What to Know Before Moving to Denver (The Stuff No One Tells You)
So you're thinking about moving to Denver. Maybe you've visited once, fell in love with the mountain views and the brewery scene, and now you're ready to make it official.
But before you pack up your life and head west, let's talk about the stuff the tourism board won't tell you. I'm Holly, your Denver "Apartment Auntie," and I've lived here my whole life. I've also helped hundreds of people relocate here—and I've seen what surprises them (good and bad).
Here's the real talk.
1. The Altitude Will Kick Your Ass (At First)
Denver sits at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level (hence the "Mile High City" nickname). If you're moving from a coastal or low-elevation city, the first two weeks are going to be rough.
What to expect:
You'll be winded walking up a single flight of stairs
You might get headaches or feel weirdly tired
Alcohol hits harder (like, way harder)
Your skin and lips will be dry no matter how much lotion you use
The Auntie Fix: Drink a ridiculous amount of water. Get a humidifier. Take it easy on the IPAs for the first week. Your body will adjust in 2–3 weeks, and then you'll feel like a superhero when you visit sea level.
2. It's Expensive (But Not That Expensive)
Yes, Denver's cost of living has gone up. But compared to SF, NYC, or even Seattle, it's still relatively affordable—especially if you're strategic about where you live.
The breakdown:
1-bedroom rent: $1,600–$2,500/month depending on neighborhood
Utilities: $100–$150/month (higher in winter)
Parking: $100–$200/month if your building doesn't include it
Groceries: Slightly higher than the national average, but not wild
The Auntie Advice: If you're on a budget, look at neighborhoods like Aurora, Glendale, or Littleton. You'll get way more space for your money, and you're still close to everything via light rail or a 15-minute drive.
3. The Weather is Bipolar (And We Love It)
You've heard "300 days of sunshine," and that's true. But what they don't tell you is that it can be 70°F and sunny one day, then snowing the next, then back to 65°F the day after that.
What this means for you:
You'll need a real winter coat, but you'll also wear shorts in February
Layers are your best friend
Your car needs to handle snow (or you need good snow tires)
The sun is intense—sunscreen is non-negotiable year-round
The Auntie Advice: Don't move here expecting "real" seasons like the East Coast. Denver has two modes: sunny and dry, or snowy and dry. If you need humidity or consistent weather, this might not be your vibe.
4. You'll Spend Every Weekend in the Mountains (Or Feel FOMO)
One of the best parts about Denver is that you're 30–90 minutes from world-class hiking, skiing, and mountain towns. But here's the catch: everyone knows this.
What to expect:
I-70 traffic on weekends is a nightmare (especially ski season)
Trailhead parking fills up by 7 a.m. on Saturdays
You'll feel guilty if you don't go to the mountains every weekend
The Auntie Advice: If you're not outdoorsy, that's totally fine. Denver has an incredible food scene, breweries, museums, and nightlife. But if you move here and never leave the city, people will look at you like you're wasting your life.
5. The Job Market is Competitive (But Strong)
Denver's economy is booming, especially in tech, healthcare, and green energy. But that also means a lot of people are moving here for work, so competition is real.
The Auntie Advice: If you're moving here without a job lined up, make sure you have 3–6 months of savings. If you do have a job, ask your employer about relocation assistance—many Denver companies offer it.
6. The People Are Friendly (But Flaky)
There's a running joke about the "Denver flake." People here are genuinely nice and will invite you to things... and then cancel last minute because they "decided to go hiking instead."
What this means for you:
Making friends takes effort (join a climbing gym, a run club, or a brewery trivia night)
People are more interested in doing things than just "hanging out"
If you're introverted, you'll love it. If you're extroverted, you might feel lonely at first.
The Auntie Advice: Join a community. Whether it's a yoga studio, a kickball league, or a volunteer group, that's how you'll actually meet people here.
7. You Don't Need a Car, But You'll Probably Want One
Denver's public transit (RTD) is decent for getting downtown, to the airport, or along certain corridors. But if you want to explore neighborhoods, hit up mountain towns, or avoid waiting in the cold for a bus, a car makes life way easier.
The Auntie Advice: If you're moving without a car, live near an RTD station or in a walkable neighborhood (LoHi, RiNo, Capitol Hill, Union Station). If you have a car, make sure your apartment has parking—street parking in popular neighborhoods is brutal.
8. Weed is Legal (And No One Cares)
Yes, recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado. Dispensaries are everywhere. But here's the thing: most locals don't make a big deal about it. It's just... normal.
What to know:
You can't smoke in public (including apartment patios in most buildings)
Edibles are popular (and strong—start with 5mg if you're new)
Your employer can still drug test and fire you, even though it's legal
The Auntie Advice: If you're moving from a state where it's illegal, just know that it's super casual here. No one's going to judge you either way.
9. Apartment Hunting from Out of State is Hard (But I Can Help)
Trying to find an apartment in Denver while living in another state is stressful. You can't easily tour in person, you don't know which neighborhoods are sketchy, and online reviews are all over the place.
What I do:
Curate a shortlist based on your budget, commute, and vibe
Schedule virtual or in-person tours (If you are out of town, I will tour specific units and record video and send to you. Live FaceTime often has connectivity issues)
Make sure you get the current move-in specials
Walk you through the application so you don't get denied
And it's completely free—I get paid by the apartment communities, not you.
Ready to Make the Move?
Denver's an incredible city, but it's not for everyone. If you love sunshine, mountains, craft beer, and a laid-back vibe, you'll thrive here.
Start your apartment search the smart way. Fill out my 2-minute Apartment Wishlist and let me handle the rest.
Welcome to the Mile High City. 🏔️☀️