In case you’ve ever puzzled concerning the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver, this submit is for you.
Denver, Colorado, is a real mountainside paradise and is simply on the foothills of out of doors adventures galore, with the Rocky Mountains solely a 30-minute drive away. Nevertheless, there are professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver that you could be not have realized.
Professionals and Cons of Residing in Denver
I’ve been dwelling in Denver since 2020 and I’ve beloved 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 submit will cowl all the pieces from the nice to the dangerous, however don’t fear, the nice undoubtedly outweighs the dangerous.
Don’t miss our information to the prime spots to go to within the US.
Listed below are the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver.
Professionals of Residing in Denver
Listed below are the most effective issues about dwelling in Denver, Colorado.
1. Entry to Nature
Arguably the most effective upside to dwelling in Denver is its shut proximity to the outside. I needed to embody this level first on this listing of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver!
It solely takes about quarter-hour by automotive 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 outside as a result of it’s the proper base to discover Colorado’s finest out of doors points of interest.
So many nice pure locations to discover are solely a brief trip away. Some stunning places close by embody Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, the Flatirons in Boulder, and Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
There are even out of doors locations proper inside the metropolis of Denver, so that you received’t should go that far in the event you don’t need to. Denver is dwelling 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 professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver wouldn’t be full with out mentioning the improbable meals within the metropolis. In case you love attempting new and modern meals, then you definately’re going to fall in love with Denver.
Denver is without doubt one of the finest foodie cities within the western a part of the United States. Whereas it’s primarily recognized for its excellent Mexican dishes, it’s additionally dwelling to conventional meals like Rocky Mountain Oysters, which aren’t, in reality, truly oysters.
One other outstanding delicacy that locals love is inexperienced chili. This sauce is placed on virtually all the pieces, from burritos to nachos. Plus, many locals even eat it plain by itself. It may be discovered at practically each native restaurant.
If Mexican meals isn’t your factor, don’t fear as a result of virtually each kind of restaurant conceivable is in Denver.
For an actual foodie paradise, go to throughout Denver Restaurant Week. This week-long pageant 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 improbable 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 most effective 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 search out.
A number of of the most effective locations for nightlife embody 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 embody Gaslamp, The Refinery, and The Ginn Mill.
4. Inexpensive Lodging Prices (in comparison with different cities)
For my part, Denver has comparatively reasonably priced pricing in comparison with different cities within the United States. Denver truly isn’t that overpriced for its location, and dwelling in the course of the town received’t essentially break the financial institution you probably have a roommate.
My condominium 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 condominium of the identical measurement in a metropolis like Boston or New York Metropolis.
After all, this might range relying on the place within the metropolis you’re in search of lodging. Residing in a neighbourhood like Cherry Creek shall be considerably dearer than dwelling in Highlands or 5 Factors, so that you undoubtedly have to buy round.
Pricing for resorts within the metropolis centre can be fairly low-cost in comparison with resorts 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 totally different native groups to help. It’s an effective way to get entangled with the locals.
Arguably the preferred sports activities crew in Denver is the Denver Broncos, the town’s soccer crew. They play at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive, which is correct within the metropolis, and so they play primarily throughout the fall and thru the winter.
For America’s favourite pastime, you may head to Coors Discipline to catch a Rockies recreation. Plus, you may attempt to take a photograph with the crew’s mascot, Dinger, a purple dinosaur.
One other nice crew to see whereas in Denver is the Denver Nuggets, the basketball crew. They’re a variety of enjoyable to look at, and so they play proper within the metropolis at Ball Space, which additionally hosts Denver’s hockey crew, 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 lot of Issues to Do
You’ll by no means run out of issues to do within the Mile-Excessive Metropolis. That is undoubtedly one of many main professionals about dwelling in Denver.
Irrespective of your pursuits and hobbies, you’ll be capable of discover one thing to do and different individuals to attach with. Denver is stuffed with tons of actions for all ages, kinds of climate, and even budgets.
In case you’re questioning what the finest 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
In case you stay in Denver, you simply have the remainder of the US and the world at your fingertips.
A fast 37-minute practice trip from Denver Union Station will convey you to Denver Worldwide Airport (DIA), one of many busiest airports on this planet (#3 in 2023, in reality).
From Denver’s airport, you will get anyplace, and infrequently the costs are fairly reasonably priced due to Colorado having its personal price range airline known 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 anyplace on this planet from the town. Remember 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. Give attention to Procuring Native
Among the finest components about Denver is that there’s a major emphasis on purchasing native and regional as a substitute of giant, business shops.
Most of sixteenth Road 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 may 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 once they can, so take part on the enjoyable.
It is a nice method to preserve the money movement inside the group, and it’s actually a win-win for everybody who lives in Denver and the encircling suburban areas.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Most cost-effective Cities in The USA for Digital Nomads
9. Excellent Climate
No listing of dwelling in Denver professionals and cons could be full with out speaking concerning the climate. It undoubtedly deserves its personal level due to how a lot it attracts different individuals into the group.
The climate in Denver is sort of at all times good.
I say virtually as a result of it does get its wet days and winter snowstorms that may add up to a couple toes, however dangerous 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 US.
Certain, the solar can really feel scorching in your pores and skin, however you’re by no means profusely sweating, due to the shortage of humidity at this elevation.
10. Tons of Public Occasions & Festivals
Denver hosts tons of occasions, which provides to the numerous reputation of tourism within the metropolis. Every week, there’s sure to be some kind of occasion or pageant that you may attend.
The most well-liked place to attend occasions is at Crimson Rocks Park & Amphitheatre proper exterior of Denver. It’s an enormous out of doors area surrounded by crimson rocks, and it’s the first live performance venue within the metropolis.
Crimson Rocks Park additionally hosts numerous enjoyable out of doors occasions like morning yoga courses, health exercises, and typically even meals festivals.
Arguably the most effective occasion that’s held in Denver yearly is Denver Beer Week. This occasion provides a complete week devoted to the native breweries within the space, and each occasion shall be beer-related.
Different important occasions in Denver embody Winter Brew Fest, the 5 Factors Jazz Competition, and Denver PrideFest.
Cons of Residing in Denver
As with all over the place, there are some cons to dwelling in Denver, Colorado.
1. Dangerous Visitors
Weirdly sufficient, in the event you’re touring inside the metropolis, the site 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 the event you’re touring in or out of the town, the site visitors could be so dangerous that you may be caught in the identical spot for an hour or longer.
This tends to occur day-after-day of the week throughout rush hour, so in the event you’re attempting to journey in or out of the town, undoubtedly plan correctly.
With that being stated, you may make the most of the categorical lanes or carpool lanes if there are three or extra individuals in your automotive. So in the event you’re touring with a bigger group of individuals fairly than simply you and another person, then the site visitors almost certainly 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 stage, the air right here is so dry that it’s simple to get dehydrated with out even realizing it.
Along with changing into dehydrated, you’re more likely to get a stuffy nostril too. Some individuals even expertise gentle altitude illness in Denver.
Nevertheless, there’s undoubtedly a means round this in order that it doesn’t occur to you. Spend money on a humidifier and at all times preserve a water bottle on you always to power 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. It’s possible you’ll end up strolling only one block at your common tempo solely to finish up panting for breath.
So, simply preserve conscious of your strolling velocity and respiration to just remember to 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, which means that there isn’t an ocean or big 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 actually isn’t that costly in the event you can journey flexibly. Nevertheless, because of this there aren’t an entire lot of water sports activities right here.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless numerous lakes and rivers all through Denver and the encircling areas, a variety 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. Onerous to Get Wherever With out a Automotive
After dwelling right here for a 12 months, I can say that one of the vital important downsides to dwelling in Denver is that it’s practically inconceivable to get anyplace and not using a automotive.
I take advantage of public transportation and strolling to get round, but when I need to journey anyplace enjoyable, I’ve to lease a automotive, and people prices add up.
So, if you wish to transfer right here otherwise you’re planning on visiting, shopping for or renting a automotive is unquestionably an expense you’ll should think about.
You will 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 without doubt one of 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 the event you’re planning on leaving the town on a day that it snows, you probably received’t be capable of. They don’t even plow the highways right here, and infrequently they’re shut down utterly when the snow is just too dangerous.
It’s robust 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 virtually utterly gone inside a day or two.
Simply be cautious if you’re visiting the Denver space within the winter. You’ll should be versatile and be ready for any attainable scenario!
FAQs Concerning the Professionals and Cons of Residing in Denver
Learn on for solutions to some ceaselessly requested questions concerning the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver.
I feel so! I’ve lived right here since 2020 and I find it irresistible. After all, there are each professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver, however in my view, the professionals far outweigh the cons.
Denver has a gorgeous pure surroundings, nice climate, and a thriving artwork and tradition scene. Plus, there are lots of issues to do in Denver, like see concert events at Crimson Rocks.
In line 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 shifting away from Denver are excessive mortgage charges, excessive dwelling 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 and not using a automotive by utilizing public transportation, using a bicycle, and strolling. If you wish to go anyplace exterior the town, nevertheless, you’ll undoubtedly want a automotive.
Now You Know the Professionals and Cons of Residing in Denver
I hope that this text has given you an excellent understanding of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Denver. Fortunately, a variety 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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