Monday, April 15, 2013

LoHi Ranks as One of America’s Best “Hipster” Neighborhoods

Everyone knows that cultural and fashion styles fade out almost as quickly as they arrive. As soon as you jump on board with the newest fad, it loses momentum and becomes just a bump on the cultural timeline. But there is a current movement that shows strong signs of sticking around and has even transplanted itself into the physical elements of our world. We’re talking about the hipster movement and according to a recent Forbes Magazine list, we have our very own hipster concentration right here in Denver.

As defined by Urban Dictionary, hipsters are “a subculture of men and women typically in their 20’s and 30’s that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, […] creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.” It is a lifestyle that is sweeping young people across the nation and garnering growing attention. So Forbes Magazine profiled the 20 Best Hipster Neighborhoods in America and LoHi came in at 17. This list is open to interpretation, much like the hipster ideals, but based on certain criteria like the number of coffee shops per capita, the proximity to farmer’s markets, and the number of locally owned bars and restaurants, LoHi clearly deserves a spot on the list.

With its growing popularity, constant redevelopment, and active lifestyle, LoHi is the place to be. Whether or not you agree with the hipster lifestyle, it is hard to argue with the vibrant, outgoing, and progressive atmosphere of this neighborhood. And ranked among some of America’s larger cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, Denver is certainly making a name for itself, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Downtown Denver Earns Forbes Magazine’s Praises

For all of us that already call Denver home, we know what an amazing city it is. Each year, we get over 300 days of sunshine, access to world renowned ski resorts, four distinctive seasons, and up and coming neighborhoods that rival some of even the trendiest US cities. But Denver is a relatively small city and is easily overshadowed by some of the country’s larger metropolises: until now.

In a Forbes magazine article released in the end of March 2013, Denver tops the list as one of 15 US cities with an emerging downtown area. They took into account the 20-year, seven-mega project plan that is sweeping the downtown area, including the revitalization of the Union Station district. These mass-investment, mass-construction projects are sure to define Denver and its future success in the coming years.

According to Forbes and other journals, Denver has ranked 16th among America’s fastest growing cities, fifth among the best cities for business and careers, and seventh among US cities with the best economic index. It may seem like a lot of numbers, but it all comes down to very positive news for our city. It is an exciting time to live in Denver and the future holds even more promise for this Rocky Mountain mecca.