Denver, Colorado, is one of the most liveable cities in the U.S. and appeals both to outdoor enthusiasts as well as those who want to live the urban lifestyle. Set in the midst of the majestic Rocky Mountains, many Denver homes for sale have incredible year-round views that you can’t find in many other places.
With a metro area population of nearly three million, Denver is a large city with many beautiful neighborhoods and suburbs. If you are considering relocating to Colorado’s state capital, here is what you need to know.
Real estate market
Though the inventory is low in Denver, the luxury market is thriving. Though home prices were expected to drop this year, the city has still not seen this happen, and the median price remains a healthy $600,000. Though you may have a tough time finding a home in the $400,000-$500,000 range, there has been an influx of luxury properties selling for over $1 million. If you’re in the market for one of these homes, you should have a lot to choose from.
Neighborhoods
Denver is made up of a number of neighborhoods that each have their own character. A local realtor such as Elise LoSasso will be familiar with all of them and can help you choose. Here are some of the more popular ones.
Five Points
Five Points is one of the oldest neighborhoods in town. Known for its culture, Five Points was once called “Harlem of the West” for its vibrant jazz clubs that were regular stops for legends such as Miles Davis and Billie Holiday.
Today, Five Points maintains its cultural heritage. It is home to many live music venues, hip coffeehouses, and microbreweries. It also has museums for visiting the past and some excellent restaurants. There are beautiful Victorian homes for people who like a classical-style home and want to live where the action is.
Downtown Denver
For people who like urban living, Downtown is the place to be. There are many gorgeous condos and homes. Denver is a very walkable city, and living downtown gives you access to clubs, bars, restaurants, and Denver Pavilions, a popular shopping mall. You’re also close to Union Station if you want to take a trip on a train.
Centennial
For those who like the quieter lifestyle found in the suburbs, Centennial may be just what they are looking for. Located just 14 miles from Downtown Denver, this charming community has easy access to big-city fun along with beautiful luxury homes on large pieces of land. The school district has excellent educational facilities for students of all ages. It also has some great local restaurants and shops.
Cherry Hills Village
A mere 21 miles outside of town lies one of the most affluent suburbs of Denver, Cherry Hills Village. Some of the most beautiful luxury homes in the entire state are located here. It has a low population density and is quiet and peaceful.
Cherry Hills Village has several country clubs where members can play 18 holes of golf, a few sets of tennis, or enjoy a delicious meal. There are also steakhouses and sushi restaurants, as well as some upscale shops.
There are many other great neighborhoods, such as Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Denver, Capitol Hill, and South Central. A good local realtor will have the lowdown on each one to help you decide.
State income tax
An interesting fact about Colorado is that although it does have a state income tax, it is a flat tax. The rate is 4.55% which is average compared to all 50 states. There is no need to be concerned about your taxes fluctuating with your income. Denver, in general, also has lower property taxes than many other cities.
Weather
When most people think of Denver, they think of snow. Although it is true that the winter season in Denver lasts from mid-October to late April, you can expect about 300 sunny days per year in the Mile High City. Because of its elevation, the sun is intense, and wearing sunblock, hats, and sunglasses is recommended on sunny days year-round.
Denver is semi-arid, so although summers are hot, the humidity is low. Winters are cold and snowy, and Denver weather is unpredictable. A 70-degree day can easily turn into a heavy snowfall the next day. It’s part of the city’s charm.
Sports
The city is a dream for sports fans, as Denver has major league franchises in all four major sports. Each plays in a beautiful facility.
Coors Field, one of the nicest ballparks in America, is home to the National League’s Colorado Rockies. The three-time Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche is Denver’s NHL team and plays in Ball Arena, which also is the home of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
The favorite sport of most Denverites is football, and they proudly root for their Denver Broncos throughout each NFL season. You can visit the beautiful Empower Field for home games.
For participation sports, Denver is well known for skiing and has many luxury golf courses for summer fun.
Microbreweries
Lovers of craft brews will be happy to know that Denver has more microbreweries than any other city except Portland. Locally-brewed pilsners, lagers, IPAs, and many unique varieties of beer are available. There are several tours that you can take where you can visit several breweries and do tastings at each. It’s a fun way to spend a day, and you may find a new favorite.
Moving to Denver? Work with Elise LoSasso
Denver is a wonderful city in which to live, play, and raise a family. If you are planning to relocate there and if you are ready to take the next step and look at Denver homes for sale, contact Elise LoSasso. A Denver native, she’s a Denver Realtor who knows the city and the market and has the experience to help you find the perfect home.
