The cost of living in Colorado Springs - Summer edition
We are back again with yet another blog to tell you all about living in Colorado Springs.
This time, we cover the cost of living in Colorado Springs in the summer. Earlier we had written about the cost you’d incur in winter if you were living in Colorado Springs, you can read the blog here.
In the summer edition of this series, we talk about the costs that are specific to the summer season here in Colorado Springs. So let’s get started!
Water
One of the biggest costs you will incur in the summer is your utility bill. A lot of us may budget our utilities for the winter with furnaces being on for most of the season, however in the summer the costs of water and air conditioning could rise based on your usage.
Earlier we could use water the way we wanted before moving here. But after moving to Colorado Springs, we’ve been mindful of the way we use water. Even though the average utility bill is about $350 to $500, this number could go up in the summer if you are not careful.
Here are a couple of things you could do to tackle this. Make sure you check your taps and sinks for leaks as these could add up your costs leading to bills amounting to $500-700 a month. You could also save on water by turning off your sprinkler systems if it looks like it could rain. You could also invest in a rain sensor and put it on your sprinkler system so if it rains it automatically shuts the sprinklers off.
Air conditioning
Another cost many are worried about in the summers is about using air conditioning. Some of the houses may not have air conditioning, however, the new builds all have got air conditioning. In fact, the chances of finding a home in Colorado Springs with an air conditioner is 50-50. Cautiously using the air conditioner for a week in the summers, doesn’t make much of a difference to your utility bill as you won’t really feel the need to use it throughout the year. As far as the value of a house goes, adding air conditioning gives you about five to six thousand on your appraisal.
Expenses for recreation
The Colorado Springs Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country and a family pass to the zoo could cost you $230 for a whole year for your family. This cost is worth it if you have kids and would want to frequent the zoo multiple times a year.
Another area you can save on is the entry to national parks and this applies to all of Colorado. If you have a child in the fourth grade, they can apply for and get into all of the Colorado national parks for free. Since the child will obviously have an adult with them, they’ll get you in as the adult paying for the pass and you could also go camping in the national parks for free.
Pools
It isn’t too hot here as in the Midwest or the south, but if you fancy a swim, there are many pool options available if your neighbourhood doesn’t have a pool. Villa sport is a great option that you can get access to for roughly $180 for a family of five. You can either take a day pass or take a monthly membership as per your requirement. An alternate and cost-effective option would be to go to the lake for a swim.
Summer camps
If you have kids, a chunk of your costs can be attributed to kids’ summer camps. It could cost up to $600 for summer camp that lasts a full week. You may note that it may get expensive if you have more than one kid.
Your kids will have various options to choose from like the Woodland Park that offers activities like swimming, zip lining and hiking. For those who like the indoors, the fine arts camp costs around $300 for two full weeks culminating in a little production.
For the sport enthusiasts, various sports camps are available like soccer, volleyball, and basketball camps with volleyball camps costing around $170.
You can also take your kids with their scooters to the incline where they can spend some quality time for free.
Recreation
If you are looking for free recreation, Colorado Springs has plenty of things that are free to do as well. With splash pads, outdoor movie nights and concerts on Fridays and lots of breweries having live music, there are many options to choose from. The Cog railway is also another option though it may be a bit expensive.
Even though there are so many day trips that you can take, during the weekend, you can make it down to the sand dunes. From the crested butte to attending the Wildflower festival, there’s a lot to do around here. Our suggestion would be to get a hotel room for one night and spend two full days up in these mountain towns.
So those are our suggestions and recommendations for calculating the cost of living in Colorado Springs. If you’re thinking of moving to the Colorado Springs area, keep us in mind if you want to talk through your options. We can map out areas that you might like to visit and help you get an idea of the neighbourhoods too. Give us a heads up before you come or start a conversation with us about your move by giving us a call at 719-639-3393.
We are one of your top realtor groups here in the Colorado Springs area. And we love our community and helping you make Colorado Springs your home. Reach out anytime, we are here to help! 719639-3393