Denver

Denver is a strong but imperfect relocation choice for software engineers. Reddit sentiment is notably split but leans positive among people who moved for the right reasons: sunshine, mountains, a more relaxed work culture, liberal/socially open neighborhoods, and a tech market with enough depth to change jobs without feeling trapped. Experienced engineers seem to do especially well, while new engineers are told the first job is still the hard part, though some commenters think Denver may be less brutally competitive than places like New York.

The main warning is that Denver’s value proposition is not as obvious as it used to be. Residents repeatedly say cost of living and housing have climbed, while local salaries do not always feel like they have kept up. The data still shows Denver with strong purchasing power and comparatively decent housing affordability among major global tech cities, but the lived experience is that rents, home prices, and everyday costs can sting—especially if you are on an average local offer rather than a strong senior, remote, or well-negotiated package.

Quality of life is the strongest argument for Denver. People praise the sunny weather, mild winters, outdoor access, friendly transplants, LGBTQ+ scene, and work-to-live attitude. But they also caution that the city is not a mountain town, not a dense East Coast-style urban center, and not a bargain. If you will actively use the mountains and value balance over maximum compensation, Denver can be excellent. If you mainly want elite urban amenities, maximum tech salary, and cheap housing, it may disappoint.