Why move to Denver
If you are not sure why you should move to Denver, it is enough to compare all the pros and cons of this city. In fact, there is a big number of benefits to consider including the following ones.
1. Cost of living
Denver has a lower cost of living than many states in the country. For example, California is 7.4% more expensive than Denver and New York is 5.9% more expensive. The housing cost impacts this to a great extent. Property purchases and the monthly rent price in CA for those who want to rent instead of buying will both be higher. Overall, the housing cost is 14.6% cheaper in Denver than California. Transportation will cost you 3.1% less, groceries 19.8% less, and you can expect to pay 9.1% less for childcare. Property tax is not high – expect to pay about $1,500 annually. However, Denver is not the cheapest state in the country, which is why it is not one of the best places for many people. Texas, for example, is 16.3% cheaper than Denver. Living in Denver is 44% higher than the national average and 34% higher than Colorado.
2. Climate
Many people want to move to Denver, Colorado to be able to experience 300 days of sunshine each year. The climate is semi-arid continental there, but the elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level makes its corrections to it as well. There can be often changes in temperature and precipitation, but in general, you will get enough sunny days during the year. There are 4 distinct seasons felt there. One more point to consider is dry air – it is important to carry a bottle of water with, especially on sunny days.
3. Nature
Denver is located between the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains, so you can admire their magnificence all day long. In addition, Denver is located not far from the Rocky Mountains National Park and has many green spaces inside the city. There are many beautiful parks (about 200) with trails, flora, and water reservoirs, so you can easily find a place for a picnic on each sunny day.
4. Employment
Denver is home to several big companies offering highly paid jobs, however, the competition is high here too. For example, in 2015, the city was ranked the first among the Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes. Today, the unemployment rate is only 2.9%, while the number of industries developed there seems overwhelming. Denver is the largest city in the Colorado area, so it is a center of storage and distribution. Moreover, manufacturing, extraction, automobile industries continue to grow there. It is possible to find a job in many other spheres too including government, education, technology, aerospace, agriculture etc.
5. Diversity of neighborhoods
Every person can choose a neighborhood to his taste. It can be a relaxed vibe or fast-paced living, with a variety of facilities and a minimum of them, close to the downtown and far from it. There are also more affordable neighborhoods and ones with more expensive rent and house prices.
6. Entertainment
If you think that there is nothing interesting in Denver, you are mistaken. The city offers a variety of opportunities for entertainment. You can go in for a variety of sports including golf and skiing. It is possible to have a night spirit tour, old amphitheater, as well as visit different events at Denver Performing Arts Complex. There are great botanical gardens, exciting museums, historic places like Larimer Square, aquarium, mystery dinner theatre, and many other fascinating sights and destinations.
7. Recreation
You will never feel sad in Denver thanks to many outdoor activities to take up there. City green spaces allow taking a boat trip, walk along trails, kayak, or bike. You can try to reach the top of one of the highest mountains along the only paved road or get a rush of adrenaline taking up rafting in the whitewater of Denver. There are 4 popular ski getaways to let your hair down in winter too.
8. Booming economy
Denver is a financial center of Colorado. Many companies consider moving to Denver, CO, so the city job market in increasing and its growth in 2018 was 1.8%. At the same time, the median family income does not differ much from the national average one and the average wages are not very high too. Consequently, it is possible to earn good money here, but you should be ready to pay much for a dwelling as a part of your cost of living in Denver.
9. Transportation and commute
Mass Denver Transportation is coordinated by the Regional Transportation District. There are over one thousand buses, nine rail lines that are constantly growing, and other public transport available for people including a free bus to take you to the Downtown. It is possible to get to Denver by plane landing in Denver International Airport.
The average time people spend commuting to and from work is 77 minutes, while people who wait for public transport at the station stand for 14 minutes on average there.
10. Sense of happiness
Denver population is very friendly and sociable. The main feature that differs these people is a never-changing smile on their faces. Local people love their city and enjoy every day spent in it, and this mood is felt everywhere.
11. Cowboy culture
Though it may seem that Denver is a liberal city, at first sight, it is still focused on the west. Cowboy culture has not left the city and you can always spot individuals in the cowboy shirts and boots there. Moreover, there are dozens of bars and cafes devoted to this topic as well as several annual events to attract people loving old wild west.
12. Sports
Denver residents like not only going in for sports but also be spectators of the sports events. They are devoted fans of local teams and always cry for them, especially for football team Broncos (winners of the 2016 Super Bowl). However, Rockies (baseball team), Avalanche (NHL team), and Nuggets (NBA team) have their supporters as well.
13. Beer
Many American cities can boast many excellent breweries and microbreweries, and Denver is not an exception. You can taste many types of beer here as well. Its massive collection allows trying a unique beverage each time you want as the city is often called the “Napa Valley of Beer”. The most famous local breweries are First Draft, Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, Epic Brewing Company, Black Shirt Brewing Company etc.
14. Tasty food
Despite the fact that Denver is not considered to be a food city, it is certainly a place where you can taste some of the most delicious examples of dishes. If you are a fan of Mexican cuisine, Denver will not leave you hungry. Moreover, here you can taste unforgettable steaks as well as Vietnamese and Ethiopian dishes too. If you are courageous enough, you can try Rocky Mountain Oysters served here.
15. Biking
Bikes have become an indispensable part of local people’s lives. They are not a way of entertainment or relaxation, they are used instead of public transportation to move around the city. There are many bike trails in Denver, but the favorite one is we miles long and called the Cherry Creek Bike Path.