Wondering where to live when you get orders to Colorado Springs? That question sounds simple, but in this market, living near a military base can mean very different things depending on which installation shapes your day. If you are planning a PCS move, this guide will help you compare the city’s major bases, think through commute realities, and choose a setup that fits your routine. Let’s dive in.
Why base location matters here
Colorado Springs is not a one-base town. Fort Carson is south of the city, Peterson Space Force Base is next to the airport area, Schriever Space Force Base is east of Peterson, and the U.S. Air Force Academy is on the northwest side of town.
That layout affects much more than your drive to work. It can shape when you leave home, which roads you use, how often you deal with gate traffic, and how easy it is to reach parks, errands, and weekend activities.
For many military households, the first big decision is not just whether to live on base or off base. It is which side of Colorado Springs gives you the best day-to-day rhythm.
Colorado Springs military bases at a glance
Fort Carson overview
Fort Carson is the south-side Army anchor in the region. It also has one of the clearest on-post family housing options, with single-family homes, duplexes, and townhome-style rentals for active-duty families, plus select homes for retirees and Department of Defense civilian employees.
If you expect to spend a lot of time going on and off post, gate access matters. Fort Carson has a mix of 24/7 gates and limited-hours gates, so your route home may depend on the time of day.
Peterson Space Force Base overview
Peterson Space Force Base sits in Colorado Springs at 6,035 feet and shares runways with the Colorado Springs Airport. That airport-adjacent location makes the east and southeast parts of the city a natural fit for many households assigned there.
Peterson also uses privatized housing and has resident advocacy resources in place. That gives on-base residents a structured support system while still connecting the installation to the larger local housing market.
Schriever Space Force Base overview
Schriever sits about 10 miles east of Peterson. It was intentionally placed away from population centers, which means living near Schriever often comes with a more car-oriented routine.
If your workdays center on Schriever, your housing search may look different from someone assigned to a more centrally located installation. Being east of town can save time and reduce stress compared with commuting from the opposite side of Colorado Springs.
U.S. Air Force Academy overview
The Air Force Academy stretches across 18,500 acres on the northwest side of Colorado Springs. Its scale and location make north-side living an obvious starting point for many Academy households.
The Academy also uses privatized family housing and has ongoing resident support through its housing advocate. For buyers and renters, that means you are comparing a distinct on-base option with off-base neighborhoods that line up better with north-side access.
On-base, near-base, or across town?
On-base living
On-base housing can be the best fit if you want the shortest commute possible and a more structured support system. In Colorado Springs, that option exists at Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, and the Air Force Academy, but each installation manages housing a little differently.
That difference matters. Your experience may vary based on the branch, housing provider, and the specific resident resources available at that installation.
Near-base living
Near-base living often gives you a balance between convenience and housing choice. You stay close to the gate while opening up more options in the civilian market, whether you want a single-family home, townhome, or a different layout than what is available on base.
For many PCS households, this is the sweet spot. You can keep your drive manageable without limiting yourself to one housing system.
Across-town living
Across-town living can still work, but it is usually a more intentional tradeoff in Colorado Springs. Some households choose it for a different price point, more space, or a certain feel, but the city’s base locations are not interchangeable.
A home that works well for an Academy commute may not feel practical for Schriever. The farther you are from your installation’s side of town, the more important your daily route becomes.
Gate access can shape your routine
In Colorado Springs, gate access is not a small detail. It is part of how you plan your mornings, evenings, and guest visits.
Fort Carson currently uses a mix of 24/7 and limited-hours gates. Gate 1, Gate 3, and Gate 20 are open around the clock, while some other gates have restricted hours and some are closed.
Peterson and Schriever tightened visitor access on January 2, 2025. The Trusted Traveler program was suspended, and all visitors now need a base pass. Peterson’s West Gate is open 24/7, while some other gates have more limited access.
The Air Force Academy also suspended Trusted Traveler procedures for visitors, with entry routed through the North Gate and access tied to current pass procedures. For your household, that means commute planning should include gate location and access rules, not just map distance.
Matching your home search to each base
Best fit for Fort Carson households
If you are assigned to Fort Carson, the south side of Colorado Springs is often the most practical place to begin your search. That is especially true if you want simpler access to post and less daily backtracking through the city.
Fort Carson households also have a strong on-base housing structure to compare against off-base options. If your priority is convenience, start there and then weigh whether nearby civilian housing gives you more of what you want.
Best fit for Peterson households
For Peterson, the east and southeast sides of the city usually make the most sense. Since Peterson is tied closely to the airport area and has gate patterns that favor that side of town, many households find those areas easier for weekday routines.
If you are considering a home far north or far west, think carefully about how that drive will feel during a normal workweek. A house can check every box on paper and still be the wrong fit if the commute wears you down.
Best fit for Schriever households
For Schriever, east-side living usually lines up best. Because the base sits farther out and rewards a car-oriented setup, reducing your daily distance can make a noticeable difference.
This is one of the clearest examples of why “Colorado Springs military housing” is not one single category. A great location for one assignment may feel too far removed for another.
Best fit for Academy households
For the Air Force Academy, north and northwest Colorado Springs are the most natural places to start. The Academy’s access procedures route visitors through the North Gate, and its location off I-25 Exit 156 reinforces how important north-side alignment can be.
If outdoor access matters to you, this part of town may also appeal for lifestyle reasons. Still, the practical part comes first: shorter, simpler access often makes a PCS transition smoother.
Lifestyle matters after the workday ends
A big part of living near Colorado Springs military bases is what happens when the duty day is over. The city’s parks system spans 18,675 acres of park land, 326 miles of trails, 137 playgrounds, and more than 22.5 million visits in 2025.
That scale gives you real options for everyday life. After-work walks, bike rides, playground stops, and weekend hikes are not hard to find here.
Garden of the Gods is one of the best-known examples. It is a free 1,341.3-acre city-owned National Natural Landmark with a free visitor center, paved and unpaved paths, and views of Pikes Peak.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is another free option with hiking, mountain biking, climbing routes, off-leash dog loops, and Front Range views. For many military families, easy access to places like these becomes an important quality-of-life factor when choosing where to live.
Don’t forget the altitude factor
Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, and that can take some adjustment if you are arriving from a lower elevation. Even before you settle into a commute or unpack every box, you may notice that everyday routines feel a little different.
That is normal. If you are planning a move here, it helps to give yourself a little margin in the first few weeks while your household adjusts to the elevation and the new layout of the city.
Pikes Peak also stays close enough for a memorable day trip once you are settled. Its Summit Visitor Center sits at 14,115 feet, which is a reminder that the local outdoor lifestyle is part of what makes this area unique.
A simple way to narrow your decision
If you are feeling torn between multiple parts of town, start with the basics. Focus first on your installation, your likely gate, and how much commute time you want to absorb each day.
Then compare your options through three simple lenses:
- On-base for the shortest commute and built-in resident support
- Near-base for convenience plus more off-base housing choice
- Across-town for a more deliberate tradeoff involving space, price point, or a different setting
That framework can help you make a calmer, clearer decision. In Colorado Springs, the right home is not just about the house itself. It is about how well the location supports your everyday routine.
If you are preparing for a PCS move, a local plan can make the process feel much more manageable. Leslie Neumann offers practical, step-by-step relocation support to help you compare areas, think through commute tradeoffs, and move forward with more confidence.
FAQs
What is the best side of Colorado Springs for Fort Carson?
- Fort Carson is on the south side of Colorado Springs, so south-side living is often the most practical starting point for commute and gate access.
What areas make the most sense for Peterson Space Force Base?
- Peterson is airport-adjacent, and the east and southeast parts of Colorado Springs usually line up best with its access patterns and daily commute needs.
Is Schriever Space Force Base harder to commute to?
- Schriever sits east of Peterson and away from population centers, so it often works best with an east-side, car-oriented routine.
What should Air Force Academy households know about location?
- The Academy is on the northwest side of Colorado Springs, and north-side living usually fits best with its gate access and daily travel patterns.
Is on-base housing available near Colorado Springs military bases?
- Yes. Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, and the Air Force Academy all have on-base or privatized family housing options, though each installation manages housing a bit differently.
Why does gate access matter when choosing a home in Colorado Springs?
- Gate hours, visitor pass rules, and 24/7 access points can affect your commute, errands, and guest visits, so they are an important part of choosing the right location.
What lifestyle benefits come with living in Colorado Springs?
- Colorado Springs offers extensive outdoor access, including 18,675 acres of park land, 326 miles of trails, major parks like Garden of the Gods, and easy weekend access to Pikes Peak.
