Living in Denver: 10 Pros and Cons You Should Consider

If you’re thinking about making a move to the Mile High City, here are some essential pros and cons of living in Denver, Colorado.

Imagine waking up to a view of the Rocky Mountains past a city skyline. That’s the daily reality of living in Denver.

Denver is the perfect place for career-minded people who want the comforts of a city and the serenity of the great outdoors to call home. That’s why so many people are flocking to the Colorado capital. And unlike most cities seeing a huge population boom—think Atlanta, Raleigh, and Fort Worth—Denver is growing at a manageable pace. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any growing pains, like stressed transport infrastructure and rising rents.

If you’re considering a move to the Rocky Mountains, here are all the pros and cons you need to know.

Is Denver a Good Place to Live?

Denver has a lot to offer. A booming economy and green spaces offer an unbeatable work-life balance for people balancing their professional goals with a love for nature. And the city culture without the hustle and bustle is an ideal lifestyle for retirees looking for a new home with plenty to offer.

Whether or not you should move to Denver depends on your lifestyle. If you yearn for an urban lifestyle, it’s probably not for you. But if you want cultural comforts and endless options for weekend road trips, a move to the Mile High City is the right move.

10 Pros and Cons of Living in Denver

Temperate year-round weather, friendly people, and a never-ending list of outdoor experiences are all great reasons to move to Denver. But like any other city experiencing rapid growth, you’ll have to deal with some growing pains.

Here are 10 pros and cons of moving to the Mile High City for you to consider.

1. Pro: Proximity to the mountains

It’s no surprise that Denverites love to spend their free time in the mountains. After all, they live in the “Gateway to the Rocky Mountains.” Residents have year-round outdoor entertainment, from winter skiing and snowshoeing to summer camping and trail running just a few miles east of the city.

Plus, Colorado is home to 58 “14ers” mountains and peaks 14,000 feet or higher — so adventure junkies can take it 14,000 steps further. Add Pikes Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Evans to your Rocky Mountain bucket list.

2. Con: High altitude

Denver’s “Mile High City” moniker isn’t hyperbole. The Colorado capital is literally a mile above sea level. Although your body will adjust to the high altitude, you may notice dry skin and hair, nosebleeds, and headaches when you arrive.

If you’re moving to Denver for its active lifestyle, build up your exercise routine slowly. High altitudes can make you feel out of breath, especially with intense cardio or strength training. And always carry sunscreen since being closer to the sun increases your exposure to UV rays.

3. Pro: Active and adventurous residents

Life in Denver is an adventure seeker’s dream. Incredible hiking views, whitewater rafting, and world-class skiing are just a few ways to enjoy the great outdoors. And when you can’t get out of the city, you can find a game of pick-up basketball at your local rec center, bike or jog through Denver parks, or join a sports league.

One of our best tips for moving to Denver is to join a local recreation club. Sports are a great way to build community, and becoming a part of Denver’s active culture adjusting to your new city easier.

4. Con: Traffic and limited public transportation

If you read reviews about Denver living, constant rush hour traffic is a common complaint. The Denver Metro Area steadily grew over the last decade, and it isn’t showing signs of slowing. That kind of quick urban growth is never good for transportation infrastructure since more new residents means more cars on the road and more people relying on public transit.

The good news? Denver’s traffic problems are less serious than those of cities of similar size, including Portland, Miami, and San Francisco. While that may not seem like a consolation, Denver is also making big investments to improve transit and maintain the quality of life that attracts people to the Mile High City in the first place.

5. Pro: Lots of job opportunities

The state of Colorado ranks 7th in the nation for the best states to do business, according to a 2024 study by WalletHub. That’s not an accident. The city of Denver strategically invests in policy to attract big businesses and startup entrepreneurs to the state capital. 

The job market thrives across industries, attracting a diverse range of talent. There are research centers and academic opportunities at prestigious universities, including the University of Colorado: Denver, University of Denver, and MSU: Denver. An annual 17 million annual visitors support a healthy hospitality industry. And companies like Wells Fargo, Davita Healthcare Partners, and Dish Network have offices supporting ecosystems for the finance, healthcare, and telecommunications industries.

6. Con: High cost of living

Population surges and healthy job markets tend to mean higher costs of living, and Denver’s no exception. The cost of living is 4% higher than the state average (although cheaper than Boulder) and 11% higher than the national average.

The high cost is due mostly to one big outlier: housing. Buying or renting in Denver is 31% more expensive than the national average. Monthly rent is around $2,000, and home prices are about $650,000. Like any other city, housing prices can change from one neighborhood to the next, especially in desirable up-and-coming Denver neighborhoods.

7. Pro: Nice weather

Denver enjoys a semi-arid climate with low humidity and four distinct seasons. With an average of 300 days of annual sunshine, there are few excuses to stay inside, including the Denver Botanic Garden, Confluence Park, or Washington Park. And when days aren’t downright gorgeous, indoor activities like the Denver Art Museum or shopping and dining along the 16th Street Mall or Larimer Square offer the perfect escape.

8. Con: Drought and smoke from fires

Drought is a part of living in the Western United States. Although the lack of rain is lovely for enjoying the great outdoors, it makes life in Denver challenging. Drought levels vary from year to year based on winter snowfall. When reservoir levels drop, the city implements strict watering restrictions. Plus, dry conditions make it easier for wildfires to spread, which can decrease air quality and bother people with respiratory issues.

9. Pro: Easy access to Colorado destinations

Denver is fairly centrally located within the state, making it easy to squeeze in a weekend road trip to Colorado’s scenic destinations. Whether you want to explore ghost towns, wineries, or Colorado national parks, there’s a little bit of everything just a few hours outside of the city center.

10. Con: Crowded outdoors

We keep mentioning how great Denver is to enjoy the great outdoors—but Colorado’s natural wonders aren’t well-kept secrets. Expect crowds of nature lovers, especially in popular destinations like Red Rocks Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park, and Mount Evans.

If you’re a digital nomad with a flexible schedule, you can avoid the crowds with a day trip in the middle of the week. Otherwise, practice good trail etiquette and mingle with locals to explore hidden gems.

5 Other Things to Know Before Moving to Denver

Do you need a few more reasons to call Denver home? Here’s five:

1. Your Dog Is Always Welcome

Denverites love their four-legged friends. There are plenty of dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and parks all over the city where you can enjoy year-round sunshine with your pup.

2. A Brew a Day

Craft beer lovers never get bored in Denver. The city brews more beer than any other city in the U.S., with more than 200 unique beers produced in the metro area’s 150 breweries.

3. Denverites Love Their Coffee

Denver loves to brew more than barley. Downtown Denver is full of third-wave coffee shops, so you’re never far from a caffeine fix or temporary office.

4. Vote By Mail

If you plan to become a Colorado resident, voting by mail allows you to participate in elections without taking a day off of work to line up at polling stations.

5. It’s a Great Place to Age

A temperate climate, good air quality, and a tight-knit community make Denver ideal for retirees. It offers the cultural comforts of a big city without the noise pollution or lack of nature found in densely packed metropolises.

Relocating to Denver with Landing

Now that you know what to expect about living in Denver, it’s time to pack your hiking boots and explore the Mile High City.

Whether your perfect apartment is close to the best breweries or the quickest route to the mountains, Landing has you covered. We have fully furnished apartments in Denver with flexible leases (and dog-friendly digs!) to help you start settling in as soon as you arrive. Become a Landing member today.