If you’re moving into the Mile High City, there are a few things you may find helpful as you pull up stakes and head to the Rocky Mountains.
1. Denver isn’t actually in the mountains. During college, one of my friends from home commented, “Wow!  You must be in good shape to ride your bike in Denver!”  It took a minute to realize she was under the impression I was riding over mountain passes.  I explained that Denver is on the Plains, and suggested she come visit – maybe branch out from Santa Barbara.
2. We do have traffic, but it’s not as bad as Chicago or LA. It will be worse during rush hour and definitely bad when the snow is heavy.  Then the sun comes out and melts it all away (and creates our wicked pot holes.)  If you want to keep your drive a certain time frame, use Map Quest or Google Maps.  They’re both pretty accurate, but won’t account for rush hour or snow.
3. We have great public schools, great private schools, and our population is among the most educated in the nation. For school information go to the Great Schools website as a start.  Always visit the school and meet the Principal and staff.  Don’t choose based on web sites.  That’s just a good place to begin.  Like looking for houses on the internet.  You’ll still need to visit, see it, smell it and look around.
4. We name a lot of places “Cherry.” There is “Cherry Creek” (meaning Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center,) Cherry Creek Schools (down south by the Cherry Creek Reservoir,) Cherry Hills and finally there’s actually a Cherry Creek, with the Cherry Creek bike path along it that connects Cherry Creek Reservoir and Cherry Creek North.  Confused?  Come out to Denver and I’ll show you around.
5. Westword and 5280 Magazines will fill you in on local flavor. 5280 is known for publishing annual editions on the Best Doctors, Best Neighborhoods and Best Restaurants.  Westword is irreverent and edgy and publishes interesting exposes on Denver misadventures.  We used to wait expectantly every spring for the annual summer concert edition.
There is so much more to know about Denver, but this gives you a start.  Don’t be afraid to explore, we have many terrific neighborhoods and there’s something for everyone, except for a beach.  Well, maybe you could call the dirt at edge of Cherry Creek Reservoir a beach… never mind.
Gretchen Rosenberg, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker.  Email Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate.