Congratulations on your decision to relocate to the Denver metro area. The local economy is strong, with minimal unemployment and strong demand for workers, especially in telecommunications and other high technology fields. In addition, the city offers some of the nation's best entertainment and recreation opportunities, not to mention abundant sunshine.

Denver: Looking west from City Park, at sunset.

Despite what a great many people who've never been to the city believe, Denver does not lie in the Rocky Mountains. The city lies east of the mountains on the Great Plains (although the mountains are only about a 30-minute drive away, depending on where in the city you live.)

The city is laid out on a grid system. Interstate 25 runs north-south through the middle of the city. Interstate 70 runs east-west, passing just north of downtown. C-470 forms a partial beltway around the city, wrapping the southwest and south sides. Eventually, C-470 will extend from I-25, south of the city, to Denver International Airport (DIA) on the east side.

Other major north-south streets include Wadsworth, Sheridan, Federal, Broadway, University, Colorado and Havana. Major east-west streets include Colfax, Sixth Avenue, Alameda, Hampden, Arapahoe and County Line.

DIA lies 15 miles east-northeast of downtown, and is connected to I-70 by Pena Boulevard. Boulder lies northwest of Denver, on U.S. 36 (also known as the Boulder Turnpike, even though it's not a toll road.)

The city of Denver lies in Denver County. Surrounding counties include Jefferson, to the west; Arapahoe, to the south and east; Douglas, to the south of Arapahoe; Adams, to the northeast of Denver; and Boulder, to the northwest. Major suburbs include: Lakewood in Jefferson County; Aurora, Englewood and Littleton in Arapahoe County; Highlands Ranch and Parker in Douglas County; and Boulder in Boulder County.

Yes, Denver really is a mile high, as the altitude downtown is 5,280 feet above sea level. Flatlanders who come to Denver may experience shortness of breath and dehydration (you won't believe how quickly your nose dries out). Those effects may disappear anywhere within 2 days to 2 weeks of your arrival. If you are pregnant, have a heart condition or any respiratory illness, please consult your physician about coping with high altitude. And remember, travel west of the city in the mountains may require passing over elevations approaching 10,000 feet.

The good news? The thin air may mean that your metabolism increases, helping your burn calories more efficiently (and maybe... lose weight.) In fact, a recent survey declared Denver the skinniest city in the country. (New Orleans came in as the fattest. Must be the food...) And if the thin air doesn't get your blood moving, the lure of the Rockies' plentiful hiking trails and ski slopes should. Check out our Recreation section for backcountry trail ideas.

Here are some other services that InsideDenver provides which newcomers will find useful:

Homes: Use Colorado's largest online real estate section to search for a new home based on price, location and features.

Jobs: Search the daily and Sunday want ads from the Denver Rocky Mountain News, as well as dozens of other major papers nationwide. You can publish your resume online, too.

InfoPages: A "yellow pages"-type business directory, only better. InfoPages includes listings for more than 85,000 businesses in the area and offers custom, door-to-door directions and maps from your new home or hotel to any business on the Front Range.

Going Out: Looking for a restaurant, movie theater, or show? This is the place to look.