Should You Move to Grow Your Business? A Creator CEO’s Take on Denver vs. Portland.

Jul 10

After eight years of living and building as content creators and business owners in two very different cities, we’ve learned one thing for sure: where you live does shape how you grow. It affects your mindset, your creativity, your access to opportunities, and even how fast your business takes off. This is partly why many young, ambitious people rush to big cities.

We spent four years in Colorado, where we built the foundation of our creative business. We then moved to Oregon, where we’ve now lived for four more years — building out Morse Creatives, growing as a web design and marketing studio, and evolving from content creators into full-blown business owners. It’s been a journey!

So… which city is better for creatives and entrepreneurs?
Should you move to grow your business?

Let’s break it down.

Living + Creating in Colorado

wide angle shot of the union station in Denver Colorado on a bright and sunny day

Colorado gave us space — literally. The homes were larger, more affordable, and beautifully nestled against the mountains. The pace was steady, the air was crisp (sometimes too crisp), and the people were some of the kindest we’ve ever met.

We loved Denver for its:

Thriving artistic, film, and fashion scenes
Affordable, stylish homes in up-and-coming areas
Strong school and hospital systems
Breathtaking landscapes in every direction — from Estes Park to Breckenridge
Welcoming mix of political, religious, and lifestyle perspectives

But like anywhere, Colorado came with its quirks:

The dry, thin air caused nosebleeds (and dry skin).
The nature was beautiful but repetitive — it’s mostly mountains and plains.
Outside of downtown, the state started to feel like one large, scenic suburb.

Still, as content creators just starting out, Colorado gave us the stability, space, and mental clarity we needed to lay a strong foundation.

Living + Creating in Oregon

wide angle shot of trees and buildings near the Burnside Bridge, with the sign of Portland Oregon Old Town

When we moved to Oregon, we were ready for something different. More variety. More walkability. More depth.

We chose Portland, and while it brought its challenges, it also brought:

Incredible food — seriously, best we’ve had anywhere.
Niche shops, curated experiences, charming streets
Access to diverse nature — beach one day, mountains the next
Aesthetic homes and creative architecture
A high concentration of creative professionals and industries

The downsides?

Winters are dark, and people tend to dress to match — lots of black and grey.
A lack of diversity in thought and lifestyle — it’s easy to feel “off-brand” if you don’t blend in.
It sometimes feels like Portland is Seattle’s little sibling, stuck in its shadow. Sorry Portlanders, this is our opinion.

But creatively? We’ve been more inspired here than anywhere. The landscapes, food, and walkability help us slow down and stay connected to why we create.

Portland vs Denver for Content Creation

Minimalist Modern YouTube set with camera and desk background

We get this question all the time — which city is better for content creators?

Both Portland and Denver have strong creative communities, but different vibes:

Portland is aesthetically rich, with more variety in backdrops, nature, and design
Denver is wide and steady, with consistent light, big spaces, and a supportive feel
Both cities offer access to film, music, fashion, and marketing industries in growing ways

What matters more than the city?
The way you use it.

We made Denver work for us, and Denver gave us stability in return. We made Portland work for us, and the nature scene (which is unmatched in the Pacific Northwest) gave me creativity in return.

BONUS: Let’s Talk Taxes

Yes — we go there in the video too (at 12:51).

Colorado: flat income tax, and generally more business-friendly
Oregon: no sales tax, but higher state income tax. And for certain tax brackets, it’s higher than California (yes, you read that right), just something to keep in mind if you’re scaling.

**So… Should You Move?**

That depends on where you are in your journey.
Sometimes the change you need isn’t another course or app — it’s a whole new environment.

Moving won’t magically fix everything. But it can:

Give you access to new inspiration
Align your lifestyle with your business goals
Expand your network or client base
Open up opportunities you didn’t know existed

If you’re a creator ready to become a CEO (ahem, a business owner), the real shift comes from inside. But your environment can either fuel that growth… or fight it. Location truly is everything.

Free Resource: The Creative’s Brand Growth Kit

We created this for CCC — the content creator who’s ready to go all in on their business.
Whether you’re building from Portland, Denver, or a small town on the other side of the country, this kit will help you: