Moving to Denver? Here's What New Residents Absolutely Must Know
Are you considering moving to Denver? You’re not alone: The Denver metro area’s population has surged in recent decades to more than 3 million, with new residents drawn to its vibrant culture and outdoorsy lifestyle.
As a hub for those eager to explore all the Rocky Mountains have to offer, it’s no surprise that Denver is popular among transplants. This year, U.S. News & World Report named the Denver metro area the fifth-hottest housing market in the country.
But before you move, there are a few things you should know. In this blog, we’ll cover the city’s lifestyle, neighborhoods, cost of living, climate and more. You’ll be living like a local in no time!
Moving to Denver: Living at 5,280 Feet
If you’re new to Colorado, living at high elevation can be an adjustment. Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, which is why it’s known as the Mile High City. The elevation affects many parts of residents’ lives — it can even influence how long and at what temperature you need to cook your dinner!
If it’s your first time visiting, you’ll need to prepare for the possibility of altitude sickness, which happens when your body moves to a higher altitude too quickly. Although the ailment is more common at even higher elevations in the mountains, it’s not impossible in Denver, so you should be aware of the signs. It’s also important to drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you’re at high elevation. (The higher the elevation, the stronger the sun’s rays!)
Moving to Denver: Finding the Right Neighborhood
Denver is Colorado’s capital and largest city, and it contains a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with their own distinct vibe and characteristics. There’s a place for everyone, from the young professionals in the River North Art District (RiNo) and Lower Highland (LoHi) to the families in Washington Park and Central Park (formerly Stapleton) and the outdoors lovers in Berkeley and Sloan’s Lake.
To explore Denver’s neighborhoods — and discover which might be your perfect fit — check out our Denver neighborhood map.
Moving to Denver: Budgeting for Housing
Denver is a trendy, growing city, and with that comes a hefty price tag. Homes are listed for a median price of $589,500, well above the national median of $431,250. (However, there are still neighborhoods where you can find relatively affordable homes. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our blog on the five neighborhoods where it’s possible to find affordable homes with a promising return on investment.) The housing market is considered balanced, with homes selling after a median of 40 days on the market.
The rental market is a slightly different story. The Denver Post reported earlier this year that the Denver metro area’s rental market had slowed slightly due to an oversupply of apartments. In recent years, developers had been rushing to keep up with demand for rentals, leading to a surge in supply and an increase in vacancy rates. Although the average rent is $2,176, 4% above the national average, the rental market is considered cool.
That said, there’s still lots of demand for rentals in Denver, and whether you’re searching for your ideal rental or thinking about buying your new dream home, there’s likely to be competition — and you might find that your money doesn’t go as far as it would in other cities. One way to keep an eye on some of Denver’s best rentals is to work with a local property manager like Evernest. If you’re searching for a new home in Denver, check out our available rentals!
Moving to Denver: Adapting to the Weather
Denver has a four-season climate, with warm summers and snowy winters, but it boasts an average of more than 300 days of sunshine each year, so even when there’s snow on the ground in January, the sun is often shining. Spring and summer can bring brief rainstorms or thunderstorms, which sometimes feature hail.
The weather can change quickly in Colorado, with a snowstorm one day and intense sunshine that melts away all the snow the next. Because of that, residents need to dress in a way that prepares them for anything, which often means layering. And if you’ve never lived in a city that sees frequent snow, you’ll need to learn how to prepare your home and car for winter weather. For your car, that could mean buying snow tires (depending on how often you plan to travel into the mountains) or an ice scraper.
Colorado also has extremely low humidity all year, so you might find that your skin feels drier here.
Moving to Denver: Planning for Transit (and Traffic)
Denver has a car-centric culture, with 64% of the metro area’s residents saying they drove alone to work. (Another 22% reported working from home, with only 7% carpooling, 2% using public transit and 2% walking.) Many residents complain about traffic bottlenecks on frequently used highways such as I-25 or I-70.
However, there are public transit options in Denver. RTD, the city’s Regional Transportation District, operates buses and a light rail throughout the city and its suburbs. At its heart, Denver is an outdoorsy and athletic city, so you’ll also see some people cycling across the city, especially on its many paved trails. You’re also sure to see e-bikes and scooters littering the streets — those are available to rent through companies such as Bird or Lime.
Moving to Denver: Navigating the Job Market
Denver’s key industries include tech, healthcare, aerospace, cannabis and finance. Some of the metro area’s largest employers are Lockheed Martin, Western Union, Denver Health, Lumen Technologies and Coors Brewing Company.
Denver is also a hub for remote workers. As we mentioned above, 22% of Denver metro area residents say they work from home, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 14%. If you’re a freelancer or work remotely, there are plenty of coffee shops to work from!
Moving to Denver: Experiencing the Local Culture
Denver might be known for its marijuana, craft beer and dog-friendly establishments — and those certainly make up part of its culture — but there’s plenty more that gives the city its singular vibe.
Live music fans love Denver’s iconic venues, from Fillmore Auditorium to Red Rocks Amphitheatre just west of the city. Denver is also home to seven pro sports teams, including the Broncos (football), the Nuggets (basketball), the Rockies (baseball) and the Avalanche (hockey). There are plenty of delicious restaurants for foodies, and dog culture is a huge part of Denver life, so you’ll find that many breweries and restaurants allow dogs.
Exercise and outdoor recreation are also an enormous part of the culture — as you make new friends, you’ll likely receive countless invitations to hike. Many Coloradans are incredibly proud of being “green,” so recycling, composting and efforts to live a more sustainable life are the norm.
For those interested in partaking in Colorado’s legal marijuana, here are a few things to know: If you’re at least 21 years old, you can possess up to 2 ounces of retail marijuana at a time, but you can’t consume it in public. The law doesn’t distinguish between residents and nonresidents, so tourists and Denverites alike can buy it. There are a variety of retail marijuana dispensaries across Denver for you to choose from. But if it’s not your thing, no worries — there are plenty of Denverites who don’t smoke, either.
Moving to Denver: Building Your Community
It can be difficult to make friends and build community as an adult, no matter where you live. As a newcomer to Denver, don’t be afraid to drive headfirst into the city’s social scene! Consider browsing events on Meetup and checking out rec sports leagues or coworking spaces if you work from home.
To stay up to date on what’s going on in your new city, read news outlets such as The Denver Post, Denverite and The Colorado Sun. You might also want to sign up for the Denver Public Library or follow city accounts on social media to learn about city resources and happenings.
And finally, although Denver is a great city, don’t forget to leave its borders on occasion to see what the rest of Colorado has to offer. There’s no shortage of weekend trips you can take from Denver, whether you want to ski in Breckenridge or visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Top Tips for Newcomers Moving to Denver
Welcome to Denver! We hope these tips help you settle into your new home on Colorado’s Front Range. The Mile High City has its own unique culture and quirks, but we’re certain you’ll be calling yourself a Denverite in no time.
Also, as you learn more about the city and determine which neighborhood is right for you, don’t forget that Evernest can help you find your next rental — or help you rent out investment properties with ease. Contact us to learn more!
