What to Consider Before You Move to Denver

By Alex Rogers

July 19, 2022

minute read

Contents

So the decision has been made , and you are moving to Denver. Did you know that Denver has been one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities in the past few years? Among major cities in the United States, Denver’s cost of living is somewhere in the middle of the range. It’s not as expensive as Los Angeles or San Francisco and New York, but it isn’t as cheap as the big cities in Texas for example.

With that being said, bear in mind in regards to moving to Denver – housing costs have been rising rapidly in the past few years, so this could be changing. Bear in mind that many companies won’t hire you unless you already live here. Subscribe to the Denver Business Journal for the best information on the job opportunities, new industries, etc. If you recently moved to Denver, or if you are planning on moving to Denver keep reading because as locals we strongly believe that we can definitely help you with acclimatization in a new city.

Make moving to Denver as smooth as possible

What to do prior to moving to Denver::

  • Change and update your address. You can forward your email just by clicking here.
  • Register to vote in Colorado state online.
  • Before registering your vehicle, update out of state vehicle titles. You can do that simply by using this form. Be sure your car will pass the required emissions tests before bringing it into the state. 
  • Transfer your driver’s license within 30 days and register your car within 90 days at the DMV.
  • Learn about the requirements for residency as it is related to higher education.

Practical Tips for Moving to Denver day itself:

  • Like most cities, Denver experiences traffic jams twice a day usually from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and 4:00 to 7:00 PM, approximately. In order to avoid experiences rush , aim to arrive into town sometime before, after, or in between the above mentioned time frames.
  • If you are renting, moving into a smaller property, or waiting for construction on your new home to be completed, you can find a storage facility and store your items until you are already to be moved in.
  • In case you moved to Denver using your own truck or if you rented U-Haul and you need help unloading a truck, or if you want to relocate your items from one place to another in Denver please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you! You can also click here if you want a free estimate for your labor or moving job.

Basic details you need to know about the Denver

Denver population

Denver City was founded in 1858 as a mining town during the popular era of a Gold Rush in the area. Denver is located in the Southwestern United States, in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

With a 2020 population of 760,049, it is the biggest city in the state of Colorado and the 19th largest city in the United States . Denver, officially the City and County of Denver, is the capital of Colorado and the largest city in the state itself. Denver is also the most populous city within a 500-mile radius.

Weather in Denver

shot of denver

Moving to Denver will bring you 300 days of sunshine every year. Even though the summers are very hot, there is a  lack of humidity, which makes them more comfortable.

The temperature can vary by 40 degrees in a day due to the altitude, so keep in mind to always dress in layers.

Tips for Becoming Acclimated to the Altitude:

The air in Denver is dry, which can dehydrate your body if you’re not drinking enough liquid. Make sure to hydrate more than you normally would, and always have a bottle of water handy.

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Do not rush and get overwhelmed upon arrival. If you plan to do any mountain activities, give your body a couple days just to adjust to the current weather conditions.

At higher elevations, the sun is more intense, so keep in mind to always wear sunscreen.

Traffic and Transportation in Denver

Traffic

The traffic in Denver can be crazy sometimes. During rush-hour the city is in sometimes complete grid-lock  – Speer backs up and so does I-25 in both directions. Bear this in mind when you hire professional movers in order to avoid extra costs during your local move.

Public transport system

RTD is a fairly decent public transport system. Buses tend to run a bit late in rush hour, so if you need to arrive somewhere on time bear this in mind.

vehicles on the road

Parking

When it comes to parking, be very careful. Many side streets have restricted days to accommodate street sweeping. Take into consideration getting a car with four-wheel drive or one that can handle more rugged mountain driving and varied weather conditions. SUVs are basically the best option for Denver road conditions.

Biking in Denver

Denver is a highly bike-friendly city. If you do not have your own bike,you can also rent B-cycle bikes from docks around the city, so you can keep yourself in good condition, save some money for the gas and get to know the city better.

Cost of Living Factors

Taxes –  Property taxes are relatively low, sales tax is high, and income tax falls right in the middle at 4.63%.

Health Care – Costs about 17% more than the national average.

Groceries – You’ll pay about 4% less than the national average.

calculator and pen on the table

Choose your neighborhood wisely 

One of the most common pieces of advice you will hear from the people that live in Denver is always rent before buying. We will present you neighborhoods starting from top to those underrated ones, so we can help you choose what suits best for you based on your needs. More about each neighborhood you can discover reading our blogs, so please feel free to click here

Top Neighborhoods in Denver

Each area in Denver offers a little something different, which makes picking the right one so much important. Here are a few of the best places to live in Denver.

dog on street

The Highlands

Widely accepted as one of the most desirable places to live. In The Highlands are plenty of innovative restaurant concepts, hip rooftops, and boutique shops.

Average apartment rental: $2,156

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is generally meant to be the most affordable neighborhood in the city proper. Home to the Capitol building. Fun fact is that its major thoroughfare of Colfax Avenue is the longest street in America.

Average apartment rental: $1,519

RiNo (River North)

If you don’t want to be a Lower Downtown or Ballpark Bro, RiNo is downtown Denver’s hipster neighborhood. Full of trendy warehouse conversions, street art, and an explosion of bars and restaurants, it’s the current place to see and be seen.

Average apartment rental: $1,727

Low Profile Neighborhoods

These are a few more under-the-radar Denver neighborhoods that have their own unique charm and character. Keep scrolling to read the basics about each one because you may be interested.

Harvey Park 

Harvey Park neighborhood is located in Southwest Denver. It was built in the 1950’s, and it is a selection of some of Denver’s best and most affordable, mid-century modern architecture. 

Average home prices: in the low $400,000.

Platt Park 

This area is located in Southeast Denver. In the Platt Park there are a lot of old homes  remodeled for modern living and also there are a few new builds in the area as well. The neighborhood is charming, and walkable, and there is one of the quaintest shopping districts located in South Pearl Street. Don’t miss visiting the summertime Farmer’s Market because it’s definitely the best in the city.

Average home prices: around $500,000.

Sunnyside 

Sunnyside is located in Northwest Denver. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood, pretty well discovered, but yet still in transition. It’s easy to take a bike ride or a walk downtown, and there is easy access to get out of town using the highway. This area has everything starting from old architecture as well as new homes. Trendy coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and home goods stores are starting to pop up everywhere.

Average home prices: in the $500,000s.

Denver Suburbs to Consider:

Denver is a great place to raise a family if you have a stable job and a steady income. If you are moving to Denver with the kids, continue reading and find out some of these top rated Denver suburbs.

Stapleton

Stapleton is a new neighborhood that popped up a few years ago built on the old airport base. It’s close to the city itself and the new buildings are relatively affordable, which makes Stapleton a popular option for young families.

Arvada 

Olde Town Arvada has one of the cutest “Main streets” of any suburb. Its popularity has also caught on the past few years, driving a bit up home prices.

Englewood

This is a suburb with a lot of variety. Englewood has small, affordable homes with character located near the South Broadway, suburban “tract” style homes near the Denver Tech Center and decumbent mansions in Cherry Hills Village.

Wheat Ridge 

Close enough to the city yet away from crowd and noise, Wheat Ridge is a natural expansion from NW Denver. There’s tons of new happening’s on 38th Ave., with breweries and restaurants calling you to get in on the action.

Welcome to Denver

Since you are new in town we wish you a warm welcome, and we are pretty sure you will find a lot of activities and places that we;ll keep you in this city for a long period. If you want to find out more about places and activities. If you are looking to hire professional movers please feel free to click here and see what we can do for you. Also if you want to find out more about the city itself, about activities, museums, restaurants and nightlife, please do not hesitate to read out blogs, you’ll thank us later.  

Alex Rogers

Written by

Alex Rogers

Alex Rogers, a seasoned expert in the moving industry, brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to her writing, offering practical tips, insightful advice, and in-depth guides to make your moving journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Alex Rogers

Alex Rogers

Alex Rogers, a seasoned expert in the moving industry, brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to her writing, offering practical tips, insightful advice, and in-depth guides to make your moving journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

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