Alternatives to Living In Denver For An Active Outdoor Lifestyle

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Nothing else is better than enjoying the beauty of nature. Imagine yourself outside surrounded by trees, listening to the chirping of birds, the wind touching your face, and sunlight shining brightly. This is just one of the many perks of living in Denver! But if for some reason you can’t settle down in Mile-High City, don’t fret! Here are great alternative places to live where you can still take advantage of everything Mother Nature has to offer.

1. Aurora, Colorado

With Colorado’s uncontested natural charm, it’s no surprise that one of its cities tops this list. Just 25 minutes away from Downtown Denver, Aurora provides access to Denver’s perks minus the higher living costs. It has everything you need from lakes, parks, and rivers, with thick forests to hike on and explore. You can also visit the Aurora Reservoir for fishing trips featuring some of the largest basses you’ll ever hook. There are also miles of bike trails and shaded paths that wind through acres of preserved land. If all this outdoorsy living sounds like something your family would enjoy, then don’t wait any longer – start packing up because Aurora is waiting for you!

Aurora Reservoir in Aurora, Colorado. Photo courtesy of denver_flyer on Flickr.

2. Torrance, California

Seeking oceanic adventures? Look no further than Torrance’s breathtaking geography. This coastal city proudly boasts some of the most stunning beaches in California. Everything you need to enjoy an outdoor life is here. Deep blue ocean waves and white sand beaches? Check. Fantastic seafood restaurants and souvenir shops? Check. Picturesque views from jaw-dropping cliffs? Check. It’s hard to get bored in here! Bring your family over and enjoy fun activities together like biking, surfing, and camping.

Torrance Park in Torrance, California. Photo courtesy of Urban Outback on Flickr.

3. Bellevue, Washington

If you’re in search of a small-town vibe without losing access to big city opportunities, Bellevue is the place to be. People often associate Washington State with Seattle, but many fail to give credit to this city’s greatness. Surrounded by giant mountains and lush green scenery from all angles, you’ll find it hard not to love the city’s raw beauty. But there’s more to this place than natural attractions. Bellevue also features an eclectic mix of restaurants like SeaStar and Carmine’s that serve mouthwatering dishes. Curious to learn more about what life’s like in this wonderful city in the Pacific Northwest? Check out this list of pros and cons for living in Bellevue.

Downtown Park in Bellevue, Washington. Photo courtesy of Gene Bisbee on Flickr.

4. Provo, Utah

Mountain expeditions always have a special place in the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts. If you love to trek, trail, and camp, Provo, Utah, has no shortage of outdoor activities for you. Move here and enjoy convenient proximity to Mt. Timpanogos. This iconic peak stands tall at almost 12,000 ft. above sea level. Pack your bag, gear up, and explore the 15-mile hike across rock formations, hidden caves, and a modest lake along the way. You can take advantage of hundreds of biking trails scattered all around the city.

Mt. Timpanogos in Provo, Utah. Photo courtesy of Chris Dodson on Flickr.

5. Portland, Oregon

Another budding metro in the Pacific Northwest region, Portland brims with dazzling greenery, rich wildlife, and dozens of distinguished natural attractions. All in all, there are over 250 parks in and around the city, ranging from small community playgrounds to vast sanctuaries like Forest Park and Laurelhurst. But outdoor life doesn’t only mean camping and trail hiking. The Portland Rose Festival that started in 1907 is a fun event you should never miss. Enjoy extravagant fireworks display during the opening, colorful parades featuring various floral displays, and food markets filled with cheap but delicious dishes!

Laurelhurst Park in Portland, Oregon. Photo courtesy of G Yancy on Flickr.

6. San Francisco, California

The City by the Bay is not just about bustling streets, tech opportunities, and foggy mornings. It’s also a great place if you want loads of outdoor fun, thanks to the presence of natural sanctuaries, amusement parks, and gorgeous beaches. Golden Gate Park, for example, offers a wide range of things to do, from biking on its winding trails to skating rinks and tours among well-planned landscapes. If you’re looking for something more natural and refreshing, then San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Forest Reserve Trail is your answer. The hike begins at Twin Peaks Boulevard and ends at the Mount Sutro Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of San Francisco and surrounding areas.

Boating in Golden State Park in San Francisco, California. Photo courtesy of Mike McBey on Flickr.

Conclusion

Denver is indeed a great outdoor city, yet it’s not the only one blessed with fun attractions. With almost 3.8 million square miles of area, the U.S has plenty of exciting places to offer. Go out there and explore the rest of it. But before you settle down, make sure the process is as stress-free as it could be. Plan out your move months ahead, contact a good moving company, and most importantly, make the most out of the experience.

7 Things I Learned When Moving from Miami to Denver

Leave a Comment / Moving from Miami to Denver /

It’s been a hectic few weeks, but I finally settled into my new home in Denver. I moved from Miami and can’t say enough positive things about the “Mile High City.” The moving process was a learning opportunity. Here, I’ll outline a few things I took away from that experience.

1. Organization is key.

Moving all of your belongings from one place to another doesn’t sound like a complicated job. It seems exhausting and time-consuming but not too complicated. Unfortunately, I didn’t do too much pre-planning. It made some parts of the move a nightmare. I now realize that organizing all aspects of the relocation beforehand is a crucial step in making the transition as smooth as possible. 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help.

We’ve all seen those TV shows or movies that make it seem like asking someone to help you move is a social death sentence. I had reservations about asking some of my friends to help with packing, but I ended up being very happy with the decision. All of them were very understanding and perfectly willing to help. I recommend other people do the same. Just be sure to ask for help well in advance to give people plenty of notice. 

3. Label your boxes.

This one seems obvious, but it’s something I didn’t think about beforehand. I figured that I’d unpack all of my stuff after the move anyway. So why did it matter if boxes were labeled or not? Well, I can safely assure you that it does matter. When you’ve got limited time to unpack, you’ll want to access the essentials first. Knowing exactly where your things are in will make it easier to find what you need. Plus, it makes it easier for the movers to know where to put everything in your new place. The moving crew can unload the truck and put boxes in their designated rooms, so you don’t have to haul them to their appropriate places later.

4. Pack early.

I made the mistake of waiting until the last minute to throw all of my belongings into boxes. I greatly underestimated how long the process would take. I can honestly say the entire process was more stressful when I had to rush around and toss things into my car, into boxes, and in the moving truck. I’d recommend starting a few weeks before the move. Start by packing items you rarely use and gradually move towards things you use every day. 

5. Schedule your utilities before moving.

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new house or apartment feeling exhausted only to realize you can’t cook, shower, or turn on the AC because the utilities are not accessible. It was one thing I did right during my move. I called ahead of time and told the relevant companies when I needed my utilities turned on. That way, everything was ready on the day I arrived. 

6. Hire movers.

I can’t stress this point enough. My move took me on a drive that was over 2000 miles! That’s 30 hours of driving WITHOUT stops. It was rough enough driving my car there, but I can’t imagine spending all those miles cooped up in an uncomfortable rented moving truck. If you’re moving cross-country, I recommend springing for a professional moving company. I hired movers through Cheap Movers Miami and could not have been happier about my decision. I had all my boxes and furniture ready to go, they loaded the truck within a few hours and were on the way to Denver, arriving about a week and a half later with all my things. This gave me time to enjoy the road trip and get things situated at my new apartment before all my stuff arrived.

7. Make sure to get your deposit back.

Moving isn’t cheap. You have to pay for the boxes, the movers, and the downpayment for your new place. One of the best pieces of budgeting advice I can give is getting your initial deposit back from your older apartment or house. 

10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company

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Hiring a moving company lightens your workload a bit, but it doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to concern yourself with. Moving companies can vary in quality, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with one that causes more stress than relief. These are 10 essential questions to ask before hiring a moving company.

1. What’s Your Estimate?

Before you hire a moving company, you need to get a good sense of their fees. Your price will depend on how much you have to move, how many people you’ll need, the weight of your items, and the distance travel. You also need to factor in a tip from the movers.

2. What Sort of Insurance Do You Have?

Per federal law, all moving companies need to have some sort of liability insurance. Ask them to send you a copy of their insurance policy and review it carefully. If you know a lawyer, you might pay them to review it to make sure that it’s fair.

3. How Many People Will There Be?

Once the moving company knows about the extent of your moving job, they’ll able to estimate how many people they need. You may have imagined a certain number of people that aren’t met by their estimate. If you want to ask for more people, consider how it might affect the cost. If they’re planning to bring more people than you think are needed, politely ask them how they came to that number.

4. What Can’t You Move?

There are some items that certain moving companies won’t move, such as pianos. There are also things that just about no moving company will move, such as explosives. Ask moving companies for a list of things that they can’t move and ask for any clarification you might need.

5. How Much Time Will You Need?

Moving companies shouldn’t give you any guarantees that they’ll be able to get everything packed up in an hour or less. However, they should still be able to gauge how long the task will take. You can help shorten their work time by having packed items as close to the door as possible so they can quickly retrieve and pack them.

6. Do You Charge a Deposit?

In order to keep people accountable for their reservations, Cheap Denver Movers says some moving companies charge a deposit. These may or may not be refundable. Jot down the deposit amount and consider whether you’ll be able to afford it.

7. Do You Have References?

Moving companies will be sure to speak highly of themselves, but you might still want to hear from someone else about whether they’re worth your time and money. Ask if they could refer you to a few recent clients. Send these clients a message and ask if they could describe their experience with the company and whether they would use their services again.

8. What’s Your Weather Policy?

You might have to schedule your move before you know what the forecast will be for that week. A bit of rain should affect things too badly, but a torrential downpour means you’ll almost certainly have to reschedule. Try to get a few backup dates in case of a weather-based cancellation.

9. What’s Your Cancellation Policy?

You need to stress that you don’t expect to have to cancel, but in the event of an emergency, it’s good to be prepared. Most moving companies will require at least a few days’ notice. Otherwise, you may be subject to a cancellation fee.

10. What Do You Need From Me?

Most moving companies have likely dealt with customers that are oblivious to their personal responsibilities. Any company you call will greatly appreciate you asking how you can make their job easier. Besides packing things in advance and putting them near the door, there could be other reasonable requests from the company.