Your Comprehensive Guide to Moving to the Denver Metro Area
Denver is one of the most popular big cities in the United States, and for good reason. Its beautiful landscape, mild weather, and outdoor culture are just a few reasons we’ve seen people flocking to the Rocky Mountain area. While the unpredictability of the market has kept people away from buying since late 2022, stability is on the horizon, making it a good time to buy a new home in Denver, or any towns in the greater metro area, especially if you agree with us: it’s one of the best cities to live in.
What It’s Like to Live in the Denver Metro Area
Outdoor Living
Denver’s unique location gives you the gift of city living with mountain access. Nearly everywhere you go in Denver, or any of its surrounding towns and cities such as Boulder, you’ll see the vastness of the Rocky Mountains popping through the buildings or at intersections. The people are generous and kind and are usually here for the same reasons: the outdoors and the almost 300 days of sun in Denver.
Yes, you can spend your weekends taking I-70 into the mountains for a beer in Breckenridge or a day on the slopes in Winter Park, but the beauty of Denver/Boulder is you don’t even need to leave the city limits to get your fill of outdoor adventure. Even in the mild winters, many spend their weekends on Denver’s miles-long bike trails or walking through its beautiful city parks. Outdoor living is just one of the many benefits of moving to Colorado’s cities.
Food & Drink
The Denver/Boulder area has one of the largest craft beer scenes in the nation, home to over 150 breweries within the city. The food and drink scene has been up and coming for a while now. Recently, the Michelin star system made its way here, awarding several of Colorado’s local restaurants, stars.
Education
The Denver Metro area is home to several well-known universities, including The University of Colorado-Denver, which is ranked number 85 on the list of U.S. institutions. However, the most well-known University is located in Boulder: The University of Colorado-Boulder ranks #51 in the list of top public schools in the nation. Other popular Universities include Denver University and the Colorado School of Mines. Due to its well-rounded private and public school systems, the state of Colorado is currently ranked the 5th most educated state in the country. It’s true of most neighborhoods in Denver that you’ll have access to some of the best schools in the state.
Educational opportunities extend to the many museums and culture centers around the city as well, including Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Nature and Science Museum, Denver Zoo, and the Center for Colorado’s Women’s History, among many others.
Career Opportunities
Denver is the fourth-best city in the country for careers and businesses, according to Forbes Business Insights. Among the 200 largest cities in the country, it ranks #32 in job growth and #18 in education.
The city is home to several Fortune 500 organizations, up-and-coming tech companies, large banks, nationwide networks, and top healthcare organizations.
As of 2023, Boulder’s unemployment rate has remained well below the national average. Its beautiful scenery and access to the outdoor industry make it a great home for some of the world’s top outdoor and tech companies with outdoor cultures: Google, IBM, NetApp, Outside Magazine, and more.
The Neighborhood: Best Places to Live in Denver
The different neighborhoods of Denver all have their own personality. It’s important to explore ahead of time before purchasing a home, to ensure you are matching your lifestyle to the area of Denver you decide to live.
Here are just a few of Denver’s many neighborhoods:
Downtown Denver
Downtown Denver sits along the Platte River and is the best place to live if you want to be within walking distance of the city’s best museums, shops, galleries, live music, parks, and more. It’s also a great place to take advantage of the city’s many forms of transportation: electric bikes and scooters, trains, and the intricate bus system.
Even if you don’t live in Downtown Denver, relocating to Denver in general gets you access to all of the wonderful things Downtown has to offer.
River North Arts District (RiNo)
If you’re looking for a blend of artsy and industrial revival, RiNo may be the neighborhood for you. It’s littered with striking murals and factories turned into bars.
Highlands
Highlands is broken up into three districts: Highlands Square, Tennyson Street, and Lower Highlands (LoHi). Explore diverse homes, lush parks, great restaurants, and plenty of art galleries in all three of Highland’s districts.
Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is where Denver goes to shop. You’ll find over 300 stores, 75 cafes and restaurants, and 50 spas and salons scattered across Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Cherry Creek sits adjacent to Denver’s Lowry neighborhood.
Koelbel’s Prelude at TAVA Waters Townhomes is situated at the perfect distance from both Cherry Creek and Lowry. These townhomes not only give you access to all the things these neighborhoods in Denver offer they also feature sleek designs and flexible plans, allowing you to make your home, your own.
Lowry
Lowry is a bustling up-and-coming neighborhood in Denver blending small-town vibes with the best of city living. Lowry’s appeal is the walkability to the Lowry Town Center, close proximity to major employment centers, and beautiful neighborhoods with plenty of green.
One of those neighborhoods is Koelbel’s CityHomes at Boulevard One. CityHomes is the perfect place to put down roots, create family traditions, and enjoy the benefits of Colorado living.
Washington Park
Wash Park, as the locals call it, is an oasis away from the bustle of the city. Its landscaping and awning-covered storefronts give it a family-friendly atmosphere and access to the more quaint aspects of city living.
Click to read about a few more of our favorite neighborhoods.
Outside The City of Denver: Living in Boulder
If Denver is next to the mountains, Boulder is practically in them. There isn’t a place you can walk without taking in the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Its famous Pearl Street is filled with Colorado’s best restaurants, outdoor brands, and local shopping. Living in Boulder encourages outdoor activities and the act of falling deeply in love with Colorado.
If you love the look and feel of the Boulder area but want access to Denver and city living, take a look at our Montemere at Autrey Shores community. It’s located in Boulder County but sits almost exactly between Denver and Boulder. It includes both waterfront and mountain views, with truly something to offer everyone.
Relocating to Denver Metro: A Guide to the Market
As far as the cost of living, Denver is somewhere in the middle. It’s not as expensive as Boston or Los Angeles but it isn’t as cheap as some of the big cities in Texas. Here are some stats to paint a picture:
- The average home value in Denver is about $595,000— middle-range compared to other cities.
- The active listings as of March 2024 is 5,849.
- The new listings as of March 2024 is 4,932.
- The median days in MLS is 11.
- The average rent for a one-bedroom home is $1,715 per month — middle-range compared to other cities.
- Utility costs in Denver are well below the national average: $124/month.
- The state income tax rate in Colorado is pretty middle of the pack for the U.S. at 4.55%. This income tax is flat.
- Colorado homeowners pay the 3rd lowest property tax rate in the country.
Tips for Finding the Right Home in Denver
- Consider what areas you need/want proximity to.
- Understand your budget and the market in Denver.
- Decide if a new home build is right for you or an existing home.
- Explore all of Denver’s neighborhoods to find the right fit.
- Consider developers like Koelbel to help you throughout the process.
Working with Koelbel
Koelbel tailors tours and meetings to your needs and wants in the home-buying process. We’ll talk to you extensively so we can understand your wishes and what home means to you. If you’re new to Denver, we can be great guides because of our long history as one of Colorado’s premier real estate developers. We also have resources that can help you familiarize yourself with what to expect when buying a new home with Koelbel.
If the Denver Metro Area, including Boulder, isn’t right for you, explore some of Colorado’s other beautiful towns, many of which happen to have Koelbel Communities: Rendezvous Resort Homes in Winter Park, or even Grand Elk Golf Community near Granby, CO.
As you consider a move to Denver, why not take a look at our newly built and move-in-ready homes?
The benefits of moving to Colorado outweigh the stress of a big life transition. We’ll help you along the way, give us a call if you have any questions or want to learn more about Denver’s many other neighborhoods.
Back To Resources
