Denver Relocation – Denver, CO Living Guide

About Denver

Isn’t Denver cold and snow-blown much of the year? Many people, who are not familiar with our fair city, have the wrong impression of Denver’s climate. This may be because of the national news, which regularly broadcasts pictures of our town during blizzard conditions. What most people don’t know is that Denver has more annual days of sunshine that San Diego or Miami. Denver is located in the high plains at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The nearby ski resorts get the bulk of the annual snowfall, while Denver averages 8-15 inches a year. When we do get snow, it has usually melted within a day or two – very different from cities in the East and Midwest. Also, our climate is semi-arid which helps temperatures (either hot or cold) feel relatively mild. In general, Denver has moderate temperatures, low levels of humidity and abundant sunshine, meaning an ideal and comfortable climate for year-round enjoyment. fun fact… A 4-wheel drive is NOT a requirement to live here. Front-wheel drive is sufficient.

Economy & Growth

How has Denver been affected by our recent economic downturn? Denver is faring better than the nation during the current recession, evidenced by lower unemployment rates and higher job growth and consumer confidence. Moody’s Economy describes the Front Range as having good infrastructure and a growing population as key factors placing it in the top 5 regions in the nation for growing business. Is Denver an expensive place to live? Denver ranks slightly above the national average for cost of living, but well below that of other major metropolitan areas. This is, in part, due to Colorado’s historic focus on low taxes.

Health & Fitness

I like to be outdoors and I like to stay fit – what does Denver have to offer?

• Over 100 public and private golf courses
• 11 world-class ski resorts within 100 miles
• 200 city parks – the nation’s largest system
• Over 143,300 acres of open space with trails – voted “Best in Nation” by Parks and Recreation magazine.
• Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) which allots a portion of the state lottery proceeds to preservation and enhancement of Colorado’s outdoors. Since inception GOCO has invested $650M in projects throughout the state.
• The High Line Canal Trail runs 66 miles connecting Douglas, Arapahoe, and Denver Counties.

Check out our DENVERS BEST OF RECREATION PAGE

FUN FACTS Denver is the fourth fittest U.S. city for 2009. - Men’s Fitness magazine

Sports Teams

Denver is home to 8 professional sports teams:

• 2-time World Champion DENVER BRONCOS (NFL) team
• 2-time Stanley Cup Champions – Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• 2007 National League Champions – Colorado Rockies (MLB)
• Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony (NBA)
• Denver Outlaws (MLL) Lacrosse Team
• Colorado Mammoth (NLL) Lacrosse Team
• Colorado Rapids (MLS) Soccer Team
• Colorado Crush (AFL) Football Team

AND the Nation’s newest sports venues

• Field at Mile High (opened 2001)
• Coors Field (opened 1995)
• Pepsi Center (opened 2000)
• Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (opened 2007)

Arts & Culture

Culture abounds and thrives in Denver Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) The 2nd largest performing arts center in the nation after New York City’s Lincoln Center, it hosts a mix of Broadway shows, professional theatre, opera, ballet and symphony. Denver Art Museum (DAM) Internationally recognized and critically acclaimed for encouraging art appreciation through interaction, this 356,000 square-foot museum complex includes collection galleries, 3 temporary exhibition venus and the Lewis I. Sharp Auditorium. It’s newest addition (2006), the stunning, Frederic C. Hamilton building was designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind. Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) With 5 galleries that rotate exhibits throughout the year, the MCA offers something new with every visit. The museum has a brand new, “green-built” home near Denver’s Union Station that was designed by Architect David Adjaye.

Dining & Nightlife

With a culinary collection that is getting national attention, Denver has many great restaurants to offer both the avid “foodie” or the “just plain hungry”. When the sun sets, downtown Denver, LODO and Cherry Creek become a vibrant scene, brimming with activity. From upscale wine and martini bars, to hot night clubs, to neighborhood bars with rooftop patios and sports bars, the options are endless. Check out our DENVER’S BEST OF ENTERTAINMNET PAGE

FUN FACTS In 1935, the world’s first “cheeseburger” came off the grill at Louis Ballast’s Humpty Dumpty drive-in restaurant in Denver. In Denver’s mile high altitude, a golf ball goes 10 percent farther. So does a cocktail!

Kids Stuff

Where can I take my children? Denver Zoo With “over 3,500 mouths and beaks” the Denver Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in the country. Situated on 80 acres in the heart of Denver’s City Park, this marvelous habitat is open year-round and hosts 1.9 million visitors annually. Coming soon – the zoo has broken ground on a new 10-acre Asian Tropics exhibit which will host rare Asian species such as the Asian elephant, rhino and black leopard. The exhibit is slated to be finished in 2011. Denver Museum of Nature & Science This entertaining and educational stop will keep kids interested for hours. With exhibits ranging from Space exploration to Egyptian mummies and dinosaurs – no child or adult is left out. And, don’t forget to catch a movie at the IMAX theater while you are there. Westlands Park On a summer day, this is the place to be. Voted as “Top Playground” in Denver by the Rocky Mountain News, this progressive outdoor play area sports interactive water fountains, tree houses, a climbing wall, musical instruments, a skateboard park and picnic area. Elitch Gardens With more than 45 rides, a 10-acre Water Park, musical stages, stunt shows, arcades and the Loonie Tunes Movie Town, there’s something here for just about everyone. Children’s Museum of Denver “Interactive”, “Educational” and “fun” are the best words to describe the Children’s Museum of Denver. Kids can shop at a grocery store, play with computers, or take an imaginary ride on a built-in fire truck. A separate toddler area gives the little ones a safe place to play and use their imaginations. Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center 1,200 butterflies grace this indoor exhibit in all stages of life from cocoon to vibrantly colored adults. But, it’s not all butterflies. Children who like bugs will love the variety while learning about things like feelers, antennae and metamorphosis. Downtown Aquarium What? An Aquarium in Denver? Yes – what better place to educate children and adults on the wonders of the rivers, seas and oceans? The exhibits include a coral lagoon, Indonesian rainforest, North American wilderness, Sumatran tiger (yes tiger) habitat, and shipwrecks and wharfs. My favorite? Feeding the stingrays! Wizard’s Chest The FAO Schwarz of Denver! 8,000 square feed of toys for kids of all ages. Plan to spend several hours.

FUN FACTS The Denver Zoo is the fourth most popular zoo in America and has the 7th most diverse animal collection.

We LOVE Dogs

We Denverites LOVE our doggies! Dog parks abound, as do quality pet food stores, clothing stores, groomers, day cares and veterinary facilities. Check out our DENVERS BEST OF PETS PAGE

FUN FACTS Denver is #1 city for dogs and cats - Purina Pet Institute, 2003