Denver, a Start-up Hub?

The end of Denver’s Startup Week clearly shows that Denver’s less than well know startup scene is on the rise. Learning from its neighbor, Denver is incorporating the most successful ideas from Boulder’s flourishing startup scene to grow their own. Denver also serves as a magnet for creative professionals who have an interest in bringing their bright ideas to the city.

Erik Mitisek, CEO Colorado Technology Association and organizer of Denver Startup Week, explains “The fusion of access to hospitality and tourism/travel industry, near top technology hub – is creating the perfect environment to build…startups.” Startups in the travel industry are seeing the most initial growth but as this environment continues to flourish and be nurtured by the City, Denver will draw more and more of the entrepreneurial energy.

The biggest hurdle for Denver’s startup growth is the lack of “big tech companies to anchor the scene,” says Mitisek. Cities with well know investors are what attracts more investors to support local companies. The startup community in Denver is still small and just getting started but with the full support of the City it will continue to grow.

For more information, visit: http://www.inc.com/welcome.html?destination=http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/denver-growing-startup-hub.html

Denver’s Revitalization of its Poorest Neighborhoods is in full swing.

Among the Mayor’s future plans for Denver, includes the revitalization and better connection to the city for some of Denver’s outlying and often forgotten neighborhoods. The city has created a plan for the Sun Valley neighborhood which will transform it into a Denver jewel.

Located on Denver's west side, the Sun Valley neighborhood sits near Sports Authority Field between Federal Boulevard and the South Platte River. Ninety percent of its 1,500 residents live in subsidized housing, where the median household income is only $8,000 a year. Denver’s west side will receive more attention with the expansion of the light rail’s West Rail Line. City planners, along with, the Denver Housing Authority, have spent more than a year creating the Decatur-Federal Station Area Plan, which focuses on the development of the area a half-mile around the station.

The goal is to encourage the current diversity of the neighborhood while reconnecting it with the rest of the city. The city will build a community that is bicycle and pedestrian friendly which draws businesses, as well as residents.

If you’re interested in learning more about this revitalization plan go to: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23066719/city-plan-looks-revitalize-denvers-poorest-neighborhood

More New Development in LoHi!

Inside Real Estate News reports that the Denver-based development company Simpson Housing LLC has paid a record price for land at a key site in the trendy Lower Highland neighborhood.

The site located at 17th and Boulder streets will be renamed Studio17 LoHi. The property will include 138 structured underground parking space, 110 storage units and a rooftop deck with dramatic and panoramic views of downtown Denver’s skyline. The cost?? $15 million to construct.

For more information visit: http://insiderealestatenews.com/2013/08/11/simpson-pays-record-price-for-lohi-land/

Under Contract in 1 Day!

This amazing Town Home went under contract in one day! Located at 2026 S. Pennsylvania Street, in the heart of the beautiful Platt Park neighborhood, it is just blocks away from Olde South Pearl Street's Trendy Shops and Restaurants.

The property includes 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms and 1866 square feet with an additional 950 square feet of finished basement.

Listed at $615,000, this property has sleek Euro style cabinetry, chroma style slab counter tops, spacious master suite with a large walk-in closet and a second floor ensuite bedroom with a full bath a private balcony.

Want to see more of the property? Take the virtual tour at: www.2026southpennsylvania.com

Trader Joe's Opening Another Store in Denver!

The Denver Post announced that Trader Joe's “confirmed Monday that it plans to open a fourth store in the state and its second in Denver.” The new store, located at 7th Avenue and Logan Street, is scheduled to open in 2014. This unique neighborhood grocery store is fulfilling the dreams of many Denver residents that have been wondering when a Trader Joe’s would come to our city.

Trader Joe’s offers a unique buying experience to match its extensive offerings of domestic and imported foods and beverages. Releasing almost a dozen new items every week keeps Trader Joe’s inventory and stores fresh and adventurous.

Other store locations that are scheduled to open in 2014 include: 8th Ave/Colorado, Greenwood Village, and Boulder.

For more information, please visit: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24052106/trader-joes-announces-4th-colorado-location

As home prices are rising and once anxious sellers are jumping back into the market, many are asking what they can do to help boost the sales price of their home.

Here are four of Alex Veiga’s, of AP Business Writer, top tips:

1. Consider the Buyers. What you personally feel might be a great addition to the home might not be the right fit for the neighborhood or potential buyers. Sellers should be cautious when making large additions or structural changes to their property. Adding large ticket items, such as a pool or garage, might take away from other features of the property that a greater number of buyers might be interested in.

2. Beware of “over improving”. Making improvements to the home, especially adding upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms are essential; however, choosing overly high priced upgrades might not show a good return.

3. Cost vs. Value. The cost of your improvement weighed against its potential return is the most important consideration when making improvements to your home. Choose to update your roofing, windows, and flooring rather than new siding and major basement renovations.

4. Get Expert Advice. Real estate agents are here to help you get the most money for your home and ensure that you are getting the best rate of return for any improvements you might be interested in. A real estate agent can tell you what improvements will help you to get the best price for your home.

For additional information go to: abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/tips-weigh-best-resale-home-improvements-19974897

Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Benefits of Owning a Live/Work Space!

Properties, such as 566 Inca Street in Denver, show the many benefits of owning a live/work space. Small start-up companies and entrepreneurs can especially benefit from owning a space that can be used as both their home and office.

The top 3 reasons to own a Live/Work space:

1. Affordable office space. When starting a new business, adding another monthly mortgage or rent payment might not be in your budget. Owing a property that allows you to live and work in the space can save you from paying two separate rent checks along with saving you on the costs of gas, parking, and any other commuting fees that come from working outside of your home.

2. Being surrounded by other professionals. One of the most important things when staring a new business is networking. By living in an area like the one at 566 Inca Street, you will be surrounded by other businesses. This gives you an opportunity to meet and talk with other professionals in the area to get their insights and tips. Working with the other businesses also gives you the opportunity to share marketing costs and cross-promote.

3. Additional income. Even if you’re not ready to start your own business yet, owing a live/work space is an easy way to make a little extra income by renting it out to other business owners. Many business owners are looking to move into live/work spaces and if you are fortunate to own one, you can easily find renters to occupy the space.

Becoming an independent business owner and entrepreneur can be a very rewarding career and finding a place that suits your lifestyle and business, while helping you save money can be the opportunity you need to start that business.

For more benefits and information about live/work spaces, please see the article at: http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/5-benefits-of-live-work-lofts.html

For more information on 566 Inca Street, please visit us at: http://www.lizrichardsrealestate.com/566_Inca_St.html

Online Dominance. How real estate brokers can become more relevant than Zillow and Trulia in the online marketplace?

Most real estate brokers know the pitfalls and shortcomings of sites like Zillow and Truila, but do consumers? More importantly, do they care? When consumers take to the internet to begin their home search or to just see what’s out there, they are looking for a few very important things and facts and accurate information aren’t always what they’re looking for.

The first thing most consumers are looking for is anonymity. Consumers want the freedom to search the internet for housing information, loan qualification guidelines, home improvement tips, and more without the onslaught of phone calls and emails following up or trying to gain their business. Online companies, like Zillow and Trulia, provide a free and hassle free environment for consumers to browse homes and collect the information they desire without having to commit to working with a professional. Many consumers that are gathering information aren’t quite ready to begin the home search or apply for loan, but may be 6 months to a year down the road. Consumers that are still in the pre-home searching phase want to have the freedom to see what’s out there on their own and are willing to settle for a semi-flawed search or slightly inaccurate information to do so. Having to contact a professional, either real estate or lender, creates a sense of commitment to most consumers that they just aren’t ready for.

Another important feature to the online seeker is the amount of information they can gather. Consumers want to be able to find all the information they feel is necessary to make the right decision in buying or selling their home. Three primary questions most consumers have when entering the real estate market are: Whether this is a good time to buy or sell a home? What homes are for sale in the area and price range they want? What is their home worth?

Successful internet sites, such as Zillow and Trulia, provide numerous pages of extensive information covering pertinent topics, including property details, pictures, tax data, area schools and information, crime activity, and transit information. Zillow sets itself apart by providing this information to the public, where other real estate sites only provide this information to brokers, forcing the consumer to interact.

The online marketplace has provided consumers with the ability to review, rate, and recommend different services and professionals, creating years of user-generated content that creates an in-depth perspective on a particular area or professional. Staying active in social networks and the blogging sphere allows brokers to create and share their own experience and expertise in particular neighborhoods and market conditions becoming more relevant to consumers.

Staying involved in the online marketplace and mobile environment helps to connect with the largest majority of consumers. Todd Carpenter’s article “Why online consumers love Zillow and Trulia more than you,” reports that 68% of home shoppers use mobile applications at the start and throughout their research. Also, 77% of respondents said they used mobile applications at home, demonstrating the power of the mobile marketplace and its virtual reach to consumers. Dominating this platform is essential to connecting with the new online customer.

Just being online and having an internet presence isn’t always enough. Engaging the consumer on multiple levels of their home search establishes a holistic real estate resource, ensuring the consumer’s needs are met from the start of their real estate life to the purchase of a home and beyond. Providing an open market place where consumers can estimate what their home is worth, search for a new home, manage their home financing, and make smart decisions on home improvements allow consumers to be connected to professionals and consumers in the areas they are interested in.

Brokers should create an unparalleled experience for their consumers where they can access the information they desire and when ready, can be connected to the professionals that will give them the best experience online and in person. In the end, the home search always requires face-to-face customer service, but staying relevant in the online marketplace will create a presence that captures those initial seekers.

Denver Tops Top Ten Places to Move in US

There are hundreds of reasons why Denver is such a great city to live. Some may love it because of the 300+ days of sunshine and easy access to the great outdoors, while others may be fans of the growing art, music, and food scene. Whatever your reasons may be, you are not alone in your recognition of why this city is so great. In a recent article on HomeownersInsurance.com, Denver claims the spot as the top place to move in the United States.

This list compiles a variety of criteria to judge the ten cities that made the cut. This judgment was made up of five different factors: rent prices, home values, living costs, transportation, and amounts of activities, or fun. Each of the city’s criteria was given a number from 1-10 and the total was tallied. Denver reigned supreme.

Out of the possible ten, both transportation and living costs scored a perfect 10. Those who drive I-25 during rush hour may question this, but compared to Los Angeles or New York traffic (who scored a one and five respectively), we have it easy. Rent prices scored a four, home values scored a five, while fun rounded out the survey with six points. Denver’s total points came in at 35, higher than any other city in the United States. It beat out cities like Charlotte, North Carolina (a close second), Austin, San Diego, and Phoenix.

With the recent news rolling in as overly positive for Denver, those of us who already call it home can sit back and enjoy its rising popularity!

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.

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.

Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is a bold statement in the heart of the capitol. Its geometric shapes and rock crystal inspirations can be seen blocks away, towering over the surrounding streets. And to make an even bigger statement, the architect himself, famous and daring, is shrouded in criticism and questionable design techniques. Daniel Libeskind, known for his bold architectural elements, designed the building with the Rockies as inspiration and with the full support of the Denver Artists’ Club. There is no question that the building is spectacular, but perfect for a museum? That is where the controversy begins. Yes, the angled walls and cantilevered sections are stunning and graphic, but they make hanging art difficult, a problem in an art museum. Some may argue that the building itself is a piece of art and others claim that it focus on form more than function. So we will let you decide for yourself. Whether you like the building or not, the art inside is sure to astound. With galleries ranging from European classics to modernist photography to Pre-Columbian pieces, there is something for every art lover, regardless of how the pieces may be hung.

New Restaurant in LoHi Gets Rave Reviews

If LoHi didn’t already have enough trendy and attractive restaurants, another has opened that brings East Coast chic to Rocky Mountain modish. Uncle, offering Asian-inspired eats, closely mirrors David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City, yet brings its own original spin. For those of you who aren’t familiar with David Chang, he’s a noted Korean-American chef that owns numerous restaurants throughout the world, included Ko in New York City, the recipient of 2 Michelin stars. Needless say, Uncle could be compared to a worse restaurant. It is located at the corner of W. 32nd and Vallejo Street, in the heart of the Highlands. Although Uncle has only been open for a month, it already attracts a regular crowd and is quickly becoming a neighborhood hotspot. Official reviews of the restaurant haven’t been released yet, but word on the street is that Uncle is awesome. So if you’re into a minimalist setting, amazing food and an energetic atmosphere, hit up Uncle for your next night out.

Ten Things To Do In Denver

We all have our reasons as to why we love Denver. Maybe it’s the 300+ days of sunshine a year, the short drive to world-renowned ski resorts, or just the amazing food downtown that has to offer. But most people would agree, there are certain things in Denver you have to do before you leave. Here is our Denver Bucket List.

1. Attend a Rockies game on a perfect summer’s evening. There is nothing more American than enjoying a beer and a hot dog, while watching America’s favorite past time.
2. Be sure to stroll through the Botanic Gardens when the flowers are in full bloom.
3. Eat to one of the participating restaurants during 5280 Restaurant Week. For one week, over 90 amazing restaurants offer a meal for two for just $52.80. It is a great deal at some of Denver’s best eats.
4. Drink your fill at Denver’s own, Oktoberfest. It is one of the largest of its kind in the nation and promises a good time, time-honored German heritage, and more beer varieties than you can imagine.
5. Gather the family together and spend a few days at A Taste of Colorado, the annual festival offering a variety of musical performances, local food vendors, and artisan booths. Located in Civic Center Park, the city practically shuts down for this event.
6. Take a stroll up 16th Street Mall when all of the street performers are out. It is free entertainment and the perfect place to people watch.
7. Spend a few hours in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Offering a different array of art than your typical museum, this experience is unique to Denver. And the building alone is worth seeing, designed by famous architect, David Adjaye.
8. Go on a Denver brewery tour. Colorado has one of the largest beer cultures in the country and is home to the nation’s largest brewery, Coors Brewery in Golden. But there are plenty of others in Denver that are sure to broaden your beer horizon.
9. Catch a show or ballet, or even a concert, at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Showcasing some of Broadway’s finest plays, this gorgeous theater is a timeless experience. With famous shows on a regular basis, there is something for everyone.
10. Go to any of the bars, dance clubs, shops, or restaurants on Denver’s chic, Larimer Square. With Victorian buildings and a trendy appearance, this street as been one of Denver’s hot spot areas for over 40 years.

And because Colorado itself is so great, here are a few other things you have to do around the state:
• Attend a concert at Red Rocks. This is a must and with hundreds of concerts each year, there is no excuse.
• Hike the Maroon Bells in Aspen. The area offers trails and hikes of all difficulty level and views to die for.
• Go skiing. Colorado is known for its ski resorts and for a good reason-they are some of the best in the world!
• Take a trip down to the Mesa Verde National Park and see the cliff dwellings that date back to 600 AD.

16th Street Mall to be Renovated

Earlier this year, RTD submitted close to $70 million in Federal grant applications, hoping to receive a fair portion of that to fix-up and renovate parts of the 16th Street Mall that are in dire need of some attention. According to the DenverUrbanism blog, in late July, RTD learned that they have been awarded nearly $8 million for the project!

This money will target the blocks between Market and Larimer Streets, Larimer and Lawrence Streets, and the block and a half area between Court Place and Broadway. Each section will get a full reconstruction, all the way down to the sub-base, but they will also receive an aesthetic update, with new trees, surrounding tree pits, and fountains throughout. New pavement will be laid, as well as new water and lighting utilities.

Although this money will go a long way, RTD’s application for funding for new mall shuttles and zero emission buses was denied. So instead, the project will focus on the stationary elements of the mall. Thousands of people use the pedestrian mall on a daily basis, so this project can only help to elongate the life of this historic, Denver icon.

Denver’s Strong Economy Profiled in New Report

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation recently published its Metro Denver Economic Profile report, a publication that highlights Metro Denver’s accomplishments in business development and key economic factors. The report is often used as a marketing tool to persuade companies to locate business operations here, but it also reminds us that Denver’s economic conditions continue to grow and prosper when compared to other markets across the country.

Some of the important, and optimistic, highlights mentioned in the report include:
• In 2012, major company headquarters such as Coleman Company (outdoor products) and TriZetto Group (healthcare technology) decided to relocate their headquarters in Metro Denver.
• Forbes ranked Metro Denver fifth among the 25 “Best Places for Business and Careers” in 2012. Criteria for the ranking included costs of doing business, educational attainment, and projected economic growth.
• Metro Denver is a magnet for young, smart, and diverse workers. In fact, the region of 2.9 million people is one of the fastest growing in the country and is the top location for relocating adults ages 25 to 34.
• The City of Denver has one of the largest public parks system of any U.S. city.
• Metro Denver was listed among the Brookings Institution’s nine “Next Frontiers,” or metro areas with the highly educated and diverse population needed to support future growth in a technology and diversity-driven economy.
• Metro Denver students have access to a wide range of higher education options including world-class research institutions, graduate and professional schools, and a broad spectrum of undergraduate programs.
• Metro Denver ranked third among 116 metro areas for smallest decline in median home price between 2010 and 2011.

“Metro Denver has a national reputation as a place that stimulates business. There is continued interest in our region from international and national C-level executives, thanks to our pro-business environment, highly educated workforce, and status as a high-tech hub,” said Tom Clark, CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.

You just bought your first home...now what?

Buying your first home is undoubtedly one of the most exciting events in one’s life. But sometimes, it can seem overwhelming. A local homebuilder, Allen Shulman, with over 25 years experience, decided to help “rookie homeowners” by putting together “The New Homeowner Guide “, a book that explains the basics of home care.

In a recent Denver Post article, Shulman explains some of the important tips in home maintenance and how to settle comfortably into that brand, new property:

If you spend now, you’ll save later: By spending a few dollars on a tube of bathroom caulk and replacing that around the walls of your bathtub, you can help to prevent water damage and avoided an ugly bill upwards of $10,000. Shulman teaches how small, immediate maintenance can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Just because it “works,” doesn’t mean it works: Even though your dryer may turn on and appear to operate normally, clogged dryer ducts cause your appliance to use up more energy and boost your energy bill. But most people never inspect these ducts and thus, never know about the problem! By regularly maintaining the dryer ducts and connections, you can avoid a hefty energy bill.

Things you don’t see CAN hurt you: Some seemingly invisible things-like mold, radon, and termites-can cause major problems for both you and your house, if you don’t know that they are there. Radon is an odorless and tasteless gas that can cause serious health issues, like lung cancer. And termites, although small bugs, can cause extensive damage to the structure of your house. But you’ll never know if any of these invisible dangers are there unless you get your home tested. A simple test can save you big bucks!

Check out Shulman’s company, BrightNest, for other expert tips and relevant reminders to help make your new home the best it can be!

Another Reason to Love Denver—Tour de B-cycle

We all have our “active” Colorado bucket list items: hike a fourteener, plan a hut trip, take an epic mountain bike ride, etc. Well, there’s another challenge to add to the list that takes place within Denver and can be done any weekend you want—the Tour de B-cycle.

Most locals are aware of the Denver B-cycle program that offers people the chance to temporarily check out bikes at stations spread across the city. Denver B-cycle charges a membership fee to gain access to the system plus additional charges for any trip lasting longer than 30 minutes. An annual pass costs $80 and ride data such as distance, duration, calories burned, and carbon offset is captured and uploaded to your personal page at Denver.Bcycle.com if you register online for an account.

The Tour de B-cycle is a challenge where you have to visit all 52 stations in one day and all rides between stations must be under 30 minutes. The other rules for this include:
• E-mail info@denverbikesharing.org letting them know your intention to “conquer” the Tour de B-cycle (put “Tour de B-cycle”in the subject line). Include your full name and date of your planned attempt.
• You must check-in and out a B-cycle at all stations. (This ensures you’re tracked in your trips report for going to each station.)
• You MUST return to the B-cycle station that you started from for a complete loop.

Kentwood Real Estate Unveils Newly Enhanced Website Showcasing Lifestyle Information About Metro Denver

Denver- Kentwood Real Estate, Colorado’s premier Real Estate Company, has unveiled newly enhanced website showcasing informative “Lifestyle” information about the Metro Denver area and other new upgrades that take the online home searching experience to a whole new level.

This website is already one of the most visited Real Estate websites in Colorado, and now it offers comprehensive information on special events, restaurants, things to do , music, concerts, and even details on Colorado’s professional sports teams.

Carol Ihli, Marketing Director for Kentwood Real Estate says,” To our knowledge, we are the only leading real estate website in the country to expand its website to include lifestyle information about metro Denver and Colorado in general.”

For those who enjoy arts and theatre, you can find details on www.DenverRealEstate.com including special exhibits and acclaimed artists performing. You can even find information on varieties of cuisine.

Sports enthusiasts will get details on the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Avalanche.

Website visitors can search featured listings, view city statistics, and weather information, open houses, photography, communities, and neighborhoods.

Kentwood Real Estate is comprised of The Kentwood Company in the Denver Tech Center, Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek, and Kentwood City Properties.

Young Adults Choose “Cool Cities” During Recession

In an article written by William Frye, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution, the Average Annual Net Domestic Migration by Metropolitan Area Among Persons Aged 25-34 according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data mid decade is compared to the results at the end of the decade.

It turns out that the top gainers in 2005-2007 Riverside Metro Area, Phoenix Metro Area, and Atlanta Metro Area have changed as the destination hot spot for young adults by the end of the decade. Riverside moved from first to eighth in the nation gaining less than one quarter of the young adults it drew from the mid decade numbers. Phoenix went from second to seventeenth and Atlanta fell from third to twenty third.

It seems young people are moving less than before, it is interesting to see where those who did move chose to move. Heading the list are Denver with 10,429 new young residents, Houston with 9,366 new young adults, Dallas with 8,731, Seattle with 7,451, Austin with 7,099 new young residents, Washington D.C. with 7,044 and Portland with 6,656 new young adult residents. It can be said that the top three areas and our nation’s capital fared relatively well economically during the recession. All seven of the top gainers are places where young people can feel connected and have attachments to colleges or universities among highly educated residents.

Young people’s destinations differ sharply form the top migrant draws for all ages combined-where Phoenix, and Riverside still rank in the top three. Two on the 2008-2010 U.S. Census generated list gained tremendously in rank among young movers. Denver which moved from twelfth in 2005-2007 to first in 2008-2010 and Washington D.C. which improved from forty fourth to sixth in the same years time. There is no doubt that the current economic doldrums are leaving many young people in limbo, waiting for employment and housing opportunities to emerge. When the economy does eventually pick up, they follow the jobs, no doubt, wherever they become available. In the meantime, a select group of metro areas with modestly growing economies, and strong youth cachet, seem to be the places where they are riding out the downturn. Which makes Denver the number one destination for ages 25-34 among any where else in the nation as this decade turns.