Firstly why Denver, Colorado?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Denver
• State: Colorado
• Population: 715,522 people
• Denver’s quick summary would be The Mile-High City, famous for its vibrant cultural scene, historic Larimer Square, and proximity to the Rocky Mountains.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 60,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 60,000 annually
• Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 10,000
• Number of Homeless people: 6,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it as a major city offers extensive job opportunities and cultural amenities attracting diverse populations

Perk #1: Denver Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 38%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 51%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
• The median income is (and growing)  $96,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Denver is $86,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-10000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Denver’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,651
• Property Tax %: 0.55%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,950
• Rent for an average house: $3,000
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Cherry Creek
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Wheat-Ridge, and probably could include Littleton
• Avg. Age of Homes in Denver: 73 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3.6%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Denver’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Denver are  Technology, Telecommunications, and Tourism
• Denver Job Scene: strong job market in tech healthcare and finance
• The General Tech Scene: major tech hub with strong focus on software development and startup initiatives , ,
• Denver Resident’s pay $2,400 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Denver: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 400 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 26

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Denver

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $120 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-25 and I-70 are major routes running through Denver
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening gridlock on the I-25
• Transportation Score: 64 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Denver: 650,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.9
• No. of Car Washes: 20 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Denver: dmv.colorado.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 79 of 100
• Local Airport: Denver International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Denver’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Severe storms
• General Weather in Denver is best described as has cold winters with snow and mild summers with moderate temperatures
• Winter Weather in Denver i’d describe as cold with periodic snow
• Spring Weather in Denver can be described as cool with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Denver are mostly warm and sunny
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Denver is usually mild with clear skies
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 8 days in summer
• Days in a row in Denver below Freezing: 33
• Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality frequently affected by altitude
• Denver Winter Air average air quality often impacted by traffic and industry

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Denver Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Denver 22
• While the number of trade schools inside Denvers’s city limits are 15
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Denver Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Denver Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Denver only Doctors is about 600
• Local Hospitals here is  30
• Full-time Denver only Police Officers is about 3,000
• Crime Rate Index: 60/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Denver’s Monthly utility bill average is $150
• Denver’s Monthly Gym Membership: $70
• Denver’s Water Quality Score: 74

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Denver

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 25 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: big city vibe with a mix of culture arts and outdoor activities
• You might enjoy shows at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Denver  boasts a dynamic nightlife with a bustling mix of music clubs cocktail bars and social events

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Denver

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a diverse culinary scene with many ethnic restaurants and food trucks
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 500 scattered around Denver
• The Popular Sports Team is Denver Nuggets
• Top Level Political Climate in Denver can be described as progressively leaning urban center with a focus on social equity
• Denver’s Longer standing religious establishment is St. John’s Cathedral

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Denver Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Denver has 200 Parks?
• City Park is Denver’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is DENVER UNION STATION FOOD MARKET normally open Thursday 5pm-9pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Cycling, hiking, and festivals

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Denver Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Denver can be described as fast-paced urban center with a vibrant arts scene and job market
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Denver visiting museums outdoor games exploring local parks
• The Cities people commute to from Denver are Greenwood-Village 11 miles away Aurora 12 miles away Lakewood 12 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Denver or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening gridlock on the I-25. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Denver’s Severe storms risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Cherry Creek is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Denver are Greenwood-Village 11 miles away Aurora 12 miles away Lakewood 12 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 60 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Denver has 33 days in a row below freezing and 8 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Denver people have an average (positive or negative) $-10000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   6,000 homeless people living in Denver. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general progressively leaning urban center with a focus on social equity could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Denver.

Retiree & Senior Life in Denver

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might receive property tax exemptions assisting with housing costs
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Front Range
• Denver Senior Center hosts programs for older adults including arts and fitness classes

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Denver, Colorado?

If Denver, Colorado ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Denver, Colorado, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!