Mountain? Check. Agricultural plains? Check. Modern facilities and metropolitan cities? Check. Colorado simply has everything you are looking for. Why shouldn’t it? It’s one of the bigger states in the United States! Just this single fact makes living in Colorado quite intriguing.
If you are planning on living in Colorado, there are definitely some things you should know. In this article, we’ll consider some pros and cons that’ll help you make a good decision.
Pros of Living in Colorado
1. Ski Heaven
If you are a big fan of skiing, then this is your paradise. Skiing is extremely popular in this state. In fact, you can find more than 20 skiing resorts scattered throughout the state.
Some of the best skiing resorts can be found in places like Aspen and Vail. If skiing is of utmost importance to you, then you should consider moving to Colorado.
2. King of Outdoor Activities
If you like going out or participating in outdoor activities, Colorado is also spot on. With great weather all-round and a chill environment, you can simply have all the fun you want.
There are mountains, hills, wildernesses, and even plains to explore.
It really is the king of all outdoor activities.
3. Blend of Conservative/Liberal
If you have a more liberal or conservative feel towards things, Colorado doesn’t put you in a box. The state is really divided into two halves. Head to the eastern and western parts of Colorado and you’ll be hit with a lot of conservative values.
Head to the bigger cities such as Denver and Boulder and you’ll notice things are a lot more liberal. So, anyone regardless of their values and culture can make Colorado their home.
4. Array of Cities
Colorado is a state with more than 5.5 million people. This state has an array of cities you can pick from. These include
- Denver
- Boulder
- Fort Collins
- Vail and so much more.
These cities come with their own economic advantages and drawbacks. So, if you want to move to Colorado, you still have the exciting choice of where to live.
5. Excellent Medical Services
According to US News, Colorado healthcare currently ranks 10th in the United States. This means that you can be sure of the healthcare facilities and doctors available.
This combined with the lifestyle and outdoor activities makes living in Colorado very pleasant.
6. Job Opportunities
You are sure to find something worthwhile in Colorado. There are a lot of industries that work efficiently in this state.
For example, the breweries, aerospace, and technology industries are just some of the leading industries in the area.
If you’re planning to move to Colorado, this list of striving industries in the state will prove to be vital.
7. Marijuana is Legal
If you want to go into the marijuana market, you’ll be pleased to know that recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado.
In fact, this was one of the states that first legalized this market. To say the market is striving and booming is really an understatement.
8. Healthy Life and Fitness
Colorado encourages a healthy lifestyle. Because most people in the state engage in physical outdoor activities, it’s easy to stay fit.
The state also has a lot of stores and restaurants that promote healthy foods. Thus, the lifestyle in this state can encourage you to stay healthy.
9. Breathtaking Scenery
Colorado is filled with beautiful places. If you are a mountain lover, you’ll definitely fall in love with this place.
The mountains are breathtaking and the countryside can be a joy to walk through. If you are a lover of nature, then you should probably pick Colorado.
Cons of Living in Colorado
While there are definitely benefits, there are a lot of things that might be drawbacks.
1. Messy Roads
If there’s somewhere ugly that’ll stand out in Colorado, that has to be the roads. The roads are definitely not top-notch.
In cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, expect to see a ton of potholes. These potholes are the perfect recipe for numerous accidents and headaches.
If you are going to live in Colorado, you have to accept this reality.
2. Overpopulated
More and more people are moving to Colorado. It’s slowly becoming overpopulated. This has several implications. This means more wait times and a very bad traffic situation.
It also takes a toll on job opportunities, housing and so much more. If you are planning on living in Colorado, you have to consider this problem first before making a decision.
3. Housing is getting expensive
While Colorado definitely does not have a history of expensive housing, things are slowly changing. In most places around Colorado, you can expect to get a good property at around $500,000.
However, most properties should cost you at least $600,000. These prices are on the rise and may increase significantly in the next 5 years.
This current amount can fluctuate based on location and seasonality.
4. Altitude
Except you are planning on going to the Olympics, you are not going to enjoy the altitude in Colorado. Colorado has a very high elevation. The air is thin and very disturbing. The need to have a drink regularly is necessary in Colorado.
If you are someone that doesn’t really like the high altitude, you should probably have a rethink about moving here.
5. Cost of Living
You also have to deal with the high cost of living in the state. You will need to have at least $5000 to live comfortably in this city and about $3000 to scrap through.
While the cost of living can be really high, there are a lot of jobs to go around. While you first arrive in Colorado, you might need to reduce your lifestyle for a while. This will help you get through the first months.
6. Higher Crime Rate
According to Neighborhood Scout, the crime rate is as high as 3.81%. While this is still below the national average, it is pretty high and definitely not as low as Portland or Oregon. Here’s an article I wrote about the pros and cons of living in Portland.
However, this does not mean that Colorado is a violent state. It just means that the likelihood of crime happening is a bit higher.
7. Pollution
Pollution is big in Colorado. According to Wildearth Guardians, Colorado is ranked 46th out of 50 states in the US for urban air quality.
Thus, before living in Colorado, you have to consider the impact it might have on your health both in the short-term and long term.
As you can see, living in Colorado has a lot of pros and cons. The decision is left for you and what your preferences are.
