Expensive and requires liking a unique culture - 6/29/2021

Outside of the university, Boulder had a very distinctive "wealthy hippy" feel. A lot of alternative medicine and a matching ethos. This is changing some among my generation (millennials) as Google and other companies have brought more of a northern California feel (and prices) to the town. It is ridiculously expensive, I am a software developer and can barely afford a house here. If you want somewhere a little less weird and a little less expensive look at Louisville, Lafayette, Superior and Broomfield.

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I love it here! Such a beautiful and friendly city - 11/5/2020

We moved here from Texas about 4 years ago and love it here! The amazing sense of community and high regard for the environment are two of the main reasons we love Boulder! I can see why it is constantly in the top places to live in the country. Our quality of life and general happiness has drastically improved since moving to this amazing town! I also really appreciate the cities proactive stance with their COVID-19/social distancing/mask guidelines for public spaces.

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Snob says it's ok - 9/18/2020

Most people do much worse than Boulder. I'm the most critical person I've ever met who is never happy or satisfied -- so that's a pretty huge compliment.

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Rich - 9/15/2020

As hypocritical as it is -- the money stays in Boulder and for that I am thankful. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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Scary elderly joggers - 8/10/2020

I recently visited Boulder Colorado with my son and daughter-in-law and their dog. We had a lovely lunch at a French pastry shop and the owner was very gracious and welcoming. However, we went to a walking path to spend some time outside and were almost physically attacked by two elderly men and another elderly woman wearing their masks and pointing their fingers within 5 inches of our faces about not having our masks on. We were on an outdoor path with no one around but these abusive elderly aggressive people. Next time I will have my stun gun or pepper spray to protect myself and family. Very scary people!

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Boulder, not so great anymore - 1/26/2020

I moved to Boulder in the late 90's and I have seen a lot of changes. For one, over the last two decades, land-use policies have helped shaped Boulder into what it is today. In the past, Boulder had a quaint downtown surrounded by a suburban environment. It had an urban growth boundary with a vast amount of open space. In wanting to keep that character, residents voiced concern over the densification of neighborhoods as population and job growth grew. Instead of allowing for infill development that would include apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, around the downtown area, residents insisted that single-family homes stay in place, or be replaced with even larger single-family homes. This practice artificially raised the value of homes in Boulder to what it is now. The average single-family home was $1,207,403 in 2018. Of course, local wages did not keep up with the cost of living. This has forced low and middle-income residents out of Boulder, who now commute in every day from areas like Longmont, Superior, Westminster, Lafayette, Weld County, and Denver. Boulder now sees 45-65K in commuters a day, which has created intense traffic and an F rating in air quality. According to Environment Colorado, Boulder had 143 days of poor air quality in 2018. No longer can you see the Flatirons clearly, most days there is smog. The ironic part of Boulder is that residents claim to be especially concerned about the environment. Yet at the last meeting with Mayor Sam Weaver over environmental concerns, I would say that at least 95% of the participants drove to the meeting, somehow conveniently overlooking the fact that greenhouse gas emissions are caused by car exhaust. There seems to be a disconnect between transportation problems and land-use policies. Cars are the single largest contributor to air pollution in the United States. Last year was the third year on record that transportation has led our country in emissions. In a country where eight in 10 citizens believe that human activity is fueling climate change, it’s baffling that Boulder "climate advocates" aren't starting with policies to reduce automobile emissions. Let's not overlook the number of Boulderites who drive hybrids and electric cars like Teslas with license plates that say things like "BEGREEN". Let's be clear, there is nothing "green" about cars, electric or not. From the metals used in batteries to tire plastics degrading our water systems, cars are an environmental disaster. But, look no further and you will see plenty of Subarus with "green slogans" slapped on their bumpers. These are the same people who drive to the mountains every weekend to go skiing. Do they think about their contributions to GHG emissions? Many residents still drive to the grocery store and to run errands, even if it's only three or four blocks away. I currently live in a new development that is supposed to be walkable, but the 6 lanes of traffic in front of the apartment make it very unpleasant. The crosswalks take forever to change for pedestrians, clearly favoring single-use occupancy car traffic. It feels like we live on an island, far from downtown, even though we are less than a mile away. Instead of taking drastic steps to improve Boulder, single-family homeowners, who have seen their home values skyrocket, control what happens in local government. You can expect that is not going to change. Additionally, most local government employees drive in to work from the more affordable bedroom communities surrounding Boulder, because they can't afford to live here. I'm not sure how invested they are in changing a community they don't live in. In the future, affordable housing will only be built on the outskirts of town, (due to residents not wanting density in close proximity to downtown) where traffic makes walking to places uncomfortable and the pollution is unbearable.

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Boulder has it all - 8/20/2019

Boulder is such a beautiful place to live. Nestled against the mountains, hiking is within biking distance. So many various shops, grocery stores, and restaurants to choose from. There's a great outdoor theatre downtown, as well as 2 other indoor venues near downtown. Lots of live music anytime of year. Pearl Street Mall is always filled with Street Performers, especially during the weekend.

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Fake - 3/12/2017

Town of elitist snobs and good renters that eventually to leave because it is not affordable. The elitist are fake liberals. They will protest for better but never allow affordable housing. Keep that kind out. The downtown mall is losing all its charm to chain stores. I have now moved to Santa Fe, NM and I'm loving it. The cost of a home with a yard is about half the cost of Boulder. The town has mountains as a backdrop, a vibrant downtown plaza, year round awesome farmers market, great food scene, culture, amazing weather and abundant outdoor activities. The downtown plaza is full of locally owned businesses. I'll admit Boulder is probably the most scenic, cleanest and safest city I have ever lived in but it is not worth the cost. It now caters only to the rich. I feel Pearl Street will resemble a strip mall in years to come because only chain stores and banks will be able to afford the rent. I doubt in 10 years Boulder will be a place even worth visiting.

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Yeah yeah - 7/29/2016

A lot of truths and a lot of misconceptions from what I've read so far. I came to Boulder two years ago from SW Florida. Here are my pro's and cons: Pro's: - Literally the safest city I've ever lived in. I can walk, bike, or drive in any part of town without a second guess - Fantastic place to raise a family (if you can!) - Great coffee shops - Accessibility to nature is beyond all others - Around 35 min to nearest ski lift, 1-2 hours and you'll be at many more! - Everyone's down to hike or do something fun and active - Great activities to do for a college kid - Mostly friendly people - Pearl st. and the shopping is great Con's: - The traffic, although not Miami or LA, sucks! It's a smaller area with lots of traffic - Somewhat pretentious vibe - No cultural/racial diversity, which makes for a boring ass place at times - Although you can hike anywhere, peace and quiet on the trail is hard to find, even on the snowiest day of the year there's still a huge amount of people 'dominating' the trail - Everything is very expensive - The most high demand housing market i've ever experienced; when I came here to look for a room to rent I literally had to ward off 10 other people with a stick and write a check on spot to secure the ROOM. The demand here is too high and more and more tech employees are flooding the streets daily (nothing against you hehe) - Subpar bar and music scene, but you have other options (Denver, red rocks, etc) - Entitled young rich yuppies My two biggest issues with Boulder are: 1) The housing market is insane. It's way overpriced and you practically need to give someone a handjob just to get the place (thankfully i've never had to resort!) and 2) Although, by many it is considered a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, nobody just...chills here. People are primarily focused on the most extreme sports, and it's hard to simply walk on a hiking trail contemplating life's grand mysteries without some adrenaline junkie mountain biker or trail runner whizzing past you in nylon tights with fake logos all over them. Coming from beautiful spots on both coasts, I was slightly disturbed at the lack of true appreciation for nature. The trails in Boulder county are so beyond saturated that it's hard to enjoy oneself on some days, which is a real let down. The trails near Nederland are a little better, but most campsites in the summer are reserved several, several months in advance, and it can be crowded and hectic on the trails. I don't dislike Boulder, but I definitely don't like it either! I suggest a visit, and an extended one at that.

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About rental properties: check to ensure everythin - 6/3/2014

The City of Boulder requires a rental license for rental properties. An inspection is required to obtain a rental license. However landlords must hire a third party company to do the inspection, the City does not inspect the tens of thousands of rental properties in Boulder. Inspections only deal with life/safety issues. Issues like: do the electrical outlets work, is the plumbing working correctly, are there holes in the walls, are the walls even insulated, is there a large dead tree in the yard; are not covered in the inspection and landlords are not required to maintain / fix these issues. Also, helping a locked out renter is not the landlord’s responsibility. Boulder is a popular place to live, more renters are always on the way. Check everything before signing the lease.

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Moving to Boulder ? - 3/31/2013

Most people moving to Boulder don’t buy a house, they rent. School is a good way to spend time in Boulder, consider CU, Front Range Community College, Naropa, Boulder College of Massage Therapy, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Some people move to Boulder and assume it will work out, only to discover a job is tough to find. Don't be afraid to consider towns around Boulder, they are less expensive, some people call them the L cities: Longmont, Lions, Louisville. While looking for a job consider staying with a friend, the Hostel, even a Walmart parking lot. Most rental agreements in Boulder charge you around $300 if you break the lease AND expect you to pay the rent until the landlord can find another renter. Not everyone can stay, there are not enough jobs for the numbers of people that want to live in the Boulder area.

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Growing Up in Paradise or Long Live the Republic o - 12/31/2012

Boulder is an anomaly. I grew up in the Republic of Boulder (as the State Legislature called it) and lived there from 1963-1980. Even then I felt like a stranger in a strange land. I didn't know what "normal" America was until I moved from Boulder to the Midwest in 1980. I literally went through culture shock at discovering that the rest of the country was nothing like Boulder. I have since lived in Ohio, Kansas, Indiana, N. Carolina, California, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Germany, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Confirmed. Boulder is an anomaly. Boulder is ultra-liberal which for some give it great appeal. For others like myself it makes Boulder seem like an unsustainable fantasy land. I can see why it's rated as the smartest and healthiest city in America - it most likely is. And those are the things I like about Boulder. Yet underneath all the warm, fuzzy imported-from-California & New York yuppie glow, is a reality as cold and as harsh as the winter in Boulder (slight exaggeration, the sun shines 360 days a year): life is life, and friends aren't any easier to make in Boulder than anywhere else. Unless of course your own river of destiny happens to run through Boulder. For many, Boulder is a place of transition; one of the first stops in their own personal hero's journey; a rest stop on the road to finding oneself and spiritual enlightenment. When I was still High School age in Boulder, I would see this guy walking down South Broadway on his way out of town beating a strange looking drum and singing a chant of some kind. My older sister informed me that he was from Nepal (or was it Tibet?) and he was performing a spiritual ritual of walking the circumference of the city and blessing it and creating a spiritual vortex within it. All in all I think it must have worked. The city has a unique spiritual vibe all its own. Many people come to Boulder just to check it out and see if there's anything there for them. Many of these folks eventually move on to find themselves elsewhere. I recently returned to Boulder to fix up my parents' home for renting. They built their own house for 30K in 1967. Now it's valued at around 600K. That's not unusual though in many places in America. Like many neighborhoods in Boulder, my folks had great neighbors. To one side live a member of the board of Regents at CU; on the other side, a city councilman. Behind us on the right and left lived lawyers. All really nice people. Many people in Boulder report having great neighbors. Now, we rent the home to a young Korean-American family. He works for a small high-tech computer corp. based in Silicon Valley that does work with Apple. The current demographic seems more and more like this. Speaking of which, Google now has a significant presence in Boulder. In this same neighborhood (where I grew up) lots of the older folks have moved out and the yuppies have moved in. I was tickled at seeing a young mother jogging with a baby stroller down the street. In the evenings the street was rather busy with (mostly young) people out for a walk or a jog - at once a current trend and a throwback to a simpler era and lifestyle. Lovely. My pet peeve about Boulder is with the professional peeps who fix things (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.), and to a lesser extent people who do things (house cleaners, landscapers, etc.) If you're not careful they will surely rip you off in a heartbeat. So many of these people feel entitled to charge you whatever it takes to send their children through an Ivy League University while keeping themselves firmly entrenched in a high wage-earning income bracket. It's ridiculous. The sense of wage entitlement is out of control. As a person who knows how to do a lot of fixing-type things, it irritates me. We called an electrician to come to the house to check out the wiring. He stated that since he lives on the other side of town (an extra 10-15 minute drive) that he would have to charge significantly more to come out to the house. That's insane, or as I like to put it, "Only in Boulder." The average liberal citizen in Boulder is too timid to object and so the tradesmen get away with highway robbery. In most of America, people are just glad to get some work. Extortion it is, and Boulderites need to form an anti-extortion union. At the very least please use Angies List. We did that with great results. We found a guy who was perfect in every way, drove from Longmont to do our work, and as far as I know didn't charge extra for it. The good guys are out there if you first dismiss the ones trying to take advantage of you. Some complain that Boulder is too white. I'm white and I'm not complaining. White is beautiful, and so are all the other colors. If you are hung up on being too politically correct and think that every community in America has to have a certain percentage of each and every color, then Boulder is probably not for you. But if you're white, please stop complaining about white people. It's not becoming, and makes you look foolish, not cool. It is true though. Blacks are almost nowhere to be found, and hispanics are mainly found only working in fast food, roofing crews and landscaping. Again, just like a lot of places in America. When I was last visiting, a wild animal had been hit on Table Mesa Drive. It was a skunk or raccoon or something about that size. The following day, someone erected a large sign on that spot expressing anger that the animal had been hit, and exhorting people to drive more carefully. Only in Boulder, but much appreciated just the same. The University of Colorado is a big part of the city. Many Nobel prize winners hail from CU. On the other hand, I received a B.S. in Bus Ad. from CU and didn't learn a single thing that I can remember. For me it was a big waste of time, but I'm sure it was almost entirely my own fault - mainly for going there in the first place. It is a beautiful campus though, with lots of flagstone. If you want a solid education, find a land grant college like Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, or The University of Arizona in Tucson. Just my opinion, obviously, but based on good observation. The biggest freaking surprise for me on my last visit to Boulder (summer 2011) was this - I got in my car in south Boulder at around 3:00pm and drove into Boulder, where Crossroads shopping center used to be. I used the Boulder-Denver turnpike (Hwy 36) to get there. What I saw floored me! The line of traffic leaving town at the end of the workday (workday ends early I guess) extended literally to the horizon going east in the direction of Denver. And, it was barely moving! It wasn't any different then traffic on a southern California highway. Up until then, I had no idea that so many people commuted to and from Boulder for work. [No wonder we got so much for renting my folks house.] If you want to have a big shopping mall experience, you will have to drive out of Boulder and go to Broomfield. The folks in Broomfield were smart and built a huge shopping mall there. The folks in Boulder - as much as we all love them - weren't so smart and didn't build a shopping mall in Boulder. Actually, when I was growing up there was the Crossroads shopping mall. But, the 4 or 5 families that owned it quibbled amongst themselves and squandered the opportunity to create a new, big, and more modern shopping mall on the same spot of land. I'm not sure what the heck is there now. The tax revenue that Boulder is losing by not having a mall must be unbelievable. Only in Boulder. Now, Broomfield gets all of the mall shoppers from Boulder. Sweet for them. I love Boulder, but I am one of those people who are not sure I'd want to live there (again). It certainly is a great place to visit though. One of my favorite places to go is the 80,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods store with a humongous food court. Muy delisioso! Boulder is also full of beautiful women, many of them tall. These are, for the most part, highly sophisticated granola girls. Health is a highly respected virtue in Boulder. Aesthetically, Boulder is second to none, and I think the air is great. Lots of trees and very beautiful. Go to Boulder and enjoy. And always remember, let the game come to you.

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It's easy to say nice things about Boulder. So, he - 7/18/2012

Proximity to nature, access to culture and fresh food, easy climate, well-read and creative people, and general safety all make for a very nice place to live ... if you can afford it. Buying a house, even a little one, is expensive. And if you are not white, you are in a very small minority. It's not hostile, not at all. People are very accepting. But it can get tiring to stick out all the time. Skinny, athletic, gumby people are also the norm. A lot of social activities (especially those that involve making new friends or dating) tend to center on hiking, rock climbing, and skiing/snow boarding. People are very into their health and personal growth. Not at all a bad thing, but it can get a bit narcissistic after a while. I almost never walk by a coffee shop without overhearing an idler's discussion of how their personal psychotherapy or relationships are going or how spiritually redeeming something in their life is. People love their food peculiarities here and expect all sorts of wheat-free, meat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, and pesticide-free options on the menu, and have no qualms about sending the waiter back to the kitchen to make sure that there is nothing in a dish that might cross the line. I get that people have legitimate allergies, but Boulderites embrace them like a badge of individuality. But because of that you'll find great fresh, healthy food and restaurant choices here (although a bit on the pricey side). There's also a sort of cultural expectation that Boulderites should be HAPPY, if nothing else simply because they are in Boulder. I've even see reminders to adjust my attitude for the merrier painted on parking lots and written on signs held up by homeless people begging for change at intersections. Most of the time, I love it here but I also find it insulated and exhausting to keep up with socially.

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Boulder has NO MANNERS!!! - 3/3/2011

The people in Boulder are self-absorbed and have no accountability for their actions. They have absolutely no manners whatsoever. Men do not hold doors open for people, folks do not say excuse me or get out of your way in the grocery store. You cannot throw a rock in Boulder without hitting a Subaru Outback. My greatest joy every day is leaving this mannerless bubble and high-tailing it to my cabin in the mountains in an entirely different county. If you are a wannabe hippie with lots of money, then Boulder is the place for you. But if you a "normal" person with manners and a basic appreciation of humanity, then stay away! It will sour your good disposition!!! Boulder is NOT a normal town and is full of the rudest people I have ever come across. Boulder sucks!

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Best weather but tough to afford - 6/9/2010

You just can't beat the Boulder weather! It allows outdoor activities year round and fitness is a lifestyle, not a craze. Recently it seems the demographic in Boulder has been changing to be a "mini LA" as it is now known. Yuppies moving in, hippies moving out...partly because it is not a cheap place to live. Whole Foods has a bigger rush hour than the streets and the bike lanes seem to be full 24/7. Pros: fitness, weather, scenery, close to Denver, not much recession impact Cons: expensive, slightly pretentious new demographic, very Caucasian population

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Overrated Boulder - 12/28/2009

Positives: Beautiful scenery, really nice university, lots of things to do-especially outdoors. Weather is relatively good with tons of sunshine year round. Decent shopping with the usual stores. Health conscious, fit people. Negatives: Summers are hot and weather is extreme at times. One day it's 80 degrees, the next day 30 and snowing! Town has gotton really congested with bad traffic. People are extremely left here. If you mind a bunch of tree huggers and hippies, you definitely won't like BOulder. Also, VERY costly area. Housing prices and taxes are ridiculous. COnclusion: Not a bad place to visit or live for a short time. Don't recommend settling down here for extended period.

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Boulder for Real - 11/7/2009

I am a long term Boulderian, from the `90's, now living on the W.Coast. Taking a gander at most of the negatives here, reveals how shallow these observations are. Cell-Drivers SUCK most everywhere, not just Boulder. Pollution is bad, most everywhere, but only during Boulder's winter. Properties are very expensive, yes, but also in MANY other worthwhile areas in the US. Yes, Boulder is `Lily White', but its economic segregation, NOT racial. It also boasts the hippest, brightest, and most beautiful people East of Santa Barbara. Deal with it... The quality of life there is the highest in the US, not just the altitude ! As a former homeowner, I can tell you that anybody who gets fed up with it, should move elsewhere, and count the days before they beg to come back. Yes, Boulder is 50 sq. miles surrounded on all sides by `reality', which is mercifully kept at bay. If you desire reality, just move to Denver ! I long to return, but have decided to retire from Winter forever.

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Too Expensive to Stay - 2/25/2009

I've lived in Boulder for 10 years, and we're moving this summer. It's just gotten too expensive to stay. My husband makes a very good salary, but it's not enough. Median home price is in the mid-600's. Renting a house? Expect to pay at least 2k a month. Preschool costs $500 to $600 a month. Soon only the rich and the students will be living in Boulder. It's beautiful, and there's plenty of culture, but if you want a nice quality of life, you should make at least 100K a year.

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Lots to do, but crime seems to be on the upswing. - 2/9/2009

There's a lot to love about Boulder. Good weather (though I hate the chinooks), plenty of culture, plenty of good restaurants, and recreational opportunities galore. But recently there have been a LOT of sexual assaults. And the transient population is growing. Many of them are decent people down on their luck, but there are enough troublemakers mixed in to cause problems. I've been harrassed by some, even when I have my 3 year-old daughter with me. We've cut a number of trips to the creek short because of it. (Also, the public library has had to hire full-time security.)

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mono-chromatic - 8/16/2008

It's chalk full of white people that think a little too highly of themselves.

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