10 Things to Know Before Moving to Louisville, CO
In 2012, Louisville gained national attention when it was chosen by Family Circle as one of the top 10 Best Towns for Families in the United States; in 2014, it was also ranked by Money Magazine as the second-best place to live in the country. Since then, Louisville’s appeal as a desirable place to live has grown as word spread about its short distance from Boulder (10 minutes!), breathtaking views, and quaint, residential atmosphere.
Looking to move to this city? Here are ten things you need to know first!
1. Louisville’s Downtown area is quite unique
The downtown area of Louisville is small enough to explore on foot, making it ideal for a leisurely day trip. Many of the stores, restaurants, and breweries that line the streets are independently owned and operated by local families.
Louisville, which is home to many thriving mom-and-pop shops, has repurposed parking spots in front of businesses as “parklets” with outdoor patio seating. This kind of forward-thinking urban design is what has given Louisville its own flavor and its small businesses an appealing urban vibe. These up-to-date additions to buildings that are over a century old are what make Louisville’s original restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, stores, and galleries so appealing to visitors.
2. The city has a thriving arts scene
The Louisville Arts District, located in the city’s original downtown, is at the center of Louisville’s booming arts community. The neighborhood has a monthly art walk in the downtown area every first Friday of the month, during which artists and musicians perform in 17 different venues, including restaurants, bars, coffee shops, yoga studios, and more. Simply stick to the yellow balloon trail!
Every venue along the art walk has monthly exhibitions and performances by regional artists and musicians. Also, visit the Creative Framing Art Gallery in Louisville to see works by local artists even if you can’t make it to First Friday.
3. Small-town living at its peak
When compared to other suburbs of Denver, Louisville is rather isolated. Louisville was home to a little over 20,000 people at the most recent count.
Those who have business ties to the city will find this to be a perfect location. It’s less than half an hour away, so you can get there quickly if necessary.
4. Get a job in nearby Denver or Boulder
Colorado still sets the standard for the expanding American economy, and Louisville shines as a beacon for the power of both state and country.
Between the burgeoning tech hubs of Denver and Boulder, you’ll find Louisville. The many corporations in these cities provide access to lucrative work opportunities in various industries.
Rising at a rate of 41.32%, the local job market is projected to surpass the national average by 7.3% in the next few years. The unemployment rate in Louisville, CO is 1.8%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.6%.
Louisville is home to numerous Fortune 500 corporations, including Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, and Creekstone Outdoor Living Inc.
5. Attend The July 4th Fireworks, the Fall Festival, or the Taste of Louisville
Numerous annual events in Louisville take place in the city’s thriving central business district. Locals and tourists alike rush to the pavilion every Friday night during the summer for the Louisville Downtown Street Faire, which has fantastic live music, delicious food, and adult beverages.
During the colder months, the pavilion becomes Winter Skate, a fun and nostalgic outdoor ice skating rink. The July 4th Fireworks, the Fall Festival, and the Taste of Louisville are just a few of the many additional events that take place in Louisville throughout the year.
6. The cost of living is much higher than the national average
Louisville might be a small town, but it’s not cheap. The city has a cost of living index of 149.7. The yearly cost of living for a single person in Louisville is $45,517, which is more than the state average of $40,026 and the national average of $38,433. This is the sum total of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other essentials.
One-bedroom apartments are around $1,666 per month, while the median home price is $856,279.
7. It’s a safe place to live in
Louisville’s crime rate is far lower than that of most large American cities. At 10.7 per 1,000 residents, Louisville has a much lower violent crime rate than the rest of the country, which sits at 22.7 per 1,000.
Again, compared to the national average of 35.4 per 1,000, Louisville’s property crime rate is significantly lower at 14.4. All things considered, Louisville is a rather safe city.
8. Enjoy some good food at The Waterloo or Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery
The excellent restaurants and cafes in Louisville draw diners from far and wide. Traditional breakfast items, hibiscus margaritas, and peach huckleberry pie are what make the Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery so well-known. Lulu’s BBQ serves you some of the best barbecues in Colorado, along with traditional sides and a fun atmosphere. Dine at a picnic table outside or get a drink at the bar.
The Empire Lounge & Restaurant is a Main Street landmark, and its fried chicken sandwich, coal miner’s mac & cheese, and smoked St. Louis-style ribs are among the restaurant’s many crowd-pleasers. The Waterloo is a bar and restaurant that caters to the late-night audience by serving whiskey and beer alongside burgers, tacos, lobster mac & cheese, and other bar snacks including jalapeno poppers, wings, and nachos.
9. The city has a semi-arid climate
Warm summers and chilly winters characterize Louisville’s semi-arid climate. With average highs in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, July is the hottest month of the year. The average low temperature is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit in January, making it the coldest month.
The majority of the annual precipitation in this region is found in the form of snow and amounts to about 16 inches. Temperatures in Louisville typically hover around the 60°F mark during the spring and fall.
10. Visit Leon A. Wurl Wildlife Sanctuary or Davidson Mesa and take in the outdoors
Extensive trail networks in the city’s large open areas are a major draw for anyone considering a move to Louisville. There are over 32 miles of paths that go through and around Louisville’s 1800 acres of open space.
Davidson Mesa is one of Louisville’s most prized parks and is frequently used for trail running, biking, hiking, and even dog walking. The wide, smooth, gravel surfaces of this trail make it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Trails surround Harper Lake in the magnificent Leon A. Wurl Wildlife Sanctuary, another stunning location for outdoor activity.
Final Thoughts
The small town of Louisville offers a safe community, a unique and exciting downtown, outdoor recreational opportunities, a great cuisine scene, and a healthy economy. These are all great reasons to pack up and move. However, keep in mind that the city’s cost of living is much higher than the national average.
