Colorful Colorado lives up to it’s snazzy nickname by being one of the most stunningly beautiful states in the union. The magnificence of the state’s natural terrain and wildlife, when combined with it’s plenitude of outdoor activities, thriving economy, and friendly culture, leaves little wonder why many people are moving to Colorado.
If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, Colorado is sure to have something that piques your interest. It’s a state where you can go rock climbing, fishing, white water rafting, snowboarding, and much much more at any time of the year.
Colorado’s cities are all very unique, but they do have one thing in common – they’re all deeply influenced by the natural beauty that surrounds them. The Rocky Mountains can be seen up close or from afar practically anywhere in the state. So, if you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy that fresh mountain air, moving to Colorado just might be something that you should look into.
While the cost of living in Colorado is a bit higher than some other states, with it’s booming economy and plentiful jobs, Colorado has long attracted successful professionals, students, retirees, and families from all throughout the US.
If we haven’t already sold the idea to you, keep watching to learn about what we believe are the best places to live in Colorado.
Boulder
Back in the day, Boulder was known to be a hippie haven with a small-town vibe. These days, however, Boulder has grown to be a full-fledged city with a ton of diversity. Known as the Gateway to the Rockies, Boulder is home to dozens of fantastic restaurants and more than two dozen craft breweries.
The city is famous for the University of Colorado at Boulder which is a fantastic institution to earn a degree. Since thousands of acres of open green spaces can be found throughout the greater Boulder area, it’s a fabulous spot for outdoor activities of all kinds. If you enjoy activities such as biking, hiking, climbing, and running, you’ll be pleased to know that both Boulder Canyon and Eldorado State Park are both nearby.
The majority of residents are outdoor enthusiasts who take their health very seriously. Living among a culture of people who prioritize such things makes it much easier to stay fit. One of the most popular attractions in the summertime is Boulder Reservoir. Here you’ll find an area that’s optimal for swimming, paddleboarding, boating, kayaking, and more.
Over at the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder, you’ll find a flourishing marketplace that is home to many shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, Boulder is a very foodie city. On 13th street, you’ll find marvelous restaurants and pubs like Bohemian Biergarten and The Sink.
The real estate market in town is sizzling hot, and homes are in fairly high demand. Currently, the median asking price for a house is roughly $825,000.
Pueblo
If Boulder sounds lovely, but you can’t quite afford those housing rates, then consider looking into the city of Pueblo. This affordable midsize town provides residents with a southwestern culture and plenty of sunlight. The Downtown Riverwalk district offers a nice mix of shops, restaurants, galleries, theatres, and events.
Some of Pueblo’s primary employers include Parkview Medical Center and Colorado State University Pueblo.
With a high desert climate, residents are shielded from the more extreme winter weather conditions that the majority of the rest of the state has to deal with. Annually, Pueblo receives about 32 inches of snowfall, and while that might sound like a lot, it’s much lower than what cities like Fort Collins and Denver get.
Denver
Dubbed the “Mile High City”, Denver is one of the best places in the state to call home. The city’s nickname comes from it’s distinct location, sitting about a mile above sea level. Residents of Denver enjoy more than 300 sunny days a year. Not even places like Miami or San Diego can claim that.
With dozens of bars and breweries per capita, Denver is famous for being one of the top spots for beer drinkers in the country. Be sure to check out spots like 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Prost Brewing Co & Biergarten, and Banded Oak Brewing Company if you’re looking to try an assortment of brews.
Home to The Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and the Avalanche, Denver is a sports lovers’ dream come true.
Getting around town is pretty easy thanks to Denver’s excellent public transit system. If you need a reprieve from the concrete jungle, just outside of the city you’ll find numerous spots for hiking and skiing. Denver Intl. Airport is also conveniently located right within the city limits.
The city is currently growing at a very fast rate. It’s estimated that by 2030, the population will have surpassed more than 3.5 million. Unfortunately, this extremely fast paced rate of growth means affordable housing is getting harder and harder to come by.
Still, the city has a consistently strong economy that is actively growing. It’s known for being a great city to find jobs in the sciences, technology, math, and engineering.
As far as attractions go, make sure you check out the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Castle Rock
This cozy Colorado town is known for it’s fantastic dining and shopping options as well as it’s outdoorsy culture. Castle Rock is located about 35 miles away from Denver, so it’s a fairly accessible location. The mountains are easily reachable to the west. So, if you’re a skier or snowboarder, you wont have to go very far to hit the slopes.
One of the main reasons why people love living in Castle Rock is it’s proximity to Denver. You can easily commute to the city while not having to shell out the cash to live there. Housing is fairly affordable, and there are plenty of high-paying jobs in the area.
During the spring, summer, or fall, you can go hiking at the Mitchel Creek Canyon Trail. Another great option is the Ridgeline Open Space which features more than 13 miles of trails.
Castle Rock is one of the top ten fastest-growing cities in America, and it’s also one of Colorado’s best tourist destinations.
Colorado Springs
With it’s reasonably priced neighborhoods, low cost of living, and beautiful setting, Colorado Springs is one of the most popular cities in Colorado for people to move to. One-bedroom apartments can be rented for about $1,000 on average, while the median home prices are much cheaper than what you would find in Boulder or Denver.
With the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak nearby, Colorado Springs is one of the best places to live if you’re an appreciator of mother earth.
Colorado Springs is known for having a robust military culture and presence since several military installations are located nearby, including Schriever AFB, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, and the US Air Force Academy.
When compared to cities like Denver or Fort Collins, Colorado Springs offers residents a slower, more laid-back lifestyle. If you need to get to the big city, Denver is just about an hour and a half away.
In the last few decades, Colorado Springs has routinely been ranked as one of the top cities in the US to live.
Fort Collins
Located at the edge of the Front Range Mountains, this Coloradan city is the northernmost city along the snow-topped mountain range. It’s about 60 miles north of Denver and sits along the majestic Cache La Poudre River.
Fort Collins is a very scenic and aesthetically beautiful town that’s home to Colorado State University. While the city is popular with students, it’s also a very ideal place to raise a family.
Old Town is both a state and national historic district that’s comprised of over 25 historical buildings. Downtown Fort Collins is also a major draw as it’s home to a bustling business district that happened to be the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA.
Like other cities in Colorado, Fort Collins is a big beer city. There are more than 20 breweries to visit, including New Belgium, Odell, and Snowbank. Fun fact: Fort Collins accounts for more than 70 percent of Colorado’s craft beer production.
If knocking back tall boys isn’t your thing, you’ll be happy to know that Fort Collins is also a very popular hot spot for outdoor activities. There are more than 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and an additional 960 acres of parks to explore. Locals regularly enjoy activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping.
Aurora
If you live in Aurora, you won’t have to go far to see breathtaking views of the Rockies.
Residents here love activities like golf, hiking, and biking – especially since the natural terrain is so inviting.
Within the city, there are more than 100 parks to choose from. You can also explore the Morrison Nature Center, which is home to lush wildlife habitats.
Aurora boasts one of the state’s biggest indoor marketplaces. Visitors to Stanley Marketplace can find more than 50 independently owned and operated Colorado businesses, including restaraunts, boutiques, galleries, cafes, gyms, and health centers.
The median housing price in the city is about $485,000. If you’re looking to rent, expect to pay about $1,575 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Aurora is a briskly growing city is that is perfect for professionals as well as families. It’s a great place to raise kids, and the crime rate is relatively low compared to similarly sized cities. There are dozens of unique neighborhoods to choose from, and like Colorado Springs, there is a strong military presence in the area.
Colorado is a wonderful place to live and work. If you’re thinking about moving out of state, Colorado is definitely a spot we recommend looking into. Hopefully after watching this video, you now have a better idea of what to expect. Whether you’re into nature or the city, Colorado is perfect for folks from all walks of life.
Which Colorado city most interests you and are there any other Colorado cities or towns that you’d recommend to someone thinking about moving to the state? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thanks for watching!