorado Springs is a city with big town amenities and small town community connections, which is highly appealing to many families.

U.S. News & World Report has provided a thoughtful, intelligent and beneficial study of each metro listed in their Top 100 Metros list. Under the Colorado Springs “snapshot” you can see some basic statistics such as average salary ($47,600) and median home price ($228,431), as well as a great value index which reflects the cost of living here, and more. With our 7.2 score in this category, we fare better than other metros of similar size. If you are thinking of moving here, this report is a great place to start learning more about Colorado Springs, an incredible place to live.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the community and local market provides you with the ideal resource for all your real estate needs. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, and the results. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Colorado Springs Rated 3rd Health-Conscious Metro in the U.S.

One overriding attraction to live in Colorado Springs is the wide variety of options and resources we have when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. With all of our outdoor recreation opportunities, alongside incredible local foods and high quality healthcare services, it’s easy to live life well here, and our residents agree; so much so that Colorado Springs was rated as the 3^rd most health-conscious metro area in the United States in a recent survey completed by ValuePenguin, a personal finance organization.

Their latest survey focused on the best and the worst cities for healthy living across the nation. Key data was gathered on 17 categories such as availability of farmer’s markets, cost of food, exercise standards, and obesity rates. The survey included 98 metro areas, with 9 of the top 10 being in the West, and Colorado being home three top cities overall. Besides our number 3 rank, Denver came in 8^th place, and Aurora at 19^th. The number one city rating went to Portland, Oregon.

The survey was done to help provide a more in-depth look at where people have a greater support network in place to live a healthy lifestyle. When local government, area organizations, and nonprofits help promote healthier living, it’s easier for residents to make the choice to do so. From the survey results, the biggest scoring factors used in order of importance were: Per-capita access to active oriented amenities, access to quality, affordable foods, clean environmental factors, and the health habits of residents in each city.

Colorado Springs ranked 47^th for active amenities, 13^th for food, 6^th for environmental, and 2^nd for residential health habits, which is no surprise considering that the residents of Colorado Springs have enjoyed recreational activities and delicious farm fresh foods for a long time.

While our number 3 rating is a great thing, and no real surprise with all that our area has to offer, ValuePenguin did note there were some fluctuations in the data available for them to use, city to city. They site 7 different resources, and are upfront that their analysis should be used as a great starting point if you are looking for a healthy place to live. Ultimately, a look to the people and resources of a community can tell you if it’s a healthy place or not, and Colorado Springs is just such a place.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the community and local market provides you with the ideal resource for all your real estate needs. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process and the results. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Integrate Affordable Energy Solutions with a Beautiful Solar Roof

 Now that electric cars are gaining in momentum, Tesla, a leader in innovative energy solutions, has turned its attention towards home solar energy. Tesla recently announced their newest line of products, which includes the Tesla Solar Roof. Working in partnership with Solar City, these beautiful shingles will change the look of solar operated homes, for the better.

 Tesla and Solar City came together to create this new home design product for several reasons. First and foremost, is to further lessen our carbon footprint on a larger scale. This is a similar approach which spurred the latest improvements to electric cars, and better access to charging stations, including at home. These innovations have begun to help improve our air quality, while giving people top quality, reliable cars, with a great Return on Investment as well. Now it is time to take it a step further.

The idea was to help make home solar energy products not only look better, but to also come up with cost effective solutions which can help an idea like this go viral. This is said to be doable, as the Tesla Solar Roof is better insulated, costs less than a standard roof (and the cost of electricity, too), generates electricity effectively, and lasts longer. These ideas are how Tesla is seeking to fulfill its mission to help accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. With their new solar roof, homes can be beautiful, affordable, and integrated; as Tesla puts it, if you have these things at home, why would you do it any other way?

These new solar roof shingles are made of tempered glass with a colored louver film adhered to the

underside. This allows the solar panels below to readily absorb the sun’s energy. From street level, all you see is roof tiles. According to information Tesla has released about the shingles, the glass is considered to have a quasi-infinite lifetime. That is to say, the quartz-based glass is super-resistant to the weather, and as such are expected to last a lifetime.

Another incredible feature of the Solar Roof Shingles is the option of fitting them with heating elements, perfect for areas with a lot of snow, such as Colorado Springs. Imagine being able to keep your roof clear when the snow accumulates. This will extend the number of accessible winter hours for energy storage on any home in the region. There are 4 classic styles to choose from to help ensure a beautiful new roof homeowners are sure to love.

Speaking of energy storage, the Tesla Solar Roofs can not only heat your home and power your appliances, you can store energy overflow, which can also be used to charge your electric car. This is one of the main goals which Tesla is aiming to help the world achieve when it comes to utilizing solar energy on a grand scale. In short, their idea is to provide at-home power generation, with power storage options which will encourage more use of eco-friendly electric cars.

If you have been interested in solar energy for your home, this could be a great way to do it. I highly recommend checking out the details, including a great video of the Tesla Solar Roof Announcement; then you can decide if this the right solution for you, too.  It is possible, as these roofs begin to be installed in communities, more buyers will be intrigued by them as well, and search for listings with a Tesla Solar Roof.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the latest in housing innovations and the local market will provide you with the ideal resource. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, and the results. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

February Festival Fun Around Central Colorado

Central Colorado around Colorado Springs, is full of fun, family friendly events year-round. February is all about celebrating the natural beauty of the region, and our love of life and great food. We don’t let these last weeks of winter get us down or keep us inside. With the amazing events we have this month, it is easy to get out and make connections, with loved ones, new friends and our communities. Listed below are just some of the exciting things you can experience around here in February.

Enjoy a special arts event, and watch as spectacular creations of ice come to life right before your eyes at the 10^th Annual Cripple Creek Ice Festival, being held February 11^th- 19^th. Ice sculptors will compete to make their best Safari on Ice art, this year’s theme for the competition. Festival goers, especially kids, will have a lot of fun climbing around the huge interactive ice sculptures.  There will also be an ice maze, ice slide and a variety of carnival games, fun for all ages.

Get started on your Valentine’s Day celebration early on February 11^th, with another annual tradition. The 15^th Annual Chocolate/Art Walk in Canon City is sure to delight any chocolate lover. Stroll along the historical downtown shops of Canon City, stop in and taste some incredible, scrumptious chocolate treats. Your ticket to the walk includes admission, a bar of chocolate and a chance to win some prizes, including Charity Chairs, artfully decorated chairs which will auctioned off to help raise funds for CASA and the Music Bloom Festival in Canon City.

Spend some time in the beauty of the great outdoors. This region is full of majestic beauty, including the stunning Garden of the Gods. This free admission park will be celebrating the return of the Bighorn Sheep to the area, with their Bighorn Sheep Day, set for February 11^th. There will be special presentations, free cookies and hot cider and door prizes as visitors search for bighorn with high-powered telescopes. This is an incredible family day, for all ages.

Get in the festive mood as we approach Mardi Gras, with the ever- popular Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook Off & Carnivale Parade, coming up February 25^th. This is one community event you won’t want to miss. All day amateur and professional chefs go head to head to find out who makes the best Gumbo, and festival-goers get to enjoy the results! After the completion, join the festivities and wackiness of the Manitou Carnivale Parade, the perfect way to step out for Mardi Gras fun

I love Colorado Springs and the region and am passionate about our community, and my clients. When you are ready to sell, or buy your home, working with a Realtor who is passionate about how they can help you, will make the process easier and a pleasure. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.