15+ Pros and Cons of Living in Denver

Choosing a place to live is probably one of the most important decisions.

It’s no surprise that every year thousands of people from outside of Colorado choose to live in Denver.

The city has easy access to nature, a thriving food and art scene, and a list of things to do that never seems to end.

Denver offers something for everyone to enjoy, but before you move forward and spend time in the Mile High City, there are a few things you should know.

Where is Denver Located?

Denver, the capital city and county of Colorado, is located immediately east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, near the western edge of the Great Plains.

Pros of Living in Denver

1. Proximity to the Mountains

One thing you’ll notice right away about Colorado is how much time people spend in the mountains.

People often hike, camp, backcountry ski, snowshoe, mountain bike, and trail run in the neighboring mountains due to the city’s closeness to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

2. Young Population

Denver can be a great option if you’re seeking a progressive area to call home.

Denver’s culture is interesting to younger people and keeps drawing them in.

Younger people typically live in communities with greater diversity, shared ideals, lots of entertainment, intriguing events, and a more creative employment market.

3. Beauty

Denver is a bustling metropolis with a distinct culture and vibe, best recognized for being located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

While enjoying all the benefits of a large city, such as public parks, breweries, excellent dining options, art museums, and plenty of shopping, you’ll still have access to breathtaking scenery.

4. Spirited and Daring locals

In Denver, you can go hang gliding, mountain biking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fly fishing, and more within a few hours of the downtown area.

It’s also simple to meet other outdoor enthusiasts by going to events or joining local groups.

5. Thriving Economy

In Denver’s market, there are more well-paying jobs than in many other US metro areas.

A lot of big businesses have their main offices and centers in cities.

This creates big financial incentives for people looking for work and building successful lives.

6. Dream for Nature Enthusiasts

The underlying idea is that no matter what sort of experiences you’re hoping to have, you can find them in Denver.

There is a wide variety of activities available, from skiing and hiking to world-class mountain climbing.

In fact, many athletes, both professional and amateur, choose to settle in Denver because of its convenient access to the great outdoors.

7. Great Nightlife

The amazing nightlife in Denver is just another benefit of living here.

The greatest spots for nightlife are Glow Lounge on Colfax Ave., Milk Bar on Broadway, and Coyote Ugly in the Denver Pavilions.

There are plenty of fantastic bars in Denver, so don’t worry if you prefer to go out at night bar hopping.

8. Amazing Food Scene

Denver is likely to win your heart if you enjoy exploring new and creative cuisines.

Even if you’re not a fan of Mexican cuisine, you’ll find a wide variety of dining options in Denver.

Despite its fame as a Mexican restaurant, Rocky Mountain Oysters (which aren’t actually oysters) are a staple on the menu.

Cons of Living in Denver

1. Traffic Congestion

Strangely enough, traffic isn’t so horrible if you’re moving around the city.

There are rarely any vehicles, even downtown, as everyone either uses public transportation or bikes to get anywhere.

On the other hand, traffic in and out of the city can be so terrible that you could find yourself delayed in one place for up to an hour.

If your car is carrying three or more people, you can use the express or carpool lanes.

It is therefore unlikely that traffic will be an issue for you when you are visiting if you are traveling in a larger group than simply yourself and another person.

2. Elevated altitude adaptation

Denver is known as “The Mile High City” due to its elevation of more than 5,000 feet above sea level.

Although these provide breathtaking views, some newcomers to Denver may find it difficult to adjust.

You’ll need to give yourself enough time to adjust to the greater elevation and correspondingly thinner air.

One could argue that having to take this extra step makes life in Denver more difficult, particularly in the beginning while adjusting.

3. Expensive Accommodations

Denver has expensive rents and mortgages, and the median income in many communities is too low for people to afford homes there.

You risk having a long commute in search of decent work or reasonably priced accommodation if you don’t land a high-paying job, for which there are increasing options.

4. Drought and Smoke from Fires

Colorado is not an exception to the current drought circumstances that many western states are facing.

Long-lasting drought conditions are the result of the lack of significant precipitation, even while it is pleasant to enjoy the outdoors.

These things also make it easier for wildfires to start and harder to keep them under control.

This means that days with bad air quality may make it harder for people who are prone to lung problems to breathe.

5. Landlocked City

Denver is completely landlocked, which means that no ocean or large body of water is located nearby.

The nearest location to the ocean is by plane, and if you can travel flexibly, it’s actually not that expensive to get to the California coast.

Still, Denver and its environs are home to a large number of lakes and rivers, many of which run very close to the Rocky Mountains.

Thus, enjoyable pursuits like white water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are still possible.

You won’t mind giving up the beach for this mountainous wonderland either, especially when you’ve seen the Rocky Mountains for yourself.

6. Lack of Public Transportation

Some families in the suburbs and edges of Denver don’t have access to public transportation.

Also, in the winter, it might not be possible or practical to walk or ride a bike even for short routes to work.

You can’t relocate to Denver without a car, as much as I hate to say that, especially if you want to enjoy outdoor activities.

7. Unpredictable Weather

Some seasons end abruptly early in the season with snowstorms.

Storms like these can develop as early as September.

Denver experiences intense summer heat and a pleasant, mild autumn.

Some seasons end abruptly early in the season with snowstorms. Storms like these can develop as early as September.

Frequent thunderstorms frequently bring hail. Especially in the later part of the season, winter snowfall is often reported in feet rather than inches.

You will also need to stock up on sunscreen because, due to the high altitude, you can still get sunburned during the winter.

8. There is too much to do

Because of the city’s packed event schedule, there may be several excellent options available to you on a given day.

It will be hard to choose between going to sports events, festivals, food and drink tours, outdoor activities, art shows, museums, community events, and hanging out in downtown areas.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to every place in the world.

But Denver is the place to go if you want a little of everything, like a huge variety of things to do.

Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.

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