Is Denver a good place to retire? While it’s often recognized as a hotspot for Millennials, the Mile High City is also gaining popularity among retirees—and for good reason. With a strong emphasis on active living, access to quality health care, a mild four-season climate, and a vibrant food and cultural scene, Denver offers a well-rounded lifestyle for those looking to make the most of their retirement years.
Take a closer look at what makes Denver a unique and appealing retirement destination to see if it’s the right fit for your next chapter.
Cost of Living in Denver: What Retirees Should Expect
Cost of living is one of the top considerations for many people deciding on their retirement destination. The overall cost of living in Denver is 27.6% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in the city is 70.4% higher than the national average, according to Best Places.
Transportation
Getting around Denver is relatively easy, although transportation costs are higher than the national average. You can drive, but keep in mind that the city is known for its traffic. The city also has a reliable public transportation system: the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Light Rail, which has nine lines and 53 stations in the city and its surrounding suburbs.
Taxes
As of the 2024 tax year, Colorado imposes a flat state income tax rate of 4.25% on taxable income. Retirees benefit from substantial income deductions based on age: those aged 65 and older can deduct up to $24,000 annually from retirement income sources such as Social Security, pensions, 401(k)s, and IRAs, while those aged 55 to 64 are eligible for a deduction of up to $20,000 per year.
Beginning in the 2025 tax year, residents aged 55 to 64 with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less (single filers) or $95,000 or less (joint filers) will be able to deduct 100% of their Social Security income from state taxable income. Residents aged 65 and older already qualify to deduct the full amount of federally taxable Social Security income.
Denver Weather: Four Seasons Without the Extremes
Denver has four distinct seasons, but it doesn’t lean into temperature extremes. Temperatures soaring into the 100s or dipping into the negatives are not typical of this city. Summers get hot, with the heat peaking at an average of 88 degrees in July. During the coldest months (November to March), the average temperature is about 53 degrees, according to WeatherSpark. The fall and spring seasons tend to be mild.
You can enjoy seasonal wardrobe changes when you live in Denver. Remember: You’ll need proper snow gear for the winter months. After all, the Denver area is a big skiing destination.
Outdoor Recreation in Denver: Nature at Your Doorstep
Denver is an outdoor enthusiast’s urban paradise. Step outside your front door, and you’ll easily find your next activity. The city has several beautiful parks that beckon with walking and biking trails. You can even kayak in Confluence Park. With mountains so near, Denver also makes it easy for hikers to hit the trail for a day hike. Try the Bluffs Loop for an easy but scenic tramp through the outdoors.
For those who have an itch to see the country’s national parks, Colorado is home to many. Take a drive outside of Denver to discover Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Each park offers its visitors a unique snapshot of the Colorado wilderness.
Culture & Entertainment in Denver: Art, Music, and More
Denver’s culture and entertainment scene doesn’t disappoint. If you want to lose yourself in the exhibits and galleries of a museum, head to the Golden Triangle Creative District. This area of the city is home to eight of the city’s many museums. You can also immerse yourself in the eye-catching street art of the River North Art District.
The city also has a lively music scene for those who love live shows. Explore the smaller bars and cocktail lounges for more intimate sets or join the massive crowds that flock to shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Dining Scene
The culinary scene of any city is an essential bar with which to measure its quality, and Denver certainly holds its own. You’ll find a broad array of different cuisines as well as quite a few Michelin-starred restaurants. Eat your way through several courses at Beckon, or tuck into something more casual (but still delicious) at Redeemer Pizza.
Local Attractions
Downtown Denver holds the lure of easily walkable attractions. Window shop at 16th Street Mall or wander the LoHo Historic District to sample the local brewery scene. If grandkids are coming to visit, they’ll love the Denver Zoo and the Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park. Denver Union Station also draws the city’s crowds. This historic landmark now offers a collection of restaurants and shops. Out-of-town guests can even stay at a hotel there.
Big City Entertainment
Living in Denver might easily put you in touch with the great outdoors, but there’s also plenty of big city entertainment to be had. Baseball fans living in the Mile High City can watch the Colorado Rockies home games at Coors Field. You can slip under the sea at the Downtown Aquarium. The city also has its own natural history museum as well as many art museums. When you walk the streets of Denver, you’re never far from a good restaurant, brewery, or distillery. You can even pair a craft beer experience with a spa day at The Beer Spa.
Healthy Living in Denver: Fitness, Farmers Markets & Wellness
Denver is known for its healthy and active lifestyle. People are drawn to the city for its proximity to nature and all its accompanying hobbies: hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. While you’ll have no problem indulging in this city, you also won’t have to hunt down healthy dining options.
For those who like to buy local, you can find a farmers market in Denver on nearly any day of the week. On the weekends, it’s almost impossible not to stumble on a farmers market offering fresh produce and meats. During the summer, you can also catch Evergreen Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays or Green Valley Ranch Farmers Market on Wednesdays.
If you want a night off from cooking at home, head out to Vital Root for a vibrant vegetarian menu. You can also grab a quick bite at Superfruit Republic. For those who embrace the vegan lifestyle, dine on comfort foods at Watercourse Foods.
Health Care
Health care is typically regarded as high quality in Denver. As a major U.S. city, several different health systems serve the population. You can take your pick of hospitals and affiliated physicians.
U.S. News & World Report ranks UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital as the city’s top hospital, followed by SCL Health Saint Joseph Hospital and Littleton Adventist Hospital. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is nationally ranked in five specialties: diabetes and endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and rheumatology.
55+ Communities in Denver: Where Active Adults Thrive
Windsor Gardens – Denver, CO
Mid $100ks – Mid $400ks
Windsor Gardens is located right in the city, which means all the city has to offer is right at residents’ fingertips. This 55+ community has a total of 2,689 townhomes and condos. Homes come in floor plans ranging from 720 square feet to 2,145 square feet, giving homebuyers plenty of flexibility.
While you can easily enjoy Denver while living in Windsor Gardens, the community also has plenty of amenities of its own. Residents can take advantage of the 35,000-square-foot clubhouse, which has a restaurant, a library, a fitness center, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and hobby rooms.
The community has plenty of activities to bring neighbors together, and it has plenty of walking and biking trails if you’re craving some time outdoors. Plus, avid golfers will love Windsor Gardens’ location on the nine-hole Emerald Greens Golf Course.
Fairway Villas at Green Valley Ranch – Denver, CO
Mid $500ks – Low $700ks
The Fairway Villas at Green Valley Ranch is an active 55+ community with an ideal location. Located between Downtown Denver and the Denver airport, residents can easily travel to faraway destinations or local Denver attractions.
The Fairway Villas at Green Valley Ranch has a variety of floor plans available. The single-family homes range from 2,090 to 2,764 square feet and include attached two-car garages. Home features include granite countertops, large walk-in showers in the master bath, and all homes are Energy Star qualified.
The Fairway Villas at Green Valley is adjacent to the Green Valley Ranch golf course, where residents enjoy preferred tee times, a pro shop, and exclusive rates. The community has a large clubhouse which offers lap pools, a fitness room, hobby rooms, and a library. Outdoor amenities include an outdoor pool, bocce and pickleball courts, and natural areas with biking/walking trails. The community’s full-time activities director plans a variety of events, allowing residents to enjoy chatting over a poker game or discussing the latest bestseller in the book club.
Heather Gardens – Aurora, CO
High $100ks – Low $500ks
Heather Gardens is in Aurora, a city about eight miles outside of Denver. Aurora has its own rich cultural scene with plenty of places to catch live performances. You can also easily enjoy the great outdoors in this Colorado city.
Heather Gardens is a 55+ community with 2,426 homes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Homebuyers will find a mix of attached homes, condos, and single-family homes here. The community’s condos are in a collection of five mid-rise buildings. These units, as well as the duplexes and townhomes, come in a variety of different sizes and floor plans.
This community caters to the active adult lifestyle. A full-time activities director organizes and oversees a wide variety of clubs and events for the Heather Gardens community. Enjoy anything from bowling and billiards to gardening and golf. The community also has its own clubhouse, complete with an indoor pool, a fitness center, and an arts and crafts center.
Anthem Ranch – Broomfield, CO
High $600ks – Mid $1Ms
Broomfield is approximately 30 minutes north of Denver. This Colorado city offers ample access to hiking trails as well as plenty of places to eat and shop. Anthem Ranch is a 55+ community with 1,300 homes designed with luxury in mind. Homebuyers can choose from floor plans starting at 1,200 square feet and going up to 2,800 square feet. Each home comes with a two-car or three-car garage.
When you’re not enjoying your gourmet kitchen and spacious living space, you can take advantage of Anthem Ranch’s amenities, beginning with the Aspen Lodge. This community facility has a ballroom, a billiards hall, a movie theater, a fitness center, and an indoor lap pool.
Outside, you can take a swim in another pool, practice your tennis swing, or play a game of pickleball. Anthem Ranch is also near a 90-acre community park that enables residents to fish, play softball and basketball, and picnic with friends and family.
Denver Is a Great Place to Live
If you’re wondering is Denver a good place to retire, the answer is a resounding yes. With its balance of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, top-tier health care, and an array of active adult communities, Denver offers something for every retiree looking to thrive in their next chapter. Whether you’re seeking a bustling urban lifestyle or quiet walks along scenic trails, Denver delivers.
Ready to explore your options? Contact 55places.com today to connect with a local real estate expert who can help you find the perfect 55+ community—and your dream retirement home—in the Mile High City.
