Moving to Denver: What You Need to Know

If you’ve been thinking about moving to Denver, we don’t blame you. Mountain views, mild weather, and the Red Rocks Amphitheater nearby? What’s not to like? Before you pack up and drive into the gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado, there are some things you should know. So, let’s take a look and see if moving to Denver is right for you.

Denver 101

To start, we want to share some facts about Denver, Colorado. You can’t start moving to Denver without knowing the basics!

Population of the city of Denver, Colorado: 715,878
Population of the metro area including Denver, Aurora and Bloomfield: 2,862,000
Denver is near the Rocky Mountains, not in them
The city is exactly one mile above sea level
There are 300 days of sunshine a year
Denver has over 200 parks

Cost of Living in Denver, Colorado

The question on everyone’s mind when moving to Denver is what it’s going to cost to live there. Affordability is also going to depend on where you’re coming from. If you’re moving to Denver from San Francisco or Seattle, it’s going to feel very affordable. According to Apartment List, the average rent for a one bedroom in Denver is $1838. A two bedroom will run you around $2400.

BestPlaces reports the median home cost at $534,100. The average salary in Denver is around $60k a year which should cover living expenses. Be prepared to spend a bit more than smaller cities, but moving to Denver is going to be more affordable than other popular cities.

Do I Need a Car in Denver?

The majority of people who live in Denver have either a car or bike to get around. Most of the city has bike lanes, so you’ll be able to get around just fine on two wheels. There is public transportation that’s operated by the Regional Transit District (RTD). There are busses and a light rail system to get around, but keep in mind that public transit outside of the downtown areas is limited.

Another thing to note is that Denver has one of the most walkable downtown areas in the country.

Keep Altitude in Mind

Denver is lovingly referred to as the Mile High City, and with good reason. That altitude is no joke. At about one mile above sea level, Denver’s air is similar to that of the desert. Make sure to stay hydrated and you may run out of breath quicker on a hike.

Denver is Sunny!

When people think of Denver, typically snow and mountains come to mind. Well, Denver, Colorado sees 300 days of sunshine a year, so make sure to pack your sunscreen! You also get to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest which is great if you’re into that sort of thing. During the winter, snow melts fast due to the sheer amount of sunshine, as well. So, you get the joys of a snowfall without having to shovel your car off.

Denver’s Job Market

Currently, the Mile High City has a stellar job market. The city has recently become a tech hub, so if you’re moving to Denver that’s something to consider. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Denver metro area ranked 7th in th top ten hottest job markets in the US. This number factors in unemployment rate, job growth, labor force and wage growth.

Another analysis showed that weekly earning in the Denver metro area rose 5.7% from 2020 to 2021, as well. The top industries in Denver include:

Aerospace
IT-software
Healthcare
Broadcast and Communications
Financial Services
Bioscience

So, if you’re looking to get into one of these fields, moving to Denver might be for you. As remote work continues to be common, many people are also choosing to more to Denver with their employers in other states.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Denver

While there are plenty of pros of moving to Denver, it’s important to also look at the cons. Whenever you’re moving somewhere new, it’s good to be pragmatic about your decisions and not be blinded by the positives. We’re not saying you shouldn’t move to Denver, but we want you to be as informed as possible.

Pros

Mild Weather All Year

If you enjoy all four seasons you will get them in Denver minus the hard winters of the East Coast and Midwest.

Diverse Food and Drink Scene

Denver has no shortage of amazing restaurants and breweries. There’s something for everyone, and beer drinkers will be very happy in Denver.

Plenty of Outdoorsy Things to Do

Being at the foot of the Rocky Mountains means you’ll never run out of outdoor activities in Denver. Not to mention that there are 200 parks within the city itself.

Denver is Great for Sports Fans

Denver also has no shortage of events for sports fans. The Mile High City is home to the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche teams. All of the stadiums are centrally locatged, making going to a game pretty easy too.

Cons

There’s a Lot of Traffic

One thing to consider if you plan on bringing a car to Denver is the traffic. Being at the foot of the Rockies means that many Colorado tourists will make their way though the city. This along with the influx in population can create long commute times.

Winter is Long

If you’re not a fan of winter, be aware that while mild, winter lasts a long time in Denver. On average, it will snow about 6 months out of the year.

Ready to Start Moving to Denver?

📷 Photo by Pieter van de Sande on Unsplash

If you’re ready to start planning your move to Denver, great! One of the first things you’ll need to consider is hiring movers. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to help you move for pizza and beer anymore. Headband Movers is a great option for not only moving but they’ll help with packing and furniture assembly, too. Contact us today for your free moving estimate!

Get free quote

Moving to Denver: What You Need to Know