When you’ve ever puzzled concerning the execs and cons of residing in Denver, this put up 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. Nonetheless, there are execs and cons of residing in Denver that you could be not have realized.
Execs and Cons of Residing in Denver
I’ve been residing in Denver since 2020 and I’ve cherished each minute of it. Since shifting right here, I’ve discovered many good issues about residing in Denver, however there are additionally just a few downsides to residing within the metropolis that I’ve sadly come throughout.
This put up will cowl all the things from the great to the unhealthy, however don’t fear, the great undoubtedly outweighs the unhealthy.
Don’t miss our information to the high spots to go to within the US.
Listed here are the professionals and cons of residing in Denver.
Execs of Residing in Denver
Listed here are the perfect issues about residing in Denver, Colorado.
1. Entry to Nature
Arguably the perfect upside to residing in Denver is its shut proximity to the outside. I needed to embody this level first on this checklist of the professionals and cons of residing 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 exquisite Rocky Mountains.
Many individuals transfer to Denver simply to expertise the nice open air as a result of it’s the proper base to discover Colorado’s greatest outside sights.
So many nice pure locations to discover are solely a brief experience away. Some stunning areas close by embody Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, the Flatirons in Boulder, and Backyard of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
There are even outside locations proper inside the metropolis of Denver, so that you gained’t should go that far in case you don’t wish 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 checklist of execs and cons of residing in Denver wouldn’t be full with out mentioning the implausible meals within the metropolis. When you love making an attempt new and revolutionary meals, then you definately’re going to fall in love with Denver.
Denver is without doubt one of the greatest foodie cities within the western a part of the United States. 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 truth, really oysters.
One other outstanding 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 practically each native restaurant.
If Mexican meals isn’t your factor, don’t fear as a result of nearly each sort of restaurant conceivable is in Denver.
For an actual foodie paradise, go to throughout Denver Restaurant Week. This week-long competition 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 residing in Denver is the implausible 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 perfect 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, so that they’re not that arduous to search out.
A number of of the perfect 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 full of nice bars. A few of the greatest ones within the metropolis embody Gaslamp, The Refinery, and The Ginn Mill.
4. Reasonably priced Lodging Prices (in comparison with different cities)
In my view, Denver has comparatively inexpensive pricing in comparison with different cities within the United States. Denver really isn’t that overpriced for its location, and residing in the midst of town gained’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 break up that worth 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 fluctuate relying on the place within the metropolis you’re on the lookout for lodging. Residing in a neighbourhood like Cherry Creek might be considerably costlier than residing in Highlands or 5 Factors, so that you undoubtedly 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 resort in LoDo proper within the centre of all of the motion.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Greatest Coworking Areas in Denver
5. Sports activities Tradition
The sports activities tradition is well an upside to residing 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 become involved with the locals.
Arguably the most well-liked sports activities group in Denver is the Denver Broncos, town’s soccer group. They play at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive, which is correct within the metropolis, they usually play primarily through the fall and thru the winter.
For America’s favourite pastime, you’ll be able to head to Coors Subject to catch a Rockies recreation. Plus, you’ll be able to 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 loads of enjoyable to look at, they usually 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 just a few state universities proper within the metropolis, and you’ll catch their video games for lots cheaper too.
6. Plenty 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 execs about residing in Denver.
Regardless of your pursuits and hobbies, you’ll have the ability to discover one thing to do and different individuals to attach with. Denver is full of tons of actions for all ages, varieties of climate, and even budgets.
In case you’re questioning what the greatest issues to do in Denver are, listed below 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
When you dwell in Denver, you simply have the remainder of the US and the world at your fingertips.
A fast 37-minute practice experience from Denver Union Station will convey you to Denver Worldwide Airport (DIA), one of many busiest airports on the planet (#3 in 2023, in truth).
From Denver’s airport, you will get wherever, and sometimes 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 global airport, it’s very easy to get wherever on the planet from town. Make sure you use on-line websites like Skyscanner or Expedia to attempt to snag offers when costs are the bottom to avoid wasting your self some cash in your travels.
8. Deal with Purchasing Native
Top-of-the-line components about Denver is that there’s a big emphasis on purchasing native and regional as a substitute of big, business shops.
Most of sixteenth Road Mall is full of native outlets, 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’ll be able to help native farmers and different native companies by buying their nice objects.
Denver has additionally hosted fairly just a few “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 strategy to maintain the money move inside the neighborhood, and it’s actually a win-win for everybody who lives in Denver and the encompassing suburban areas.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Most cost-effective Cities in The USA for Digital Nomads
9. Good Climate
No checklist of residing in Denver execs 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 neighborhood.
The climate in Denver is sort of at all times excellent.
I say nearly as a result of it does get its wet days and winter snowstorms that may add up to a couple toes, however unhealthy 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 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 dearth 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 certain to be some type of occasion or competition 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 unlimited outside area surrounded by crimson rocks, and it’s the first live performance venue within the metropolis.
Crimson Rocks Park additionally hosts a number of enjoyable outside occasions like morning yoga lessons, health exercises, and typically even meals festivals.
Arguably the perfect 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 embody Winter Brew Fest, the 5 Factors Jazz Competition, and Denver PrideFest.
Cons of Residing in Denver
As with in all places, there are some cons to residing in Denver, Colorado.
1. Unhealthy Site visitors
Weirdly sufficient, in case you’re touring inside the metropolis, the 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.
Nonetheless, in case you’re touring in or out of town, the visitors could be so unhealthy that you may be caught in the identical spot for an hour or longer.
This tends to occur daily of the week throughout rush hour, so in case you’re making an attempt to journey in or out of town, undoubtedly plan correctly.
With that being stated, you’ll be able to make the most of the specific lanes or carpool lanes if there are three or extra individuals in your automotive. So in case you’re touring with a bigger group of individuals relatively than simply you and another person, then the visitors most probably gained’t have an effect on you throughout your go to.
2. The Elevation
One of many downsides to residing 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 straightforward 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.
Nonetheless, 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 maintain a water bottle on you always to pressure your self to drink water. Attempt to curb the dehydration earlier than it even begins.
At this elevation, getting out of breath additionally occurs loads simpler than you suppose. You might 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 residing in Denver as a result of the elevation can be why town will get a lot solar.
3. The Metropolis is Landlocked
Denver is solely landlocked, that means that there isn’t an ocean or big physique of water wherever close to it.
The closest place to get to the ocean is to take a aircraft out to the coast of California, which actually isn’t that costly in case you can journey flexibly. Nonetheless, because of this there aren’t a complete lot of water sports activities right here.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless a number of lakes and rivers all through Denver and the encompassing areas, loads of which go proper close to the Rocky Mountains. So, you’ll be able to nonetheless do enjoyable actions like kayaking, canoeing, and white water rafting.
Plus, after seeing the Rocky Mountains for your self, you gained’t thoughts buying and selling the ocean for this mountainous paradise.
4. Arduous to Get Anyplace With no Automobile
After residing right here for a yr, I can say that one of the vital downsides to residing in Denver is that it’s practically unimaginable to get wherever with out a automotive.
I exploit public transportation and strolling to get round, but when I wish to journey wherever enjoyable, I’ve to hire 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 certainly an expense you’ll should consider.
You may get wherever 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 residing in Denver that most individuals most likely don’t find out about until they already dwell 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 gained’t have the ability to. They don’t even plow the highways right here, and sometimes they’re shut down utterly when the snow is simply too unhealthy.
It’s powerful 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 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 just a few toes of snow, and it was nearly 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 doable state of affairs!
FAQs Concerning the Execs and Cons of Residing in Denver
Learn on for solutions to some steadily requested questions concerning the execs and cons of residing in Denver.
I feel so! I’ve lived right here since 2020 and I find it irresistible. In fact, there are each execs and cons of residing 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 live shows at Crimson Rocks.
In accordance with a report cited by the Denver Gazette, it’s true that many individuals are leaving Denver. The report states that the primary causes that persons 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 costlier than different locations within the US, however they’re nonetheless loads cheaper than in main cities like New York, Boston and San Francisco.
I do. I discover it’s straightforward to get across the metropolis with out a automotive by utilizing public transportation, driving a bicycle, and strolling. If you wish to go wherever exterior town, nevertheless, you’ll undoubtedly want a automotive.
Now You Know the Execs and Cons of Residing in Denver
I hope that this text has given you an excellent understanding of the professionals and cons of residing in Denver. Fortunately, loads 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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