Denver, CO
Life is better at altitude, and those who call the Mile High City home are some of the happiest people in the country. Denver is Colorado's capital city, and it is home to 600,000 residents. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the city gets more days of sunshine than San Diego or Miami. Real estate prices in Denver have risen sharply in recent years thanks to its appeal, but prices are still much lower than those you would find in LA or Seattle. Denver is a great place to live for people who love to spend time outdoors as it offers easy access via I-70 to the mountains and ski resorts.
Many people believe that Denver is located in the mountains, but that is actually not the case. Because of this, it is actually pretty easy to get around Denver by car, public transit or foot. I-25, I-70, and the 470 toll road are the main transportation arteries that run through the city. Traffic is not that big of a problem in Denver, although there can be some backup on the freeway during peak hours. Downtown Denver has the distinction of being one of America's most walkable cities thanks to the large number of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs that can be reached on foot.
Denver is one of America's highest-educated cities. In fact, it has the country's second-highest educated populace. Because of this, there are a large number of museums and exhibits that are popular with locals and tourists alike. The city is also one of the few in North America that is home to seven professional sports teams. Whether you spend an afternoon in the Rock Pile at Coors Field cheering on the Colorado Rockies or a Sunday afternoon at Mile High Field rooting for the Broncos, the city's sports scene is truly impressive.
If environmental conservation is important to you, then Denver will feel like home. The city prides itself for being green, and city leaders have invested a large amount of taxpayer dollars into programs that are designed to make the city even more eco-friendly. From city parks that have a huge network of mature trees to reduce the harmful effects of global warming to energy efficient public buildings, you will see concerted efforts throughout the city to protect the city's beauty.
Denver is a great place to live thanks to its natural beauty, its thriving arts scene, and the delicious restaurants that are sprouting up across the city. Farm-to-table dining is the norm for many of the city's top dining establishments that have established deals with local farmers to source the produce that are used in menu options on a regular basis.