I've blogged in the past about Denver and the Denver metro being ranked among the best places to live. This is not only my opinion but now a certifiable fact. It turns out that when most people are realizing that the grass is greener elsewhere—they’re thinking about Denver, and they’re right, but probably really picturing Evergreen!
According to a new national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends project; 43% of respondents replied that they would like to live in Denver and it’s surrounding metropolitan area-- when I hear someone say "surrounding area" I hear "The Mountain towns west of Denver-- Like Evergreen, Golde, Conifer, Morrison; -- it's probably just too long and awkward of a sentence to publish (except on this blog)-- really-- who would say they wanted to live in the "surrounding metro" and mean Aurora? After reading the entire 45 page report (you can too at: http://pewsocialtrends.org/assets/pdf/Community-Satisfaction.pdf I think the people who didn’t vote for Denver and it’s suburbs probably just don’t know enough about it to realize that it is most likely the right answer for them too!
As I write this I am gazing out my window, out to the snow capped mountains above Golden and Evergreen. I wonder who has the statistics on cities with the highest level of playing hooky! When I was eating breakfast today, in the sun and fifty-something degree March weather, I almost called it a day and went biking or skiing instead of hunkering down to be productive. That said, our Economic Development Council will tell you that our workforce is very efficient, probably prompt, and has some very high level of attendance— but it’s tough on days like today.
The quality of life Denver offers its residents is hard to quantify but I believe its fueled by the freedom of the hills. Take me for example: I am a work-a-holic and spend a great deal of time in front of clients, the computer, and driving, but I know that on any given day—I can run up to the mountains, melt my stress away with crisp, mountain air. Deep blue-skies and a dose of fresh powder or a run along a beautiful single track trail! The fact is, I probably won’t have a chance to get out there tomorrow—but I might. And if I lived in Cleveland; I know I wouldn’t. So I work a way, happy as ever living in the Rocky Mountains.
Another reason Denver is so great is our cost of living According to the highly regarded Council For Community and Economic Research or C2ER.org Denver is significantly less expensive to live in based on prices of more than 60 goods and services than the other top cities.
Take San Diego for example:I have moved many families to Colorado from San Diego and the story is virtually always the same. Houses are expensive in and around San Diego, schools are horrible, the traffic, crime and overall atmosphere makes it difficult to be happy. In all fairness, I suppose recent transplants to Denver, virtually always bash their previous city of residence. But the fact is the average home in San Diego costs. 85% more than in Denver! ($638,081 versus $343,969) Well, let me tell you, I would be a little less pleasant if I spent $640,000 on a house and found out that it was just average. Overall, living in San Diego is about 25% more expensive than Denver. Seattle (a distant third place in the poll) is also significantly more expensive, with their average home price at about $445,978 a full 30% more than Denver! I think I could use that 30% for better things—like sending my kids to college, mountain bikes, recycling or bailing out local retailers.
I’ll wrap this up with some more interesting facts in”Denver is THE Best Place to Live Part Two” If you're hungry for more great reasons to love Denver; take a look at my earlier posts: http://www.denversrealestatenews.com/denver-luxury-homes-in-the-mountains-of-golden/ or Denver Average Temperature for more.
And if you're still not convinced that Denver is the best place to live-- check out this Evergreen Real Estate and picture yourself living here with only a 30 minute commute to downtown Denver and 60 minutes to skiing!
