This month we are continuing with one of my favorite series. I am once again taking an in depth look at the best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs to live. This will be my third article in my best neighborhoods in the Colorado Springs area series with four more guides to come. This time we are looking at Old Colorado City or OCC as the locals affectionately call it. I will take you through everything a prospective home buyer or visitor might want to know about this historic part of Colorado Springs.  If you are interested in learning more about neighborhoods in Colorado Springs feel free to check out my other blog articles on Briargate y Northgate and check back for my future articles about other fantastic neighborhoods in Colorado.

Where is Old Colorado City?

First things first, where is Old Colorado City located? Old Colorado City is located just west of downtown Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak. The easiest way to access Old Colorado City is via West Colorado Avenue which is west of Interstate 25. It is about a 20 minute drive from the Colorado Springs Airport and a less than 5 minute drive from the Red Rock Canyon city preserve. This neighborhood’s location is perfect for anyone looking for a walkable city feel with gorgeous nature parks right around the corner. The convenient shopping center provides something for everyone. 

School District

Old Colorado city is located in Colorado Springs school district 11. The schools in Old Colorado City are full of diverse perspectives and passionate people. With a low student to teacher ratio you can feel confident that your child will be getting a personalized education.

Night Life

While old might be in the name, Old Colorado City is anything but a sleepy mountain town. Historically, Old Colorado City has always been overflowing with activity going back to the time of the gold rush when it was known for its saloons and other forms of entertainment. In the present day, the Old Colorado City shopping district has a multitude of restaurants, sports bars and lounges, making it easy to have a romantic night on the town or a wild night out. In addition to the many options for Old Colorado City dining and drinks, there are events happening all the time. There is always something happening in the Old Colorado City market, from live music, to the Old Colorado City Fall Festival to the upcoming Christmas Stroll. Old Colorado City has a rich history of being a vibrant town with something for everyone and it lives up to that reputation to this day. 

Public Services

Of course there are many fun attractions in Old Colorado City, but what about the more practical things a person living there might need? Old Colorado City offers public libraries to its residents including the historic Carnegie Public Library located in the center of the area very near the Old Colorado City Historical Society & History Center. There are also 2 hospitals nearby and a post office located near the town center as well. 

Other Recreation

You have already read about so many fun things to do in Old Colorado City, how could there possibly be even more? Well I haven’t even gotten to the history behind Old Colorado City or the outdoor activities which all Colorado Residents love. An interesting fact about Old Colorado City is that it was once the capital of Colorado. Its time as the state capital was short, but the town is still filled with a rich history as it is one of the oldest settlements in Colorado. Stop by the Old Colorado City history center museum to learn more about the history of this place.  

Additionally, as I mentioned before, Old Colorado City is incredibly close to the Red Rock Canyon Open Space City Preserve. If you are a nature lover, getting out and exploring this beautiful natural landscape is something you cannot miss. Not to mention the proximity to Pikes Peak. If you are a fan of hiking, mountain biking, or just spectacular views Pikes Peak is a must see stop for anyone in Old Colorado City. 

Conclusions

In my opinion Old Colorado City is a great place to visit and a fun place to live. With all the benefits of a walkable city and all the open space of a Colorado mountain town, what is not to love? Old Colorado City is a beautiful, vibrant and artistic city where anyone could be happy living.

Buying a house with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or longtime partner can be an exciting and life-changing decision with financial benefits for both of you. However, it is important to consider all aspects of this type of purchase, including the potential risks, as well as the requirements for obtaining a mortgage. In this article we will take a look at some of the potential benefits and risks to buying a house together before marriage. 

One of the main benefits of buying a house before marriage is the ability to share the financial burden of homeownership. Instead of shouldering the entire cost of a home on your own, you and your partner can split the mortgage payment and other expenses, making home ownership more affordable for both of you. Additionally, buying a home together can be a great way to build financial stability and investment for the future.

Another factor to consider when buying a house with your girlfriend, your boyfriend or anyone you are not married to is the requirement for a mortgage. In most cases, you will need to qualify for a mortgage on your own, regardless of whether you are married or not. This means that each person will need to have a good credit score and enough income to support the mortgage payment, even if only one person is listed on the mortgage. In some cases, it may be possible for one person to be the primary homeowner and the other to be a co-signer, but this will depend on the specific requirements of the lender and the nature of your relationship. Your experienced realtor should be able to give you suggestions of several different lenders for you to check out and see what is the right fit for you. 

However, there are also a number of risks to consider when buying a house before marriage. The biggest risk is that if you and your partner break up, it can be difficult to determine who will get to keep the home and how any equity will be divided. This can be especially complicated if one person has contributed more to the mortgage payments or renovation costs than the other. Additionally, if one person passes away, their share of the home may pass on to their next of kin, leaving the surviving partner with an uncertain future.

If it cannot be determined who owns a property with a shared mortgage, the ownership of the property will be determined by the laws of the jurisdiction where the property is located. These laws may vary from state to state, but they generally fall into one of two categories: title theory states or lien theory states.

In title theory states, the bank or mortgage company holds the title of the property until the mortgage is paid in full. In title theory states the lender holds the title to the property in the name of the borrower through a Deed of Trust. When the loan is paid in full, a Deed of Reconveyance is issued by the lender and this creates a clear title of the property. In lien theory states, the bank or mortgage company holds a lien against the property and never retains title to the property. In this case, the deed stays with the borrower and the lender has a lien on the property using a mortgage. When the loan is paid in full, the lien ends.

In a case where ownership cannot be determined, the parties involved may need to go to court to resolve the matter. This can be a costly and time-consuming process, and the outcome is uncertain. In some cases, the court may order the sale of the property to pay off the mortgage, with the proceeds being divided among the parties.

To avoid such a situation, it is important for co-borrowers to have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities with regards to the property and mortgage before they sign any agreements. They may also want to consider having a written agreement in place that spells out the ownership arrangements and outlines what will happen in the event of a dispute. 

When it comes to buying a house before marriage, it is important to have a clear understanding of your financial goals and priorities. This can help to ensure that both partners are on the same page and that the purchase is aligned with your shared vision for the future. Additionally, it may be helpful to work with a financial advisor or real estate agent to understand the full range of options available to you. By doing so, you can help to ensure that your home buying experience is a successful one.

Para continuar con esta serie, exploraré más vecindarios en el área de Colorado Springs. Como ya sabrás, Colorado Springs es una ciudad única con muchos lugares interesantes para visitar y vivir. Esta semana me enfocaré en otro de mis vecindarios favoritos: Northgate. 

Location

Northgate is located in the northern part of Colorado Springs. For those of you that read the last issue and know about Briargate, Northgate is north of the Briargate area, in fact, it’s named for the closeness to the Northgate of the United States Air Force Academy. The area is in the 80921 zip code. This neighborhood has been developing quickly in the recent years. In Northgate you will find larger, newer homes in close proximity to a wide variety of entertainment, restaurants and shopping. This neighborhood has easy access to the major roadways. You can easily get to Interstate-25, Powers Blvd, and Highway 83.

School District

Northgate is located within the very popular Academy School District 20.  Academy School District 20 continues to be one of the most sought-after school districts in Colorado Springs.

Night Life

Northgate is a fast growing area that offers a wide range of entertainment, shopping and restaurants. It’s easy to see why this neighborhood is quickly becoming a top favorite in Colorado Springs. From having two locations for movie theaters to boasting the popular Top Golf, Overdrive Raceway (Indoor Kart Racing), Bass Pro Shop and Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers (a wonderful venue to see an event or concert) you will not have to look far to find a fun activity to participate in. In fact, even the Scheel’s department store is a place for entertainment as inside you will find a 65 foot ferris wheel and 16,000 gallon saltwater aquarium tank that is definitely worth a visit. Northgate is only about 15-20 minutes from downtown, so if you do have a desire for a night out in downtown, it is very easy to hop on I-25 and be in the middle of Colorado Springs in no time at all. Another positive to living on the north side of Colorado Springs is being that much closer to heading north to Denver. Hop on I-25, head north and you will be in Denver in a short time; however, with all of the fun places to visit in Northgate, you will hardly have the desire to go anywhere else.

Other Recreation

You may already know that another one of my favorite things to do is to find a good hiking trail.  If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my other blog article about the best hikes in Colorado Springs. Now, you may have heard about the Santa Fe Trail… but did you know you can access this trail from the Northgate area? It is a unique entrance that can be found as you go through a tunnel underneath I-25. Be careful in the winter months, as there tends to be a good deal of ice and snow in the tunnel. This is another adventure that I highly recommend whether you are in the mood for a hike or bike ride, the Santa Fe Trail is always a good one!

Northgate is also where you can find The Club at Flying Horse. Flying Horse has a legendary private 18-hole golf course. You can also find fabulous dining, athletic club and a spa at Flying Horse. As a guest of the lodge, you have access to these services.

If Flying Horse isn’t the place for you, how about The Great Wolf Lodge? Also located in Northgate, this hotel and indoor water park is surely to be a hit with the kids and a place you will want to return for vacations, or a stay-cation, for many years to come. At the Great Wolf Lodge you are literally steps from more fun activities such as laser tag, bowling and movies at The Summit Interquest.

Did I mention the restaurants in the Northgate area? You may have heard about the Grand Openings of In-N-Out Burger and Whataburger… It’s all true… people were waiting in the drive thru lines for hours and hours as the lines wrapped around the block. There are at least 5 fabulous places to stop for a great hamburger in the Northgate area, plus you can find just about any type of food you’re craving. As I said before, you won’t have to look far to find many fun activities in Northgate.

Conclusion

Northgate is an incredible place to live or visit and growing in popularity everyday. Having lived in Northgate for more than several years myself, I highly recommend this neighborhood in the northern part of Colorado Springs. You will find great people, great food and great entertainment.