In the event you’ve ever puzzled concerning 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.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
I’ve been dwelling in Denver since 2020 and I’ve cherished each minute of it. Since transferring 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 every part from the nice to the unhealthy, however don’t fear, the nice positively outweighs the unhealthy.
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.
Execs 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 delightful Rocky Mountains.
Many individuals transfer to Denver simply to expertise the good outdoor as a result of it’s the proper base to discover Colorado’s finest outside sights.
So many nice pure locations to discover are solely a brief journey away. Some stunning areas 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 must go that far if you happen to don’t need to. Denver is residence to greater than 200 parks all through the 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 implausible meals within the metropolis. In the event you love making an attempt new and revolutionary meals, then you definitely’re going to fall in love with Denver.
Denver is among the finest foodie cities within the western a part of the USA. Whereas it’s primarily identified for its excellent Mexican dishes, it’s additionally residence to conventional meals like Rocky Mountain Oysters, which aren’t, in truth, truly oysters.
One other exceptional delicacy that locals love is inexperienced chili. This sauce is placed on nearly every part, 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 sort of restaurant possible is in Denver.
For an actual foodie paradise, go to throughout Denver Restaurant Week. This week-long competition contains tons of eating places that decide 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 implausible nightlife. Many guests are shocked 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, and so they’re just about round each nook, so that they’re not that tough to seek out.
Just a few 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 finest ones within the metropolis embrace Gaslamp, The Refinery, and The Ginn Mill.
4. Reasonably priced Lodging Prices (in comparison with different cities)
In my view, Denver has comparatively reasonably priced pricing in comparison with different cities in the USA. Denver truly isn’t that overpriced for its location, and dwelling in the midst of the town received’t essentially break the financial institution in case you have a roommate.
My residence in Decrease Downtown solely prices about $1400 USD a month, and I cut up that value with a roommate. That is considerably lower than what I’d pay for an residence of the identical measurement in a metropolis like Boston or New York Metropolis.
In fact, this might range relying on the place within the metropolis you’re searching for 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 may 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 definitely 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 help. It’s an effective way to get entangled with the locals.
Arguably the most well-liked sports activities group in Denver is the Denver Broncos, the town’s soccer group. They play at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive, which is correct within the metropolis, and so they play primarily in the course of the fall and thru the winter.
For America’s favourite pastime, you possibly can head to Coors Subject to catch a Rockies recreation. Plus, you possibly can attempt to take a photograph with the group’s mascot, Dinger, a purple dinosaur.
One other nice group to see whereas in Denver is the Denver Nuggets, the basketball group. They’re a number of enjoyable to observe, and so they play proper within the metropolis at Ball Space, which additionally hosts Denver’s hockey group, 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 may catch their video games for lots cheaper too.
6. Numerous 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 be capable to discover one thing to do and different folks to attach with. Denver is stuffed with tons of actions for all ages, sorts 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. Simple Entry to Touring
In the event you reside in Denver, you simply have the remainder of the USA and the world at your fingertips.
A fast 37-minute practice journey from Denver Union Station will convey you to Denver Worldwide Airport (DIA), one of many busiest airports on the earth (#3 in 2023, in truth).
From Denver’s airport, you will get anyplace, and sometimes the costs are fairly reasonably priced because of Colorado having its personal price range airline referred to as Frontier.
Severely, 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 anyplace on the earth from the town. Make sure you 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 Procuring Native
The most effective components about Denver is that there’s a big 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, typically proper in LoDo close to Denver Union Station. Throughout these farmer’s markets, you possibly can help 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 after they can, so take part on the enjoyable.
This can be a nice option to maintain the money stream throughout the group, and it’s truthfully 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. Good Climate
No listing of dwelling in Denver execs and cons could be full with out speaking concerning the climate. It positively deserves its personal level due to how a lot it attracts different folks into the group.
The climate in Denver is nearly all the time excellent.
I say nearly as a result of it does get its wet days and winter snowstorms that may add up to some toes, however unhealthy climate days are few and much between.
The beauty of when it’s sunny, even in the summertime, is that it’s by no means actually humid like it’s in different components of the USA.
Positive, the solar can really feel scorching in your pores and skin, however you’re by no means profusely sweating, because of 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 competition you could attend.
The most well-liked place to attend occasions is at Crimson Rocks Park & Amphitheatre proper exterior of Denver. It’s an unlimited outside area surrounded by purple 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 lessons, health exercises, and typically even meals festivals.
Arguably the very best occasion that’s held in Denver yearly is Denver Beer Week. This occasion affords a whole week devoted to the native breweries within the space, and each occasion might be beer-related.
Different vital occasions in Denver embrace Winter Brew Fest, the 5 Factors Jazz Pageant, and Denver PrideFest.
Cons of Dwelling in Denver
As with in all places, there are some cons to dwelling in Denver, Colorado.
1. Dangerous Visitors
Weirdly sufficient, if you happen to’re touring throughout the metropolis, the site visitors isn’t that unhealthy. Even proper downtown in LoDo, there are hardly any automobiles as a result of everybody rides their bikes or takes public transportation to get across the metropolis.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re touring in or out of the town, the site visitors will be so unhealthy you could be caught in the identical spot for an hour or longer.
This tends to occur day by day of the week throughout rush hour, so if you happen to’re making an attempt to journey in or out of the town, positively plan correctly.
With that being stated, you possibly can make the most of the categorical lanes or carpool lanes if there are three or extra folks in your automobile. So if you happen to’re touring with a bigger group of individuals reasonably than simply you and another person, then the site visitors most probably 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 the town is 5,280 toes (1,600 meters) above sea degree, the air right here is so dry that it’s straightforward to get dehydrated with out even realizing it.
Along with changing into dehydrated, you’re more likely to get a stuffy nostril too. Some folks even expertise delicate altitude illness in Denver.
Nevertheless, there’s positively a means round this in order that it doesn’t occur to you. Put money into a humidifier and all the time maintain 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 assume. You could end up strolling only one block at your common tempo solely to finish up panting for breath.
So, simply maintain conscious of your strolling pace and respiration 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 the town will get a lot solar.
3. The Metropolis is Landlocked
Denver is completely landlocked, that means that there isn’t an ocean or enormous physique of water anyplace close to it.
The closest place to get to the ocean is to take a airplane out to the coast of California, which truthfully isn’t that costly if you happen to can journey flexibly. Nevertheless, which means 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 possibly can 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. Laborious to Get Wherever With out a Automotive
After dwelling right here for a 12 months, I can say that probably the most vital downsides to dwelling in Denver is that it’s almost unattainable to get anyplace and not using a automobile.
I take advantage of public transportation and strolling to get round, but when I need to journey anyplace 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 must consider.
You may get anyplace in only a brief 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 most likely don’t find out about except they already reside right here. The roads and sidewalks are not often plowed when it snows.
So, if you happen to’re planning on leaving the town on a day that it snows, you almost certainly received’t be capable to. They don’t even plow the highways right here, and sometimes they’re shut down fully when the snow is just too unhealthy.
It’s powerful to stroll anyplace within the snow as a result of the sidewalks are simply piled up with tons of white stuff, which is one thing to remember.
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 must be versatile and be ready for any attainable state of affairs!
FAQs In regards to the Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
Learn on for solutions to some ceaselessly requested questions concerning the execs and cons of dwelling in Denver.
I believe so! I’ve lived right here since 2020 and I adore it. In fact, there are each execs and cons of dwelling in Denver, however for my part, 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 a lot of issues to do in Denver, like see concert events at Crimson Rocks.
In keeping with 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 transferring 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 straightforward to get across the metropolis and not using a automobile through the use of public transportation, using a bicycle, and strolling. If you wish to go anyplace exterior the town, nonetheless, you’ll positively want a automobile.
Now You Know the Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Denver
I hope that this text has given you an excellent 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 positive.
Have you ever been to Denver earlier than? What was your favourite factor about it?
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