Living in Manitou Springs, Colorado: 7 Pros and Cons You Should Know Before Moving

Imagine waking up to incredible mountain views, walking downtown for coffee, exploring historic streets, and having some of Colorado's best hiking trails practically in your backyard.

Sounds pretty amazing, right?

Welcome to Manitou Springs, Colorado.

This charming mountain town sits just west of Colorado Springs, tucked into the foothills of Pikes Peak. With its colorful historic homes, walkable downtown, locally owned businesses, and spectacular scenery, Manitou Springs offers a lifestyle that's difficult to find anywhere else in the Pikes Peak region.

But before you start looking at homes for sale in Manitou Springs, there are a few things you should know.

Those beautiful Victorian houses can come with expensive maintenance. Parking isn't always easy. Summer tourism can get overwhelming. And if you're considering purchasing an Airbnb investment property, the city's rental regulations deserve serious attention.

So, is Manitou Springs a good place to live?

The answer depends on what matters most to you.

Let's explore seven of the biggest pros and cons of living in Manitou Springs, Colorado, so you can decide whether this unique mountain community is the right fit.

1. Historic Homes Full of Character, but With Some Challenges

One of the first things you'll notice about Manitou Springs is its architecture.

Established in the 1800s, Manitou Springs has preserved much of the historic character that makes it different from newer communities throughout Colorado Springs.

Drive through town, and you'll discover an incredible variety of homes.

You'll see beautiful Victorian houses with wraparound porches, Craftsman-style cottages, charming historic properties with intricate woodwork, and unusual homes built directly into the mountainside.

Some streets feature several completely different architectural styles right next to each other.

For buyers who appreciate older homes, Manitou Springs has plenty of personality.

The downside of buying a historic home

Character doesn't always come with convenience.

Many Manitou Springs homes are more than 100 years old, and their layouts can be very different from what today's buyers expect.

You may encounter:

• Smaller bedrooms and limited closet space

• Unusual bathroom layouts

• Older electrical and plumbing systems

• Limited storage

• No garage or minimal driveway parking

• Aging foundations and retaining walls

• Renovations completed to varying standards

A beautifully renovated kitchen doesn't necessarily mean the home's underlying systems have been updated.

That's why inspections are especially important when purchasing an older property.

Before buying, pay close attention to the home's electrical system, plumbing, foundation, drainage, retaining walls, and overall condition.

Our guide to what to look for during a home inspection explains why understanding a property's condition is such an important part of the buying process.

Can you renovate a historic home in Manitou Springs?

Potentially, but don't assume every renovation will be straightforward.

Certain properties within designated historic districts may be subject to additional review for exterior changes.

If you're planning to purchase a historic home and significantly alter its appearance, investigate the applicable preservation requirements before making an offer.

The takeaway: Historic Manitou Springs homes can be incredibly special, but buyers need to understand the potential maintenance costs, layout limitations, and renovation requirements.

2. Incredible Mountain Views and Outdoor Recreation

If spending time outdoors is a major part of your lifestyle, Manitou Springs has some serious advantages.

Located at the base of Pikes Peak, the town is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Depending on where you live, those mountain views might be visible directly from your living room, deck, or front porch.

And the scenery isn't just something to look at.

Some of Colorado's most recognizable outdoor attractions are right nearby.

Hiking and outdoor activities in Manitou Springs

The Manitou Incline

The famous Manitou Incline features approximately 2,768 steps and gains more than 2,000 feet in elevation in less than a mile.

It's a challenging climb, even for experienced hikers, but the views make it a popular destination.

Barr Trail

Barr Trail provides access to the mountains above Manitou Springs and eventually leads toward the summit of Pikes Peak.

You don't have to hike the entire trail to enjoy the scenery, but longer routes require serious preparation.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The historic cog railway carries passengers toward the summit of Pikes Peak, offering an unforgettable way to experience the mountain.

Garden of the Gods

Just a short drive away, Garden of the Gods offers spectacular red rock formations, walking trails, and beautiful photography opportunities.

For someone who enjoys hiking, exploring, photography, or simply being surrounded by nature, living in Manitou Springs can be hard to beat.

The downside: Steep roads and winter conditions

Those spectacular mountain views come with some practical challenges.

Manitou Springs is built into a canyon, and many residential properties sit along steep hillsides.

That can mean narrow roads, winding streets, and steep driveways.

During the winter, snow and ice can make these conditions more difficult.

Imagine purchasing a home with a beautiful hillside driveway in July, only to discover that the driveway receives very little direct sunlight in January.

Suddenly, getting your car out after a snowstorm becomes a bigger concern.

Before buying a home in Manitou Springs, consider how the property will function during every season, not just when the weather is beautiful.

For more regional considerations, check out our guide to 10 things you need to know before moving to Colorado Springs.

The takeaway: Manitou Springs offers exceptional access to outdoor recreation, but its mountainous terrain can make everyday activities more challenging during winter.

3. A Walkable Downtown With Restaurants, Shops, and Local Personality

One of the biggest lifestyle advantages of living in Manitou Springs is its downtown.

Unlike many Colorado Springs neighborhoods, where driving is necessary for most errands and activities, parts of Manitou Springs offer a genuinely walkable lifestyle.

Depending on where you purchase a home, you may be able to walk downtown for coffee, lunch, shopping, or an afternoon exploring.

Downtown Manitou Springs is filled with personality.

You'll find art galleries, boutiques, souvenir shops, coffee shops, locally owned restaurants, and businesses you won't necessarily find in a typical suburban shopping center.

There's also the town's famous mineral springs, which visitors can explore throughout the community.

Add in local festivals, seasonal celebrations, and community events, and there's usually something interesting happening.

For buyers who enjoy being able to leave the car at home and explore their neighborhood on foot, this is a major selling point.

The downside: Not every home is equally walkable

Here's something worth remembering.

Just because a property has a Manitou Springs address doesn't mean walking downtown will be easy.

A home might be geographically close to downtown but located on a steep hillside.

What looks like a quick walk on a map might feel very different when you're walking uphill on the way home.

And while downtown offers plenty of restaurants and smaller shops, you'll likely still drive into Colorado Springs for larger grocery trips, big-box stores, and other suburban conveniences.

The takeaway: Manitou Springs offers a charming, walkable downtown, but evaluate the actual walking route and your everyday shopping needs before choosing a neighborhood.

4. Tourism Keeps Manitou Springs Lively, but It Can Get Crowded

Manitou Springs isn't just a residential community.

It's also a major tourist destination.

Visitors come from across the country to experience Pikes Peak, the Manitou Incline, the Cog Railway, the mineral springs, and the town's unique downtown.

That tourism helps support local businesses and contributes to the lively atmosphere that makes Manitou Springs special.

But living in a tourist destination is different from visiting one.

What is Manitou Springs like during tourist season?

Imagine trying to get home on a beautiful summer Saturday.

Downtown is busy, visitors are exploring the shops, restaurants are crowded, and traffic is moving slowly.

If you live close to the busiest areas, you may encounter:

• Increased traffic during peak tourism periods

• Crowded sidewalks and restaurants

• More competition for parking

• Visitors walking near residential properties

• Additional activity during festivals and events

For some residents, that energy is part of the appeal.

For others, it can become frustrating.

Visit Manitou Springs before deciding to move

One of the best things you can do before purchasing a home is experience the community at different times.

Visit during a busy summer weekend.

Then come back during a quieter weekday or outside peak tourist season.

Walk through downtown, drive the residential streets, and pay attention to the activity around the neighborhoods you're considering.

You might discover that you enjoy being close to everything, or that you'd prefer a quieter location farther from downtown.

Our Colorado Springs neighborhood checklist offers additional questions to consider when evaluating the area surrounding a potential home.

The takeaway: Tourism gives Manitou Springs much of its energy, but the crowds and traffic may not suit buyers looking for a consistently quiet neighborhood.

5. Parking Can Be a Major Challenge

Parking might not be the most exciting topic when shopping for a home, but in Manitou Springs, it deserves serious consideration.

Many newer Colorado Springs neighborhoods feature wide streets, two-car garages, and spacious driveways.

Manitou Springs can be very different.

Some older homes were built long before households commonly owned multiple vehicles.

As a result, you may find properties with limited off-street parking, narrow driveways, or no garage at all.

What should homebuyers check?

Imagine finding a gorgeous historic home with mountain views and a beautiful front porch.

Everything seems perfect.

Then you discover there's only room to park one vehicle.

If your household owns two cars, has a teenager preparing to drive, or frequently hosts visitors, that could become an everyday inconvenience.

Before purchasing, verify:

• How many vehicles can park on the property

• Whether the home has a garage or designated parking

• Whether nearby street parking is permitted

• Whether residential parking permits or restrictions apply

• How easily you can access the driveway during winter

• Where guests can legally park

Manitou Springs uses paid parking areas and residential parking management programs in certain locations, but those systems don't guarantee convenient parking for every property.

The takeaway: Never assume a beautiful Manitou Springs home has enough parking for your household. Verify the actual parking situation before making an offer.

6. Short-Term Rental Restrictions Can Surprise Investors

With so many visitors coming to Manitou Springs throughout the year, purchasing a vacation rental might sound like an excellent investment opportunity.

But before buying a property with plans to list it on Airbnb or another short-term rental platform, there's something important you need to understand.

Manitou Springs has restrictive short-term rental regulations.

And those regulations can significantly affect how you use a property.

What are the short-term rental rules in Manitou Springs?

Under the city's published regulations, new short-term rentals generally must meet several requirements.

These include:

• Owner occupancy: The property must qualify as the owner's primary residence, with the owner residing there at least 185 days per calendar year.

• Spacing restrictions: New short-term rentals must generally be at least 500 feet from existing short-term rentals.

• City approval: New operations require a short-term rental permit approved through the city's planning process.

• Annual renewal: Permits must be renewed to maintain authorization.

Most importantly, short-term rental permits generally do not transfer automatically when a property is sold. Some previously approved properties may operate under older conditional-use approvals, so individual circumstances matter.

These requirements are outlined on the City of Manitou Springs short-term rental regulations page.

Can you buy an existing Airbnb in Manitou Springs?

You may be able to purchase a property that has historically operated as a short-term rental, but that doesn't mean you'll automatically be authorized to continue the same operation.

This is where buyers need to be especially careful.

Imagine purchasing a home because the seller has been generating vacation rental income.

You close on the property, prepare to accept reservations, and discover that the previous owner's permit doesn't transfer to you.

That could completely change your financial plans.

Before purchasing a property for short-term rental income, contact the City of Manitou Springs directly to verify its approvals, eligibility, and current requirements.

The takeaway: Don't purchase a Manitou Springs property based on projected Airbnb income until you've confirmed that your intended rental operation is legally permitted.

7. Small-Town Mountain Living Comes With Additional Considerations

Manitou Springs offers a lifestyle that's very different from many neighborhoods in Colorado Springs.

But there are a few additional things buyers should investigate.

Natural hazards and property conditions

Living in a mountain canyon comes with environmental considerations.

Depending on the property's location, potential concerns may include flooding, drainage, geological conditions, retaining walls, and wildlife.

That doesn't mean every Manitou Springs home has these problems.

It means buyers should investigate the specific property rather than assuming every location carries the same risks.

Review available flood maps, insurance requirements, and property disclosures. If inspections reveal potential concerns, consider additional evaluations by qualified professionals.

Narrow streets and pedestrian traffic

Manitou Springs has narrow roads and plenty of pedestrian activity, particularly downtown.

Drivers need to pay attention to speed limits, visitors crossing streets, and traffic patterns during busy periods.

It's a different driving experience from larger roads throughout Colorado Springs.

Fewer large shopping centers

If you're accustomed to having major grocery stores, large retailers, and suburban shopping centers immediately nearby, Manitou Springs may require an adjustment.

The downtown area has plenty of local businesses, but residents often travel into Colorado Springs for larger shopping trips and additional services.

Fortunately, Colorado Springs is nearby.

Still, it's important to think about how often you'll need to make that drive.

The takeaway: Manitou Springs offers a distinctive mountain-town experience, but buyers should consider environmental conditions, road access, and everyday conveniences.

Manitou Springs vs. Colorado Springs: Which Is Better for You?

If you're relocating to the Pikes Peak region, you might be wondering whether Manitou Springs or Colorado Springs is the better place to live.

The answer depends on the lifestyle you're looking for.

Neither location is automatically better.

Someone looking for a newer 4,000-square-foot home with five bedrooms, a three-car garage, and a spacious driveway might find more options in Colorado Springs.

Someone who values historic architecture, walkability, mountain views, and a unique community atmosphere might prefer Manitou Springs.

The same principle applies when comparing other Pikes Peak region communities, including Monument, Palmer Lake, Black Forest, Falcon, Peyton, Fountain, Woodland Park, Larkspur, and Pueblo West.

Each location offers a different combination of housing, convenience, scenery, and lifestyle.

Who Should Consider Living in Manitou Springs?

Manitou Springs could be an excellent fit if you:

• Appreciate historic architecture and unique homes.

• Enjoy hiking, mountain scenery, and outdoor recreation.

• Want access to a walkable downtown with locally owned businesses.

• Prefer a smaller community with a distinctive personality.

• Don't mind seasonal tourism and additional visitor activity.

• Are comfortable with the potential maintenance needs of older homes.

On the other hand, you may want to explore other Colorado Springs neighborhoods if you prioritize newer construction, larger garages, wide suburban streets, extensive shopping options, or minimal tourist traffic.

The important thing is knowing which trade-offs you're comfortable making.

Practical Tips Before Buying a Home in Manitou Springs

Before making an offer, take time to investigate more than the home's appearance.

1. Visit during different seasons. Experience the neighborhood during busy summer weekends and quieter periods.

2. Check the parking situation. Verify exactly where your household and guests can park.

3. Evaluate winter access. Pay attention to driveway slopes, road conditions, and sunlight exposure.

4. Inspect older homes carefully. Look beyond cosmetic renovations and evaluate major systems.

5. Research historic preservation requirements. Understand potential restrictions before planning exterior renovations.

6. Investigate property-specific hazards. Review drainage, flood exposure, geological conditions, and insurance options.

7. Verify rental regulations. If you're considering short-term rental income, confirm eligibility directly with the city.

8. Experience the lifestyle. Walk downtown, visit local businesses, explore the trails, and drive the streets you'll use regularly.

Buying a home isn't just about finding a property you like.

It's about choosing a place where your everyday life works.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Manitou Springs, Colorado

Is Manitou Springs, Colorado, a good place to live?

Manitou Springs can be a wonderful place to live for people who appreciate historic homes, mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and a lively downtown. However, limited parking, older housing, steep roads, and tourism can make it less suitable for buyers seeking a traditional suburban lifestyle.

Is Manitou Springs walkable?

Parts of Manitou Springs are very walkable, particularly around downtown. Residents in certain neighborhoods may be able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and local businesses. However, steep terrain means walkability varies significantly by property.

Are homes in Manitou Springs old?

Many homes in Manitou Springs are historic, including properties dating back more than 100 years. Buyers can find Victorian houses, Craftsman cottages, and other distinctive architectural styles. Some properties have been extensively renovated, while others may need significant updates.

Is parking difficult in Manitou Springs?

Parking can be challenging, particularly near downtown and at older homes with limited off-street parking. Buyers should verify garage availability, driveway capacity, street parking rules, and any residential permit requirements before purchasing.

Can I buy an Airbnb investment property in Manitou Springs?

Manitou Springs has restrictive short-term rental regulations. New permits generally require owner occupancy for at least 185 days annually, along with spacing requirements and city approval. Existing permits generally do not automatically transfer when a property is sold. Buyers should verify current rules and property eligibility directly with the city before purchasing.

What are the biggest disadvantages of living in Manitou Springs?

Common drawbacks include older homes requiring additional maintenance, narrow streets, limited parking, steep driveways, winter access challenges, seasonal tourism, and fewer large shopping centers. The importance of these disadvantages depends on your lifestyle and the specific property.

Final Thoughts: Is Manitou Springs Right for You?

Manitou Springs is one of the most distinctive communities in the Pikes Peak region.

Between its historic homes, incredible mountain scenery, charming downtown, and outdoor recreation opportunities, it's easy to understand why people are drawn to this town.

But every community comes with trade-offs.

That beautiful historic house might require more maintenance.

Those incredible mountain views might come with a steep driveway.

That walkable downtown might also bring crowded summer weekends.

And that vacation rental investment might come with restrictions you weren't expecting.

The goal isn't to find a community without disadvantages.

It's to find a place where the advantages matter more to you than the drawbacks.

If you're considering moving to Manitou Springs, spend time exploring the neighborhoods, learning about the properties, and experiencing what everyday life actually looks like.

Because the right home isn't just about the house.

It's about the lifestyle that comes with it.

Thinking About Buying a Home in Manitou Springs?

Whether you're relocating from another state, moving from Colorado Springs, or exploring a second home in the Pikes Peak region, The Peña Team can help you understand your options.

With nearly three decades of real estate experience in the area, Tulio Peña and The Peña Team understand how different communities, property types, and local considerations can affect your home search.

We'll help you explore available properties, compare neighborhoods, and identify the questions worth asking before you buy.

Ready to explore Manitou Springs real estate?

Call or text: (719) 204-5246

Email: homes@thepenateam.com

Website: https://thepenateam.com

Let's find a home that fits the life you want to live.