8 Reasons to Move to Denver in 2025
By Sean Creamer on December 30, 2024
Picking out where to move can be challenging.
Some places offer idyllic scenes of nature, while others provide chances to grow your career. Not all cities can offer both, but Denver, Colorado, seamlessly blends nature with big city life.
Many folks move to Denver to live in a growing metropolis where they can build careers in technology, health sciences, and aerospace. Plus, the cost of living is more approachable than places like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
But there are pros and cons to every move, which means you need to figure out your specific reasons for relocating to Denver. That is why our team put together a quick list of what motivates folks to make a move to Denver, Colorado.
Denver is in the heart of nature
Whether you are a hiker, a skier, or love beautiful scenery, Denver will appeal to your passions.
At about 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is known as the Mile High City, and the Rocky Mountains 15 miles to the west beautifully frame the Denver skyline.
Folks driving west on the Denver-Boulder Turnpike get a fascinating scene of the Rockies rising towards the sky.
Denver is an unusually sunny city, clocking in over 300 days of sunshine a year, which makes getting outside even easier. So if you are looking for outdoor adventure, there are plenty of great day hikes and picnic spots between the city and the mountains. One such gem is the Dakota Ridge Trail, where explorers can get panoramic views of the city and even find fossilized dinosaur footprints in the rock.
Many folks make the trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park to take in the soaring views of Long’s Peak. Another great day trip is to head west to Idaho Springs. Denverites can experience thrilling whitewater rafting, or hit the hot spring caves and relax at the Indian Hot Springs.
You can even find scenes of beauty nestled within city limits. Confluence Park in Downtown Denver is where the South Platte River and Cherry Creek converge, and you will commonly find locals lounging or picnicking on the greenspaces surrounding these shores. You may even see kayakers paddling the whitewater course if you come down to watch the water on a sunny day.
The economy is sky-high in Denver
The Mile High City is no stranger to booms and busts. In the 1850s, settlers making their way west discovered gold at Pike's Peak, kicking off a mass migration to the city. While the gold veins dried up, Denver remained and prospered.
Today, large tech companies like Google, Xero, and Zoom have HQs in Denver and drive a strong job market. These companies compete with aerospace companies like Boeing Aerospace and Raytheon Technologies for top tech talent, so there are plenty of careers for folks considering buying a home in Denver. Many students come to study at the University of Colorado, then go on to work in the tech, health sciences, or outdoors industries in the state.
One of the largest economies involves legal cannabis, which has grown in popularity since its legalization in 2014. But it is not all dispensaries and farming. Firms like Baker Technologies create CRM solutions for cannabis companies.
No matter what career brings you to the city, many new homeowners in Denver fall in love with the distinctive culture and nightlife.
Nightlife in Denver is second to none
Many people moving to Denver appreciate the potential career growth and easy escapes to the Rockies, but you do not need to leave city limits to have a good time.
The nightlife in Denver stands out for many, as there are different scenes all over town. In the Five Points neighborhood, jazz lovers listen to the blues at establishments like the Larimer Lounge or Lustre Pearl Denver.
Local art is essential to Denver residents, with many trekking to the River North Arts District, known as RiNo, to see the murals sandwiched between local bars and craft breweries. Formerly abandoned buildings now host expansive food markets, where folks go after having a brew or two.
Yet food and drink are not the only vices in town, as many folks head to Comedy Works to catch a roast after dinner. If you want an old-fashioned night out at the movies, you should check out Landmark's Esquire Theater. Built-in 1927, this storied theater has two screens, showing old and new movies alike each night of the week, including midnight matinees.
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Learn about commission rebates in ColoradoDenver provides a home to performing arts
For folks desiring classical arts, The Denver Performing Arts Center draws in locals who love classical operas, plays, and broadway-style shows. Farther to the south, near Denver University, is the Newman Center for Performing Arts, which is the home of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.
Denver is not all prim and proper entertainment. You can find plenty of rock shows or other solo shows throughout the city. For instance, Ogden Theater attracts musicians and fans alike to play in this historic 1920s venue. The Fillmore Auditorium is another storied haunt for live music, and it is just down the road from the Ogden in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
But one of the best ways to spend a night in Denver is getting tickets to your favorite musical artist playing at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Located 10 miles west of Denver, Red Rocks is an open-air amphitheater built into the side of massive rock formations formed millions of years ago.
Famous musicians like John Denver crooned crowds to the tune of Rocky Mountain High, and today you can find modern powerhouses like Incubus and Young The Giant gracing this illustrious stage.
Denver dedicates space to the arts
Part of what makes Denver unique is the artwork. You can find plenty of art in the Mile High City, from street art to galleries.
The city hosts an eclectic array of art, from contemporary museums to outlandish artistic experiences. Those exploring the streets can check out over 70 murals in RiNo, ranging from smaller pieces gracing individual businesses to sculptures coming alive off the sides of buildings.
People looking for traditional art can check out the Denver Art Museum near Civic Center Park or the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver close to Confluence Park to see historical western artworks and exhibits.
Yet one of the most fantastic art adventures you can undertake is a trip to the Meow Wolf Denver, across the river from Denver Broncos Empower Field. This surrealist dream allows folks to walk through fantastic scenes, each telling part of a larger story thread through each exhibit in the space.
Denver is for sports lovers
If sports are your bread and butter, then you will love Denver.
Denver has quite a few sports teams and many people end up following sports throughout the year. You can catch a lot of football fans coming out each fall to tailgate and enjoy Sunday Night Football at Empower Field, home of the Denver Broncos football team. Another popular pastime in Denver is baseball, as folks come out to watch the Colorado Rockies team play ball against other Major League Baseball teams.
Basketball is big in Denver, and residents love to grab tickets to the Ball Arena in Downtown Denver to watch the Nuggets shoot hoops. But one of the most-loved sports in Denver is hockey, and the Colorado Avalanche NHL team delivers edge-of-the-seat action. The "Avs," as they are colloquially known, play out of Ball Arena and routinely pack out the seats.
Soccer is another fan favorite in Denver. The local team is the Colorado Rapids, which call the pitch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park their home.
Top-notch shopping in Denver
If tailgating and watching sports are not your cup of tea, Denver offers plenty of shopping opportunities for residents.
Union Station and the Central Business District are where most Denverites get their shopping fix. The 16th Street Mall is where most folks start their day, exploring the boutiques and over 40 cafes. Designed by the architect I.M. Pei, this pedestrian mall is a mile long and 80 feet wide, providing plenty of space for folks to explore.
After hitting the mall, many people head over to Larimer Square, where independent shops operate out of historic buildings. Nearby Writer Square is another popular haunt where folks do their clothes and home goods shopping.
But the Denver Pavillions remain a local favorite, as people can enjoy the many days of sunshine the city gets while checking out the over 40 shops and restaurants dotting the area.
If you are looking for some hip clothes or chic home decor, check out 27th Street and Larimer Street, as plenty of small businesses here are ready to help you furnish your new Denver home.
Proximity to top-notch ski resorts
People from around the world pilgrimage to Colorado each winter to ski or snowboard in the Rockies.
The ski season starts around the end of November and can last well past April, depending on the temperatures in the Rockies. Folks drive west on I-70, passing Idaho Springs, to reach resort towns like Breckinridge, Keystone, and Vail.
While these are the bigger mountains most folks visit, there are other resorts like the Arapahoe Ski Basin, Winter Park, and The Cirque. These world-class resorts are only a few hours away for the lucky folks living in Denver.
Most Colorado locals buy season passes for their favorite mountains, then explore other resorts in the area throughout the winter. But you can even practice during the off-season at the SNÖBAHN Indoor Ski Center in Southglenn.
