6 Reasons Why You Should Move to Golden, Colorado
Thinking about moving to Colorado? Here’s why you should add Golden to your list of cities to consider!
Live Life on the Edge (of the Rockies)
It’s wild. It’s rugged. It’s Colorado at its finest. Being at the foothills of the Rockies, you are just minutes away from endless hiking trails, biking trails, outdoor rock climbing, and skiing. If you’re someone who loves the outdoors or wants to become more active outdoors, then Golden is perfect for you. If you’re thinking of moving to the Denver area, you definitely want to consider Golden if you plan on frequently visiting the mountains. Traffic can become a nightmare on I-70 especially on weekends and popular ski days. I’ve met some people who live in downtown Denver and Aurora and they always complain about the time it takes to get through the city. Living as close as you can to the front range will save you valuable time when traveling west into the mountains. It’s great if you want convenient access to nature, as well as the city life, since it’s located just outside of Denver. Enjoy the perfect blend of the outdoors and city lifestyle.
Hiking Recommendations:
2. Easy Access to Excellent Food and Breweries
Downtown Golden has a surprisingly wide variety of restaurants for a small town. In downtown Golden, you can find Thai, sushi, ramen, Nepalese, Mexican, Italian, and of course American cuisine. The main event that draws in locals and out-of-towners alike would be the Golden Mill, a food hall style restaurant and brewery with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a bite and enjoy some live music at Buffalo Rose, sample a freshly brewed, cold beer at the Coors Factory, or have the best breakfast burrito of your life at Bonfire Burritos. If you’re craving something flashier you’re only 20-30 minutes away from downtown Denver where your options are unlimited.
Food Recommendations:
10 of My Favorite Restaurants in Golden
Best Post-Hike Restaurants in Golden
3. Cute Downtown with Shops
This town is truly where the West lives. You can feel the history in the streets. Pick up a coffee from Higher Grounds Cafe or Red Silo Coffee Roasters and walk down Golden’s Washington Ave. Take in the small town feel and stop in to check out some of the quaint boutique shops on a Saturday morning. Downtown is perfect for a night out too. The restaurants are pretty close together making bar hopping easier. Although there’s more than just food and drinks. In downtown Golden, you can find parks, shops, museums, and a weekly farmers market during the summer months. I love going downtown because there’s plenty of parking and I feel comfortable walking around by myself. My favorite part of the weekend is heading to the farmers market on a Saturday morning, grabbing some local coffee, and taking a walk along Clear Creek. You’ll love it too.
Guides:
How to Spend the Perfect Spring Day in Golden
10 Free Things To Do In Golden This Summer
A Locals Guide to a Day in Downtown Golden in the Winter
The Best Coffee Shops in Golden
4. Proximity to Awesome Amenities
It’s so surreal living in a state that people travel to from around the country. Colorado is home to so many attractions that both visitors and locals will enjoy. The Red Rocks amphitheater in particular is incredible - located just 15 minutes away from Golden. Listen to your favorite artist in one of the most beautiful outdoor venues. But there’s more than just music at Red Rocks! Locals use the amphitheater, which is free and open to the public when there aren’t any concerts, as an outdoor gym. If you live in Golden, you can add Red Rock workouts into your weekly fitness routine. Other nearby attractions include the Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and much more. You’ll never run out of day trips or date nights here.
Fun Things To Do:
Everything You Need to Know About Yoga at Red Rocks
Everything You Need to Know About Tubing Clear Creek
5. Hikes Are Just Minutes Away
One of the main reasons we moved out west was proximity to the mountains. In upstate New York I was just far enough away from the mountains that I'd always talk myself out of making the 1.5 hour drive up. But here, I have no excuse. Getting outside is so easy! Some of the closest parks and trails from Golden include Clear Creek Canyon, North & South Table Mountain, Red Rocks Park, Mount Falcon Park, and Bear Creek Park, to name a few. There’s something for everyone, for both seasoned hikers and casual walkers. You don’t have to drive an hour into the mountains for a good hike with some views. One of my favorite places to walk is Clear Creek Canyon, with the trailhead only 5 minutes away from downtown Golden!
6. Small Town Feel with Big City Happenings Nearby
If you enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, but don’t want to miss out on sports, concerts, and other big events, then Golden is the place for you. This was another huge pull factor for my partner and I. We liked the idea of living near a big city, but not directly in it. We found that Golden had enough close by, like grocery stores, restaurants, and a mall, that we didn’t need to live in the heart of it all. But Denver is just close enough that the drive there doesn’t keep us from going to a nice cocktail bar downtown or an Avs game.
