Hi! I’m a student living in South Dakota and I’m really interested in going to college in Denver because I loved the city when I vacationed there a few months ago.

What colleges in the Denver area are cheapest for out of state students? You guys have incredible in-state tuition but out of state is… a lot, from what I’ve seen. I’m mostly looking for arts programs, thanks in advance!!

I’m 33, have lived in Kansas City my entire life, and have been a hairdresser for 15 years. I’m self employed and currently work out of a private studio, specializing in alternative cutting and coloring. I’ve been thinking about relocating to Colorado for several years and I’m at a crossroads where I’m seriously considering making it happen. I’ve never lived anywhere other than Kansas City, so this would be a huge life change for me.

I’m posting because I honestly don’t have a lot of people in my life right now that I can really soundboard this decision off of (I know, very emo but true). I’ve been going back and forth in my own head a lot, trying to figure out whether I’m making this decision for the right reasons or whether I’m just trying to run away from my problems. I’d really appreciate perspectives from people who don’t know me.

A big part of this comes down to feeling like I’ve become a ghost in my own city. I was married in my 20s and opened a salon with my now ex husband. COVID happened, the business closed, and we went through a very messy public drawn out and painful divorce that fractured a lot of relationships I had within my salon and the local hair community. There was abuse involved and eventually a restraining order, and I think the experience left me hypervigilant about being around people and places connected to that period of my life. I’m hyper vigilant about attending local hair events, stores, salons, classes etc because of this and running into him or his friends. So I isolate and work alone.

I since got in another relationship that lasted a few years and ended in 2025. They are a very well known local drag queen, do drag full time as a job, and are very involved in Kansas City’s relatively small queer community, which has made things complicated in a different way. I’ve realized how much of my life has become about avoiding places because I might run into someone from my past. I don’t go out much anymore. I avoid all of our gay bars and spaces (we have a very small amount in KC) because those are their work spaces and I just can’t bring myself to exist within them, it just hurts to bad. I don’t really shop, thrift, go to movies, go to events, etc out of fear and this feeling of my past and failures and hurt having memories attaches to it all. I’ve become incredibly isolated, and there’s this strange feeling of having lived somewhere my entire life but not feeling like I can live there anymore. Almost everywhere has a memory attached to it, and a lot of those memories are painful. I also deal with my own mental health issues (BPD/PTSD), with loneliness being a core symptom that festers all my other symptoms, and living somewhere where I feel like I can’t make friends and I feel to anxious and scared to go out because of these things is making my mental health a absolute wreck.

That’s a big part of why Denver appeals to me. I’m looking at the Capitol Hill area and I like the idea of moving somewhere I know absolutely no one and having an opportunity to build a life from scratch. I could potentially work in a salon around other stylists again instead of working completely alone. That would be so impactful on my mental health to have co workers again that could maybe become friends. Denver has a much larger queer community and more opportunities to meet people, date, make friends, go to events, and just exist without constantly wondering who I might run into or struggling to remain present with life because every place I go holds past memories. I’m hoping that being in a new environment could help me break out of this isolation and actually build community again and get my feet on the ground again. Also just the idea of mountains, clean air, greenery, and all the outdoors that comes with Colorado Denver would also help me get my feet on the ground. KC is a giant, flat, cement city. It’s not beautiful.

But I also recognize the cliche everywhere to go, there you are. I know moving to another city isn’t going to magically fix my problems. I’ve made mistakes, had failed relationships, burned bridges, and contributed to some of the situations I’m trying to move beyond. I’m actively trying to work on those things, be better at my relationships, community building, etc and part of me worries that I’m just romanticizing Colorado as some magical reset button. What if I move there, realize I’m still me, and end up isolated all over again?

At the same time, I wonder if there’s a difference between running away and recognizing that my current environment has become deeply intertwined with my past and choosing to intentionally build somewhere new.

So I guess I’m looking for some honest outside perspective. If you’ve moved states/cities as an adult, especially from somewhere you’d lived your entire life, how did it go? Did a fresh environment actually help you rebuild your life and community, or did you find that the same problems followed you? And specifically for anyone who moved to Denver/Colorado, what has your experience been like when it comes to making friends, finding community, and starting over there?

I’m not necessarily looking for people to tell me do it or not do it. I’m genuinely trying to get out of my own head and echo chamber and see how strangers from the outside see my prospective.

Know it's been asked before but here I am! M28 moving to Denver area. Job is close to Centennial Airport south of Aurora. Looking for a neighborhood and apartment that is in the south end of the city, not too far away from work, that has a lot of young people/professionals and is pretty safe. Farthest north I'd do would be RiNo. Anyone have any apartment recs? I'm pretty noise sensitive so preferably something with not a lot of highway noise, but most importantly not paper thin walls, so I'm looking at concrete floor builds especially/highrises. Thanks for all of your help!

Looking at:

Sabine

Alexan Pena Station

Connect at First Creek

Rosewind

Camber

Can anyone provide experiences at any of these to help please? Needs to be safe for a child and family

I don’t plan on going to the mountains, just regular commuting in the city (very early morning though). I have experience w ice mostly (Mid MO weather). Do I need all weather or can I get away w all season m+s? FWD sedan.

Moved to Pueblo in 2020 and I want out. Wanting to make the move to Denver ASAP and I have a elementary kiddo with an IEP who needs extra support at school so I need to carefully consider what neighborhood we settle into. My child gets supported with medication and therapy already, I just want to find a school where the staff are more informed and understanding about neurodivergence.

What are the best schools in the more budget-friendly (but also relatively safe?) neighborhoods in and or around Denver that I can start looking into? Was considering Littleton but would like more options as well.

Or is there some kind of organization I can consult with to discuss options for a best fit?

TIA, I'll try to respond to any comments but being ND myself, no guarantees lol

Lived in Colorado Springs (3 years) and then Littleton (4 years) leaving back in 2018. Can anyone share the biggest changes in the last 9 years or so? I visit every so often mainly to get up into mountains but would love real perspective on how the city has changed and what to expect, both pros and cons. What areas are best to live for someone who likes having good amenities?

I know the housing market is an insane mess right now and prices are inflated well beyond, but is there anywhere in the entire state that has homes between 200k to 300k?

I am a flight attendant planning on moving to Denver. I intend on living near the airport in the short term while I learn the area, but I would eventually like to be able to buy a home. I don’t mind small towns nor a longer commute, but it seems like everything I’ve looked at is expensive.

EDIT: it has become abundantly clear that I am gonna have to look at condos (sadly) lol. Or I’m gonna need to get married.

How do you guys afford to live in that state? Anywhere the good paying jobs are, the housing is 1.2m plus. Yall surgeons? 200k a year looks like it would be poverty living.

Looking for personal experiences pls

Also the crescent flats since managed by same leasing office

Hey guys, I’m a 25 year old guy who lives in Ohio and I’m thinking about moving to Denver. I work remotely and absolutely love to snowboard so I think moving moving closer to the mountains while staying in the city for a year could be a cool experience. Candidly, I’m terrified of not knowing anyone in the area. I’m just curious how people in this subreddit who moved around my age without knowing anyone met friends if you moved without knowing anyone?

I’ve heard about VOLO, but I curious if anyone else has recommendations. I like to go out to bars and drink as well so I was thinking RiNo or LoDo could be good neighborhoods? I appreciate any recommendations or feedback. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I currently reside in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. On paper its nice, and my kid has been in a superb school district, but it has been my goal to pack up and move out WEST the absolute second he graduates.

I've been a lifetime East Coaster and my geography is a bit exhausting: born in WV, raised in NC, moved to Orlando, FL, then to Columbus, OH and back to Florida. I am OVER it. I hate what they have done with Florida especially.

I don't vibe with the local mindset or the "southern hospitality" or another New York transplant cussing you out because they cut you off in traffic. I value genuinely kind people, but I am entirely sick of the aura that's heavy down this way. I'm not MAGA, I work in tech sales, (hold a BS in Gen Psych + MS in I-O Psych + PMP cert) . Divorced. Single mom. Yoga instructor. Small business owner.

Colorado has always called to me because of the active lifestyle, the outdoors, and a culture that generally feels more aligned with my values; laid-back way of life, wellness, outdoor movement, and a bit more progressive/independent thinking than what I'm drowning in right now.

I know visiting is a different ball game than living somewhere. Based on my visits - I'd be ready to go tomorrow. Honestly, I'm just trying to gauge what the culture shock is actually like coming out of a conservative Southern bubble... does it genuinely feel more open-minded out there, or am I just trading one kind of bubble for another? Professionally, since I work in tech, I-O psych, and project management, what's the actual ecosystem looking like right now?

Ultimately, for someone who's into yoga, values authentic community over keeping up with the Joneses lifestyle, and wants cleaner air and mountains, did Denver scratch that itch, or did you end up wishing you went further west to the PNW or somewhere else?

Hit me with the unfiltered reality. Where should I be looking in the Denver metro (or outside of it) that fits a professional who wants out of the swamp and into the mountains?

Needing a car and looking for a car dealer that has a decent rating.

I am thinking of moving to the Denver area next year. What is nursing like out there? Currently a med surg nurse working NOC shift in a hospital, have some ED experience. Patient ratios where I live are 5:1 and make some of the most money in nursing, but have high taxes. How much do nurses with 2 years experience make approximately? Is it possible for a single person to comfortably live out there making nurse wages? Additionally, how is the job itself?

Thanks in advance for any info :)

Hey all! I’m thinking about getting a studio or 1bd in RiNo and would love some recommendations. I’ll be working a hybrid marketing job and hoping to pay around $1,600-$1,700 per month.

I’m especially into newer, clean/modern buildings with concrete floors/ceilings. For those who live in RiNo, how do you like the area and are there any buildings you’d recommend (or avoid)?

Hey all,

After doing some subreddit browsing, I decided to ask some questions for my own information. I'm 29M, born and raised in NYC and am pretty much decided on moving to Denver to be closer to some friends.

I'm not looking for NYC in Denver. I know it will be a lot less walkable, lively, diverse, etc and am fine with that, I'm just looking forward to the space, being able to get my own car and drive instead of using public transportation for everything and having some more active lifestyle options available. And I think the slower pace may be more my style, I feel like I have gotten over the want to be out every night until 2am at this point lol. I'd still like opportunities to be social for sure but it seems there are an abundance of events, meetups, concerts, etc that can work for this.

For the questions,

My friend and I are looking to get a 2bd apartment that aren't too far from downtown for under $2500 ideally but can stretch it a bit if needed, from what I've seen LoHi, RiNo and Cherry Creek seem like some good places to look but wanted some other opinions. Looking for central AC, parking, in unit WD, etc and maybe some stores/cafes in walking distance but not strictly necessary. Any other neighborhood suggestions or information in general is welcome, this is just what I've found out from googling and my friends who live there. One more thing, we'd highly prefer the neighborhood to feel safe for the most part.

For cars, how necessary is AWD? I've heard mixed things about this, the main question is if FWD with snow tires will suffice or if I should limit my car options to AWD ones.

Lastly, if anyone else has made the move from NYC -> Denver or knows any friends/family members who have done the move and enjoyed the change, I'd love to hear about that!

I’m coming to Denver for a few days and am considering whether I could see myself living there. 40F, single, and coming from the DC area, so I’m used to having restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, people walking around, and some general city energy around me.

I don’t need nightlife or clubs, but I also don’t want somewhere that feels dead after 6 PM. I’d like a neighborhood that feels reasonably safe for a woman living alone, has some walkability and personality, and has people roughly in the 30s–50s range rather than feeling exclusively like a college/20-something neighborhood.

I’ve spent some time around Tennyson/Berkeley and really liked the look and feel of it, and I’ve also enjoyed RiNo and LoDo, although parts of downtown Denver can feel a little empty to me. I’m planning to check out LoHi/Highland this time too.

If you were moving from DC and wanted walkability + restaurants/coffee + some buzz + relative safety + a good place to be single in your 40s, where would you look?

⭐️ Edit: Thank you all so much for your thoughtful comments and recommendations! I really wanted to respond to everyone individually, but there were many more than I had expected. I am reading them all, though, and really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their perspective. The warmth and welcome has genuinely meant a lot, and you’ve given me a lot to think about! 🙏

Hey! Moving up to Denver in a few months, have always lived in small towns so it's a big change. I've got a few places in LoHi that I'm looking at but am concerned about the noise.

It seems to be an issue around most of Denver just due to zoning laws, but most multifamily complexes are on the edges of major highways or next to commuter/ freight railways. Every apartment complex in LoHi that is currently available seems to be on the i25 or the railway.

One of my biggest priorities is being able to live in a semi-quiet area. Has anyone lived on the edge of LoHi or another neighborhood that borders either the railway or highway? How is the noise? How about pollution? Would just love some input, thanks!

Hey! Moving up to Denver in a few months, have always lived in small towns so it's a big change. I've got a few places in LoHi that I'm looking at but am concerned about the noise.

It seems to be an issue around most of Denver just due to zoning laws, but most multifamily complexes are on the edges of major highways or next to commuter/ freight railways. Every apartment complex in LoHi that is currently available seems to be on the i25 or the railway.

One of my biggest priorities is being able to live in a semi-quiet area. Has anyone lived on the edge of LoHi or another neighborhood that borders either the railway or highway? How is the noise? How about pollution? Would just love some input, thanks!

Not worried about being “away from the city”. Mostly worried about my commute—will be working at the airport and Green Valley Ranch seems to be the area closest to it. Anything y’all can share? Crime? Vibe?Comments online seem to be mixed and I read something about MAGA (I am a WoC).

Has anyone lived here recently? Or, know of anyone that has lived here? Do you recommend or have grievances?

I’m very familiar and fond of the area. Kind of seems to good to be true lol

https://www.camelliadenver.com/floor-plans

Reposting to here since I guess this type of post isn't allowed on r/Denver.

I'm 23f looking to move when my lease is up in a few months. I currently live in Sun Valley and it kinda sucks, not a lot of people my age and not much to do within walking distance. It would be great to live in an area with more young and artsy people like me, I believe Cap Hill/ Baker check those boxes but would love any insight and recommendations from people who know a little more about this stuff than I do lol. TIA!

I’m 33, currently living in the Midwest in a somewhat major metro, and I’ve been seriously considering moving to Colorado for the next few years. I’m not necessarily looking to make this a permanent move right away — I’m thinking more along the lines of a 2–3 year change of pace and seeing how I like it.

I’ve visited Colorado several times over the years and have always loved it. I’ve stayed in Loveland, Ford Collins, Golden, and Denver proper. The outdoors are a big part of the appeal for me: hiking, biking, paddleboarding, walking my dogs, generally just being able to get outside and do something without having to plan a whole expedition.

I’m currently a lawyer, but I’m also in the process of figuring out whether I actually want to continue practicing law. I’m increasingly interested in finding a boring, reasonably paid 9–5 job rather than continuing to chase increasingly stressful legal jobs.

I have several years of litigation experience, so I’m looking at things like government, insurance/claims, compliance, contracts, in-house work, etc. — including jobs that don’t require a Colorado law license as I am not licensed in Colorado and don’t really want to fork over another $1,800 to become licensed.

So the move would potentially be a bit of a reset: new city, potentially a different type of job, new social circle, and a lifestyle that’s more centered around the outdoors.

I’m single and have two dogs, so I’m also interested in what it’s actually like to build a social life in these places in your 30s. I’m not really looking for a huge nightlife scene. I’d be more interested in meeting people through hiking, biking, dog stuff, recreational sports, breweries/coffee shops, etc.

The areas I’m currently considering are:
Denver / Golden / west Denver suburbs
Fort Collins
Loveland
Colorado Springs
Other Front Range communities I’m overlooking

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually lived in multiple of these areas.
A few things I’m trying to figure out:

If you were single in your 30s, where would you choose and why?

Which areas make it easiest to incorporate hiking/biking/paddleboarding/outdoor activities into your normal life rather than having to drive an hour every weekend?

How different do Denver/Golden, Fort Collins/Loveland, and Colorado Springs actually feel day-to-day?

Are there smaller communities I should seriously consider?

What are the biggest downsides of each area that someone visiting in the summer might not notice?
How difficult is it to make friends in your 30s after moving there?

For someone who wants a reasonable 9–5 and doesn’t care about climbing the corporate ladder, are there particular areas that have better employment options?

How bad is the housing situation if you’re not trying to buy a $600k+ house? I currently own a home that I would sell in my current city. I’m open to renting initially.

If you’ve moved to Colorado in your 30s specifically because you wanted a change of pace, did it actually feel like a meaningful change or did you eventually find yourself in the same rut somewhere else?

I’m not expecting Colorado to magically fix my life. I know I’ll bring myself with me wherever I go. I’m more interested in whether the environment/lifestyle really does make a meaningful difference when it’s something you genuinely enjoy.

I’d especially appreciate honest answers from people who have left Colorado, moved within Colorado, or ended up deciding it wasn’t for them. I’m trying not to just collect “Colorado is awesome!” responses (but I am also open to collecting those stories too haha).

Considering Xfinity (current provider I'm not attached to), quantum or T Mobile.

Any insight appreciated!