Denver, Colorado is a rapidly growing metropolis nestled up against the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. There’s a lot to love about this eclectic, diverse city. With a population of approximately 750,000 and a growth rate of about 24.16 %, the secret of this up-and-coming city is definitely out. So what’s drawing such a massive migration to the Mile High City?
If you’re considering your own move to Denver, it’s vital to know what you’re getting yourself into first. While it is a wonderful place, it’s not for everyone. Get to know Colorado’s state capitol with these facts tailored toward those looking to relocate.
With so many people moving into the city, it's no wonder the housing market in Denver is highly competitive. It’s currently a seller’s market. While the pendulum is beginning to swing back towards a more balanced state, buyers are still likely to have their work cut out for them hunting for their perfect Denver home.
The median home cost is roughly $545,000. With a 1-year appreciation rate of about 13.3 percent as of 2021, there is a lot of potential for growth in the Denver housing market. But there is still a risk of sticker shock with the climbing housing costs and a low housing inventory.
If you’ve never been to Colorado before, surprise! The weather is highly sporadic. Sure, our famed 300 days of sunshine do hold up. But you also might experience all four seasons in a single day. It’s not uncommon to wake up to freezing temperatures, burn up mid-day, and top the day off with a hail storm.
Colorado is considered a high desert climate, which means most days are in fact dry and sunny. While winters are quite mild in Denver, we still experience a fair amount of snow. Snow doesn’t tend to stick around for long with an average daily high of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
If you’re planning a move to Denver –or any part of Colorado, really– be prepared to pack your layers. With such varied, unpredictable weather, you’ll likely need to go through a few wardrobe changes throughout any single day.
Denver is a fairly young city with a median age of about 32. The general population is highly diverse and educated. Young professionals from around the world are flocking to the Mile High City for new opportunities and a fresh way of life. Denver is known for lending itself nicely to a healthy work-life balance.
A huge aspect of the city’s culture is staying active. There is no shortage of climbing gyms, trails, fun runs, and healthy eateries in Denver. Due to this unparalleled access to wellness amenities, Denver was named the fittest city in the country with one of the lowest obesity rates in America.
Art is also a huge part of Denver culture. There are plenty of art museums to peruse including the brand new Meow Wolf installation. With such a vibrant, talented local music scene, you can see live music just about any night of the week. During the summer you can enjoy a concert with a view at Red Rocks Amphitheater. There’s an abundance of art to enjoy in Denver.
Droves of top companies are planting roots in Denver too. With the arrival of new companies comes more high-paying jobs. Some of the top industries in the city include tech, marijuana, aerospace, and agriculture. It’s an exciting place to be for an ambitious professional looking for new opportunities.
The business boom is only one part of the picture. One disclaimer those looking to move to Denver should keep in mind is that while there are many potential jobs, wages aren’t rising at the same rate as the cost of living. This could be an issue for some individuals and families in lower-income positions.
The issue of affordability makes Denver a bit challenging for a growing family. It’s certainly not a cheap city to raise children in. But there are a lot of benefits to establishing your brood in the Mile High City.
Crime is relatively average in Denver. There are about 5.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents – middle of the pack when stacked up against other states and cities.
As we mentioned, the housing market is steady and promising for those who can buy in.
There’s a low unemployment rate of roughly 4.2 percent. That’s 2 percent lower than the national average.
Overall, Denver is a very child-friendly (and dog-friendly while we’re at it) place. There's an abundance of green spaces. There always seems to be a community or cultural event going on downtown. Plus, there are plenty of museums to explore and we have a fabulous zoo the kids will love. And to top it off, Denver features some top-notch schools and safe neighborhoods.
If you love trying new restaurants, Denver is the place for you! The growing population is stirring up the local culinary and beverage scene. There’s a parade of new eateries, food trucks, breweries, and distilleries cropping up across town – many with gifted chefs and brewers at the helm.
Beer lovers are especially drawn to the Mile High City. The only city with more breweries is Portland, Oregon. There’s actually such a well-established beer scene in town that it’s often called the Napa Valley of Beer.
We can’t talk about Denver without mentioning skiing and snowboarding. Some of the best resorts in the entire country are right here in Colorado. Heavy hitters like Vail and Breckenridge are only around 75 miles from Denver.
On a good day, you can probably make it to the resorts in a little over an hour. But the traffic up I-70 on the weekends can be absolutely brutal. It’s not uncommon to get stuck in traffic for up to three hours when you and every other weekend warrior make their way up or down the pass.
If you want to get the most out of your skiing and snowboarding experience – and skip the traffic– try carving out a time to go on a weekday. Traffic is typically far more forgiving.
Denver is a wonderful place to live and work. If you decide to make the move, you can look forward to sunny days, an abundance of job opportunities, a thriving housing market, and that coveted work-life balance we all strive for. While the sporadic weather and cost of living can be a difficult sell, it can be worth it to experience the unique draw of the Mile High City.
If you’re looking to build a custom home or remodel a diamond in the rough, Forge & Bow would be honored to help that process along. Whether you’re just moving to town or you’re a longtime Denverite, we’re here to help! Contact us today for more information!
