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Short Profiles of Reader Requested
Towns
In their search for a great retirement
spot, readers ask us to profile all kinds of towns, from the places they
grew up or attended college to places they have visited in their travels
or just heard about from other people. This page is where we
address these profile requests.
Woodland Park, Colorado
11/26/2009
Woodland
Park (population 7,500) is a cute town nestled in the Rocky Mountains
about 15 miles to the west of Colorado Springs, Colorado (population
376,000) and on the back side of Pikes Peak. It is surrounded by
protected national forest, sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet and is a
non-commercialized, laid-back mountain community. Crime
is nearly non-existent, and outdoor recreation is abundant
(cross-skiing, hiking, camping, etc.).
The average cost of
living meets the national average, but the average
home price is $232,000, above the national average.
Homes
are eclectic (few cookie cutter homes), from modest bi-levels to funky
log cabins to gorgeous, modern ski
chalets, and a good number of residences are situated outside of town on
the sides of hills, and the views of Pikes Peak are spectacular. Many
people who live in Woodland Park make the daily drive down to the
Springs for work, and the connecting road is a well-maintained primary
highway. The
new (2007) Pikes Peak Regional Hospital is small (15 beds) but provides
surgical, diagnostic and emergency care. The Teller
Senior Association provides a number of services (transportation, meals,
outings, legal aid, etc.) and operates the Woodland Park Senior Center
for those 60+.
The small downtown
is clean, modern and healthy, with a combination of well-kept shops and
some older establishments.
On the other side of the coin, shopping,
dining and other amenities are limited. There are a few
restaurants, a couple of supermarkets, a new Wal-Mart, a small movie
house and a few odds and ends stores. And because of the
elevation, Woodland Park receives quite a bit of snow, from 5 to 10
inches per month throughout the winter, and temperatures are cold, in
the teens and 20s. Summers are short and cool, with temperatures
in the 60s and 70s (but there is practically no humidity, lots of
sunshine and the air is invigorating). The entire area has been
suffering through a drought but is recovering. The elevation
might be a concern for some, and the size of the hospital might be
considered a drawback (although Colorado Springs has several large
medical facilities). Of the population, 26% is age 45 to 64,
and only 6% is age 65+.
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Colder
climate, high elevation and small hospital, but quiet and
safe with varied housing, senior services,
a beautiful mountain locale, and Colorado Springs is
just down the road.
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| Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is
published many times a month by Webwerxx, Inc., 2770 S. Elmira St., Denver, CO 80231. (303) 358-0512. Copyright ©
2006-2009. All rights reserved. Issues previous to June, 2006 were
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reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.
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publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information
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