Housing prices, other issues---People are avoiding moving to Denver

[The Critic]

Not only horribly overpriced, but very low quality of life in some of these greater Denver area starter homes.

We looked at very modest new construction townhomes in the greater Denver area as a second home to be close to the grandkids.

Townhomes backed directly to i25, 2 x 4 construction and windows that were so cheap they provided almost no noise protection. The single car garage was so small one could open a Honda Accord door without hitting the garage drywall. Density of the development was tighter than a spurt airline aircraft. All for $750k USD.

Doesn't sound terribly uncommon to me -- you can have all that for $1.5M in the San Francisco "burbs."

Not everyone values a large lot or a quiet place. If you grew up living in a noisy, downtown environment -- you may look at things very differently.

 

[Astro14]

Not only horribly overpriced, but very low quality of life in some of these greater Denver area starter homes.

We looked at very modest new construction townhomes in the greater Denver area as a second home to be close to the grandkids.

Townhomes backed directly to i25, 2 x 4 construction and windows that were so cheap they provided almost no noise protection. The single car garage was so small one could open a Honda Accord door without hitting the garage drywall. Density of the development was tighter than a Spirit airline aircraft. All for $750k USD.

My wife and I looked at moving back to Denver in 2015, when I was working there full time (I am currently part time, and the company pays for my hotel).

We toured a few homes, scouted neighborhoods, talked with realtors, and looked at GS jobs down a Buckley so that she could continue her career.

Ultimately, we decided that it was too expensive, and too crowded.

And that was ten years ago.

real estate has doubled since then.

 

[tbm5690]

Not only horribly overpriced, but very low quality of life in some of these greater Denver area starter homes.

We looked at very modest new construction townhomes in the greater Denver area as a second home to be close to the grandkids.

Townhomes backed directly to i25, 2 x 4 construction and windows that were so cheap they provided almost no noise protection. The single car garage was so small one could open a Honda Accord door without hitting the garage drywall. Density of the development was tighter than a Spirit airline aircraft. All for $750k USD.

So what you're saying is the drywalled garage is the highlight of owning this place

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

You can get a very nice townhome in the SouthWest part of the Salt Lake Valley for around $450,000 to 500,000 plus. Yes they are stacked in and they are "cookie cutter".
https://wrighthomes.com/new-home-communities/parkside-townhomes/

https://www.zillow.com/riverton-ut/townhomes/

As the great salt lake dries up, the airborne particulate and arsenic levels are going to make living there pretty unhealthy.

 

[CKN]

As the great salt lake dries up, the airborne particulate and arsenic levels are going to make living there pretty unhealthy.

There are plans to divert water to the Great Salt Lake. The issue is if it's enough? The great Salt Lake is crucial in giving the ski resorts the fluffy snow the state is known for. So (trying) to fix it is a major priority.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

There are plans to divert water to the Great Salt Lake. The issue is if it's enough? The great Salt Lake is crucial in giving the ski resorts the fluffy snow the state is known for. So (trying) to fix it is a major priority.

There is no other way besides that the region needs to stop using water for agriculture.

 

[CKN]

There is no other way besides that the region needs to stop using water for agriculture.

Here is the problem. The water is used to produce Alfalfa- which gets live stock through the winter. But even those who grow that have found ways to reduce consumption via drip irrigation and other methods. The point being is that the issue is being addressed.

 

[Astro14]

There is no other way besides that the region needs to stop using water for agriculture.

Mining is actually a huge consumer in central Utah - and the mining interests are old and well established. Trying to dial back their consumption is a huge challenge.

 

[4wd]

3 million people live there. It must be terrible.

Kinda like it’s so crowded that nobody goes there anymore

 

[Number_35]

Kinda like it’s so crowded that nobody goes there anymore

A tribute to Mr. Berra.

 

[Dave Hess]

Here is the problem. The water is used to produce Alfalfa- which gets live stock through the winter. But even those who grow that have found ways to reduce consumption via drip irrigation and other methods. The point being is that the issue is being addressed.

I say a YouTube video of the number of golf courses in Utah needing lots of water.

 

[CKN]

I say a YouTube video of the number of golf courses in Utah needing lots of water.

Yep. And they are all losing money. Market is over saturated. I wouldnt be surprised if some are sold to developers.

 

[D60]

THE REST OF COLORADO IS EVEN WORSE! Just go shop in a different state everyone. It sucks here.

 

[Dave Hess]

As of October 2025 Denver's average housing price has dropped from $675,000 to $655,000.

Still expensive for a younger couple (early 30’s) trying to buy a house.