scorecard14 reasons why Denver is the best place to live in America
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14 reasons why Denver is the best place to live in America

First of all, there are jobs. Strong aerospace, defense, biotech, healthcare, finance, and hospitality sectors create a wealth of positions, both in number and diversity. The city has also become a hotspot for millennials, bringing in fresh talent and energy. Between 2011 and 2014, nearly 3,200 new firms opened in Denver, driving down the unemployment rate and helping add more than 165,000 new jobs.

14 reasons why Denver is the best place to live in America

Not only are there jobs, but they also pay well. At $53,060 per year, Denver’s average annual salary sits higher than the national average of $47,230.

Not only are there jobs, but they also pay well. At $53,060 per year, Denver’s average annual salary sits higher than the national average of $47,230.

Source: U.S. News

Denver’s unemployment rate also beats the national average. Only 3.1% of Denver residents are unemployed, compared to 4.9% of all US citizens.

Denver’s unemployment rate also beats the national average. Only 3.1% of Denver residents are unemployed, compared to 4.9% of all US citizens.

Source: FRED

Part of this growing economy can be attributed to the expanding cannabis industry. Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, creating a surge in related commerce, from growers to dispensaries to retail. The industry now occupies more than 3.7 million square feet of industrial space in Denver, jump-starting the city's industrial real estate market.

Part of this growing economy can be attributed to the expanding cannabis industry. Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, creating a surge in related commerce, from growers to dispensaries to retail. The industry now occupies more than 3.7 million square feet of industrial space in Denver, jump-starting the city

But rest assured, parents: The city's packed with good schools as well. Denver scores a 7.7 out of 10 on U.S. News’ college readiness index, higher than comparable cities. This score measures the breadth and depth of the college-level curriculum in high schools, based on AP and IB test scores.

But rest assured, parents: The city

Source: U.S. News [1,2]

Several colleges and universities call Denver home, making it a hub of academia. Three schools — Regis University, University of Denver, and the University of Colorado at Boulder — appear on U.S. News' rankings of the best colleges in the country.

Several colleges and universities call Denver home, making it a hub of academia. Three schools — Regis University, University of Denver, and the University of Colorado at Boulder — appear on U.S. News

Source: U.S. News

You’re pretty safe in Denver — the city sees much less violent crime than comparable cities. The number of violent crimes per 100,000 people in Denver is 331, below the national average and well behind New York City at 366 and Chicago at 380.

You’re pretty safe in Denver — the city sees much less violent crime than comparable cities. The number of violent crimes per 100,000 people in Denver is 331, below the national average and well behind New York City at 366 and Chicago at 380.

Source: U.S. News

Denver’s not only a practical choice, but it’s become a desirable place as well. There’s an intangible allure that makes people want to live in the Mile High City, earning it a 9.9 out of 10 on U.S. News’ Desirability Index, which gauges interest in a place based on how many people say they want to live there. By comparison, major metro areas like New York and San Francisco scored only 8.4 and 8.9 on the index, respectively.

Denver’s not only a practical choice, but it’s become a desirable place as well. There’s an intangible allure that makes people want to live in the Mile High City, earning it a 9.9 out of 10 on U.S. News’ Desirability Index, which gauges interest in a place based on how many people say they want to live there. By comparison, major metro areas like New York and San Francisco scored only 8.4 and 8.9 on the index, respectively.

Source: U.S. News

With seven professional sports teams — including baseball's Colorado Rockies, basketball's Denver Nuggets, and football's Denver Broncos — the Mile High City radiates with hometown pride year-round.

With seven professional sports teams — including baseball

Source: Denver.org

But no season is bigger than football season, where the Broncos rein as one of the best teams in the country. They reached the Super Bowl in 2014 and lost to the Seattle Seahawks, but this year they took home the Vince Lombardi Trophy by defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 — their first championship since 1998.

But no season is bigger than football season, where the Broncos rein as one of the best teams in the country. They reached the Super Bowl in 2014 and lost to the Seattle Seahawks, but this year they took home the Vince Lombardi Trophy by defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 — their first championship since 1998.

Denver's restaurant scene is booming. More than 400 new spots opened in 2015 alone, including an influx of Asian flavors and numerous quality barbecue joints.

Denver

Sources: Zagat, NPR

A counterpart to the boom in restaurants, craft breweries continue to pop up all over Denver. The flood of new spots helped the state's craft beer industry add $1.15 billion to the Colorado's economy in 2014. The state ranks third in nation for number of breweries with nearly 300 in operation.

A counterpart to the boom in restaurants, craft breweries continue to pop up all over Denver. The flood of new spots helped the state

It’s also one of the sunniest cities in the US. Despite Denver’s snowy winters, the city sees sunny skies nearly 70% of the time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which ranks the annual percentage of possible sunshine for cities in the US and Puerto Rico.

It’s also one of the sunniest cities in the US. Despite Denver’s snowy winters, the city sees sunny skies nearly 70% of the time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which ranks the annual percentage of possible sunshine for cities in the US and Puerto Rico.

Source: NerdWallet

Denver's backyard teems with outdoor adventures. In the winter, nearby resorts like Winter Park, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin offer powdery ski slopes. Come summer, Colorado's mountainous terrain melts into prime hiking trails.

Denver

Source: USA Today

Planning to move to Denver yet?

Planning to move to Denver yet?

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