If you have gotten to a point in your life where you feel like you just need a positive change, you might be trying to decide where to move to for a fresh start. Well, if you are making a list of cities to consider, Denver should be right up at the top for a very long list of reasons. Alternatively, if you are relocating to this fantastic city for work, and you are not really sure how you feel about the move, you really should get very excited. Seriously, just ask your Denver movers why more and more people are picking up their lives and moving there. They will fill you in on a few reasons why this city is so popular right now!
Opportunity
While some may say they moved here because you can get away with wearing flannel pretty much anywhere, chances are good that there is a little more to it than this. This is one of America’s fastest growing cities, in fact, it is America’s eighth-best city for job seekers. Although there is already a population of around 2.8 million, there is still plenty of room for growth, and with this growth comes excellent employment opportunities.
Property is quite affordable and wages are good. Now is the time to cash in on some of this growth and get established with a company with promise for advancement.
The Cost of Living?
Many people Denver in a category with places like New York City, Los Angeles, and other expensive large cities. However, you may be quite surprised that the cost of living is only about 10 percent above the national average. So depending on where you live, you might barely notice a change. Interestingly, the cost of utilities is slightly below the country’s average. Bankrate offers a fantastic free calculator you can use to compare the cost of living in two areas, based on the same salary. It provides a detailed comparison list on the cost of everything from dry cleaning to bananas to vet services.
Best Neighborhoods
Choosing a neighborhood in Denver is not easy. There are 78 official neighborhoods and each one offers something unique.
- City Park West – You may be interested to learn that home prices increased 34 percent from 2011 to 2012. If you are looking for a bungalow sure to build some fast equity, this is the neighborhood for you.
- Stapleton – There is a lively mix of homes here, with an average price of around $432K. This is a highly walkable community, as you can go to stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and recreation centers, without taking your car out of the driveway.
- North Capitol Hill – Also known as Uptown, it is recognized as Denver’s hippest city. There is also a nice running path that goes through the neighborhood.
- Lincoln Park – If you are looking for a historic neighborhood you will love Lincoln Park. There are homes here more than a century old and full of character.
- Capitol Hill – Named after the Capitol building that sits perched atop a hill, Capitol Hill offers a nice mix of older homes, condos, and apartments. There is a strong Bohemian feel, and the neighborhood is gay-friendly.
Nature
Denver is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether you like to ski or snowboard, or if you simply enjoy walking or cycling, there are countless opportunities available. This is a beautiful area; natural settings are virtually everywhere you look. In fact, there are more than 200 gorgeous mountain and city parks in the city, most of which are free to enjoy. Plus, you are only minutes from the Rockies. Also, you might be interested to know that the sun shines in Denver an average of 300 days a year!
Culture
Whether you enjoy art or if you have children you want growing up with access to rich culture, Denver is your place. The city is packed full of performing arts venues, museums, and galleries. There are a huge culture and art scene here; bigger than most cities, and far more significant than what most people expect. From museums to art galleries to an entire art district, this is a place that truly has it all. Once you are here a while, you will even find that there are art festivals and art weeks scattered throughout the year as well.
Just a few of these include:
- Denver Art Museum – There are always new exhibits rotating through these doors, and they are all top-notch
- Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art – In addition to the Vance Kirkland collection, the International Decorative Art showcases work from more than 60 architects while the Colorado and Regional Art section has at least 700 works by around 170 different artists at any given time.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver – The museum welcomes regional, national and international artists, and it hosts a generous schedule of adult and youth programs. This is a popular place for teens who are aspiring artists to be introduced to cutting edge pieces.
Education and Community
Although education and community are essentially two separate topics, the two really do go hand-in-hand. Education is important in this city, and the public schools are well-known and respected for providing a world-class education. Plus, to enhance the city’s quality of life, community partnerships between civic, educational and business organizations are strong and steadily on the rise.
Nightlife
Although Denver is a prime location to raise a family, it is also about the hottest place to be, if you are young and single. From quiet, intimate bars to electric nightclubs where DJs spin until early in the morning, your Denver movers will tell you this is the city to live if you love the nightlife. After all, Colorado is the only state in America where a governor started out as a bar owner!
