Phoenix
Although surrounded by inhospitable desert, Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the United States, and the nation’s single largest state capital city. The area contains numerous galleries and museums, putting the people in contact with everything from the European masters to Native American craftsmanship to modern originals from Phoenix’s diverse artistic community. The Downtown cultural scene has developed into a top-notch feast of visual and performing arts, with symphony performances, live theater, and the popular First Friday exhibitions. Phoenix is also an excellent city for sports fans, being one of the few cities in America with local franchises in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Several thousand students attend the two Arizona State University campuses in the city, as well as the over-50,000 who attend the main campus in neighboring Tempe. Rental rates for apartments average around $1000 per month, but numerous more affordable options are available all over the city, from quiet houses for rent in the suburbs to downtown efficiency apartments. Getting around Phoenix is typically done by car for most residents, but a light rail system makes it easy to get across town without a personal vehicle; Downtown and its surrounding areas are quite walkable as well.
Denver
Established in the mid-1800s as a mining town during the Gold Rush, Denver embraces its Western heritage along with a forward-thinking mindset. Larimer Square is a testament to Denver’s balance of old and new, boasting rows of creative restaurants, independent shops, and vibrant nightlife spots in Victorian-era buildings downtown. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is renowned for its great outdoor adventures. Residents enjoy more than 5,000 acres of parks, trails, golf courses, and playgrounds as well as convenience to Red Rocks Park and Cherry Creek State Park. Denver is proximate to world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities just outside the city too. City center skyrises provide incredible views of the mountains to the west, while spacious suburbs with single-family rentals make for the perfect place to set down roots. Cultural amenities abound in Denver, including the Denver Botanic Gardens, Union Station, Ogden Theatre, Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Denver is also home to five major sports teams—the NFL’s Denver Broncos, MLB’s Colorado Rockies, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and MLS’s Colorado Rapids.
Colorado Springs
Nestled at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is best known for its sweeping mountain vistas and exceptional opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city’s proximity to incredible peaks and vast, scenic expanses makes it feel more at one with the stunning nature around it, more so than Denver. Colorado Springs is home to the famous Garden of the Gods, a picturesque park containing towering sandstone rock formations and numerous amenities. The city offers plenty of additional attractions to suit every interest. From the Old Colorado City Historic District (for history buffs) to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (for art aficionados) and everything in between. Many residents congregate in the quaint downtown area to enjoy a wide variety of restaurants in well-preserved historic buildings. Regardless of your rental situation — apartment or condo — Colorado Springs will delight you with an incredible landscape and buzzing year-round attractions. The easily accessible I-25 connects Colorado Springs to Denver and nearby skiing destinations in about an hour’s drive.
