Pros and Cons of living in Colorado
Colorado is one of the coolest places I’ve lived so far, but there’s pros and cons to living in any state. Here’s my honest review on Colorado living.
Prior to moving to Colorado, I lived in upstate New York. Despite the dissimilarity between the Northeast and the West, there are certain aspects I love about living in Denver and miss about the northeastern region of the country.
If you are thinking about moving out west, I hope you find this evaluation useful.
Colorado Pros
1. People are way nicer
The northern attitude is real! After living in the northeast for 5 years, this cultural piece stuck out to me the most. People are noticeably friendlier in Colorado compared to other regions of the country. Unlike upstate New York, people will actually make eye contact with you and say hello. Cashiers and waiters at restaurants will often try to strike up a conversation with you. It feels wonderful to live in a place where people genuinely want to connect.
2. It’s sunnier
Did you know there are an average of 300 sunny days in Denver? This is another huge positive for me. In New York, the worst part of winter for me wasn’t the cold, it was the constant grayness and lack of sunlight. Winters in Denver are so much more enjoyable, even if there’s a foot of snow, because the sun is almost always out making it easier to stay active. If you’re someone who struggles with seasonal depression, consider looking into Colorado!
PSA: Buy moisturizer with SPF so you don’t have to remember to apply sunscreen every time you walk out the door. Trust me, you will need it. The UV here is strong!
3. Closer to outdoor recreation
Probably the biggest pull factor to Colorado is the proximity to the mountains and outdoor recreation. As I’ve discussed more thoroughly in other blog posts, you don’t travel far to access the mountains. If you love skiing, hiking, biking, or climbing, then Denver is the place for you. Depending on where you live in the city, all of the sports mentioned are accessible within an hour or less. Why wait to live for the weekends to go hiking or biking when you can do everything you love during the week after work?
Colorado Cons
1. Traffic is worse
Maybe I'm just not used to living in big cities, but traffic can be horrific during rush hour and on weekends. Be prepared to be stuck in traffic if you’re traveling on any of the major highways around Denver. To avoid this, be smart about where you choose to live based on your most frequent destinations. If you don’t want to waste time on your daily commute, try living as close to work as possible. If city life is important to you, then downtown Denver is a great option. If hiking is part of your lifestyle, consider west Denver or suburbs like Lakewood, Golden, or Morrison, where you’re closer to the mountains.
2. Food is not as good, fewer options
I've struggled to find exceptional food in the area. Most of the places I've tried have been average at best, with only a few standouts. While Denver has some cool and unique restaurants, the overall quality and taste don't quite compare to what you find on the East Coast. Additionally, I've noticed there are fewer authentic ethnic restaurants here. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post where I'll curate a list of restaurants that truly hit the mark.
3. Less natural lakes, less greenery
This might seem minor, but I miss the lush greenery of upstate New York, along with its natural lakes and rivers. Colorado's climate is much drier, so there's less water and fewer trees in town. While the mountains offer beautiful forests, the urban areas are noticeably more arid. Instead of natural lakes, Colorado has reservoirs, many of which are located in public parks. However, swimming in these reservoirs is often prohibited, which is a significant change from what I'm used to.
