Denver/CO people, attitudes, lifestyle, pace, friendliness...???

[hello-world]

I would say that, in the several years I've lived here (moved from the northeast), people are polite but not friendly. Maybe especially if you seem like you're from TX, CA, or NY. It's probably reasonably easy to meet people here - people tend to have a ready smile and a playful side (recreation is sort of where it can be at here, at least among transplants) but whether you ever see them again, can count on them, or really get to know them in Denver/Boulder might be another matter. Just one man's experience (though the more people I speak with about this, the more it seems like a trend). It might have a bit to do with your politics (and how vocal you are about them), your gender, your relationship status, your employment status, etc.. If you're easy going and moderate in lots of ways (maybe except for your love of some sport), and generally very adaptable to whomever you're speaking with (versus in some places where differences of opinion can be points of conversation rather than shunned), you'll be fine most likely.

[Rawlings]

Denver is middle America so it lacks the pretension and downright whackiness you'll find a lot of times on the coasts. Generally, Denver is more affordable and more down-to-earth. Some say Denverites are a little reserved and aloof, others say they're too into their families and homes. It's tough for me--a native--to comment on that stuff. But what I can tell you is that you simply won't find a better place to live for the price you get in Denver. It's not Seattle, San Diego or Austin--Denver's a little more salt of the earth and a little less sophisticated than those places. But it's a very easy place to get to know and love.

[hello-world]

it just seems to me that denver may have been a more interesting place a decade or two ago. you can sort of feel it in the locals here - seem to be have more soul than a lot of what is brought from the transplants - which i am one of i have to keep in mind - in my experience. it really does seem like a place that is losing or has already lost a sense of identity or soul, swallowed by developers, franchises, and some kind of "american idol"/"britney spears and her party and big sunglasses" influenced mentality. there are definitely pockets that seem to be holding on to some of the depths echoing from the past, and i'd love to hope that a place like this that has been so quintessentially americana for a long time could hold onto some of that flavor, but, maybe the americana is what is so of the essence of the place, and what is now so prevalent here - some of the "surface", the "franchise", the less friendly beneath it all - IS the "americana" of now to a large extent, for better, or for worse.

[Rawlings]

Originally Posted by hello-world

there are definitely pockets that seem to be holding on to some of the depths echoing from the past, and i'd love to hope that a place like this that has been so quintessentially americana for a long time could hold onto some of that flavor, but, maybe the americana is what is so of the essence of the place, and what is now so prevalent here - some of the "surface", the "franchise", the less friendly beneath it all - IS the "americana" of now to a large extent, for better, or for worse.

Exactly! I wouldn't so easily dismiss Denver's changes as inherently negative. In fact, I wouldn't exaggerate the changes that have occurred in Denver, either. For all that is different here, so much still stays the same. We have more buildings, more culture, more diversity, and more people--but the way of life that most of us grew up with still pervades the metro area.

Also, let me point out that even with the derided growth along the metro area's margins, it is by no means 'soul-less.' Some of the most vigorous, spirited Chrisitian communities are located in Highlands Ranch and Littleton and really throughout the changing metro area.

I've always found Denver to be reserved. Folks here have always been weary of the sophistication and fanciness of those on the coasts. Life in Denver is a microcosm of life in America. That's what makes it such a great place--you can't really get away with anything fringey, weird, or out of the ordinary. A lot of other cities tolerate that which lies 'outside the norm.' Not Denver. Denver defines the norm.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by hello-world

it just seems to me that denver may have been a more interesting place a decade or two ago. you can sort of feel it in the locals here - seem to be have more soul than a lot of what is brought from the transplants - which i am one of i have to keep in mind - in my experience. it really does seem like a place that is losing or has already lost a sense of identity or soul, swallowed by developers, franchises, and some kind of "american idol"/"britney spears and her party and big sunglasses" influenced mentality. there are definitely pockets that seem to be holding on to some of the depths echoing from the past, and i'd love to hope that a place like this that has been so quintessentially americana for a long time could hold onto some of that flavor, but, maybe the americana is what is so of the essence of the place, and what is now so prevalent here - some of the "surface", the "franchise", the less friendly beneath it all - IS the "americana" of now to a large extent, for better, or for worse.

Yes.
I watched as one by one the chains and franchises began the takeover of independently-owned shops and restaurants in Cherry Creek North, which *used* to be such a funky, one-of-a-kind little enclave. The mom and pop stores simply can't afford the rent anymore.
The Chocolate Foundry left.
The Map Shop left.
Now the Tattered Cover has gone, as well.
The concerts at Botanic Gardens used to be low key events. The music might be energetic, but the atmosphere was relaxed.
You paid $4-$6, showed up with your picnic basket and enjoyed an evening under the stars with local or regional bands. Now it has become this bombastic, hyped-up affair where people line up for a couple hours to pay a hundred dollars for "name" bands, then on concert night all the aging yuppies rush the gate to get a good spot.
Denver is still a very nice place to live, but the sell-out began awhile back, and it does make me a bit sad.

[MorningGlory]

Hey Tim, I will just say that I have lived in Denver area most of my life. I recently took a trip to San Diego and was STUNNED by how rude they were, so my vote is definitely that Denver is more polite. There are so many people here from everywhere else its hard to say what people are even like though, maybe that is why people tend to keep to themselves.

[hello-world]

"Exactly! I wouldn't so easily dismiss Denver's changes as inherently negative. In fact, I wouldn't exaggerate the changes that have occurred in Denver, either. For all that is different here, so much still stays the same. We have more buildings, more culture, more diversity, and more people--but the way of life that most of us grew up with still pervades the metro area."

Not inherently or completely negative. And not exaggerating. It is especially suburban here. Denver's seeing a large influx of midwestern and other transplants of primarily caucasian or latino lineage without a lot of intermingling of those. The Front Range is seeing extra-swift suburbanization/commercialization. It is especially male here. It is significantly less diverse than most cities I have seen of similar size and prominance. People can be harder to get to know here than most anywhere I have lived. It's very sunny. The mountains etc. are beautiful. Denver/Boulder/"the Front Range" have many things to offer. And there are plenty of posts by others here that reflect these things. Everywhere has it's + and -, and there are some places that might have mushroomed into things that those places might not have foreseen, initially cared about, or even wanted. Could that become the Front Range of Colorado? Who knows?! It does seem curious that that "weariness" you describe can come off a bit like what that weariness is weary of! But I think I can kinda see where you're coming from with that - snobbery and it's cousinis can rub the wrong way for sure.

[Southern Sun]

I moved to Denver from Charleston, Sc and I cannot wait to get back South. Honestly, I dont know what everyone means when they say that Denver is friendly. I have never had a harder time getting to know people. Small differnces in this city amke a huge differnce. Employees and waitstaff are rude and people act like you aren't worth talking to if you try to make conversation. I had really high hopes for moving out West but now I see that its just what everyone had warned me about. Not to mention that this toen may be the most dog unfriendly area. I just think that people want to act very big city here and it really isnt that big of an area. I'm sorry to rain on the parade but I certainly would look elsewhere if you want to be around genuine people. Almost everyone in this city puts on the facade of being super outdoorsy and eco friendly or they are covered in tattoo emo kids. Dont do it...its not what you think it will be.

[PunkGuy]

Originally Posted by Southern Sun

I moved to Denver from Charleston, Sc and I cannot wait to get back South. Honestly, I dont know what everyone means when they say that Denver is friendly. I have never had a harder time getting to know people. Small differnces in this city amke a huge differnce. Employees and waitstaff are rude and people act like you aren't worth talking to if you try to make conversation. I had really high hopes for moving out West but now I see that its just what everyone had warned me about. Not to mention that this toen may be the most dog unfriendly area. I just think that people want to act very big city here and it really isnt that big of an area. I'm sorry to rain on the parade but I certainly would look elsewhere if you want to be around genuine people. Almost everyone in this city puts on the facade of being super outdoorsy and eco friendly or they are covered in tattoo emo kids. Dont do it...its not what you think it will be.

Moving to the Boulder Area from the south (TN/GA) I was glad to get out of there. Originally from the northeast, my wife and I've found that in the south where we were:

1. we were called "yankees"
2. southern hospitality pretty much only applies to other southerners
3. WAY too conservative/religious
4. still racism with a lot of people

I have figured out that for the most part, people from the south will hate anywhere else (especially CA/CO/northeast) and people from northeast/west will hate the south.

Don't know much about Denver, but Boulder seems to be one of the most dog friendly areas I've seen.