There are many factors that go into deciding if a certain place is a good location for you and your family to live. We’ve found that reviewing statistics on safety, employment, cost of living, and schools can be very helpful in making these types of decisions. Of course, there are other factors to consider, such as access to cultural activities, political climate, outdoor opportunities, or availability of public transit. In this article, we’ll give a brief overview of how Denver rates on several quality of life factors.
Safety in Denver
According to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (MDEDC), the Denver area is the sixth-safest large metropolitan area in the nation with an average of 354 violent crimes per 100,000 residents as of 2011. Crime prevention and safety programs are conducted by all local law enforcement agencies.
Employment in Denver
There are a wide variety of employment options in Denver and eight key industries are driving the job growth in the region. These include aerospace, aviation, bio-sciences, broadcasting/telecom, energy, financial service, health/wellness, and IT/software.
Denver is also on the radar for entrepreneurism and innovation. In 2011, Governor Hickenlooper created a network to increase collaboration between private, public, and academic organizations.
According to the MDEDC, the five largest public sector employers in the Denver metro area include the U.S. Government, the State of Colorado, the University of Colorado, Denver Public Schools, and the City and County of Denver. The five largest private sector employers include HealthONE, Exempla Healthcare, Lockheed Martin, Centura Health, and CenturyLink.
The unemployment rate in Denver is below the national average. In January 2013, Denver had an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent, whereas the national average was 7.9 percent.
Cost of Living
According to the MDEDC, Denver ranks just above the national average for cost of living, but below many of the metropolitan areas throughout the country. Denver has a composite index of 105.1 on the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index, where 100 is the national average.
Education and School Quality
Denver has a wealth of educational resources for all age groups. There are a variety of formats available for public K-12 schools, including charter and magnet schools. Denver’s public schools are widely recognized as among the best in the country. In addition to public schools, are also several private and parochial schools for the K-12 level.
Higher education opportunities abound in the Denver area, and include undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Among the 11 four-year universities are the University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Denver.
Environmentally Friendly
For the eco-conscious, Denver is a splendid place to live. Being green is part of the city philosophy and is demonstrated by an increase in alternatively-fueled or powered vehicles among the city fleet. You will find hybrid taxis, a public transportation network, and a robust recycling program.
The opportunities for enjoying the outdoors are numerous, as Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain West. From hiking and biking to organized sports, Denver residents seem to have a special connection to the outdoors.
