Meet the Springs

We've been living in Colorado Springs for two weeks, and I'm learning more and more about the area every day. Though I still have much to learn, here are a few important points I think people should know about our beautiful new home!

1. It's bigger than you might think. Colorado Springs has a population of about 440,000, so even though it sometimes gets overshadowed by Denver (population 650,000), it's still a big city. Before we moved, lots of Virginians I talked to were surprised to learn this.
2. It's closer to the sun. The Springs sits at an elevation of just over 6,000 feet. (Harrisonburg is 1,325 ft.) This means the air is thinner with less oxygen, exercise is more challenging, and sun exposure is more extreme. 
3. Relatedly, the weather is great! With over 300 days of sunshine per year, this part of Colorado boasts clear skies and bright sunshine. In the summer, we get cool mornings and cold nights. In the winter, temperatures are often mild enough for short sleeves during the middle of the day. (Or so I've heard.) And the low humidity makes for bearable heat and powdery snow.
4. The city is home to a LOT of present and former military. Not only does the Springs house the U.S. Air Force Academy, Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and Fort Carson Army Base, but a lot of veterans also move here with their families after retirement. So far this hasn't really impacted us (other than noticing that military discounts are everywhere), but I'm interested to see what this feels like.
5. Though the Rocky Mountains are starkly visible from almost any part of the city, Colorado Springs isn't actually IN the Rockies. It's on the Front Range. This means that the city is nestled up against the edge of the mountain range, making hiking super accessible but keeping temperatures mild. (Incidentally, it also makes navigating easier for those with no sense of direction, like me. If the mountains are on the left, you're facing north.)

Right now, our area is a pretty popular tourist destination. (Understandably so -- if you haven't been to visit, you really should!) I suppose that's a good thing, but I'm also looking forward to the off-season, when I can get a better sense for the personality of the locals and the city...