What Are the Best Military-Friendly Neighborhoods in Colorado Springs? Top 10

What Makes a Colorado Springs Neighborhood Military-Friendly?

Quick Answer: The best Colorado Springs military-friendly neighborhoods combine short base commutes (under 25 minutes), strong schools, active military spouse networks, and proven resale to PCS families. Top choices: Security-Widefield, Fountain, Briargate, Black Forest, and Powers Corridor. But optimal neighborhood depends on YOUR base assignment, family situation, and PCS timeline.

Discuss your Colorado Springs situation: Book a free call at https://askweldonhobbs.com (20+ years serving El Paso County families)

In my 20+ years helping hundreds of families navigate Colorado Springs real estate, I've worked as a Certified Financial Coach specializing in military transitions. I'm Weldon Hobbs, and as a United States Air Force Academy graduate who's navigated military transitions personally, I understand both the emotional and logistical complexity. Most military families approach neighborhood selection backwards—they focus on commute time when they should evaluate the complete military lifestyle fit.

This analysis ranks the top 10 Colorado Springs military-friendly neighborhoods using criteria that actually matter for military families: not just proximity to base, but school quality, deployment support infrastructure, and resale value to the next PCS family.

Why "Military-Friendly" Means More Than "Close to Base"

I see this pattern constantly: military families narrow their search to neighborhoods within 15 minutes of Peterson Space Force Base, Fort Carson, or the Air Force Academy. They find a house, buy it, then discover six months later that the neighborhood lacks the military community support they assumed would exist.

Here's what actually makes a Colorado Springs neighborhood military-friendly:

• Base proximity: Reasonable commute (under 25-30 minutes) to primary duty station
• Military concentration: 15-40% military families (creates community without creating dependency)
• School quality: Districts with strong academic performance and military-friendly policies
• Deployment support: Established military spouse networks and support infrastructure
• Resale to military: Proven track record selling to incoming PCS families
• Family infrastructure: Access to childcare, medical facilities, shopping
• Housing supply: Sufficient inventory at military-affordable price points

Notice: commute is just ONE factor. The neighborhoods ranked below excel across MULTIPLE dimensions.

The 10 Best Colorado Springs Military-Friendly Neighborhoods

These rankings reflect 20+ years of data on where military families actually thrive in Colorado Springs—not just where they buy.

1. Security-Widefield

Best for: Peterson SFB and Schriever SFB families

• Commute: 10-15 minutes to Peterson SFB, 20-25 minutes to Schriever
• Military concentration: 35-40% (highest in region)
• Median price: $340,000-$425,000 (as of Q4 2024)
• Schools: Widefield School District 3—improving test scores, strong military family support
• Advantage: Largest established military community, fastest resale to incoming PCS families
• Consideration: South of Colorado Springs proper—commute to Academy or Fort Carson is longer

Why it ranks #1: If you're assigned to Peterson or Schriever, Security-Widefield offers the complete package—short commute, strong military network, and you'll have no problem selling when you PCS.

2. Fountain

Best for: Fort Carson families

• Commute: 5-12 minutes to Fort Carson gates
• Military concentration: 30-35%
• Median price: $320,000-$410,000
• Schools: Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8—specifically designed for military families
• Advantage: Closest to Fort Carson, schools understand deployment cycles
• Consideration: Smaller town feel, fewer dining/entertainment options than north Colorado Springs

Why it ranks #2: Fort Carson families prioritize this area for good reason—the school district understands military life better than any other in El Paso County.

3. Briargate (North Colorado Springs)

Best for: Air Force Academy staff/faculty and Peterson families wanting newer neighborhoods

• Commute: 15-20 minutes to AFA, 20-25 minutes to Peterson
• Military concentration: 20-25% (mixed with civilian families)
• Median price: $425,000-$575,000
• Schools: Academy School District 20—top-rated in region
• Advantage: Excellent schools, newer construction, strong resale to civilians AND military
• Consideration: Higher price point, less concentrated military community

Why it ranks #3: If you can afford the premium, Briargate offers the best schools in Colorado Springs plus flexibility—you can sell to military OR civilian buyers when you PCS.

4. Black Forest

Best for: Families wanting acreage and privacy, any base

• Commute: 20-30 minutes to Peterson/Schriever, 30-40 minutes to Fort Carson
• Military concentration: 15-20% (lower density)
• Median price: $475,000-$700,000 (larger lots)
• Schools: Academy District 20 (Lewis-Palmer specifically)
• Advantage: Large lots (1-5 acres), rural feel while remaining accessible, excellent schools
• Consideration: Longer commutes, wildfire risk requires mitigation, slower resale

Why it ranks #4: Not for everyone, but military families who want space and are willing to commute love Black Forest. Resale is slower but values hold steady.

5. Powers Corridor (Central-East)

Best for: Peterson/Schriever families wanting central location

• Commute: 15-20 minutes to Peterson, 25-30 minutes to Schriever
• Military concentration: 25-30%
• Median price: $350,000-$475,000
• Schools: Mixed districts (D20 north of Woodmen, D11 south)
• Advantage: Central location, newer construction (2000s-2010s), good shopping/dining access
• Consideration: Check school boundaries carefully—quality varies significantly

Why it ranks #5: The Powers Corridor offers the "Goldilocks" option—not too far from bases, not too expensive, not too isolated. Just verify which school district.

Navigating Colorado Springs neighborhood selection requires both understanding El Paso County procedures and knowing the local market. With 20+ years helping families through this transition here, I've seen every scenario. Book a free 30-minute Transition Strategy Call to discuss your specific situation.

6. Falcon/Peyton

Best for: Schriever SFB families wanting newer construction and value

• Commute: 25-30 minutes to Schriever, 35-40 minutes to Peterson
• Military concentration: 20-25%
• Median price: $375,000-$475,000
• Schools: Falcon School District 49—solid academics, growing military family presence
• Advantage: Newer communities, good value per square foot, fast-growing area
• Consideration: Further from Colorado Springs amenities, limited dining/entertainment locally

Why it ranks #6: Schriever families often choose Falcon for the combination of newness and affordability. Just understand you're trading convenience for value.

7. Woodmen Hills/Rockrimmon

Best for: Mixed military and civilian seeking central location with mountain views

• Commute: 20-25 minutes to AFA/Peterson, 35-40 minutes to Fort Carson
• Military concentration: 15-20% (lower than southern areas)
• Median price: $400,000-$550,000
• Schools: Academy District 20
• Advantage: Central location, mountain views, strong resale to civilians
• Consideration: Lower military concentration, higher prices, variable lot sizes

Why it ranks #7: Good compromise for military families who want to integrate more with civilian community while maintaining reasonable base access.

8. Cimarron Hills

Best for: Budget-conscious families, Peterson/Schriever assignments

• Commute: 15-20 minutes to Peterson, 30-35 minutes to Schriever
• Military concentration: 25-30%
• Median price: $285,000-$375,000 (most affordable on list)
• Schools: Harrison School District 2 (improving but variable)
• Advantage: Most affordable option with reasonable commute, established military presence
• Consideration: Older housing stock, school quality is improving but check specific schools

Why it ranks #8: If BAH is tight and you need affordability with base proximity, Cimarron Hills delivers. Just research specific schools carefully.

9. Flying Horse (North)

Best for: Higher-ranking officers and dual-income military families

• Commute: 20-25 minutes to AFA, 30-35 minutes to Peterson
• Military concentration: 10-15% (lowest on list)
• Median price: $600,000-$900,000+
• Schools: Academy District 20 (Lewis-Palmer)
• Advantage: Premium community, newest construction, top-tier schools, strong resale
• Consideration: Significantly above most BAH, less military community, longer commutes

Why it ranks #9: Flying Horse is Colorado Springs' premium community. If you have the budget, schools and quality are unmatched. But you're paying for that premium.

10. Cheyenne Mountain Area (Southwest)

Best for: Fort Carson families wanting west-side location and mountain access

• Commute: 15-25 minutes to Fort Carson (depending on gate)
• Military concentration: 15-20%
• Median price: $400,000-$550,000
• Schools: Cheyenne Mountain District 12 (top-rated)
• Advantage: Excellent schools, mountain access, established neighborhoods
• Consideration: Limited inventory, higher prices, slower resale to military (appeals more to civilians)

Why it ranks #10: If you're Fort Carson and prioritize school quality plus outdoor access, Cheyenne Mountain area delivers. But inventory is limited and resale takes longer.

How to Choose Your Colorado Springs Neighborhood

These rankings provide the framework, but YOUR optimal neighborhood depends on three key variables:

Variable 1: Your Primary Duty Station

• Peterson SFB: Prioritize Security-Widefield (#1), Powers Corridor (#5), or Falcon (#6)
• Schriever SFB: Focus on Security-Widefield (#1), Falcon (#6), or Fountain (#2) if you don't mind longer commute
• Fort Carson: Fountain (#2) is obvious choice, Cheyenne Mountain (#10) for school premium
• Air Force Academy: Briargate (#3), Woodmen Hills (#7), or Black Forest (#4) for acreage

Variable 2: Your Family Situation

• Young children: Prioritize neighborhoods with top schools (Briargate #3, Cheyenne Mountain #10)
• Teenagers: Consider continuity—neighborhoods with slower turnover (Black Forest #4, Woodmen Hills #7)
• Deployed frequently: High military concentration crucial (Security-Widefield #1, Fountain #2)
• New to area: Strong support networks essential (Security-Widefield #1, Fountain #2, Powers #5)

Variable 3: Your PCS Timeline

• 2-3 year assignment: Prioritize resale to military (Security-Widefield #1, Fountain #2)
• 4+ year assignment: Can consider areas that sell to civilians (Briargate #3, Woodmen Hills #7)
• Potential permanent party: Optimize for long-term value (Briargate #3, Cheyenne Mountain #10)
• Retirement possibility: Choose neighborhoods that hold value for civilians (Black Forest #4, Flying Horse #9)

Common Colorado Springs Military Housing Mistakes

After 20+ years helping military families in El Paso County, I see these patterns:

1. Buying at maximum BAH without considering 2-3 year resale reality (you need buyers in YOUR price range)
2. Ignoring school quality because "we'll PCS before kids start school" (kids arrive faster than expected)
3. Choosing neighborhood solely on commute time (10 minutes closer to base doesn't compensate for lack of military community)
4. Not researching HOA rules on rentals (matters if you PCS and can't sell)
5. Overlooking neighborhoods because they're "too far" without actually driving the route
6. Making permanent housing decision during initial PCS stress (rent first 6-12 months if uncertain)

The BAH Question: How Much House Can You Actually Afford?

Colorado Springs BAH rates vary by rank and dependent status. As of 2024:

• E-5 with dependents: $1,749/month
• E-7 with dependents: $2,082/month
• O-3 with dependents: $2,133/month
• O-4 with dependents: $2,388/month

Here's what I've learned: you CAN find solid housing in military-friendly Colorado Springs neighborhoods at any BAH level. The question isn't "can I afford to live here?" It's "which neighborhood optimizes for my situation?"

E-5 families: Cimarron Hills (#8) and Fountain (#2) work at your BAH. Security-Widefield (#1) is possible with some out-of-pocket.

E-7/O-3 families: You have the most options—Security-Widefield (#1), Fountain (#2), Powers (#5), Falcon (#6) all work at or near BAH.

O-4+ families: You can access premium neighborhoods (Briargate #3, Black Forest #4) while staying near BAH, or go high-end (Flying Horse #9, Cheyenne Mountain #10) with additional out-of-pocket.

Key Takeaways

• Best Colorado Springs military-friendly neighborhoods combine base proximity, school quality, military community, and proven resale
• Top choices: Security-Widefield (#1) for Peterson/Schriever, Fountain (#2) for Fort Carson, Briargate (#3) for premium/schools
• Choose based on YOUR duty station, family situation, and PCS timeline—not generic rankings
• Military-friendly means more than proximity—evaluate complete lifestyle fit
• BAH can work in ANY of these neighborhoods with smart choices
• When in doubt, rent first 6-12 months to learn Colorado Springs before buying

Ready to Discuss Your Colorado Springs Situation?

Every military family's situation in Colorado Springs is unique, and your specific circumstances—whether it's Peterson Space Force Base timelines, Fort Carson deployment schedule, or Air Force Academy assignment—deserve personalized guidance from someone who knows this community.

Here's how the free 30-minute Transition Strategy Call works: We'll identify which of the 12 major life transitions you're navigating, map out how to optimize for wealth outcomes by coordinating with your local CPA/attorney/financial advisor, then figure out if real estate makes sense right now in the Colorado Springs market—and if so, exactly how to execute.

As a Colorado Springs specialist with 20+ years serving this community and as a United States Air Force Academy graduate, I personally guide clients through these transitions. Whether I represent you directly or help coordinate your overall strategy, you'll walk away with clarity.

[Book Your Free Transition Strategy Call] → https://askweldonhobbs.com

You deserve guidance from someone who knows Colorado Springs, understands transitions, and puts strategy before sales. Let's talk.

Sources

• [1] Military Housing Office - Peterson Space Force Base
• [2] El Paso County Assessor - 2024 Property Value Data
• [3] Colorado Department of Education - School District Performance Reports 2024
• [4] Defense Finance and Accounting Service - 2024 BAH Rates Colorado Springs