So much to say about this city but we’re going to start with what has amazed visitors and residents for hundreds of years and will continue to do so for hundreds of years: the view. For the uninitiated, Denver isn’t in the mountains but rather it sits on a high plain just east of the foothills of a first set of mountains that then leads to the front of the Rockies. There are 200 peaks visible from Denver and this view is so important that state law prohibits any structure blocking the mountains from the State Capitol.

One huge bonus for residents trying to enjoy this view is 300 days of sunshine per year (more than San Diego). The average temperature in February is 45 degrees, it’s drier than Phoenix, and has only 14 inches of rain/snow a year, which is the same as Los Angeles. Trust us, you’re going to be outdoors enjoying this city throughout the year.

If you were to ask long-time Denverites what they struggle with the most, many would say, people moving here from California. But the problem isn’t Californians specifically, although they ain’t helping, it’s all the transplants from Cali and Texas and Seattle and elsewhere that are looking to; escape higher costs of living, or weaker economies, or unhealthier lifestyles, and as a result end up in Denver. Lots of new people can change the original vibe of a city that drew them in the first place, jack  up costs, and generate all the commensurate challenges population growth brings.



Check out that View

LookyLOO Review of Denver

Without question the outdoors plays a significant role in the lifestyle of most “Denverites”. Outdoor play is year-round and whether you’re into hiking, running, skiing, fishing, kayaking or just taking a walk and enjoying the sunshine it never stops here. All that said, Denver has been exploding in big city lifestyle amenities over the years and it is ready to compete (whether locals want them to or not) with any other place. 

Many might debate whether a huge microbrewery scene (Denver has a big one) is a signal of important growth for a downtown but when you combine it with one of the best music scenes in the country you get a sense of the fun but casual social scene. Pair that culture of brews and music with cutting-edge dining and a young population and you can get a sense of what it's like to live in Denver. While people certainly do dress up in Denver to attend events at the growing performing arts center it is most notably a city that prides itself on having a ton to do and the majority of it can be done casually. 

Check out the Denver [**calendar of events**](https://303magazine.com/calendar/) to see how the city plays throughout the year.


Lifestyle

Denver is a perfect storm of a robust local economy, where you can move to for a job in: Aerospace, Telecomm, Healthcare, Bioscience, Energy and Tech, and an amazing place where work-from-homer’s are moving to experience the outdoor lifestyle without any commute. To the chagrin of many of the long-term locals Denver has supplanted Austin as the new in-place for those looking for a progressive, booming economy, to move to to get away from California. 

Just like the social scene, the workstyle of Denver is casual. No matter the industry (well maybe not the lawyers) people are in jeans here. Think San Francisco without the tech-culture Patagonia vest and Albirds accessories. If they’re wearing Patagonia here it's because it is winter. One other work culture plus to Denver is how balanced the work/play balance is here. You don’t move to Denver to sit in an office seven days a week. You’re working smack dab in the most amazing outdoor lifestyle scene in the country and employees demand and employers permit a balance of work and play. 


Worklife

[**Denver Public Schools**](https://www.dpsk12.org/) is a mixed bag of high and low performers on the standardized grading sites, receiving a [**"B" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/denver-public-schools-co/). If these grades matter to you in school choice, stick to neighborhoods that grade higher, prepare for parochial/independents, or keep an eye out for one of the premier high schools, when performance gets more uneven. 

The most notable choices include: 
-[**East High School**](east.dpsk12.org): a larger school (over 2,500 students) that gets an [**"A" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/east-high-school-denver-co/) with particular strengths for Academics and College Prep. 
-[**Denver School of the Arts**](dpsk12.org): another school at the middle and high school level, that receives an [**"A" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/denver-school-of-the-arts-denver-co/). The school is an art-focused magnet with a lofty reputation for academics and various creative studies including Creative Writing, Dance, Orchestra, Theatre, and more. 
-[**DSST Montview High School**](dsstpublicschools.org/montview-high-scho): a STEM-based school that gets an [**"A" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/dsst-montview-high-school-denver-co/) and noted for Academics, Teachers, Diversity and College Prep. 

Schools

**Bluescreen73**
Living in Denver
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

I wouldn't move here if you're not into the outdoors. People do, but you'll get more enjoyment for the COL if you are outdoorsy. For the record, I've lived in Colorado over half my life, and I've never been downhill skiing or snowboarding. I am not a fan of cross-country skiing, either, but I do own snowshoes and microspikes. Winter is actually the best time for hiking.

Our winters are technically mild, but they will absolutely be an adjustment from El Paso. Summers will, too. It's every bit as dry as El Paso, but the days aren't quite as hot, and the nights are a little cooler.

Denver and Aurora have the most diversity, and the latter is where you'll find good hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

We enjoy the comforts of urban living, knowing that the mountains are just a short drive away that offer urban dwellers a brief respite from the congestion of the city. The scenic beauty of the mountains, coupled with the wide variety of things to do in Denver offer a comfortable mix of business and pleasure.

Denver has a vibrant economy, and is on the cutting edge of technology in R&D, and if you're in the tech industry, job prospects and growth are major draws for employment in the Metro area.

For more reviews of Denver from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/denver/reviews).


Economic Opportunity In A Stunning Outdoors Package

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**ambrown7**
Living in Denver
Updated 6mo ago
✭✭✭✭✭

I live in Denver and have mostly since 1992, so I’ve seen a lot of change. I grew up in Honolulu and have moved over the years for schools etc to several other places (Santa Barbara, Durham, Charlottesville), and I always come back to Denver. I absolutely love living here.

It’s a great place to raise a family. I had a blast in my 20’s, in my 30’s I found plenty of career opportunities, and now as I approach 40, I’m so appreciative of the types of opportunities my kids have by virtue of living this close to the mountains.

We ski every weekend. My 5 year old had 25 days on the mountain last year. Yes, it’s an early morning to make the drive for a day, but there are also lots of great rental options in places like Silverthorne and Dillon, which have easy access to Keystone and Breck.

The winters are mild. I say this coming from Hawaii. If it snows, it usually melts the same day. The sun is so bright that it can be 40 and if I’m sitting in the sun, I barely need a jacket.

I actually don’t find the food options bad at all. I’ve made a few posts in here about how much better the food scene has gotten.

I also find the people here to be warm, kind, and laid back. We’ve made some great friends and get along with our neighbors.

With our flexibility in our careers, we could live anywhere, and honestly, I don’t think I’d live anywhere else.

For more reviews from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/denver/reviews).

Reviews of Denver from Locals

**The Best Thing About Denver?** The View

So much to say about this city but we’re going to start with what has amazed visitors and residents for hundreds of years and will continue to do so for hundreds of years: the view. For the uninitiated, Denver isn’t in the mountains but rather it sits on a high plain just east of the foothills of a first set of mountains that then leads to the front of the Rockies. In fact, there are 200 peaks visible from Denver and this view is so important that state law prohibits any structure blocking the mountains from the State Capitol. 

One huge bonus for residents trying to enjoy this view is 300 days of sunshine per year (more than San Diego). The average temperature in February is 45 degrees, it’s drier than Phoenix, and has only 14 inches of rain/snow a year, which is the same as Los Angeles. Trust us, you’re going to be outdoors enjoying this city throughout the year. 

**The Worst Thing About Denver?** Californians

We’re kidding, we’re kidding, kind of. The problem isn’t Californians specifically, although they ain’t helping, it’s all the transplants from Cali and Texas and Seattle and elsewhere that look to; escape higher costs of living, or weaker economies, or unhealthier lifestyles, and as a result end up in Denver. Lots of new people can change the original vibe of a city that drew them in the first place, move up costs, and generate all the commensurate challenges population growth brings. 

**How You Living?** By The Capitol

The most densely populated section of Denver is Capitol Hill, or Cap Hill, as it is called locally. It’s a diverse neighborhood with tons of bars and restaurants and convenient access to the major arts and culture of the city. The Highlands and LoHi (Lower Highlands) are popular areas to live due to lots of hip boutique retail, and interesting housing options. Finally, RiNo is a hipster alternative with plenty of warehouse conversions, local artists and of course, tons of bars and restaurants. Although there are plenty of great areas for families to live in and around Denver it is these Downtown neighborhoods pulling the younger populations into town. 


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Economic Opportunity In A Stunning Outdoors Package

There are a lot of cities to move to that are doing well economically. There are a lot of cities to move to that have great beauty like Denver. It is rare to find these different things in a single place. Denver’s Aerospace, Tech/Telecomm, Financial Services, Biotech/Healthcare and of course the fastrack business of legal cannabis make this an economic boomtown like say a Houston or Atlanta, but you also get to live in the shadows of possibly the most beautiful mountain range and countryside in the country. What’s not to like?


The most densely populated section of Denver is Capitol Hill, or Cap Hill, as it is called locally. It’s a diverse neighborhood with tons of bars and restaurants and convenient access to the major arts and culture of the city. The Highlands and LoHi (Lower Highlands) are popular areas to live due to lots of hip boutique retail, and interesting housing options. Finally, RiNo is a hipster alternative with plenty of warehouse conversions, local artists and of course, tons of bars and restaurants. Although there are plenty of great areas for families to live in and around Denver it is these Downtown neighborhoods pulling the younger populations into town. 
- Capitol Hill
- Highlands
- Lower Highlands/LoHi
- Glendale


Young Professionals

Capitol Hill 

Denver is a great city, with a large LGBTQ+ community. There are several popular neighborhoods including RiNo (River North Art), Lower Downtown (or LoDo), Capitol Hill, and South Broadway.

Capitol Hill, which is the center of Denver's creative scene, has the greatest concentration of the LGBTQ+ community. It's where PrideFest is held, drag shows, volleyball tournaments, rallies, street fairs, and a rainbow dress contest are some of the highlights of this annual celebration of the community.
- RiNo (River North Art)
- Lower Downtown
- Capitol Hill
- South Broadway



LGBTQ+

RiNo

Denver has plenty of great neighborhoods for young families and you wouldn’t go wrong if you started with North Park Hill. To begin with, North Park Hill is home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A zoo and a science museum are  seriously good neighbors for your kiddos to have in those growing years. North Park Hill also has great schools and reasonable prices (for an expensive city). 
Wellshire is another great option although it is pricier than NPH. If you can handle the higher housing costs you’ll find it extremely family friendly with biking and skateboarding grade-schoolers filling the sidewalks of the tree-lined streets and some of the best public schools in the city. As with a lot of Denver, the housing is a mix of older homes and newer construction so whatever your taste runs to you can generally find it here. 
- North Park Hill
- Wellshire
- Centennial


Young Families

North Park Hill 

One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Denver is Washington Park. About 5 miles southeast of downtown, it has historic homes, large lawns (for city), and perhaps most importantly, the namesake park. 165 acres of lakes, waterways, gardens and grass. Washington Park is an amazing recreational city center-piece for hiking, kayaking, strolling and general play. The neighborhood also has great boutique shopping, cool small restaurants, microbreweries and everything else a family could want for family entertainment. 
- Washington Park
- Greenwood Village 
- Hilltop


Established Families

Washington Park 

Denver

**JonM313**
Living in Denver
6mo ago
✭✭✭

Yes, Denver is a good place to live. Contrary to popular belief, winters are actually pretty mild. Yes, it snows a lot, from October to May, and the temperature does drop a lot at night, but by the afternoon the temperature is usually in the mid-40s, and days reaching or going above 60 are fairly common. It's also very sunny despite the snow, so snow won't be on the ground for long. There's also no humidity so even when it is cold it won't be exacerbated by humidity. People know humidity for making hot weather feel hotter, but it can also have the opposite effect when it's cold.

**Bluescreen73**
Living in Denver
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

I wouldn't move here if you're not into the outdoors. People do, but you'll get more enjoyment for the COL if you are outdoorsy. For the record, I've lived in Colorado over half my life, and I've never been downhill skiing or snowboarding. I am not a fan of cross-country skiing, either, but I do own snowshoes and microspikes. Winter is actually the best time for hiking.

Our winters are technically mild, but they will absolutely be an adjustment from El Paso. Summers will, too. It's every bit as dry as El Paso, but the days aren't quite as hot, and the nights are a little cooler.

Denver and Aurora have the most diversity, and the latter is where you'll find good hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

We enjoy the comforts of urban living, knowing that the mountains are just a short drive away that offer urban dwellers a brief respite from the congestion of the city. The scenic beauty of the mountains, coupled with the wide variety of things to do in Denver offer a comfortable mix of business and pleasure.

Denver has a vibrant economy, and is on the cutting edge of technology in R&D, and if you're in the tech industry, job prospects and growth are major draws for employment in the Metro area.



**Are you planning on living in Denver/Denver Metro long term?**
**GobblesMcButterball**
Living in Denver
Updated 2yr
✭✭✭

I like this question. My partner and I moved here from Atlanta in 2011; bought a home in 2013 because we saw ourselves being here long term. Now I'm not so sure. Although I enjoy many of the things Denver has to offer, I catch myself whining like a lot of the "natives" because of insane traffic, crowded trails, and...many of the things Denver has to offer. I think I just have to remember that I'm part of the problem (although Denver still needs to adjust to the rapid growth, because from what I've seen it's not slowing down). I've adjusted my hobbies over the last several years: less snowboarding, no more hiking 14ers, more gardening, and have really gotten into birding, and have noticed a difference in my mental health. I'm ashamed at how many times I was already angry by the time I got to the Copper parking lot on a Saturday. I keep thinking I can outlast the people who moved here in the last five years, since they all say it's unsustainable, but I'm not sure if I care anymore. I still quite like it here, and if we ever move away, it'll only be if we can substantially increase our income while drastically reducing our housing costs (hello FIRE), and even then we're pretty picky about where we want to end up, geographically speaking.

**vNerdNeck**
Living in Denver
6mo ago
✭✭✭

Don't worry too much about the winters, the sun is always shining in Colorado. 30 degrees, isn't the same with and without sun. On days that's its 30 or higher all it takes is a fleece shirt and a light jacket (if that) to be comfortable... it's probably closer to what you get in El Paso (love that city) when it's ~50.

The one thing that is going to be weird is diversity. Moving from Texas to Colorado (just did this) you get hit face first with this. This state isn't diverse, and it's fucking weird and takes a while to come to terms with.

Food wise, you are correct. Coloradoans are confused on what food is suppose to be. There are pockets of okay food, but not like you are used to or would expect. It's no Houston or Dallas.

However, all that being said. This state is amazing if you like the outdoor life. The mountains, the scenery / etc are just hands down amazing. You also can actually go outside in the summers and not fucking melt.

As for taxes, it can be a bit of a wash. The property taxes in texas are insane, and there are about a 1/4 or 1/5 of that in colorado... but they make it up in other taxes.. so it comes out about even just more smaller bills than one big one.

Denver, Colorado

5280!

Looklyloo Score: 91