Everyone has their own favorite cities, and liveability is in the eyes of the beholder. This goes well with Colorado Springs, which was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by Money magazine in 2006, placed number one in Outside's 2009 list of America's Best Cities, no. 19 of 2010 Best Cities Overall Rank by Parenting.com and finally came in third as one of the "Best Cities for Relocating Families" by relocateamerica.com. Such lists make Colorado homes for sale enticing for home buyers.

As a relocation option, Colorado Springs ranks positively on traditional factors such as tax rates, average home cost, and home appreciation, along with variables that affect quality of life and cost of living after a move. These variables include the ability to qualify in in-state tuition, service levels of local utilities, volunteerism, and auto taxes.

Affordable Housing. The City provides funding and technical assistance to organizations to support the preservation and creation of affordable housing. Forms of funding include grants (in limited cases) and low-interest loans for projects, direct rental assistance (through the local Housing Authority and ESM) and technical assistance. Technical assistance includes assistance to other organizations in structuring projects, management assistance, program review, etc.

Housing Rehabilitation. The Housing Development Division receives Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In turn, the City provides low or no interest loans available to qualified customers for eligible Colorado Springs real estate and home rehabilitation.

Business-friendly. The Economic Development division wants to help new businesses relocate in Colorado Springs and existing businesses stay in business and expand. Meanwhile, for a business license, the City Clerk's Office can help. For a contractor's licenses, the Development Review Enterprise can help. The Revenue and Collections Division can further help local businesses determine their City sales and use taxes.

Metro Rides. The Mountain Metropolitan Transit provides public transportation with fixed route service access to the greater Colorado Springs community via a variety of route and fare options. Metro Rides also have alternative commuting assistance such as carpool matching, school pools and vanpools. Meanwhile, the Ute Pass Express daily commuter bus is servicing along Hwy 24 to and from Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park.

Jobs. Manufacturers, high-tech and software companies, non-profit organizations, and a multitude of other businesses have assembled in the area. As a result, tens of thousands of highly educated and technically skilled newcomers are seeking the quality of life and recreational opportunities available to residents. Colorado Springs sources of labor include former military personnel, military dependents, retirees, college students, and commuters from other Colorado cities.

Culture and Arts. The city is experiencing something of a cultural resurgence, too. Colorado College's ten-month-old, $33 million performing-arts center has begun drawing national classical music and dance groups, and this year the city launched its own roots-and-blues festival, Meadowgrass. But you don't come to the Front Range for the music. You come for 14,117-foot Pikes Peak (directly above town); the Arkansas's Class IV rapids (two hours west); world-class athletic facilities (Carmichael Training Systems is based here); and 260miles of multisport trails available within a ten-mile radius.