**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?


Denver

5280!

**The Best Thing About Colorado Springs?**  Proximity to the Rocky Mountains

Whoever coined “the great outdoors” may have been talking about Colorado Springs. Nestled at the foot of the Great Rocky Mountains, the city stays humble to its roots as a resort town giving tourists and residents alike an incredible natural palette within which to frolic. Residents can marvel at the incredible rock formations at the Gardens of the Gods and the 14,000-foot Pike’s Peak.

**The Worst Thing About Colorado Springs?**  The air

The weather is so perfect for hikers, skiers and those who appreciate natural beauty, but it’s murder on those who are sensitive to high, altering altitudes and dry climates. It’s so dry, in fact, that one should definitely test it out before moving here. 

**How You Living?** Outdoors

Colorado Springs is lovely. It’s picturesque and provides endless trails. Though it is relatively low in crime, Colorado Springs, like other similar-sized cities, has seen a recent rise. It’s also a very conservative place, home of Focus on Family and banning the sale of recreational marijuana -- available at dispensaries over most of the state. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Colorado Springs offers a decent life. It’s relatively safe, has highly rated schools and provides a degree of comfort from the rest of the world. The weather is fairly mild and schools are good


Colorado Springs

Window To The Rockies

**The Best Thing About Aurora?** The Most Active City In The Country

If you crave an active outdoor lifestyle then you’re going to LOVE Aurora. Frequently ranked among (#1 at times) the most active cities in the country with: 100 parks, 5,000 acres of protected open space, innumerable places to kayak, sail, run, hike and some of the best skiing in the world, less than an hour away. 

**The Worst Thing About Aurora?** Growth Conflict

Aurora is historically a predominantly white city with a relatively conservative middle class culture. The recent growth in population, and diversity in that growth in particular, has created tension in the city that comes from traditionalists who decry the changes. A growth mentality in Colorado is overwhelming this conservative energy but for newcomers it is helpful to know it still exists. 

**How You Living?** In The ‘Burbs

Aurora is itself a suburb of Denver but many a suburb these days can feel like a city. The neighborhoods you’re likely to settle in within Aurora though stick to the traditional suburban playbook of nice homes, large yards and parks, plenty of golf courses and great schools. Tallyn’s Reach, Saddle Rock and Shenandoah all fit the bill for these characteristics and are all good choices for any newcomers looking for room to stretch after time in a city. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Diversity 

When you think about Colorado the first thing that comes to mind is not diversity. Recent growth has changed that though and Aurora is a great example of this diverse growth with a minority-majority population of Latino, African-American, Asian and foreign born residents. Mix that diversity with a compelling cultural scene and stunning outdoor lifestyle and you’ve got a city worth moving to. 


Aurora

Gateway To The Rockies

**The Best Thing About Fort Collins?**  Water, water everywhere

Fort Collins offers a great climate for skiers, but boaters, paddle boarders and other water aficionados will love the Poudre River, the Horsetooth Reservoir and the many lakes sprinkled around town. Sure, there will be snow -- and plenty of it -- but that’s the case everywhere in Colorado. Fort Collins has the snow and water.

**The Worst Thing About Fort Collins?**  Can get too hectic

As the home of Colorado State University, Fort Collins can get kind of loud. The school has a reputation as a party school, and that coupled with an increase in the city’s permanent population, gives it a more bustling, big city feel that represents a change for some residents. Still, CSU brings diversity, culture and energy to the city, and adds to its unique charm..

**How You Living?**  A lively life

Fort Collins is a great place to live. Many people work at the university or tech companies, who are just starting to put their stakes in the ground in Fort Collins. There’s plenty of green space, great city parks and fun places to shop like the boutique-filled Old Town. The cost of living is decent, and the politics tend toward the independent. Families will enjoy Huntington Hills and City Park, while younger people will like the area around the university. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  Fort Collins is booming

Fort Collins is growing faster than the state of Colorado itself, at a rate of about 2% per year, partially due to an influx of tech companies. That means more jobs and more cash, and more money directed into the city coffers to go toward growth and improvements. It’s an exciting time.


Fort Collins

The Skiing Suburb

**The Best Thing About Boulder?** The City Scene

While Boulder is most notable for being at the base of the Rockies and possessing an amazing outdoor culture, the city of Boulder has become as much a part of what makes this place spectacular as the mountain itself. 

Boulder has three major music venues, a thriving culinary scene, some of the best craft beer on the planet (the Brewers Association is headquartered here), fantastic boutique shopping combined with a thriving arts/crafts scene, all topped off with legalized marijuana. For a city with a relatively small population you’re getting a social scene more akin to cities 5x its size. 

**The Worst Thing About Boulder?** More People 

Growth is the inevitable outcome for a place as beautiful and compelling as Boulder. That growth comes as a cost. That’s both literally true, it’s damned expensive to live here, and figuratively true, as newcomers (particularly those damned Californians) flock to the city known as the Berkeley of the Rockies. This creates tension between the newbies and the long-termers, who wouldn't mind things staying more the same. You also get an influx of college students every year, which is both energizing and exhausting for a place whose growth has made it feel like it could probably use a good nap.

Also, if you’re hardcore MAGA then we highly recommend not putting Boulder (or Berkeley) on your shortlist of places to consider. 

**How You Living?** It’s Pretty Blended

Boulder is relatively small for such a well-know place and as a result it’s neighborhoods are less defined than some larger cities. It tends to feel more like you’re living in regions of the city, with North, East, West and South Boulder, the more notable distinctions for where you live. These regions are known for different things: North is the arts scene, East is for breweries and socializing, West offers access to the foothills and hiking, and South is home to the smaller, ethnic restaurants and more off-the-beaten path shopping. While Boulder isn’t very diverse, it has a bit of a culturally diversity in the South region. 

Finally, Downtown is dominated by the Pearl-Street pedestrian mall, with lots of loft condo living and apartment rentals. For those looking for extremely short walks to commercial experiences,  this is your best bet. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Jobs & Vitamin D

We know that lots of people are bailing on their cities to go to places like Boulder, which offer a covid/post-covid respite from their old lives. They plan to work remotely from their headquarters, or freelance, and that all sounds perfect. If however, you ever choose to leave your old gig you could hardly be in a better smaller city than Boulder for finding a new job. This place is jumping with tech and aerospace and creative enterprises that will be a powerful backup if the work-from-home culture ever fades a bit.  

Also, as long as you’re living here, you'll get to enjoy the ~250  days of sunshine. After largely being shut in for 15+ months it is really nice to go out and get some rays. 



Top LOOKS for Colorado

Denver, CO

5280!

91

Colorado Springs, CO

Window To The Rockies

87

Aurora, CO

Gateway To The Rockies

85

Fort Collins, CO

The Skiing Suburb

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Boulder, CO

The People's Republic Of Boulder

90

Lakewood, CO

Full of Possibilities

84