If you're thinking about moving to one of the fastest growing cities in the country, here's what you need to consider.
Just like Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, Denver's rapid growth has spurred a cost of living on the higher side. In fact, at 12% more than the national average, it's ranked the 40th most expensive city in the U.S.
Population-wise, Denver is considered to be moderately diverse; just over half of the population is white, nearly a third is Latino or Hispanic, 10% is Black and just under 4% is Asian. Over a third of the population falls between the ages of 25 and 44, with 33.7 being the median age.
As is customary for a city with growth such as Denver's, its housing market is booming. Currently, the median price for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Denver is $501,929, while the median monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,538. According to PayScale, these figures put Denver's housing expenses at 34% higher than the national average, but utility prices, such as energy and phone bills, are 6% lower than the national average. Property taxes in Denver are also relatively low in comparison to other big cities.
Denver is on the up-and-up as a tech hub, with companies like Google, Microsoft and Apple establishing a presence there in recent years. The city's healthy job market and lower-than-average unemployment rates also have industries like aerospace, healthcare, agriculture and recreational marijuana to thank. Denver's average annual salary of $61,540 exceeds the national average of $53,490.
Besides driving, biking and public transit are popular methods of getting around Denver. Many of the city's neighborhoods are easily walkable, and if you need to go farther, the RTD Light Rail stops at 50 stations throughout the Denver metro area, with connections to the airport as well as some of the largest suburbs.
Still, driving is the leading mode of transport, so it's safe to say Denver isn't immune to the woes of traffic. Despite this, a car offers the most flexibility, especially if you want to take advantage of the beautiful areas and fun activities in and around the city. If you're planning to buy a new vehicle upon moving to Denver, consider one with four-wheel drive so you can best navigate some of the more rugged terrain you'll encounter on your explorations.
Just like Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, Denver's rapid growth has spurred a cost of living on the higher side. In fact, at 12% more than the national average, it's ranked the 40th most expensive city in the U.S. Population-wise, Denver is considered to be moderately diverse; just over half of the population is white, nearly a third is Latino or Hispanic, 10% is Black and just under 4% is Asian. Over a third of the population falls between the ages of 25 and 44, with 33.7 being the median age.
Denver experiences an average of 300 sunny days per year. Summers can get hot, but they're not humid, making them more tolerable. With Colorado being a popular destination for winter sports and activities, you can naturally expect chilly, snowy weather during this season that often bleeds into the springtime.
In Denver, it's normal for temperatures to rise and fall as much as 40 degrees throughout the day. If you're planning to keep belongings in storage during and after your move to Denver, you should consider getting a climate-controlled storage unit to take the edge off these common temperature fluctuations.
Denver isn't called the Mile High City for nothing. At a mile above sea level, many visitors and new residents spend their first few days in Denver getting acclimated to the altitude. The lower levels of oxygen in the air create a dry, desert-like climate, but it can take its toll on an unadjusted body, resulting in dehydration and feelings of exhaustion. What's more, the higher altitude puts you closer to the sun and more at risk of getting sunburnt, so in addition to drinking plenty of water, wearing SPF is a must in Denver.
You'll never run out of things to do in Denver. There's an abundance of outdoor activities you can partake in across the city's many parks, bike paths and natural areas. If you want to change things up, you're just a drive away from the mountains, where you can spend the day skiing and snowboarding in winter and early spring, or taking in the beautiful sights on a hike during the warmer months.
Located about two hours outside of Denver is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park — a majestic utopia of mountains to hike, forests to camp in, trails to ride horseback through, waterfalls to explore and lakes to fish in. It's ideal for both a quick day trip or weekend getaway from the city. However you choose to take in Denver and the great outdoors that surround it, Public Storage makes it easy to store and retrieve your recreational equipment so it doesn't take up valuable space in your home. With conveniently located storage units throughout the Denver area, just stop by to load up your equipment for the day's activities and get right back on the road. Dropping off your bikes, kayaks, skis and snowboards on the way back home is just as effortless, which is exactly what you need after all that activity.
If you're a sports fan, you're in luck. There's no shortage of professional sports teams to support in Denver. Root for the Broncos in person at Mile High Stadium. Watch home runs fly out of the park with the Rockies at Coors Field. If you prefer indoor sports, stop by Ball Arena and join thousands of other hockey fans in showing love for the Avalanche. Maybe you'll even be there to see the Nuggets finally make the NBA playoffs.
If you enjoy going to concerts, you'll love the experience even more at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This world-famous music venue with acoustics as stellar as its views has seen hitmakers from all genres grace its stage. If you're looking for something more low-key, Denver has many smaller music venues throughout the city you can get your live music fix at.
See your favorite Broadway musical on tour at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, where theater, ballet and opera take center stage. If you prefer your art in a more visual medium, stop by the Denver Art Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.
History buffs are in luck, too. Learn about the inspiring legacy of philanthropist, activist and socialite Molly Brown at the Molly Brown House Museum. Venture just outside of Denver to relive the wild, wild west at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, and gain a realistic understanding of the settlement and growth of the western United States at the Black American West Museum.
There's so much to explore in Denver — this is just scratching the surface. You'll never be bored once you move here, that's a guarantee.
As you may have gathered, Denver is a popular place to visit for a variety of reasons, and it's quickly become a prime culinary destination as well. Hip, eclectic, laid back — Denver's food scene truly embodies the essence of the city. Carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike are certain to find something to love, with dishes and cuisines that run the gamut. Burgers made of beef or bison, elk hot dogs, poke bowls, Southern comfort food, pizza, pasta, Mexican staples — you name it, Denver's got it.
If you're a beer lover, you're hitting the jackpot by moving to Denver. The city has evolved into a huge craft beer destination, giving Portland and its many microbreweries a run for its money. Make it a point to wind down from the day's activities at one of the many breweries Denver has to offer. Whether you like a stout so dark light can't escape or prefer an ultra-hoppy IPA, there's sure to be a taproom serving up a local brew you love.
One of the hardest parts about moving to a new city is choosing the right neighborhood, and the Mile High City — made up of many great ones — doesn't make it easy. Each has its own personality and unique offerings, so it's important to find the one that best aligns with your lifestyle. Some of the best areas to live in Denver include:
East Denver's charming yet hip Uptown neighborhood, also referred to as North Capitol Hill, offers residents the walkability, dining options and activities of bustling city life while still managing to feel like a community. Self-proclaimed foodies will especially enjoy Uptown's 17th Avenue, a tree-lined street packed with various eateries, earning it the nickname of "Restaurant Row." The area is home to a constant stream of newly built apartments as more and more young professionals make Uptown their home.
West Denver's Highlands neighborhood comprises the three smaller, distinct districts of Highlands Square, Tennyson Street and Lower Highland. This trendy area — safe and accessible, making it both family-friendly and suitable for singles and young professionals — is brimming with restaurants, coffee shops and bars. It's an especially great neighborhood for anyone who loves shopping locally, as boutique shops and local art galleries can be found throughout the area as well.
Art lovers, you'll be hard-pressed to find another Denver neighborhood as rich in the stuff as North Denver's RiNo. Among the vibrant street art and wall murals, and studios and galleries galore, there are all sorts of breweries and restaurants for you to stop in and try. Even the food is artistic, with experimental eateries constantly popping up in the neighborhood. All this, paired with a buzzing nightlife scene, leads young professionals and hip aspiring artists to be top renters in this area. Easily walkable and notably bikeable, RiNo also offers easy access to main interstates should you like to drive anywhere.
What art is to RiNo, music is to Five Points. Home to a rich history and many smaller concert venues where some of the greatest jazz legends once took to the stage, audiences can now enjoy performances from a range of indie and hip-hop artists regularly stopping by. Highly walkable, Five Points is the ideal neighborhood for singles and young professionals looking to really explore their creative sides. Of course, there's no shortage of restaurants to check out, and its proximity to both the downtown area and neighboring RiNo makes it easy for Five Points residents to experience nightlife as they please.
LoDo, or Lower Downtown, is a buzzing micro-community of the larger Downtown Denver area. It's highly walkable, which is great because it's filled with tons of bars, restaurants and shops to explore. LoDo is a prime spot for young professionals, with its apartments and condos in close proximity to downtown offices. If you're a sports fan, a Rockies game at Coors Field is just steps away from your front door.
Smack dab in the center of Denver is Capitol Hill. Cap Hill, one of the city's oldest areas, has everything most singles and young professionals could want from a neighborhood — plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife attractions just steps from your home, affordable rent, an easy commute to work in the Central Business District and historic, million-dollar homes that give one something to aspire to. If none of that really feels like your thing, you're in Denver — the great outdoors always awaits.
As you head into South Denver, you'll hit another neighborhood suitable for both young professionals and families. Washington Park strikes a nice balance of city-meets-suburbia, offering a wholly suburban feel while remaining close enough to the action of central Denver. Home prices and apartment rents tend to be higher here, but many residents find that a small price to pay for an area safer than 77% of other Denver neighborhoods. There's plenty of opportunity to savor the outdoors in Washington Park, namely in the eponymously named Wash Park. This sweeping park has miles of scenic trails to walk or bike along, picnic areas, tennis courts, rec centers, sports fields and much more. If all else fails, there's always the option to simply sit and take in the beautiful, unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains off in the distance.
There's no denying that the Mile High City makes a great place to live. With its booming job market, thriving economy, eclectic neighborhoods, the promise of perpetual sun and enough activities to keep you busy for a lifetime, Denver's higher-than-average cost of living certainly makes a case for itself.
Your move to Denver can feel stressful — moving anywhere usually is — but Public Storage can help eliminate some of that stress by providing a conveniently located space for you to keep your things as you settle into your new home. Once you've adjusted to Denver and its altitude, you can dive right into the many experiences this great city has to offer, and we'll always be nearby when you need some extra space. Whether you're putting the skis away for the season, or storing your winter coats to free up closet space for summer attire, we have room for it.
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