Author Topic: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?  (Read 3268 times)

Trudie

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We're pondering a relocation to Denver area (several related questions posted).  So, for fellow Mustachians I have these questions:

(1)  What neighborhood/suburb do you live in?
(2)  What do you like/dislike about it?
(3)  Comment where you can about COL, public transport, public library, city services....

Thanks.

therethere

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Re: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2015, 01:37:02 PM »
Denver sucks (not really I just don't want more people to move here!). My insight is mainly regarding Denver city (not the suburbs or even the far reaches that are still a Denver address) as a couple with no kids.

We moved here from a major city on the east coast. Initially rent got you way more for your money in a more urban area so we were able to upgrade. With the influx of people in the last few years this difference is less noticeable. Groceries seemed a little more expensive which I was surprised about. Overall our salaries took a big hit and our cost of living stayed relatively the same. But our happiness and quality of life drastically increased.

I'm renting in the ballpark neighborhood and love it. DH and I are DINK's so the scene is perfect for us. Tons of local restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. I really enjoy not being surrounded by chains and strip malls. Unfortunately, I'm afraid we will get priced out at our next lease/rent increase. Housing costs are way crazy the last year or so. Personally, I think housing is in an unsustainable bubble right now and do not want to jump in. Even if I had a downpayment money available I would not buy. Denver is a very neighborhood-centric city which is awesome because it makes you feel at home. Being a booming brewery city every neighborhood has its own where will frequently see your neighbors/friends/acquaintances. Most of the bad areas are well into being gentrified these days so there are not many areas that you would be unhappy.

Parks are everywhere even in the suburbs. So no matter where you choose to live there is a public greenspace walking distance or closeby. The light rail has its uses if you live in the suburbs and work downtown. DH is able to take it from downtown to his job in the burbs but that's pretty rare. Everywhere is walkable/bikeable which is awesome. Bike infrastructure is very good, with widened roads, bike lanes, and a very heightened awareness of cyclists by drivers. I rarely feel unsafe. As a bonus the majority of the city is flat! Inside the city there are so many free events every weekend that its really difficult to plan your time.

People here are incredibly nice, friendly, and willing to help. If you are from the east coast you will be very confused and put off by this at first. We made a circle of friends within a month or two. Compare this to our previous city where we made no real friends in 5 years there.

The mountains are farther away than you think (30-45 minutes from downtown to reach the foothills then usually you are traveling another hour past that). If you go at peak times you will get stuck in traffic (avoid ski traffic like the plague) but at least you will be in beautiful scenery. Winter is not bad at all. It will snow and be cold, but will then warm up for a few days and melt. Snow rarely sticks around.

jorjor

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Re: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2015, 04:04:14 PM »
(1)  What neighborhood/suburb do you live in?

Just bought our first house in Virginia Village. Just moved from Wash Park West. Have also lived in LoHi.

(2)  What do you like/dislike about it?

I like: being near the mountains, the craft beer scene, the cycling scene, the mild winters compared to my Midwest hometown, and the casual work & dining scenes.
I do not like: the traffic that I really don't have to deal with anyway, increasing COL.

(3)  Comment where you can about COL, public transport, public library, city services....

COL has been increasing because young people like me are moving into Denver and want to live near downtown but there are more people coming in than houses being built. Damn us. Rent has been up and so have housing prices. This is especially true in neighborhoods near downtown (LoHi, RiNo, Wash Park, Capitol Hill, etc.). If you're willing to be a bit out of downtown, housing prices are obviously lower and it's less competitive. If you're looking to buy, the housing market is very competitive. If you're savvy about it and like to bike, you can choose a neighborhood that isn't in one of those close expensive close to downtown areas but you can still ride. My ride is 8 mi each way to downtown, and about 7 of that is on a trail.

The public transit is mediocre. Buses are subject to the same bad traffic as everyone else and the light rail only serves some areas. This is improving as more light rail stations are being added, including to the airport. Bike infrastructure is decent. There are two main arteries for bike traffic that lead downtown (Cherry Creek Trail and Platte Trail) with other bike lanes/routes scattered throughout.

Public library is just fine. One large branch near downtown with plenty of smaller branches scattered out.

I have no issue with city services other than all of the parking tickets they give out. Seriously...so much parking enforcement. Worse than other cities I've been to. Property taxes are comparatively low compared to many parts of the country, so that's cool too.



I love living here. The positives are numerous. The negatives are mostly avoidable. I can't imagine leaving.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2015, 04:07:37 PM by jorjor »

Trudie

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Re: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2015, 07:26:47 PM »

I like: being near the mountains, the craft beer scene, the cycling scene, the mild winters compared to my Midwest hometown, and the casual work & dining scenes.
I do not like: the traffic that I really don't have to deal with anyway, increasing COL.

I love living here. The positives are numerous. The negatives are mostly avoidable. I can't imagine leaving.

We live in Iowa.  The weather here is a huge disincentive to stay.  As you know, the winters can be brutal (and without sun) and when you throw in godawful humidity in the summer there really aren't that many "great" weather days.  This is one of the big things we're seeking.  I run.  My husband and I both bike.  He golfs.  I want my days to be spent largely outside, seamlessly moving from one thing to another without feeling like I have to change clothes or hop into the shower all the time.

We've lived other places and traveled widely, but Iowa is our "home."  The relaxed pace/attitude is what we've always loved about the west. 

Hurley82

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Re: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2015, 09:42:44 PM »
I moved to NOCO  from Iowa the day after I graduated from college, been here ten years so far and don't see myself leaving. Housing has gotten expensive in and around Denver as has been mentioned. Here in NOCO prices are also on the rise. If you enjoy outdoor activities the options are pretty much endless. Louisville, Boulder, ft Collins are all great options if your looking outside of Denver.

Location- Loveland, fairly reasonable property taxes.

Dislikes - Denver traffic/ i25 traffic ,   food prices are cheaper when I go back to Iowa.

« Last Edit: August 07, 2015, 09:45:45 PM by Hurley82 »

jorjor

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Re: Do you live in the Denver area? What do you like/dislike about it?
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2015, 08:57:05 PM »

I like: being near the mountains, the craft beer scene, the cycling scene, the mild winters compared to my Midwest hometown, and the casual work & dining scenes.
I do not like: the traffic that I really don't have to deal with anyway, increasing COL.

I love living here. The positives are numerous. The negatives are mostly avoidable. I can't imagine leaving.

We live in Iowa.  The weather here is a huge disincentive to stay.  As you know, the winters can be brutal (and without sun) and when you throw in godawful humidity in the summer there really aren't that many "great" weather days.  This is one of the big things we're seeking.  I run.  My husband and I both bike.  He golfs.  I want my days to be spent largely outside, seamlessly moving from one thing to another without feeling like I have to change clothes or hop into the shower all the time.

We've lived other places and traveled widely, but Iowa is our "home."  The relaxed pace/attitude is what we've always loved about the west.

I grew up in northern Iowa. The weather in Denver is significantly better. The winters are milder and random days in the middle of the winter with highs in the 70s are not uncommon. The weather here is more unpredictable with snowstorms later into the spring, but snow often melts pretty quickly after it falls (as opposed to my area of Iowa, where you aren't seeing grass for months after the first big snowfall). Far fewer days with below zero temps, average highs at the coldest time of the year are in the lower 40s. Summers are less humid. I feel like I'm swimming in the air when I go back to Iowa.

If you move here, there will be no shortage of other Iowans that would be happy to welcome you. This city is filled with Iowa transplants.