If you are considering moving to Denver, you better make your decision quick because you are one of many. The “Mile High City” is one of the fastest growing metros in the Midwest and is rated as having one of the best qualities of life in the country. Due to high college attainment rates and median income, good health among the population, a plentitude of highly-reviewed parks and recreational facilities, an economy excellent for business and career growth and, most importantly, The Broncos, this city has much to offer.
If there is one area of Denver proper that has seen an avalanche of attention, it is Downtown, especially in the eyes of millennials. It seems that many young adults are looking to move to the area for careers and what better spot than its very center. It’s not a bad idea since the area has seen consistent job growth since the recession and while housing costs have certainly grown, it’s nothing compared to major economic hubs like San Francisco or New York. Besides, live here and you have the Rockies right in your backyard with some of the world’s best snow.
Downtown has taken off in recent years and is expected to keep growing. With a surge of new residents, downtown’s neighborhoods have seen an increase in character and attraction. For example, LoDo (lower downtown) has seen an explosion of renovation during recent years. This historic industrial neighborhood is full of renovated warehouses for lovers of urban-chic décor. And with a healthy splattering of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, 16th Street Mall, and the easy walk to Coors Field (to see the Rockies play) and Sports Authority at Mile High for the Broncos, there’s always somewhere to go. The desirability of LoDo has increased tremendously and as a result, warehouses have been renovated into lofts and luxury apartments, though you might have to use an
apartment guide to snatch one. Also, with such close proximity to University of Colorado, Denver, this is a great spot for new students looking to be close to school.
For those moving for a job in the healthcare industry, Uptown is a very convenient neighborhood. The neighborhoods in Uptown are more residential than urban and residents are of diverse backgrounds, but tend to be affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, St. Joseph Hospital or St. Luke’s Medical Center. Housing varies between spare rooms in Victorian and Queen Anne houses for rent, studio apartments, and mid-rise apartment complexes. With tree-lined streets, pet-friendly City Park (one of the largest green spaces in Denver) and the rest of downtown within bicycling distance or a short taxi ride, Uptown is a gem.
However, if living in the busy center is not up your alley, there are many communities in the city proper that are still a short commute, but provide more family-oriented atmospheres. Englewood is only a twenty minute drive, yet still offers several different types of living settings. While the northern portions of Englewood and Cherry Hills Village (just east of Englewood) are generally wealthier and Englewood is one of the less expensive neighborhoods to live in, so finding a cheap apartment for rent with utilities included or home for rent is much easier than in areas such as Highland Park or LoDo. Also, with its own downtown and the University of Denver a short drive away, Englewood is a good option for students.
For the folks that like being outdoors, Regis and Berkeley are two excellent towns. Being on the northwestern rim of the city allows easy access to I-70 which is a straight shot to the mountains that will allow you to bypass most traffic coming from Denver. Also, Berkeley has several parks, two of them containing lakes such as Rocky Mountain Lake Park where you can fish, walk the trail, and have glorious picnics with the beautiful scenery of the Rockies. Apartment finders will be happy to know that the commute to the city allows for cheaper rents, so expect to save some money.
If you are a fan of having four seasons, you will love it here. Because the city gets about 300 days of summer per year, the snowy winters generally dry up within a day or two. Meanwhile, summers are mild with little humidity and average in the mid-80s. However, saving costs by renting with utilities included is always a good idea, though apartment searching by Craigslist can be unreliable.
