A show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the classic Denver night out, and the city sits a mile above sea level right where the Great Plains meet the Rockies, which is a big part of why people move here. About 740,000 people live in the city, and it feels friendly and outdoorsy. Visitors also visit the Denver Art Museum, eat around Union Station and Larimer Square, and drive to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day. Boulder and Golden are close, and Breckenridge is about 80 miles away.
It is moderately expensive, with housing above the national average but below the coastal cities, and the market is flat to softening. The altitude can cause headaches and dehydration for newcomers, and the sun is intense. Weather swings, with sudden snow and hail, and summer can bring wildfire smoke. Violent crime is above average, though homicides dropped sharply in 2025, and car break-ins are common at trailheads and in lots. Take care along East Colfax and near Civic Center Park late at night.
