Why Does Denver Attract So Many Young People? (Gunnison: condos, homes)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ditto

This particularly affects the under 21-year-old crowd in a negative way. I'd probably go crazy if I was a teenager, or in my early to mid-20s living in Colorado. But then again, like you, I'm from where a lot of the action is - SoCal. If I was from parts of the Midwest maybe I'd be OK with CO.

Besides the beach, what is it about California that a person under 21 can't do in Colorado? (I'm sure you'll think of something but the point is activies and amenities that cater to people under 21 are everywhere especially in big metro-suburban regions.) Besides, the traffic in SoCal is often an obstacle to going out and doing things. It has to be factored in. Often it makes a difference in determining whether something is worth doing or not. A lot of times it isn't worth it. For example, even on Sunday afternoon, the idea of driving from the valley or TO to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a hassle. (There's also the "undesirables" which are ubiquitous across the SoCal landscape.) Of course the snow/ice weather would be a deterrent in Denver but that is only a few times a year - not every single day.

I used to go into Hollywood (Starwood, The Whiskey, Gazzaris, The Rainbow, The Roxy, Madam Wongs, The Troubadour, Seven Seas, etc.) with fake IDs. There has to be clubs like that in Denver.

I guarantee you, I'd find fun stuff to do in Denver if I was 15-21.

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by returnedYinzer

I found plenty to do in Denver that didn't involve bars when I was there. Museums, hiking, biking, theaters, coffee shops, canoeing, fishing, libraries, and much more. However, I still enjoyed going to a jazz club late at night. What is wrong for one to enjoy going to Al chupetek (spelling is way off), on a Friday night and hear some jazz? I understand drinking your life away at the bar is something nobody should do, but going on a Friday night and seeing a band has nothing wrong with it. Why is it, going out on a friday night to see a Jazz band, or independent band in a bar involve no imagination? I did it a lot in Denver along with other things I mentioned. YOu seem to be calling me uncreative because I still enjoy the bar scene here and there.

Please don't think I am attacking you personally or calling you uncreative. Your idea of going to a club or bar to listen to music is something I love to do--to hear the music, not get drunk out of my mind. My husband and I love live music (he played in bands for a living for 12 years before we got married), so I understand what you're saying. "Uncreative" to me is just sitting around a bar with nothing better to do, downing drink after drink. I am glad you found plenty of fun things to do near Denver--many of which involve being outdoors, which is sometimes difficult to do in this land of concrete that I now live in.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

.... "Uncreative" to me is just sitting around a bar with nothing better to do, downing drink after drink. I am glad you found plenty of fun things to do near Denver--many of which involve being outdoors, which is sometimes difficult to do in this land of concrete that I now live in.

No argument there. I've seen many beer joints back in Bal'mer and in places I've been too in PA, OH, WV and elsewhere. In Bal'mer, guys would get off work, head to a bar, drink for hours until pie-eyed, then go home and pour themselves into bed. Dreadful existence, had a couple BIL's like that. My mom tended bar in a joint that served these gents, and those guys ended up big losers due to ignoring their wives and kids and drinking & smoking themselves to death.

I can't stand loud amp'd music like we had in the meat markets when I was a kid back in the late 1960's or early 1970's. Long ago I decided I needed to hear what my companions were saying and hate shouting to be heard. I've turned around and walked right back out the door of chain eateries that had their sound system too loud, it ludicrous to walk into a chain and not be able to hear your wife or speak to her. Even stuff I like is obnoxious if someone wants to crank it up over my plate of salad. My idea of a great time is a decent meal, a nice hotel lobby with a 3-piece jazz combo over in the corner, and a glass of wine.

[katmoney]

I came from Chicago which I'd consider an "action city", and yeah, I don't frequent bars and clubs in Denver like I did back home, but there are the mountains which more than make up for that! I love it here, and did not regret my decision once to move here.

[Mike from back east]

Back on topic now....

I think much of our nation holds an image of Colorado, and Denver, that is very romantic or attractive....pristine rocky mountains, wildlife, horses, clean air, snow, an image of a place that's big and bold and strong. Very appealing.

There's a newness about the west that attracts people who are sick of the tired dead hand of old local history, like back east, where old money runs everything. I felt stifled back east by that old history and old money and old ways of thinking and worst of all, the old way of controlling everything, a feeling that the deck was stacked against me. Here, everyday is new, and I feel free to be and do whatever I want, that I have a fair chance here. IMO, that is what is so attractive about here - its fair to you.

[dullnboring]

This thread caught my eye since it was at the top of the Denver/Colorado forum and therefore visible when I was browsing on the main board.

I'm a young guy and Denver has attracted my interest and I have debated moving there in the past and would consider doing so in the future. What appeal does it hold for me? Well, I'm not really sure to be honest. Certain cities just have a certain vibe, a certain feeling or "it" factor to them that draws young people in. It's why you'll find young people flocking to places like Seattle or Minneapolis or Austin while dodging places like Cincinnati, Memphis and Pittsburgh. Denver is part of the "in" crowd. One big advantage of it is it's natural setting. Most Americans outside of Colorado have a very romantic image of the state, of the mountains, the skiing, the adventure sports and outdoorsiness, and just the usual appeal of the West that so many people have; that sort of thing, so that holds a lot of appeal to active young people who yearn for such things, but at the same time, yearn for urban amenities, two things which are hard to find in close proximity to one another most places. Denver routinely comes out on top of lists like "most physically fit" or "most literate" city or other issues important for young people. I don't think most normal people give much mind to those lists, but when you see a city coming in near the top time and time again, I do think it subconsciously has an affect. Most young college graduates want to move to a place that's evolving and that is full of ambition, much as they are, and Denver seems to be one of those cities that is looking towards the future, moreso than other cities which stagnate. The city seems young and it's growing. Most young people are also more liberal than the general population as a whole and drawn to more liberal areas of which Denver (the city itself at least) is one, and you will see a general correlation between an area's acceptance/population of gays and the "hipness factor" amongst young people. Most young people aren't really interested in starting a family and having a sedate life at this point. This cross-interests with a lot of gays, hence the correlation. Most young people would rather eat out than eat in, don't mind walking places, like having somewhere to go out on the weekends, etc.

As far as what specifically about the nightlife in Denver draws my attention, well, I can't say. I don't drink so I'd hope it wouldn't revolve entirely around bars, but for a city of it's size, I can't imagine it would. The thing is though, that because of the other areas where Denver gets a thumbs up from me and other young people, I'd be willing to "chance it" with a move there even with reservations in this area, much more likey than I would with a place like Cincinnati (not meaning to pick on it in particular).

I'm in New York now and I love it here and don't have intentions to move in the near future unless job prospects lead me elsewhere, but if I were to do so, Denver would be one of the top ten cities on my list.

[ditto]

Originally Posted by Charles

Besides the beach, what is it about California that a person under 21 can't do in Colorado? (I'm sure you'll think of something but the point is activies and amenities that cater to people under 21 are everywhere especially in big metro-suburban regions.)

You could probably do most of the same things in CO as CA, but not year-round. And the entertainment in CA is not confined to just LA. In CO you have Denver and um... Denver. Maybe the Springs for a few things.

Originally Posted by Charles

I used to go into Hollywood (Starwood, The Whiskey, Gazzaris, The Rainbow, The Roxy, Madam Wongs, The Troubadour, Seven Seas, etc.) with fake IDs. There has to be clubs like that in Denver.

That was a great (punk) scene in LA during the 80s - no way could you match it here in the same time frame.

[DenverAztec]

Young professionals are attracted to the cost of housing here and can actually live in a large city without all the problems of a large city (rude people, traffic jams, high crime). I am with Charles as to how do we know for certain that many ‘young’ folks are moving here? I am middle aged, but in being a native, I was never bored growing up here. I see constant steams of teenaged youth on the 16th street mall and especially at the Fillmore for concerts. They are all over the mountains once they get their license to head to the resorts, winter and summer. I envy those daring ones on the mountain bike trials who venture where I don’t, I don’t want to end up with a plastic hip. L

The Auraria campus is basically downtown and very easy for college kids to stay at home and use public transportation to get to school. The campus has a community college, a state college and a university, (CCD, Metropolitan State and the University of CO at Denver). I have many nieces and nephews doing this currently. The library system is a shared library system that will allow students to check out books from the Denver Public Library and any other affiliated college or university in the country, very important for research. This of course is without mentioning all the sporting venues with every type of sport here. I just wish the skateboard park in LoDo was opened when I was young, it is the largest free skateboard park in the country.

As an adult, I love the ocean and have to visit either coast at least once a year and I would really like to have a decent aquarium here, not a Landry’s restaurant. I find it awkward to watch beautiful fish in tanks and then be expected to turn around and munch on one for supper. However, fewer and fewer restaurants are unique with all the franchises opening up, so Denver really doesn’t miss those, but we do miss fresh fish other then trout. Sushi Den, on the other hand, flies in their fish daily, but you do pay for it.

Our museums and galleries are on an international scale and that is appealing to youth as can be the Broadway shows that come to town. Denver is not the place to be for a young actor as these are traveling shows with troupes from NYC. But for an artist, the gallery scene on Santa Fe, south Broadway and slowly growing in the Golden Triangle area, opportunity can be found if you are unique and aggressive. The art scene has become more thriving as of recent and if you get the chance, all the local galleries are open late for First Friday. The Highlands are walk is more crafty stuff but art from Europe to New York can be found in around 30 galleries on Santa Fe, about 15 in the Golden Triangle and a few on Broadway.

High Tech industry is hit or miss here dependent upon the economy and that is another appeal for young professionals. However, so much can be done from home that many employers are only concern that the job is done. The added benefit of not worrying about a work space and the cost of it for your employees has great appeal.

All of this is speculation about the appeal of Denver to the young, but I am curious if some raw data can be produced. Perhaps I should move to protect my hips and knees from all those younglings moving here?

[MobyLL]

^ dullnboring -- that's a great synopsis. Completely agree with what you are saying.

I am no longer young, but I do have one thing in particular to point out... it may sound stupid, but I think there is some validity to it.

Denver doesn't have much of an image from movies or TV like NYC, LA, Miami, DC and Chicago do. So a lot of the appeal that denver has comes from word of mouth, friends taking ski trips etc. But the one "media" element that helps define Denver in the nations consciousness is.... Coors commercials. I'm not kidding. People around the country watch football on Sunday (or now Monday, Thursday and Saturday as well) and those coors commercials come on with the mountains, the sunshine and the snow and Pete? Coors talking about the rocky mountain spring water... Denver is never explicitly mentioned, but the rockies and Denver are inextricably linked in peoples minds. I think those commercials give an 'image" to the Denver region despite never mentioning or showing the city.

[ditto]

Boredom causes some people to do crazy things. With the high suicide rate amongst young people in CO & teenagers going on killing sprees, it makes me wonder...

Colorado has the sixth highest suicide rate in the nation. It's the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, trailing traffic accidents.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...705840,00.html