Denver, a quaint mountain community, or Minneapolis without lakes?

[denver_hacker]

I'd say Denver is Minneapolis and Saint Paul without the lakes.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul combined are similar in population size to Denver, they have similar amenities, similar demographics, same kind of growth pattern over the years, same kind of neighborhoods. Saint Anthony, Falcon Heights, Washington Park, Park Hill - lots of Sears craftsmen bungalows. Summit Ave and 7th Ave Parkway are very similar. Wash Park and Linden Hills are similar.

The weather is a bit different. Both are four seasons with cold winters. But Denver is dry, Twin Cities is humid. Also, Denver gets more sun than the Twin Cities.

Growing season is about the same, although the produce from MN tends to be larger because there's more water in the air and there's nice rich black topsoil.

Denver is a city of transplants, Twin Cities tends to be more insular. So Denver tends to rely on relocation to bring in the talent, Twin Cities knows they have to grow the talent - so the schools systems (elementary, high schools, and college) are better.

Denver has a lot of Federal centers and jobs, Twin Cities not so much.

Twin Cities has a decent share of large company headquarters, Denver has trouble with that.

Denver was a treeless plain before the city was built, the Twin Cities were swamps and dense forest.

Denver has mountains, Twin Cities has lakes.

[FrozenShores]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

Every picture I see that advertises Denver shows it as a town nestled in the mountains. They show the downtown with snow capped peaks floating above the city. Now that I have been to Denver for the first time I know now that the whole thing is trick photography. They use special telephoto lenses to make the mountains fifty miles away look real close.

They also give the impression that the city is nestled in the mountains, like Aspen, by reminding everyone that Denver is the mile high city. What people do not realize is the slope of the great plains just moves higher as one goes west.

I see Denver as no different than Oklahoma City or a Minneapolis with out the lakes. Agree?

I totally disagree. For one thing, Denver's winters are not nearly as harsh as Minneapolis. Denver has an average low of 16F and Minn. is 3F with higher humidity to make it feel colder. In Denver last winter, we had very few days below 20 degrees and some days in the middle of winter would get as high as 65 degrees.

As far as being near the mountains, I find it hard to complain when I can walk out my door downtown and be in the steep foothills of Golden in 15 minutes. I can be hiking the continental divide at 10,000+ feet in 45 minutes.

I won't even address Oklahoma City.

I could go on and on about the differences. Both cities are very unique and it is far too simplistic to say Denver is no different than Oklahoma City or Minneapolis without lakes.

[D-town 720]

I hope not. People on city v city been saying that Calgary is just a Canadian Denver. I think there is more to denver than a mountain range and boxy skyline...

[xeric]

Trick photography eh? Here's my favorite trick photo shot of Fort Collins:

This view does not exist from the ground anywhere in Fort Collins. I suspect this was taken from an airplane with a telephoto lens. But if I could ever find a hill with this sort of view in town, I'd do my best to buy a house there.

[Mike from back east]

American is a nation full of great cities, no two really alike. Comparisons are futile.

[denver_hacker]

Here's some raw data on the winters.

Denver:

Average High/Low Temperatures for KDEN : Weather Underground

Minneapolis:

Average High/Low Temperatures for KMSP : Weather Underground

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

Every picture I see that advertises Denver shows it as a town nestled in the mountains. They show the downtown with snow capped peaks floating above the city. Now that I have been to Denver for the first time I know now that the whole thing is trick photography. They use special telephoto lenses to make the mountains fifty miles away look real close.

They also give the impression that the city is nestled in the mountains, like Aspen, by reminding everyone that Denver is the mile high city. What people do not realize is the slope of the great plains just moves higher as one goes west.

I see Denver as no different than Oklahoma City or a Minneapolis with out the lakes. Agree?

I'll have to disagree. Denver is OKC? HA! No, this isn't a flat, humid city with little to do and overly conservative residents.

And the mountains are closer than 50 miles away. I live east of downtown, and I can see mountains out my window. I agree that it's not "nestled in the mountains", but then neither is Los Angeles or Phoenix. 3 million people can't be "nestled".

[Nameless]

Originally Posted by denverian

I'll have to disagree. Denver is OKC? HA! No, this isn't a flat, humid city with little to do and overly conservative residents.

And the mountains are closer than 50 miles away. I live east of downtown, and I can see mountains out my window. I agree that it's not "nestled in the mountains", but then neither is Los Angeles or Phoenix. 3 million people can't be "nestled".

And Denver is frigid with snow blowing all year and nothing but left wing radicals. What that's not true? And OKC isn't a flat barren town with right wing nut jobs? No Way! Are we Denver? No. But there sure are worse places to be than here.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Nameless

And Denver is frigid with snow blowing all year and nothing but left wing radicals. What that's not true? And OKC isn't a flat barren town with right wing nut jobs? No Way! Are we Denver? No. But there sure are worse places to be than here.

True - there's always Tulsa

[south-to-west]

I find the actual city of Denver itself, as well as some of its suburbs, is very comparable to the Twin Cities. Similar size, similar amenities, and similar quality of life. The main differences are:

• Climate: Twin Cities have very cold winters that last 4-5 months with little relief and humid summers. Denver on the other hand has very mild winters with occasional Arctic cold blasts and snowstorms, as well as dry summers.
• Diversity: The Twin Cities are more diverse with a large Asian and African immigrant population. Also while the Twin Cities has its share of transplants, Denver has an even larger and more noticeable population of transplants.
• Regional Identity: The Twin Cities are unmistakably Upper Midwest in accent and demeanor. Denver has a little Midwest influence, but is largely Western--which is especially evident once you leave the city and notice the wide open spaces and ranches when you leave the city. Areas immediately outside of the city, but within the metro area like Rocky Flats definitely have a Western feel.