Population, Living Costs, the Job Market, & Transportation
Population and Ranks
Denver, CO, currently has a population of 749,103 based on the US Census estimates. However, the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area population is much larger at 2.99 million. The city was ranked the 2nd best place to live in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2020 and according to livingcost.org; it is currently the 80th best place to live in the world considering livability, cost of living, and population.Cost of Living
One thing to note about the city of Denver is that average costs of living can vary greatly between different areas. However, the average cost to live there is approximately $2,000 per month, per person with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment being roughly $1,256.The Denver Job Market
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hiring increased by 51.8%. In July, the job market in Denver ranked 5th for the best performance according to a ThinkWhy Federal employment data analysis. Some of the factors included in this rank were level of wages, population growth, and workforce educational attainment. Over the past year, Denver’s economy has shown big overall improvements compared to other metros that had job markets that performed better in July, like Dallas. Some prominent industries in Denver include finance, health care, and telecommunications and with over 17 million visitors each year, the hospitality sector also thrives.Getting Around Denver
It’s fairly simple to get around in Denver with a car, but there are also bike lanes that you can travel along. Denver’s public transportation system, the Regional Transport District, offers many bus routes and the city residents also commute by a train rail system.
Best Neighborhoods in Denver for Young Professionals
LoDo/Downtown
Downtown Denver is a favorite of many young professionals because it has everything a city-dweller can want and more: great public transportation where no car is needed to get to and from work, high-rise apartments, and lots of activities within walking distance. The Union Station, a transportation hub that opened in the 1800s, still operates as a bus and train station, and also houses shops, restaurants, and bars, too. Moreover, located right in the center of LoDo is Coors Field, where you can catch a Rockies game and have some cold beer at the Wynkoop Brewery, the first brewpub in Colorado. Other places to enjoy a cool brew are Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery or the Great Divide Brewery. You can probably get the picture that LoDo/Downtown has lots of great breweries. You can also spend a day at Larimer Square, where locals and visitors alike enjoy the great restaurants and indie shops.Capitol Hill
Just south of downtown is Capitol Hill, but this part feels like an entirely different world. The arts and culture make this area a great place to live in Denver. Rather than having bars on each corner, at Capitol Hill, you will find the Denver Art Museum and five more museums, some historic homes, a good mix of modern apartments, and many art galleries. Take a walk in Governors Park, then have lunch at 7th and Ivy. Yes, this area requires having a good income, but if you fancy fine dining, walkability, and the good outdoors, this may be the best neighborhood for you.Highland
Highland is in the northern part of downtown and it has almost the same amenities as Capitol Hill, only at a lower price. This neighborhood is perfect for young professional people who like urban life. There are many local restaurants, shops, apartments, and modern homes, along with old victorian buildings lining the walk-friendly streets. One restaurant I would recommend is Root Down, where they have some great tasting dishes to satisfy your tastebuds. This is also the best place to be if you enjoy free events like street fairs and farmers’ markets that pop up during the warm summer months.LoHi
Lower Highland (LoHi) was only recently added to Denver’s neighborhoods and is among the most active neighborhoods Denver has. It is a part of Highland’s northern side that’s closest to downtown and is slowly becoming a great area for young hipsters who want to be near the city. In fact, it was recently named one of the country’s hippest neighborhoods. It’s home to some of the coolest restaurants, stores, and the Contemporary Art Museum. One of LoHi’s best places to eat is at the Avanti Food & Beverage’s food collective, a food hall containing seven different restaurants that offer everything from pizza to arepas. And for those who like to ride on two wheels, this neighborhood is super bike-friendly.Five Points
Five Points is one of the first suburbs of Denver and ever since its creation, it has remained among Denver’s key neighborhoods. Public transportation is easy, housing is affordable, and there are lots of breweries here. If you are looking for a Denver neighborhood with a city feel, you might want to consider staying around Larimer Street. This street is lined with new apartments, art galleries, historic buildings transformed into tattoo shops, and places like Crema Coffee and Our Mutual Friend Brewing. The southern part of Five Points is like a traditional neighborhood, with older homes for rent and tree-lined streets. The area has a jazz rich history and one thing you won’t want to miss is May’s Jazz Festival.River North Art District (RiNo)
River North Art District (RiNo), is another type of Denver’s hipster neighborhood, which makes a lot of sense, considering all the artisan shops, coffee roasters, restaurants, and apartments found in old factories and warehouses. However, this is among the best Denver neighborhoods for those with a love for art. RiNo is among Denver’s most vibrant neighborhoods, and a big part of this is its street murals. In addition to having great art, RiNo also has great food. One place you have to try is The Source. It was converted from an old warehouse into a food hall and hotel. And a new collection of breweries are continuously sprouting up throughout the neighborhood.
Safest Denver Neighborhoods
North Park Hill
This neighborhood in Denver has a population of 10,351 and offers an urban-like feel. It is a safe neighborhood and a great place to live, where most of the residents own their homes. Many young professionals and families live in the North Park Hill neighborhood where residents are mostly liberal. There are many restaurants, bars, parks, and coffee shops in North Park Hill and the public schools are above average.Congress Park
The Congress Park neighborhood in Denver has a population of 11,475 and is also a great place to live. In this urban neighborhood, residents usually rent their homes. Congress Park has plenty of restaurants, pubs, parks, and coffee shops with above-average public schools.Wellshire
This Denver, Colorado urban neighborhood has a population of 3,525 and the majority of residents own their homes. You will find lots of restaurants, bars, parks, and coffee shops with above-average public schools in the Wellshire area. There are many retirees living in this neighborhood where the residents have moderate political views.Washington Park
Washington Park is a Denver, Colorado neighborhood that has a population of 7,514. This area has more of a suburban and urban-type feel and the majority of residents own their homes. Like many other good safe neighborhoods in Denver, Washington Park has a lot of restaurants, pubs, parks, and coffee shops with above-average public schools. Many young professionals and families reside in the Washington Park neighborhood, who basically have moderate political views.University Park
This Denver neighborhood has a population of 8,156. Most people rent their homes in this urban area that also contains a good amount of restaurants, pubs, parks, and coffee shops with public schools that are above average. The residents of University Park are mainly young professionals that tend to be liberal.Planning A Move to Denver, Colorado?
If you’re planning a big move to the mile-high city of Denver, contact Moving Proz to help with all your moving needs. Not only do we offer local and long-distance moving for both residential and commercial moves, but we also provide packing services to help make your move more pleasant.