The Mile High City is an outdoorsman’s—and outdoorslady’s—dream come true. This city of just over 680,000 is the fastest growing city in the country. Here we’ll discuss some of the must know facts before moving to Denver.
Cost of Living
DENVER RENT PRICES
Median rents as of December 23, 2017. |
The cost of living in Denver is still quite low relative to larger cities in the region, like Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it’s climbing. Average cost of a one bedroom apartment in the city center is roughly $1,600 and $1,200 outside of the city center and utilities will run you about $120 a month, with internet about $55 a month (Source: Numbeo).
Where Should You Live?
Each neighborhood has a very different vibe, but on the whole Denverites are very friendly and laidback.
Capitol Hill/Golden Triangle
Home to eight of Denver’s museums and the Colorado State Capitol, Capitol Hill is a diverse and walking friendly neighborhood. It’s also home to Cheesman Park and Civic Center Park, close to the Capitol. The central location, older architecture, and its multitude of casual eateries make this area a great place to call home. Be warned though, parking in this popular neighborhood can be tricky!
Highlands/West Highlands
Just west of Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies play, and across I-25 is the Highlands neighborhood. Since its founding in 1858, this community has been known for its ethnic diversity and the influence of Italian and Mexican immigrants in particular can be seen in the eclectic community. The Tennyson Street Cultural District is home to many of Denver’s unique art galleries.
Cherry Creek
A 5-minute drive from downtown Denver is the upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood. With great shopping and dining, Cherry Creek is a perfect place to spend the afternoon walking around or at the 22-mile Cherry Creek recreational path, a popular destination for the city’s many biking enthusiasts.
Five Points
In its heyday, famous for its jazz clubs, Five Points was known as the “Harlem of the West”. This area has some of the oldest turn of the century homes and its attractions include the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and Curtis Park. Five Points was also prominently featured in Jack Kerouac’s seminal work, On The Road.
Sunnyside
In the city’s northwest area, Sunnyside was hit hard during the recession in the late 1980s, but has become increasingly popular with young couples and families in recent years. It’s a short commute to the city center with a lower cost of living than other areas.
Uptown
Uptown—north of Colfax Avenue, between downtown and City Park, and also known as North Capitol Hill—offers a great mix of newer condos and older brick homes. An easy commute to the city center, this area is popular with young professionals. The neighborhood is home to East 17th Street’s “Restaurant Row.”
Transportation
In a city like Denver, having a car is certainly a bonus but not at all necessary, particularly if you like biking. In 2010, the Denver B-Cycle program was among the first bike rental programs in the country; now, similar programs exist is most major U.S. cities.
Its been called “the train that saved Denver”, the Light Rail system has helped ease congestion on the city’s highways. It spans 34.8 miles from the suburbs to the city, making it one of the most convenient ways to get around. More information on the Light Rail here and information on the city’s bus system here.
Activities
Wandering the 700,000 square feet of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and its wildlife, geological, and archeological exhibitions is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. The Denver Art Museum in Capitol Hill boasts an impressive collect of works from artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, and Frederic Remington.
For those looking to spend some time enjoying the great weather Denver offers, the Art District on Santa Fe and the River North Arts District are not to be missed—learn more about Denver’s arts and cultural districts here. Kids—and kids at heart—will love the Denver Zoo, located just across the park from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city is a breeze—some of the best skiing and white water rafting is just an hour drive from the city. Depending on the time of year though, be prepared for traffic!
No doubt, after all of these activities, you’ll have worked up a healthy appetite. Tacos Tequila Whiskey in Congress Park offers Mexican cantina fare in a casual environment. Just up East Colfax Avenue is the more intimate To The Wind Bistro, which seats just 14-16 people. It’s inspired menu has a charming and authentic feel. At the southern end of Capitol Hill is Table 6, which offers “American comfort food with an eclectic, unconventional twist.” The playful menu with dishes like tater tots with Lyonnaise cream and butternut squash cheesecake make it a great spot for a casual brunch or a romantic date night.
Fast Facts on Denver
- Denver averages 300 days of sunshine each year (more than San Diego and Miami!)
- With such terrific weather, it’s advisable to live in close proximity to one of the city’s 200 public parks
- Colorado has low property taxes and a flat income tax rate of 4.63%. Colorado’s sales tax is the lowest in the country (out of states with a sales tax)
- The views are great and the air is fresh, but don’t forget, the Mile High city has an elevation of, well, a mile (5,280 feet, to be exact). Here are some tips on adjusting to the elevation from sea level.
Additional Resources
- Sign-up for Denver.org’s e-newsletter, and they’ll keep you posted on upcoming events and new things to explore in Denver
- Looking for a job in the Mile High City? The Denver Post offers networking tips and job hunting
- Beautiful weather and friendly locals makes socializing a breeze—use Meetup to find new friends in your new city
- Greenwood Village Movers, Local Movers LLC, and Around the Clock all enjoy 5-star ratings on Yelp
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
This post was updated from an earlier version on December 29, 2017.
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