I loathed the Springs when I first moved here, but I had grown accustomed to living in Denver so I loved the bigger city. Springs has grown a TON in the past 3-4 years, but it's still a great town. I wouldn't mind living here for a long time. Oh I feel for you about the blizzard... we were on our honeymoon when it hit and flew back just as they reopened the airport!
The only thing I'm not fond of (and probably live in the wrong state) is the snow and cold. I wish we had a longer warm season here. I am one of those people that would probably be ok if it only snowed once or twice a year.