Evergreen, Colorado, is a beautiful mountain town located just 30 minutes west of Denver. The town is known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community. However, like any place, there are both pros and cons of living in Evergreen, Colorado. Below, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in Evergreen based on my 12 years of personal experience as a local resident.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

One of the biggest draws to living in Evergreen is the stunning natural beauty that surrounds the town. Nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Evergreen is home to breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, lush pine and aspen forests, and sparkling alpine lakes. The town offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for fishing, paddle boarding, and other outdoor activities. Evergreen Lake is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, where you can rent canoes and stand up paddle boards, go ice skating in the winter, or simply enjoy a picnic by the lake or creek. I personally love to go ice skating, and now my two boys play ice hockey and my daughter skates, so the Lake is an all-around great part of the town for making memories. One of my favorite aspects of living in Evergreen is all the wildlife. It’s like living in an outdoor zoo. I often see herds of elk or deer in my front yard or on drives, and I consider getting to live alongside these animals are huge plus and an exciting part of my day. It’s truly a magical experience.

Evergreen Lakehouse

Hockey @ Evergreen Lake

Local Hiking Trails

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Strong Sense of Community

The community here of around 10,000 people is incredibly tight-knit. The residents here are friendly, active, and support to the community—overall it’s a really great place to raise a family. There are a variety of events that are hosted throughout the year, including The Evergreen Lake Music Festival, Chili Cook Off, Polar Plunge, Downtown Holiday Walk, and way more. Despite its small size, Evergreen has a charming historic downtown area with plenty of restaurants, shops, and community events. One of the greatest parts of living in a small mountain town is getting to know waitresses, baristas, and business owners that all contribute so heavily to the town’s welcoming atmosphere. It’s always a delight when I see a familiar face or go into a shop where they know my usual order. Some of my favorite go-to places are Murphy’s Mountain Bar and Grill, Muddy Buck’s Cafe, and Lariat Lodge Brewing Company.

Downtown Restaurants

Coffee Shops

Evergreen Lake Concert Series

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Low Crime Rate

Evergreen has a relatively low crime rate compared to other towns and cities in Colorado and the US. The town has a tight-knit community, which helps to deter crime and keep residents safe. Additionally, local law enforcement is responsive and proactive in addressing any safety concerns. I can tell you firsthand my family and I have always felt safe in Evergreen, and the crimes that occur here are along the lines of an occasional car being broken into, petty theft, or minor vandalism.

Good Schools

For families with children, Evergreen is a great place to live due to its excellent schools. There are a variety of types of schools available ranging from public, charter, private to homeschools. The schools in Evergreen are known for their high academic standards and dedicated teachers. Students in Evergreen consistently score above the state average on standardized tests, and the district offers a variety of extracurricular activities and sports programs. Evergreen high school has about 1,000 students and as of 2022 is ranked 16th out of 245 Colorado High Schools. Generally speaking, schools in Jefferson county are ranked 9/10, which lands it in the top 20% of Colorado public schools.

Proximity to Denver

It’s often said that Evergreen is just far enough away from Denver to feel like you are in the country but yet just close enough to benefit from living in close proximity to a major city like Denver. Evergreen is conveniently located 40 minutes from downtown Denver. This makes it easy to access all that the city has to offer, including cultural events, shopping, dining, or work. Some of Denver’s top attractions include the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanical Gardens, Coors Field, and Union Station. Additionally, Denver International Airport is around a 60-minute drive, making travel relatively convenient for residents.

CONS OF LIVING IN EVERGREEN COLORADO

Winter Climate

Evergreen is located in the Rocky Mountains and is higher in altitude than Denver. The higher you climb in altitude the shorter your summers and longer your winters. Surprisingly we don’t get a ton of snow in the Winter. We typically get most of our snow in the spring months. Let’s compare snowfall across well-known Colorado towns for a better idea of what winter in Evergreen looks like. Breckenridge gets around 300 inches of snow fall per year, Denver sees around 57 inches, and Evergreen about 90 inches. Evergreen winters definitely gets snow, but nowhere near the Narnia that is a Colorado ski town. The winter temperatures are also not that bad due to the intensity of the sun and the dry climate. I was much colder in Texas at 35 degrees than I ever am in Evergreen on a 35 degree day. No matter where you’re from, it’s best to be prepared for varying weather and invest in winter gear and snow removal equipment.

Limited Job Opportunities

Evergreen is definitely not a thriving metropolis abound with a plethora of job opportunities. Some of the residents in Evergreen make a living owning a business in town such as restaurants, coffee shops, law firms, medical practices and other small businesses. Since Evergreen is in close proximity to the Denver metro area, many locals choose to commute “down the hill” or simply work virtually from home.

Higher Cost of Living

Evergreen is generally more expensive than other cities in Colorado, mostly due to the high cost of housing. However, your utility bill may be significantly lower in Evergreen since most homes don’t have (and really don’t need) air conditioning. During the summer months, my utility bill is less than $100 per month, and I live in a 3,500 square foot home, as opposed to someone who lives in Denver and has to endure 90+ degree weather during the summer months. Another important thing to note is that property taxes in Evergreen are significantly lower than other states. A great example is the property tax of a New Jersey home versus an Evergreen home. The property tax on a 1 million dollar house in Evergreen is around $5,000 a year, whereas in a similarly priced home in New Jersey, you’ll see around a whopping $22,600 in property taxes per year. Overall, although cost of housing is higher than average, there are many other aspects that offset that cost.

Limited Amenities & Conveniences

The pace of life in Evergreen is much slower, meaning there aren’t going to be as many options when it comes to restaurants and shopping and may not be as close by as you’re used to. Coming from Frisco, Texas, where I had access to any store or food at my fingertips, moving to a town with more limited amenities was definitely something my wife and I considered. I found after moving here we had most of what we needed right in town, and anything else was a 20-30-minute drive away or a two-day Amazon shipment. It’s actually been nice to have fewer options as I don’t feel the constant need to be buying things.

Limited Race/Ethnic Diversity

Evergreen is not a diverse town when it comes to race and ethnicity as the town is predominantly Caucasian. However, one of the things I have found since living here is that most residents are transplants from different backgrounds and from all over the United States, including Florida, Illinois, Texas, and California, and the town as a whole values inclusivity.

My Personal Experience Living in Evergreen

I have lived in Evergreen for several years and have experienced both the pros and cons of living in this amazing mountain town. On the positive side, I love the natural beauty of the area and the strong sense of community. I have made many friends through local organizations and events, and I always feel safe in the town. However, I have also found that the limited job opportunities and high cost of living can be challenging. Additionally, a longer winter season can be challenging to deal with. I have found that it is good to travel to a warm place in late winter / early spring to break it up is a good solution.

Comparing Evergreen with Other Nearby Cities

One nearby town that is often compared to Evergreen is Golden, Colorado. Golden is a slightly larger town with more amenities and job opportunities. However, it is also more expensive to live in Golden, and it lacks the natural beauty and outdoor activities that are available in Evergreen.(Note – Genesee is a sister community to Evergreen and it is in the mountains and looks much like Evergreen.) Boulder Colorado is a beautiful and well-known city by many, but does come with a 14.3% higher home cost than Evergreen and is not located as close to the Denver metro area. Boulder is a very different vibe and experience as most of the homes are located in traditional neighborhoods with all of the modern conveniences found in metro areas.

Contact an Evergreen Colorado Real Estate Agent

Shad & Claudine Phillips – Certified Mountain Area Specialist 303-218-6926
Have Questions? – Text @ 214-682-2113 – No Really, I Don’t Mind!

To learn more about Evergreen Colorado homes for sale or to receive email notifications when homes are listed for sale in Evergreen Colorado, call 303-218-6926 or contact an Evergreen Colorado REALTOR®.

Lifestyle & Living / Living In Evergreen / Moving to Evergreen Colorado?

Shad Phillips

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Pros and Cons of Living in Evergreen Colorado