If you happen to’ve ever questioned in regards to the execs and cons of dwelling in Denver, this put up is for you.
Denver, Colorado, is a real mountainside paradise and is simply on the foothills of outside adventures galore, with the Rocky Mountains solely a 30-minute drive away. Nevertheless, there are execs and cons of dwelling in Denver that you could be not have realized.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
I’ve been dwelling in Denver since 2020 and I’ve liked each minute of it. Since shifting right here, I’ve discovered many good issues about dwelling in Denver, however there are additionally a number of downsides to dwelling within the metropolis that I’ve sadly come throughout.
This put up will cowl all the things from the great to the dangerous, however don’t fear, the great positively outweighs the dangerous.
Don’t miss our information to the highest spots to go to within the US.
Listed below are the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver.
Professionals of Dwelling in Denver
Listed below are the very best issues about dwelling in Denver, Colorado.
1. Entry to Nature
Arguably the very best upside to dwelling in Denver is its shut proximity to the outside. I needed to embrace this level first on this listing of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver!
It solely takes about quarter-hour by automobile or bus and also you’ll be proper on the foot of the epic and exquisite Rocky Mountains.
Many individuals transfer to Denver simply to expertise the good open air as a result of it’s the proper base to discover Colorado’s greatest outside points of interest.
So many nice pure locations to discover are solely a brief experience away. Some lovely places close by embrace Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, the Flatirons in Boulder, and Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
There are even outside locations proper throughout the metropolis of Denver, so that you received’t should go that far in case you don’t need to. Denver is residence to greater than 200 parks all through town, and a few even have lakes with kayak leases so that you can have some enjoyable.
2. Wonderful Eating places
This listing of execs and cons of dwelling in Denver wouldn’t be full with out mentioning the incredible meals within the metropolis. If you happen to love attempting new and modern meals, then you definitely’re going to fall in love with Denver.
Denver is among the greatest foodie cities within the western a part of america. Whereas it’s primarily recognized for its excellent Mexican dishes, it’s additionally residence to conventional meals like Rocky Mountain Oysters, which aren’t, in actual fact, truly oysters.
One other exceptional delicacy that locals love is inexperienced chili. This sauce is placed on nearly all the things, from burritos to nachos. Plus, many locals even eat it plain by itself. It may be discovered at almost each native restaurant.
If Mexican meals isn’t your factor, don’t fear as a result of nearly each kind of restaurant conceivable is in Denver.
For an actual foodie paradise, go to throughout Denver Restaurant Week. This week-long pageant consists of tons of eating places that choose three dishes to function a three-course meal for lower than $50 USD.
3. Nice Nightlife
One other one of many good issues about dwelling in Denver is the incredible nightlife. Many guests are stunned at how nice the nightlife in Denver is as a result of it’s not an enormous metropolis in comparison with Los Angeles or New York Metropolis.
Arguably the very best spot for nightlife in Denver is Decrease Downtown (aka LoDo). There are tons of nice bars, golf equipment, and extra on this space, they usually’re just about round each nook, in order that they’re not that arduous to seek out.
A couple of of the very best locations for nightlife embrace Coyote Ugly within the Denver Pavilions, Milk Bar on Broadway, and Glow Lounge on Colfax Ave.
If bar-hopping for nightlife is extra your factor, then don’t fear, Denver is stuffed with nice bars. Among the greatest ones within the metropolis embrace Gaslamp, The Refinery, and The Ginn Mill.
4. Inexpensive Lodging Prices (in comparison with different cities)
In my view, Denver has comparatively inexpensive pricing in comparison with different cities in america. Denver truly isn’t that overpriced for its location, and dwelling in the course of town received’t essentially break the financial institution when you have a roommate.
My house in Decrease Downtown solely prices about $1400 USD a month, and I break up that value with a roommate. That is considerably lower than what I’d pay for an house of the identical dimension in a metropolis like Boston or New York Metropolis.
After all, this might fluctuate relying on the place within the metropolis you’re in search of lodging. Dwelling in a neighbourhood like Cherry Creek might be considerably dearer than dwelling in Highlands or 5 Factors, so that you positively have to buy round.
Pricing for lodges within the metropolis centre can be fairly low-cost in comparison with lodges in different cities. You will get a room with two double beds for round $90 USD at a three-star lodge in LoDo proper within the centre of all of the motion.
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5. Sports activities Tradition
The sports activities tradition is well an upside to dwelling in Denver. Everybody right here completely loves sports activities, and there are such a lot of completely different native groups to assist. It’s an effective way to become involved with the locals.
Arguably the preferred sports activities workforce in Denver is the Denver Broncos, town’s soccer workforce. They play at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive, which is correct within the metropolis, they usually play primarily throughout the fall and thru the winter.
For America’s favourite pastime, you may head to Coors Discipline to catch a Rockies sport. Plus, you may attempt to take a photograph with the workforce’s mascot, Dinger, a purple dinosaur.
One other nice workforce to see whereas in Denver is the Denver Nuggets, the basketball workforce. They’re a number of enjoyable to observe, they usually play proper within the metropolis at Ball Space, which additionally hosts Denver’s hockey workforce, the Colorado Avalanche.
If main league sports activities aren’t your factor, don’t fear. There are a number of state universities proper within the metropolis, and you’ll catch their video games for lots cheaper too.
6. A number of Issues to Do
You’ll by no means run out of issues to do within the Mile-Excessive Metropolis. That is positively one of many main execs about dwelling in Denver.
Irrespective of your pursuits and hobbies, you’ll have the ability to discover one thing to do and different individuals to attach with. Denver is stuffed with tons of actions for all ages, varieties of climate, and even budgets.
In case you’re questioning what the very best issues to do in Denver are, listed here are a few of my private favorites:
And that’s solely the beginning of the quite a few issues to see and do in Denver to maintain you busy.
7. Straightforward Entry to Touring
If you happen to stay in Denver, you simply have the remainder of america and the world at your fingertips.
A fast 37-minute prepare experience from Denver Union Station will convey you to Denver Worldwide Airport (DIA), one of many busiest airports on this planet (#3 in 2023, in actual fact).
From Denver’s airport, you will get wherever, and infrequently the costs are fairly inexpensive due to Colorado having its personal finances airline referred to as Frontier.
Critically, there are sometimes flights for lower than $20 USD spherical journey to must-visit locations like Los Angeles, Salt Lake Metropolis, Albuquerque, and Seattle!
Plus, as a result of it’s a world airport, it’s very easy to get wherever on this planet from town. You’ll want to use on-line websites like Skyscanner or Expedia to attempt to snag offers when costs are the bottom to save lots of your self some cash in your travels.
8. Deal with Buying Native
Among the best elements about Denver is that there’s a major emphasis on purchasing native and regional as an alternative of giant, business shops.
Most of sixteenth Avenue Mall is stuffed with native retailers, although there are some business grocery shops sprinkled about.
Town hosts farmer’s markets, too, usually proper in LoDo close to Denver Union Station. Throughout these farmer’s markets, you may assist native farmers and different native companies by buying their nice objects.
Denver has additionally hosted fairly a number of “store native” promotional occasions to showcase native companies, to allow them to get the success they deserve. Denverites (and Coloradans) love purchasing native once they can, so take part on the enjoyable.
It is a nice method to hold the money movement throughout the neighborhood, and it’s actually a win-win for everybody who lives in Denver and the encompassing suburban areas.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Least expensive Cities in The USA for Digital Nomads
9. Excellent Climate
No listing of dwelling in Denver execs and cons could be full with out speaking in regards to the climate. It positively deserves its personal level due to how a lot it attracts different individuals into the neighborhood.
The climate in Denver is sort of all the time good.
I say nearly as a result of it does get its wet days and winter snowstorms that may add up to some toes, however dangerous climate days are few and much between.
The wonderful thing about when it’s sunny, even in the summertime, is that it’s by no means actually humid like it’s in different elements of america.
Positive, the solar can really feel scorching in your pores and skin, however you’re by no means profusely sweating, due to the dearth of humidity at this elevation.
10. Tons of Public Occasions & Festivals
Denver hosts tons of occasions, which provides to the numerous recognition of tourism within the metropolis. Every week, there’s sure to be some type of occasion or pageant which you can attend.
The most well-liked place to attend occasions is at Crimson Rocks Park & Amphitheatre proper outdoors of Denver. It’s an enormous outside area surrounded by crimson rocks, and it’s the first live performance venue within the metropolis.
Crimson Rocks Park additionally hosts a lot of enjoyable outside occasions like morning yoga courses, health exercises, and typically even meals festivals.
Arguably the very best occasion that’s held in Denver yearly is Denver Beer Week. This occasion presents a complete week devoted to the native breweries within the space, and each occasion might be beer-related.
Different important occasions in Denver embrace Winter Brew Fest, the 5 Factors Jazz Competition, and Denver PrideFest.
Cons of Dwelling in Denver
As with in every single place, there are some cons to dwelling in Denver, Colorado.
1. Dangerous Visitors
Weirdly sufficient, in case you’re touring throughout the metropolis, the visitors isn’t that dangerous. Even proper downtown in LoDo, there are rarely any automobiles as a result of everybody rides their bikes or takes public transportation to get across the metropolis.
Nevertheless, in case you’re touring in or out of town, the visitors could be so dangerous which you can be caught in the identical spot for an hour or longer.
This tends to occur on daily basis of the week throughout rush hour, so in case you’re attempting to journey in or out of town, positively plan correctly.
With that being stated, you may make the most of the specific lanes or carpool lanes if there are three or extra individuals in your automobile. So in case you’re touring with a bigger group of individuals somewhat than simply you and another person, then the visitors almost definitely received’t have an effect on you throughout your go to.
2. The Elevation
One of many downsides to dwelling in Denver is the elevation. As a result of town is 5,280 toes (1,600 meters) above sea degree, the air right here is so dry that it’s simple to get dehydrated with out even realizing it.
Along with turning into dehydrated, you’re more likely to get a stuffy nostril too. Some individuals even expertise gentle altitude illness in Denver.
Nevertheless, there’s positively a means round this in order that it doesn’t occur to you. Spend money on a humidifier and all the time hold a water bottle on you always to drive your self to drink water. Attempt to curb the dehydration earlier than it even begins.
At this elevation, getting out of breath additionally occurs lots simpler than you suppose. Chances are you’ll end up strolling only one block at your common tempo solely to finish up panting for breath.
So, simply hold conscious of your strolling velocity and respiratory to just be sure you don’t overexert your self.
The elevation is each a professional and con of dwelling in Denver as a result of the elevation can be why town will get a lot solar.
3. The Metropolis is Landlocked
Denver is completely landlocked, which means that there isn’t an ocean or large physique of water wherever close to it.
The closest place to get to the ocean is to take a airplane out to the coast of California, which actually isn’t that costly in case you can journey flexibly. Nevertheless, which means that there aren’t an entire lot of water sports activities right here.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless a lot of lakes and rivers all through Denver and the encompassing areas, a number of which go proper close to the Rocky Mountains. So, you may nonetheless do enjoyable actions like kayaking, canoeing, and white water rafting.
Plus, after seeing the Rocky Mountains for your self, you received’t thoughts buying and selling the ocean for this mountainous paradise.
4. Arduous to Get Anyplace With no Automobile
After dwelling right here for a yr, I can say that one of the important downsides to dwelling in Denver is that it’s almost not possible to get wherever with out a automobile.
I take advantage of public transportation and strolling to get round, but when I need to journey wherever enjoyable, I’ve to lease a automobile, and people prices add up.
So, if you wish to transfer right here otherwise you’re planning on visiting, shopping for or renting a automobile is unquestionably an expense you’ll should consider.
You will get wherever in only a quick drive, like Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, or a cute mountainside city like Golden.
5. Streets/Sidewalks Aren’t Plowed
This is among the cons of dwelling in Denver that most individuals in all probability don’t find out about except they already stay right here. The roads and sidewalks are hardly ever plowed when it snows.
So, in case you’re planning on leaving town on a day that it snows, you almost certainly received’t have the ability to. They don’t even plow the highways right here, and infrequently they’re shut down fully when the snow is just too dangerous.
It’s robust to stroll wherever within the snow as a result of the sidewalks are simply piled up with tons of white stuff, which is one thing to bear in mind.
The one good factor is that the snow by no means actually lasts very lengthy right here. We’ve had numerous snowstorms once we had a number of toes of snow, and it was nearly fully gone inside a day or two.
Simply be cautious in case you are visiting the Denver space within the winter. You’ll should be versatile and be ready for any doable state of affairs!
FAQs In regards to the Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
Learn on for solutions to some continuously requested questions in regards to the execs and cons of dwelling in Denver.
I feel so! I’ve lived right here since 2020 and I like it. After all, there are each execs and cons of dwelling in Denver, however in my view, the professionals far outweigh the cons.
Denver has a good looking pure atmosphere, nice climate, and a thriving artwork and tradition scene. Plus, there are numerous issues to do in Denver, like see concert events at Crimson Rocks.
Based on a report cited by the Denver Gazette, it’s true that many individuals are leaving Denver. The report states that the principle causes that individuals are shifting away from Denver are excessive mortgage charges, excessive residence costs, financial uncertainty and distant work.
In my expertise, some issues in Denver, like housing, are dearer than different locations within the US, however they’re nonetheless lots cheaper than in main cities like New York, Boston and San Francisco.
I do. I discover it’s simple to get across the metropolis with out a automobile by utilizing public transportation, driving a bicycle, and strolling. If you wish to go wherever outdoors town, nevertheless, you’ll positively want a automobile.
Now You Know the Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
I hope that this text has given you a very good understanding of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver. Fortunately, a number of Denver’s cons can simply be curbed with cautious preparation, so simply attempt to be forward of the sport and also you’ll be simply nice.
Have you ever been to Denver earlier than? What was your favourite factor about it?
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