Why Living in Denver is So Desirable - Thomas and Rosanne Dutzer

While we strongly feel that just about anywhere in Colorado beats many other places in the country, we’re more than a little biased towards living in Denver. In fact, U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2020-2021 Best Places to Live Rankings, and it should come as no great shock that four Colorado cities scored in the Top Ten: #1 Boulder, #2 Denver, #4 Colorado Springs, and #5 Fort Collins. With its stunning views, strong economy, 300-plus days of sunshine a year, and easy access to the outdoor paradise that is the Rocky Mountains, it’s not hard to see why living in Denver could be appealing on a surface level. But what’s it like to actually live here? Let’s take a look at what makes Denver so desirable:

1. Living in Denver is pretty hip.

City living with a relaxed vibe is possible in any of Denver’s unique neighborhoods. However, each area offers a little something different, which makes picking the right one a matter of personal choice and preference. The Highlands, for example, is teeming with innovative restaurant concepts, hip rooftop bars, patios, and boutique shops. If trendy warehouse conversions, street art, and a plethora of trendy food and beverage spots sound appealing, then RiNo (River North Art District) might be more your speed. Capitol Hill, on the other hand, is generally regarded to be the most affordable and convenient neighborhood in Denver proper. Home to the Capital building and the longest street in America, Colfax Avenue.

2. Living in Denver is still (relatively) affordable

The biggest hurdle new residents face when moving to Denver is housing costs, which it’s no secret, have been rising at a steady clip in recent history. Aside from that, most cost-of-living expenses are more or less comparable to other major American cities.

Cost of Living Factors:

Taxes — Property taxes are relatively low. Sales tax is marginally high. Luckily, our income tax falls right in the middle at 4.63%.
Health Care — Denver residents pay about 17% more than the national average.
Groceries — Good news. You’ll spend about 4% less than the national average on groceries living in Denver.

3. Our Economy is Booming

Even COVID hasn’t been able to hault Denver’s economy. Many top companies are based here, with more incoming all the time, and bringing with them higher-paying jobs for residents.

Top Denver Industries & Companies:

Tech — The tech startup scene is exploding with companies like Baker Technologies, Google, and HomeAdvisor.
Aerospace —Denver is striving to become “Aerospace Alley” (a play on Silicon Valley) with major companies like Boeing, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman calling the city home.
Agriculture — Colorado’s food and agriculture industry brings in more than $5 billion a year. Colorado also ranks third in the nation for craft beer sales and production.
Casual Concepts — Noodles & Company, Smashburger, Qdoba, Quizno’s, and Boston Market all headquarter in the Mile High City.
Marijuana – Cannabis is a big business in Denver. In fact, legal marijuana generates more revenue than some small countries.

4. It’s Hard to Beat the Weather

Once you get used to the lack of oxygen, living in Denver is actually quite lovely. Contrary to popular belief, we’re not located in the Rocky Mountains. Located exactly one mile above sea level, the altitude is no joke, and it could take your body some time to adjust. For most people, acclimation happens fairly quickly, and then the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to climate:

Sunny Days- There are an estimated 300+ days of sunshine in Denver every year.
Summers- Our Summer days are hot, but they lack humidity, which makes them more bearable.
Clear Skies- Thanks to the high-desert climate and elevation, you’ll enjoy bluer skies and brighter stars than many other parts of the country.
Easy Winters- The high elevation and plentiful sunshine also mean that while it does snow in the winter, the heavy snow doesn’t stick around long, making driving and outdoor recreation during winter months much more enjoyable.

5. Places to Go

Since Denver is situated a little over an hour from dozens of world-renowned ski resorts, ski traffic might be a new phenomenon you’ll have to account for when traveling into and out of the city. With a healthy public transit system dedicated to improving Denverites’ quality of life, it’s completely possible to commute around town without even owning a car!

Denver is relatively small in area, so getting to and from anywhere should take about 20-minutes during non-rush hour periods.

If you live and work in the downtown area, you have even more options, as Denver is a very bike-friendly city. It’s estimated that between 6-7% of downtown employees commute to work by bike. If you don’t own one, you can also rent B-cycle bikes from docks around the city, either by the hour or by day.

Of course, these are just a few of the many reasons why living in Denver is so desirable. There a multitude of things to love about living in the Mile High City. If you’re ready to call Denver your home base, we’d love to chat and help you find the perfect place to call home!