Would you say Denver is a pretty city? (Evans, Sheridan: houses, landscaping)

[Lindasuedallas]

Just looking at some of the photo's and don't see a lot of trees, greenery, lakes. Obviously mountains are gorgeous, but just thinking about living day to day and just wondering if walking around is pretty much like it is in Dallas...not one of the prettiest cities in the US. Just curious about what natives thnk. Thanks.

[davidv]

I guess it depends on your definition of beauty. In the brand new subdivisions on the plains, there is very little mature landscaping, and very few trees. If an area is left natural around here, then that area will be yellow/brown, very dry and without trees. There are few lakes, because there is very little water here.

In the more established areas of town, however, there is quite a number of large trees and mature landscaping. In the summer, when I drive south on Sheridan Blvd at the top of Bear Valley, not only can I not see the houses below me because of the canopy of trees, but I can see all the way to Pike's Peak in the south (about 70 miles away). The area's parks and greenbelts are very beautiful and green.

Outside of Denver in the foothills, the area is absolutely gorgeous. From the rock formations at Arrowhead and Morrison, to the mountain forests, to the stunning views of the city laid out before you, the area is absolutely beautiful.

What's the ugliest thing about Denver? Hands down it is the pollution in the Winter. It will obscure the views and can settle in for a few days before it is blown away.

[freudgirl]

Denver is very dry and so there is less "green" here than in other places, obviously. However, when I first came out here last summer I was surprised by how "green" it actually was in the parks and neighborhoods in the city.

I've been here for about 7 months and the mountains still take my breath away. I watched the sunset today from Wash park by a lake with green grass and budding trees, with the mountains in the background.

The city itself is VERY clean, and I consider it very pretty in the sense that there are lots of green spaces (parks, etc). Also, I moved from Philly, which is, imo dirty and ugly.

[vegaspilgrim]

All depends on your personal tastes. IMHO, no. I was born and raised in Denver, but then went to school for 4 years in Phoenix. That completely changed my outlook on architecture and landscaping. To me Denver looks exceptionally drab, brown, and often gloomy, both the suburbs and the central city. Denver's old city neighborhoods have architectural charm, just like any old midwestern/eastern city, it just isn't my personal style. The suburbs though are god awful asthetically for the most part. To me, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Jose, even Reno are way more attractive looking on a day in, day out, year round basis. But I still think Denver is a great place to live nonetheless.

[bhcompy]

Compared to Los Angeles and Vegas it's a supermodel

[zenkonami]

Respectfully disagree (partly) with Vegaspilgrim. I think Denver's architecture is far superior to Phoenix or Vegas, but we like different things! Denver has so many great buildings all over the place, and such a wide variety that it blows my mind every time I pass by. That said, I grew up in Phoenix. I'm very fond of the Sonoran Desert and xeriscaping, but tired quickly of the cookie cutter buildings and streets. Denver, unfortunately, hasn't found a way to embrace it's native landscaping and I actually think it suffers for it. On the other hand, the architecture here is some of the best in the West!

If you're looking for green, however, look elsewhere =)

[LisaCACO]

I dunno. depends on what you think pretty is, like davidv said. Me, I like brick architecture, so I find cities like boston visually more attractive. That said, the folks in boston were ghastly, so I'd take denver any day.

I don't really think I find modern "cities" that attractive in their architecture. I prefer older cities with their twisted streets and unique architecture. but that's just me.

to each his/her own. I'm sure some folks find denver absolutely beautiful.

[cowboyxjon]

I think it's a nice city, but I don't think the city itself is very pretty. The surrounding landscape (yeah, even the brown, flat plains) make up for it, though. The city itself has a lot of architectural styles that I don't care for (I'm probably the only person who doesn't care for the 'folk victorian' older homes) and parts of downtown were demolished and turned into parking lots and bland concrete and glass buildings. Compare pictures from the early 1900s to now, for instance. Also, a lot of the major arterial corridors aren't that nice to look at, even though the neighborhoods surrounding them are fine. Think Evans Ave between Quebec to the east and I-25 to the west, or parts of Broadway that aren't attractive, but aren't great.. just that sort of in-between.

I don't hate Denver, but I think a lot of it is "blah" when compared to other cities. I still like living here though and would recommend it to nearly anyone!

[NYSD1995]

It's nice, but not necessarily what I would consider "pretty".

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Denver's great

I have no regrets about this city or the state. It's probably the best state I've ever lived in.