The metro Denver area IS a great place to live. Not only do we have a great climate, friendly people and easy access to the Rocky Mountains, but our economy is pretty health in comparison to other areas. We're enjoying lower unemployment than the national rate. According to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, our unemployment rate fell from 6.9 percent in September 2009 to 6.6% percent in October.
The real estate market is significantly stronger than it has been in previous years as well. According to RealtyTrac, Colorado foreclosures fell 18.75 percent from September rates during October 2009. The foreclosure rate is also down 6.08% from a year ago. Additionally, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield metropolitan statistical area was among 30 areas that reported an increase in median home price between the third quarters of 2008 and 2009. The increase was also the first reported for Metro Denver in two years and contrasted with an 11.2 percent over-the-year decline in the nationwide median.
Metro Denver home sales rose 2.9 percent between September and October. Improvements in home sales have also helped stabilize home prices in Metro Denver. The October average sales price for single-family homes increased 4.6 percent over-the-year.
Things are improving in the Centennial state! On a lighter note, here's how you know you belong in Colorado:
1. 98% of Americans scram before sliding off an icy road into the ditch. The other 2% are from Colorado, and they say, "Hold my soda, and watch this!"
2. You're from Colorado if you'll eat ice cream in the winter.
3. When the weather report says it's going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs & put on a skirt and a sleeveless top.
3. It snows 5 inches and you don't expect school to be canceled.
4. You'll wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature.
5. 'Humid' is over 25%.
6. Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains.
7. You think that May is a totally normal month for a blizzard.
8. You buy your flowers to set out on Mother's day, but try and hold off planting them until just before Father's day.
9. You plan your Halloween costumes around your coat.
10. You know what the Continental Divide is.
11. You went to Casa Bonita as a kid - 1and as an adult.
12. You've gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities.
13.You always know the elevation of where you are.
14. You wake up to a beautiful, 80 degree day and you wonder if it's going to snow tomorrow.
15. Everybody wears jeans to church.
16. You actually know that ** South Park ** is a real place not just a show on TV.
17. You know what a 'trust fund hippy' is, and you know its natural habitat is Boulder.
18. You know you're talking to a fellow Coloradoan when they call it Elitch's, not Six Flags.
19. When people out East tell you they have mountains in their state too, you just laugh.
20. You go anywhere else on the planet and the air feels 'sticky' and you notice the sky is no longer blue.
Yes, the Denver area's a great place to live!
References:
Colorado Department of Labor
Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
http://www.metrodenver.org/metro-denver-economy/monthly-summary
