Blog > Top 7 Reasons People Regret Retiring in Colorado!
7 Reasons People Regret Retiring in Colorado (Honest Take)
Retiring in Colorado can be a dream or a costly mistake. After helping dozens of retirees relocate to Denver, here are the seven regrets I see most often before they pack up and leave.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado homes in desirable retirement areas commonly list above $1 million.
- Humidity sits near 10-15%, causing dry skin, nosebleeds, and constant chapstick use.
- Elevation and wildfire smoke can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- Public transit is limited outside central Denver, so a car is essentially required.
- Colorado is a true political battleground, blue in cities and red 30 minutes out.
Video Chapters
Is Colorado expensive for retirees?
A decent home in a desirable Colorado retirement area regularly runs north of $1 million.
This is the number one reason I see retirees back out or move away. People visit for a week, fall in love with the mountains and breweries, and start browsing Zillow on the flight home. Then they see the price tag.
It's not just housing. Groceries aren't cheap. Gas isn't cheap. A burger and a beer at a normal spot can easily run you $25. Property taxes are reasonable compared to Texas, but insurance has climbed fast because of hail and wildfire risk.
Here's how I frame it with clients: you're not paying to live here, you're paying to live well. The quality of life (sunshine, outdoor access, healthcare, food scene) is genuinely high. But if your retirement plan depends on bargain living, Colorado will frustrate you. Look at New Mexico, parts of Arizona, or the Midwest if budget is the priority.
How does Colorado's altitude and air quality affect retirees?
Denver sits at 5,280 feet, and humidity often drops to 10-15%, which can hit retirees with respiratory issues hard.
I had a colleague work with an active Midwest couple who hiked everywhere back home. The husband had mild asthma, nothing serious. Within weeks of moving to Denver, simple walks became tough. The dry air plus elevation does that.
Then wildfire season hits. We don't just get smoke from Colorado fires. Smoke funnels in from Canada, Montana, Washington, and California through the Rockies. Some summer mornings you're checking AQI before deciding whether to open a window.
If you have COPD, asthma, heart issues, or any condition where oxygen matters, talk to your doctor before retiring here. Some people adjust in a few weeks. Others never fully acclimate and end up moving to lower elevation. It's worth a trial visit of two or three weeks at altitude before you commit.
Do you need a car to retire in Denver?
Outside of central Denver, public transit covers maybe 20% of the destinations most retirees actually need.
I had an open house recently with a guy who'd just moved here from New York City. He hadn't owned a car in 30 years. Two months in, he was at a dealership.
The RTD light rail is decent if you live near a station and only need to get downtown or to the airport. Buses are inconsistent. Most popular retirement suburbs (Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Castle Rock) are built around driving. Groceries, golf, dinner with friends, doctor's appointments, all car trips.
If you're set on a walkable, transit-friendly retirement, you basically have three neighborhoods that work: downtown, Cherry Creek, and parts of LoHi or Capitol Hill. Everywhere else, plan on owning a vehicle and driving 15-30 minutes for most errands. That surprises a lot of folks coming from Chicago, Boston, or NYC.
What is the weather really like in Colorado?
Colorado averages 300 sunny days per year but also holds the title of hail capital of North America.
Everyone talks about Colorado weather, but until you live through it, you don't get it. It'll snow a foot overnight, then melt by 2 p.m. with sun and 55 degrees. Temperature can swing 40 degrees from morning to night.
Hail is the real story most people miss. The Front Range gets hammered every spring and summer. Roof replacements are practically a recurring expense, which is why insurance has gotten pricey. I tell clients to budget for a new roof every 10-12 years even if you don't want one.
The upside is real: sunshine almost daily, mild winters in the city, low humidity, and four genuine seasons. The downside is unpredictability. If your ideal retirement weather is consistent and predictable (think coastal California or central Florida), Colorado will keep you guessing. Pack layers, year-round.
Is Colorado a good fit for non-active retirees?
Roughly 70% of social activities I see retirees plug into here involve hiking, biking, skiing, or pickleball.
I was referred a client from Florida who retired early and moved here for a change of scenery. Two years in, she wanted to sell and head back. The reason wasn't the weather or cost. She didn't fit in socially.
She wasn't into hiking, biking, pickleball, or skiing. She tried a book club, and even there, most members were training for a 10k or planning weekend hut trips. In Colorado, your social life is built on activity. If you're not doing something outside, it's harder to make friends.
This doesn't mean you have to be a marathoner. But you should enjoy walking, gardening, casual hiking, or some kind of movement to plug into the community. If your ideal retirement is bridge club, beach reading, and dinner parties, look at Scottsdale, Charleston, or Naples before Denver.
Is Colorado politically conservative or liberal?
Colorado flipped from red to blue around 2004 and is now considered a true political battleground.
I had dinner with a couple from Texas where one leaned conservative and the other progressive. They figured Colorado would land somewhere in the middle. It does, but not how they expected.
Urban Denver leans solidly blue. The suburbs are mixed. Drive 30 minutes out of the city and it gets red quickly. You'll see Biden-Harris stickers at a Saturday farmers market and Trump-Vance flags at a gun range that same afternoon.
Most of the older population skews Republican, most of the younger skews Democrat, and the state legislature has been Democratic-controlled for years. If you need political alignment with everyone around you, neither side gets that here. If you can handle a real mix of views in your neighborhood, your gym, and your HOA meetings, Colorado works fine. Just go in with realistic expectations.
Full Video Transcript
Full transcript from this video, organized by chapter. Click any timestamp to jump to that moment in the video.
Retiring to Colorado Overview
[0:00] Retiring to [music] Colorado could be the best decision you make, could be one of the worst. I have seen countless people love retiring here. I've also seen a lot pack up their bags a few years later and hop out of town, which is why I put together this video going over the top seven reasons why I've seen people regret their decision on retiring to Colorado. [music] Number seven, I had dinner with a couple who had just moved here from Texas a couple years back. one lane pretty conservative and the other one was quite a bit more progressive and they figured Colorado would be kind of somewhere in the middle and it kind of is. You see, Colorado went blue about 20 years ago and before that it was mostly red but we did flip-flop a lot and so most of the older population is Republican and most of the younger is Democrat and it's not uncommon to go to a farmers market in the city and see Green Initiative ballots and lots of Biden Harris bumper stickers. Then later in the afternoon while going for a hike, pass a gun range and a bunch of Trump Vance bumper stickers. That's just how it is. Colorado is a true political mix.
Political Landscape
[1:00] And urban Denver leads blue, the suburbs are a blend. And once you're 30 minutes out, it gets pretty red really quickly. It is a political battleground state. Now, if you need everyone around you to agree with you politically, you're going to be uncomfortable here. That's just how it is. Now, if you are someone who loves to do research, you really should download my luxury retirement guide to the Denver area. There's a link below in the description, or you can scan this QR code and download it for free. On to number six. My car is equipped to handle just about everything. Blankets, flares, umbrellas, snow shovel, first aid kit, skis, and paddle boards often at the same time. Why? Because you just never know here. I know everybody talks about how crazy the weather is, but until you've lived in Colorado, you really don't understand. Colorado is a place where it will snow a foot overnight and then it'll melt by 2:00 p.m. and be 50 60°. We get hail storms, lots of them.
Extreme Weather Patterns
[1:57] We have the hail capital of the world. We get wild temperature swings from morning to night. 40° differences. They're just the norm. Sunshine is 300 days a year, and that is great, but it comes with lots of surprises. If your idea of retirement weather is consistency, Colorado's weather will keep you on your toes. Weather is polarizing often with four seasons in a single day. Number five, you know, I had a conversation with someone who moved here from Houston, and she joked that her skin aged 10 years in the first month after moving here. And honestly, she wasn't far off. People come to Colorado expecting the mountains, the views, the blue skies, but nobody tells you just how dry it actually is. Your lips are going to crack. Your nose bleeds. Your skin feels like paper.
Dry Climate Challenges
[2:45] We're in a high desert. There's no humidity to soften the air. It's often 10, 15%. And once you combine that with the elevation, it's like living in a giant dehydrator. You're constantly drinking water, running humidifiers, slathering on lotion. Chapstick is in your pocket 24 hours a day. So, if you need moisture in the air to feel comfortable, this place is going to test you. It's dry. Like really dry. We are a high desert. Number four, a guy had been at an open house recently, just moved here from New York City, and he was used to hopping on a train and being anywhere in the city within 20 minutes. He figured Denver would be kind of similar, right? We're a big city. Nope, not at all. 2 months in, he had to buy a car for the first time in 30 years. Why?
Limited Public Transportation
[3:28] Because the light rail doesn't go everywhere you think it would. Buses are inconsistent, and if you're not in the heart of the city, good luck with public transportation. Most suburbs, even the really popular retirement ones, are built around driving groceries, golf, dinner with friends, you're going to need a car. That's just the reality here. So, if you rely on public transportation as your means to get around, Colorado might not be a good fit. Number three, so a colleague of mine just had this couple who moved to Colorado from the Midwest. Super active.
Altitude Health Concerns
[4:01] They loved hiking. They loved the outdoors. But within a few weeks of living here, they realized the elevation was taking a toll on them. The husband had mild asthma and nothing serious back home. But in Denver, that dry air combined with the altitude made it even a simple walk a lot more difficult for him. Then wildfire season hit. Smoke drifted in from the mountains and suddenly they were stuck indoors running air purifiers and checking air quality alerts every morning. And we don't just get smoke from our own wildfires. We get lots of channels that come in from Canada, Montana, Washington, all kind of funneling through the Rockies. So, it can be a real concern. Their dream of outdoor living kind of turned into something they had to constantly work around. And between the elevation, wildfire smoke, respiratory issues, they're not something to brush off if you have respiratory issues. If your lungs need a little bit of extra help, Colorado might make them work harder than you think. Number two, I was just recently referred a client that moved here from Florida. She retired early and she wanted a change of scenery, but after a couple years of being here, she wanted to sell her place and moved back because she didn't feel like she fit in.
Active Lifestyle Requirements
[5:12] And I get it, you know, she wasn't into hiking, she wasn't into biking, pickle ball, skiing, any of it. She tried a book club, but most of the folks she met there were out doing hikes and praying for a 5k, a 10k, long bike ride. Like that's super common here as a lot of people move here to live an active lifestyle. You know, in Colorado, your social life is kind of built on activity. If you're not out doing something, you're going to feel like you're missing out a little bit and making friends does get harder and harder. So, if your retirement isn't active, it might be a little tougher to fit. Number one, you ever meet someone who visits Colorado for a week and suddenly starts browsing Zillow like they're moving here next month? Yeah, we do that all the time with all the mountain towns we visit. They fall in love with the mountains, the weather, the breweries, and yeah, it is incredible. But then you see the price tag, right? A decent home in a desirable area isn't cheap. North of a million bucks is pretty common. Groceries are not cheap. Gas is not cheap. Nothing is cheap. Even a burger and a beer can run you 25 bucks. So, here's the thing. You know, you're not just paying to live here. You're paying to live well with an extremely high quality of life. If you're just looking for bargain living, this is not the state you want to be in.
Cost of Living & Summary
[6:26] If you're not willing to pay for quality of life, don't move here. Now, I know this might have sounded like a bit of a roast on Colorado, but truthfully, I love it here. There's a reason why so many people still move to the Denver area, even with all of these trade-offs. I help retired couples find their dream every single day. and the sunshine, the access to the outdoors, the sense of community. It's really hard to beat, but it is not for everyone, that's for sure.
[6:54] And if you're thinking about retiring here, I want you to have all the facts so that you don't end up making a decision that you regret. Because the truth is, if you find the right part of Colorado that fits your budget, your lifestyle, and your health needs, this can absolutely be your dream retirement. And if you want help figuring that out, that is what I do. I don't just sell homes. is I help people build the life they've been dreaming about in Colorado.
[7:19] And sometimes that starts with an honest conversation. So, just download the free retirement guide. Start here by scanning this QR code or there's a link in the description below. Or you can just give me a call as well. Here's my cell phone. I would love to talk about you and your goals, right? And I would want to make sure above all else that it is actually a good fit for you. But before you make the move here, you want to check out this video because it might just be the thing you're looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age to retire in Colorado?
Most retirees I work with land here between 55 and 70. Younger retirees adjust to altitude faster and get more years out of the active lifestyle. If you're past 75 or have respiratory issues, I'd recommend renting for six months first to see how your body handles 5,280 feet before buying.
How much money do you need to retire comfortably in Denver?
For a comfortable retirement in the Denver metro, I tell clients to plan on $80,000 to $120,000 per year in spending if you own your home outright. If you're financing, add your mortgage on top. Home prices in popular retirement suburbs typically run $700,000 to $1.5 million.
Does Colorado tax Social Security and retirement income?
Colorado partially taxes Social Security but offers a retirement income deduction up to $24,000 per year for residents 65 and older, which covers Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals combined. The state income tax rate is a flat 4.4%. It's friendlier than California but not as tax-free as Florida or Texas.
What are the best Denver suburbs for retirees?
My most-requested retirement suburbs are Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Centennial, and Cherry Creek inside Denver. Each offers different price points, walkability, and access to healthcare. Lone Tree gets a lot of attention for its proximity to Sky Ridge Medical Center and easy light rail access.
Is the wildfire smoke in Colorado really that bad?
Smoke season typically runs July through September. Some weeks the air quality is fine, others you'll see AQI spike above 150 from regional fires. It's worse in foothill communities than in the city. Most Denver homes now run air purifiers in summer, similar to how Phoenix homes run AC.
How long does it take to adjust to Denver's altitude?
Most healthy adults adjust within 1 to 3 weeks. You'll drink more water, feel winded on stairs, and possibly have trouble sleeping the first few nights. People with heart or lung conditions may take longer or never fully acclimate. A pre-move visit of 10 to 14 days is the best test.
Is Denver safe for retirees?
Most Denver suburbs where retirees buy (Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock) consistently rank among Colorado's safest communities. Downtown Denver and a few specific neighborhoods have higher property crime rates. I always walk clients through neighborhood-specific crime data before they make an offer.
Thinking about buying or selling in Denver?
Call or text (303) 552-4804 for a no-pressure conversation about your situation.
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