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In the last few years, a noticeable trend is for Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC residents to move From DMV to Colorado. This cross-country move takes families about 3 to 9 days. Its easy to see the appeal.
The open spaces, refreshing landscapes and stunning outdoors are a welcome sight for commuters used to the hustle and bustle of the DMV.
Colorado offers year-round activities and destinations.
Colorado boasts unique natural attractions such as the Rocky Mountains and high deserts of the Colorado Plateau. Skiers, hikers, climbers, and bikers choose from miles of trails to explore while those who are looking for peace and relaxation have plenty of places to sit back and enjoy the view.
Zip Moving and Storage has collected some general knowledge for folks considering a move to Denver, Colorado.
Pros of Living in Denver
- Denver is a growing city
- Diverse living costs
- Booming economy
- Great outdoors
- Multiple sports teams
- Traffic congestion
- High altitude
- Volatile housing market
- Public transportation is limited
What are the top attractions to visit in Denver?
1.Rocky Mountain National Park – The Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. The national park is filled with mountain peaks, alpine lakes, meadows, and forests. The vast park is teeming with animals, giving visitors a taste of the wild. The longest peak in the park is Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet.
2. Vail – The ski resort town of Vail is a popular attraction in Colorado during the winter. Vail is considered one of the best skiing resorts in Colorado and offers exciting challenges for all levels of skiers.
3. Mesa Verde National Park – The Mesa Verde National Park’s centerpiece, Cliff Palace is one of the most impressive sights to see in the entire Southwest. Cliff Palace showcases a very dramatic setting of ruins that have stood the test of time.
4. Garden of the Gods – This registered National Natural Landmark offers a unique landscape of jagged stone towers up to 300 feet high. The park is a popular destination for rock climbing as well as road biking, mountain biking, and Segway tours.
5.Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest – Pikes Peak reaches 4,115 feet and is praised as one of the Southwest’s most beautiful mountain tops. The peak can be seen from Colorado Springs and is one of the most visited mountains in the world (following Mt. Fuji in the world rankings).
6.Downtown Denver – Denver has one of the most walkable downtown areas in the nation. Everything is easy to reach in downtown Denver and the shuttle bus makes sightseeing easy. Downtown is home to some of the most popular places in Denver like Union Station and the LoDo Historic District.
7.Denver Art Museum – In the Denver Art Museum, visitors are able to see the world’s largest collection of Native American art and 68,000 art pieces from European artists, Old West classics and traveling exhibits.
8.Colorado Railroad Museum – The Colorado Railroad museum houses a spectacular display of over 100 narrow and standard gauge locomotives, cabooses, and cars. Visitors are able to see a working Roundhouse, model railroads, historical photographs, and treasured artifacts. The Railroad Museum is housed in a replica of a 1880s-style depot.
9. Denver Nuggets – The original Denver Nuggets was founded in the National Basketball League (NBL) prior to the 1948–49 season.
What are the costs of living in Denver, Colorado?
The cost of living in Denver is 12% higher than the national average. The following information from Payscale gives an idea of the expected costs of living in Denver.
- Costs of Housing, Utilities, and Transport
- Median Home Price – $463,245
- Median Rent – $1,451 per month
- Energy Bill – $156.76 per month
- Phone Bill – $167.10 per month
- Gas – $2.75 a gallon
- Costs of Food and Groceries
- A loaf of bread – $3.26
- A gallon of Milk – $1.90
- Carton of Eggs – $1.77
- Bunch of Bananas – $3.29
- Hamburger – $4.15
- Healthcare Costs
- Doctor’s Visit – $116.58
- Dentist Visit – $100.15
- Optometrist Visit – $109.24
- RX Drug – $464.37
- Veterinary Visit – $55.28
Best Neighborhoods in Denver
Every neighborhood in Denver has its own unique charm and character. Many people are moving to Denver so the housing market is proving to be competitive and pricey. Here are some of the most desirable places for new homeowners:
The Highlands – The Highlands neighborhood is located in Southwest Denver and is bordered with South Sheridan, Hampden, Lowell and Jewell. The neighborhood was built in the 1950s. The streets are quiet and the neighborhood has a definite suburb feel.
Platt Park – Located in Southeast Denver, Platt Park is an older neighborhood that new owners are remodeling into modern homes. South Pearl Street is one of the best shopping districts and is conveniently located for Platt Park residents. The average home price in this neighborhood is $400,000.
Stapleton – Stapleton is a popular and newer community built where an old airport had previously been located. The prices in Stapleton are relatively affordable to young families and it is still in the vicinity of the downtown area.
Top Industries and Companies in Denver
The average income in Denver is $57,773, which is 6% less than the national average. There are many high-ranking companies based in the city so job opportunities are plenty.
Agriculture – Colorado’s food industry generates over $5 billion a year and is third in the nation for craft beer sales and production.
Tech – Denver is home to many young startup companies such as Baker Technologies. More established companies such as Google and HomeAdvisor also have headquarters in Denver.
Aerospace – Denver boasts major aerospace companies such as The Boeing Company, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
Legalized Marijuana – Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing businesses in Denver.
Cons of Denver Living
The downsides of living in Denver are considered to be traffic congestion, the high altitude, the high prices of living in certain areas, and the public transit reach.
The traffic
The road infrastructure in Denver has been suffering due to the fact that the city has been experiencing a rise in population. The influx of new residents has created major traffic issues in Denver and the surrounding areas. Residents of Denver are constantly complaining about traffic jams which becomes worse each winter when ice and snow are frequent.
High Altitude
Denver is nicknamed the mile high city for a good reason; the city is located on and surrounded by mountains. Denver is located 5.280 feet above sea level and there is less oxygen to breathe and the sun shines stronger in the area. Visitors and new residents take time to acclimate to the thinner atmosphere.
Volatile Housing Market
Most of the costs of living in Denver are about average, but the rent and housing costs are in high demand. A number of neighborhoods in Denver have experienced a rise in rent prices and is becoming a problem for residents
Public Transport Accessibility
Denver has both light-rail and bus systems but it is not very extensive and can be fairly expensive. The public transportation network is limited to near the city center.
At the end...
In conclusion, Denver is attracting extreme growth and many new residents are choosing this city to be their new home.
As you can see, living in Denver comes with some advantages and disadvantages. The city is in the top 3 cities to live in the USA based upon the quality of life. The pros of living in Denver seem to outweigh the cons and residents report to be very happy with most aspects of city living.
Hopefully, the city acclimates quickly to the new growth and improves the infrastructure to better serve the public.
