A Complete Guide to Living in Denver

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver, Colorado, is surrounded by a stunning natural landscape. Residents have easy access to outdoor recreation year-round, including hiking and biking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The city has over 200 parks, numerous art galleries, and live music venues. A booming job market in the technology, finance, aerospace, energy, and healthcare sectors contributes to its strong economy.

If you’re moving to Denver soon or are curious about what it’s like to live in one of Colorado’s most vibrant cities, we’ve created an insider’s guide to living in Denver, from its neighborhoods and real estate options to its climate, recreational opportunities, and more.

Denver real estate offers a variety of housing options catering to different lifestyles. Detached, single-family homes with garages and front yards are common here, ranging from charming bungalows to luxurious estates. Resort-style condominiums with shared amenities such as pools, fitness centers, and clubhouses offer a more metropolitan appeal. Meanwhile, older commercial buildings and warehouses have been renovated into lofts and penthouses with open floor plans, exposed features, and skyline views.

Denver has numerous affluent and upscale neighborhoods, each with its unique charms and characteristics. Cherry Creek is an exclusive residential district with luxury housing, high-end shopping, and fine dining. Classic architectural styles include Queen Anne, Bungalow, and Tudor homes. Art lovers will especially be at home here, as the community’s northern counterpart is lined with art galleries. For nature lovers, Cherry Creek Trail runs along Colorado’s natural beauty and leads to several sports facilities at Garland Park.

Adjacent to Cherry Creek North, Hilltop is one of Denver’s most prestigious neighborhoods. It’s known for its grand estates and spacious custom-built homes and features over 20 architectural styles, including Tudor, Mediterranean Revival, Georgian, and Mid-Century Modern. Properties are surrounded by manicured lawns and give way to spectacular views of lush green spaces and tree-lined streets.

Capitol Hill is a centrally-located residential district with diverse offerings. Popular with residents and tourists, Capitol Hill offers a mix of vintage and modern architecture. You’ll find stately old mansions and historic landmarks encompassed by streets lined with boutique shops, chic cafes, and trendy eateries. The area’s late-night lounges contribute to a vibrant and lively nightlife.

Denver boasts over 300 days of sunshine every year. The climate is relatively mild, with four distinct seasons. Winters are milder here compared to other regions in the Rocky Mountains. Summers are warm and dry, and the low humidity makes the heat more tolerable. Spring and fall are pleasant transitions, offering ample opportunities for residents to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and leaves changing. The ample sunshine and relatively mild temperatures make outdoor adventures possible year-round.

With a collection of award-winning restaurants and the second-highest number of breweries in the U.S. per capita, Denver has earned a top spot in the culinary world. International options, farm-to-table dining, and a robust calendar of food festivals highlight the city’s dedication to upscale and diverse amenities.

In the heart of downtown Denver, Rioja prides itself on locally-sourced Mediterranean dishes and an accompanying wine list in a high-energy dining room. The menu is limited to seasonal ingredients served farm-to-table. Menu highlights include handmade pasta, curated charcuterie boards, and foie gras.

From James Beard winner Chef Alex Seidel comes Fruition Restaurant, specializing in refined New American cuisine. The locale is best known for its farm-to-table culinary approach, perfectly complementing its rustic decor.

Residents gather at Wynkoop Brewing Company for craft brews, beer flights, inventive pub grub, and healthier culinary options, or Novel Strand Brewing Company for a more intimate setting with small-batch craft beers.

Denver’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene is a main attraction for residents and visitors alike. The city is home to world-class museums, including the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. The Art District on Santa Fe is renowned for its vibrant murals and public art spaces, and nd Santa Fe Drive is lined with galleries showing fine and modern art pieces.

Denver teems with live theaters, opera houses, and comedy clubs. The Denver Performing Arts Complex showcases Broadway-quality productions, symphonies, orchestras, and ballet. With ten performance spaces, including the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, it’s the second-largest performing arts center in the U.S. Residents also frequent Comedy Works Downtown and its well-known comedians for an evening of laughter and fun.

Live music is well and truly alive in Denver. From large venues, such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Fillmore Auditorium, to smaller music clubs, such as Ophelia's Electric Soapbox and Larimer Lounge, you’ll find a year-round calendar of concerts featuring local and touring artists in the Mile High City. 

With some of the most famous destinations for recreation just outside the city, Denver is a nature lover’s paradise. Rocky Mountain National Park and Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a great for day trips, offering hiking, biking, camping, and mountain climbing opportunities. Meanwhile, Cherry Creek Reservoir and Cherry Creek River offer a variety of thrilling outdoor excursions for adventurers, including swimming, boating, fishing, and guided whitewater rafting excursions.

Golfing enthusiasts have just as much to do in Denver as nature lovers. The private Cherry Hills Country Club features an 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole par three course, eight tennis courts, and other amenities, including a lap pool. Many golfers head to Glenmoor Country Club to tee off on its Pete Dye-designed 18-hole course surrounded by lush greenery.

A resident of downtown Denver, real estate expert Alex Rice combines his passion for real estate and the outdoors when catering to his clients. His extensive experience in the industry has allowed him to specialize in various subjects, including financing, accounting, investment properties, and luxury Denver homes for sale. As a certified Luxury Marketing Specialist, Alex offers his clients a distinct competitive edge using his proven pricing strategies and tenacious negotiation skills. Contact Alex today to learn more about how he can help you purchase a home in Denver.