Are you considering Colorado for your new home? The “Centennial State” is home to around 5.7 million people who reap the benefits of beautiful nature, world-class outdoor activities, and an amazing food and drink scene. So, whether you plan on purchasing a house in Denver or renting an apartment in Breckenridge, you will be sure to find the perfect place to call home. To help you figure out whether this is the place for you, we broke down the pros and cons of living in Colorado. Keep reading to see what’s to love and what’s not to love about the state.
Pros of living in Colorado
1. A great sports scene
If you love sports, this state is for you. Colorado has an electric sports atmosphere being home to teams across multiple professional leagues. Local favorites include the Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Denver Nuggets (NBA). While in the area, be sure to catch a game at Empower Field, Coors Field, Dicks Sporting Goods Park, or Ball Arena.
2. Pristine nature
Colorado is an adventurer’s playground with access to world-class ski resorts, beautiful national and state parks, and an abundance of outdoor activities like climbing, rafting, and biking. During the winter, locals enjoy skiing at one of over 25 ski resorts including Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Telluride, Vail, and Winter Park.
Colorado is also home to four national parks, namely Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Some of the state parks you need to check out include Cherry Creek State Park, Roxborough State Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and St. Vrain State Park. Not to mention you can climb one of the over 50 famous 14ers, a mountain peak over 14,000 feet.
3. Weather
Yes, Colorado does tend to have unpredictable weather. However, you’ll find that the state does receive a lot of sunshine year round, especially the further West you go in cities like Grand Junction. In addition, cities surrounding Denver see relatively low humidity making summer days feel dry and hot with cool, comfortable evenings. When living in the state, you’ll experience all four seasons filled with fall leaves, snowy winters, warm summers, and spring flowers.
4. A beer lovers’ paradise
Colorado has a wonderful beer scene full of breweries, pubs, and taprooms in major cities like Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder. In fact, there are more than 350 breweries in the state. While in Colorado, be sure to check out Horse & Dragon Brewing Company, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, and Avery Brewing Company. Colorado also hosts one of the nation’s largest beer festivals, The Great American Beer Festival.
5. Great neighborhoods to choose from
There are many unique neighborhoods to choose from in Colorado. Living in Boulder, you’ll find tree-lined streets in Mapleton Hill, local residential areas in Table Mesa, and up-and-coming areas like North Boulder. Denver has great outdoor space in City Park, historic sites in Capitol Hill, and great nightlife in the Highlands. If you are looking to live in Colorado Springs check out the Rockrimmon, Broadmoor, and Briargate neighborhoods.
Cons of living in Colorado
6. Higher than Average Median Home Sale Price
With a median sale price of $573,600, the Centennial State has a higher median sale price compared to the national average of $389,520. Needless to say, it may be harder to purchase a home in Colorado. Be sure to calculate how much home you can afford before beginning your home search.
7. High altitude
Moving to Colorado comes with being at a higher altitude holding an average elevation of 6,800 ft. So, when first adjusting you may notice drier skin and have a harder time exercising. Given some time, you should be able to adjust to your new elevation.
8. A landlocked state
Colorado is bordered by 7 states and is considered landlocked. So, while you have the mountains and incredible views, you will not be any where close to the beach. If you need to be near the ocean, this state may not be for you.
9. Traffic
As traffic is common in most major areas of large cities, Colorado traffic is no exception. Rush hour going in and out of the cities can add up to 3 hours to your commute and weekend commutes along I-70 get congested as people head to and from the mountains.
10. Wildfires
The Centennial state is prone to wildfires every year due to strong wind speeds, drought, and high temperatures. When moving to Colorado, be sure to do adequate research on whether your home is in a high-risk fire zone and what steps you should take to fireproof your home from wildfires.
*Median home sale price data was pulled from the US Housing Market resource on March 8, 2022.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.