Immigrants
•
11 mins read
•
July 30, 2021
Juno Picks: The Five Best Places to Live in Colorado
Outdoor recreation activities, job opportunities, low crime rates, and abundant natural attractions make these cities the best places to live in Colorado.
Colorado, also known as the Centennial State, offers a perfect balance of lush grasslands, deep canyons, alpine meadows, high and mighty mountains, historical monuments, and rich culture.
Its booming and diverse economy attracts various students and professionals from across the world. Plus, the top-ranked schools, affordable housing, family-friendly amenities, and outdoor activities make it one of the best places to live in the US.
While each Colorado city is unique, they all offer the same beautiful surroundings and fresh mountain air to their visitors. However, if you're also searching for the best places to live in Colorado, we've got you covered.
Best for Job Opportunities: Denver
Settled between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains is one of the best places to live in Colorado: Denver.
Also known as the Mile High City, Denver is Colorado's state capital and the fifth fastest-growing city in the US. Due to the affordable housing options, adventurous lifestyle, and abundance of full-time and
, a high number of young professionals flock to this city every year with a desire to live to the fullest.
Denver enjoys a booming job market with professional offerings for all, from marketers, scientists, and educators to artists, engineers, and everyone in between. The city has a significant foothold in aerospace, healthcare, information technology, energy, telecommunications, and the recreational cannabis industry.
Top employers in Denver include the University of Colorado, HealthOne, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, University of Denver, Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Accenture.
Public transport in the city is also increasingly convenient and affordable, making it easy for residents to commute to and from work.
Besides, Denver is also one of the
. In fact, it ranked 7th on the list of Best Cities for Remote Workers and 6th position on the Remote Friendliness Index.
Aside from the thriving job market, Denver is a bustling place with plenty to do. It houses a large number of restaurants, breweries, and bars with mouth-watering cuisines, and a rich arts and culture scene. There’s also plenty of easy access to green space, like City Park, Denver Botanic Gardens, Washington Park, and Cherry Creek Trail.
And don’t forget about the plethora of adventurous activities it offers to amateurs and seasoned adrenaline junkies. Some activities include snowboarding at Vail Mountain Resort, mountain biking at Buffalo Creek, skiing in Estes Park, and horseback riding in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Median home price:
$543,544
Median monthly apartment rental price:
$1,763
Best for Families: Fort Collins
Award-winning schools, affordable living costs, safe neighborhoods, and plentiful outdoor activities make Fort Collins one of the best places to live in Colorado for families.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this beautiful city gets an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. This means parents and kids have many opportunities to explore the city's bustling parks, playgrounds, hiking and biking trails, and numerous outdoor recreation activities. Plus, families can visit different restaurants, shops, and museums — all within a mile radius.
Fort Collins also scores high marks for its top-ranked school system. It is home to the
that includes 31 elementary schools, ten middle schools, four comprehensive high schools, and five charter schools — all providing education to over 30,000 students. Plus, it also offers early childhood education programmes and special transition facilities for children with disabilities.
Some prominent schools include
,
,
, and
.
In addition to this, children and parents can indulge in programs hosted by
, such as the
and after-school
.
From historic single-family homes and townhomes to lofts and condominiums, Fort Collins has a variety of housing options to choose from. The cost of living may be
than the national average, but the natural attractions and family-friendly amenities certainly make it worth the cost.
Median home price:
$487,901
Median monthly apartment rental price:
$1,644
Best for Entrepreneurs: Boulder
Of course, when it comes to the top places to live in Colorado, it’s impossible not to mention Boulder. Located to the north of Denver, Boulder boasts stunning natural beauty, thanks to its rocky mountain location. Its
, making it one of the safest and best places to live in Colorado.
Known as one of America's startup capitals, Boulder is also a hotspot for entrepreneurship. It houses numerous well-known companies such as Justin's Peanut Butter Cups, Izze Sparkling Juices, Celestial Seasoning, Ball Aerospace, Techstars, and many more. So, if you're looking to launch a food business, clothing store, or indulge in digital innovation, Boulder is the place to go.
The city of Boulder is not all work, however, as it is also focused on never-ending outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, horse riding, kayaking, and many more. In addition to this, international film and music festivals, pet-friendly restaurants, open-air farmer's markets, and museums are just a few of the other attractions ready to draw you in.
In a nutshell, if you're looking for an urban lifestyle coupled with entrepreneurial vibes, Boulder is sure to offer you the best of both worlds.
Median home price:
$931,683
Median monthly apartment rental price:
$2,093
Best for Nature Lovers: Colorado Springs
No place in Colorado is better for true nature lovers than Colorado Springs — the second largest city in the state, which sits on the foothills of the eastern Rocky Mountains and lies south of Denver.
Lovingly referred to as The Springs by locals, this town boasts beautiful natural attractions, stunning mountain views, and numerous outdoor recreation activities. Many residents spend their free time hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and rock climbing.
Head to the famous
— a registered national natural landmark — which is home to 1,300 acres of picturesque sandstone formations. Or visit Pikes Peak — also known as America's Mountain — to experience a unique workout with stunning views in the city.
Other attractions include Cheyenne Mountain State Park, North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, The Incline, and more.
Colorado Springs is also known as the Olympic City due to the presence of the United States Olympic Training Center, United States Olympic Committee, and Olympic Museum. Many Team USA members also call Colorado Springs their second home. So, you never know when you'll next walk down the street alongside a famous Olympic athlete.
Employment is another aspect you'll want to consider when planning to move to Colorado Springs, as most of its economy is driven by the technology, defence, and tourism industries. Plus, it also has a few military bases, such as Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy.
When it comes to dining out, Colorado Springs has restaurants for every type of cuisine and taste. Its large German community also means you'll discover various German restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, with
being one of them. Other popular dining options include
,
, and
.
Median home price:
$409,770
Median monthly apartment rental price:
$1,408
Best for Those on a Budget: Greeley
If Colorado's rent prices are scaring you away, Greeley can be a more affordable option. Located in Northern Colorado, Greeley is a city of about 100,000 residents.
The city boasts the lowest
prices out of all places on this list, making it perfect for those who want to live in a big city without paying a fortune. The cost of living in Greeley is
than the state average, which means you can live here conveniently while remaining close enough to the major attractions of the nearby cities.
From casual dining and recreation activities to historical attractions, Greeley offers many exciting attractions for its residents. Beer enthusiasts can rejoice too, as Greeley is home to one of the largest breweries in the country, Weldwerks Brewing Company.
Some other attractions include
, Lory State Park,
, Centennial Village Museum, and Adventure Island Indoor Waterpark.
You'll also find the
campus spread over 250 scenic, suburban acres. Plus, this university hosts a plethora of programs, such as men's and women's sporting events, art shows, and live entertainment performances.
Median home price:
$374,173
Median monthly apartment rental price:
$1,259
Moving to Colorado is a dream for many. From high mountains and bustling parks to beautiful lakes and low valleys, this gorgeous state is the hub of impressive diversity and natural attractions. It offers something different each season, from waterfalls in spring and camping under the stars in summer to hiking in the fall and snowboarding in winter.
However, finding the perfect location to live in Colorado that matches your needs can be pretty daunting. We hope our list helps find the best city for you.
