Yeah.. I have friends in boulder.. I did the Fort Collins thing.. Aurora, Denver, Thornton.. Silverthorne, Dillon, ... I've played guitar at the Pearl Street mall just to see what it was like...

I dunno.. I kinda like the northern coast of San Diego County.. :)

I do wish there were more shades on the faces around here, too..

Sometimes I really hope that, because I'm rather multi-cultural and I plan on taking my children a lot of places, that it can help compensate for hopefully raising kids here and living here the rest of my life. I'm still young and not sure where I'm headed, but it's hard to think about leaving Boulder. Why leave? This place is great.

However, you have a lot of good points, and I agree quite a lot. Guess you can't win 'em all, though.

Let's hope people don't start throwing rocks at you from now on. You even sold your Prius, which makes you even more of an outcast.

Having lived in a melting pot like Los Angeles I have to agree with you on the homogenous issue. My wife is Persian and I love the cultural diversity in our house. I wouldn't have found her in Boulder.

Without the University the town would be pretty much dead. Granola eating potheads and therapists would be all that's left.

One of us needs to run for mayor. First course of action: We need some exchange programs with some sister cities from around the world to get some fresh blood into town.

Second: Limit the number of therapists to one per three citizens (right now it must be about equal).

Third: Install a temporary high emission power plant in the middle of the city. This will help to correct the real estate market.

All problems solved. Time to move on ;-)

I just started reading...so much goo reading here! I love it! Thanks!

Ahh, yes, we lived in Santa Cruz for 10 years, currently in Blacksburg Va and are moving to either Denver or Boulder. How do I decide? Any guidance - nervous about Denver, so big. Love Boulder, but worried about $$. Have 2 kids, 7 and 9. How are the schools. It would be great to bike more like I did in S.C. now have to drive everywhere. How does a gal decide?

Vicki, in the last year I have spent a lot of time in Denver and there is an extraordinary variety in the different communities there, ranging from the expensive modern areas to old, established communities that feel like 1950s midwest to scary tough neighborhoods that haven't enjoyed any of the benefits of an up economy but are instead suffering even more from the downturn. In short, it's like any midwestern city of a decent size.

The good thing about Denver, particularly when compared to Boulder, is that it's very diverse both socially and economically. Go out in Denver of an evening and you'll see a wide variety of races represented. Go out in Boulder and you'll be surrounded by a sea of rich caucasians.

Boulder has very good schools, both public and private, while Denver is more mixed, with some good school districts and a fair number of poor communities with tougher, more urban school environments.

And housing price-wise? I believe that Boulder has the most expensive average home price in the state of Colorado. But there's also a great range in housing and if you can accept that the baseline price is about $300k there's a lot of variety at just about any range above that.

Best is probably for you to come out and visit both cities, Vicki, and see what ya think. We'd love to have you here, especially with your bicycle and children!

Dave you raise many (+/-)points that have been around since I got here as a wide-eyed college student many years ago.
I cannot argue with your first point. Having seen the town mature through time, it is becoming more culturally diverse.
Thought off the top of my head, could be a perception problem outside of CO. My coastal friends all think it is cold and snowy here. An inhospitable place to live due to the great skiing proximity. This is a phenomena that the CO tourism board eagerly promotes. Many culturally diverse people are not familiar with the truth and may not look further.
The cost of living issue is something that I have had to contend with as a recent grad desiring to stay in Boulder as opposed to moving to a nearby "L" town. There is a way if there is a will. The up side of this is that no matter what the economy is doing you can sleep easy knowing property values in Boulder only flatten out. I have yet to see a deflation in the market. Sure it sucks for noobies, but once your in you can move around.

Having said all that, what I really love about this town is that is like the "land of misfit toys." 90% have come here from somewhere else and have colorful stories/past experiences. We are all glad to be here and to have found kindred souls. This realization sets up the unique environment where people are generally willing to go out of there way to help others. ('cept on powder days).

Having pondered the ideal location I too come back to Boulder hands down. Problem with an island is you are limited to its geographic boundaries. At least in Boulder a short drive allows you to experience a different reality. (e.g. outside town limits)

Highest average home price in Colorado: Aspen.

I am very happy in the northwest suburbs (Arvada, specifically). Not a bad commute southeast to Denver or northwest to Boulder for either work or fun. Home prices are reasonable, Jeffco Schools good, crime rate low, and good ethnic restaurants and live music venues are close by, if you know where to look. Bike paths everywhere -- it's easy to bike or bike/bus to either Boulder or downtown.

The best part is a $900 mortgage that will be paid off in nine years.

Hi! I love that Hawaii photo above. I know exactly where that hammock lies on Kaanapali. I live on Maui, in a beach house on Front Street and am thinking about re-locating to Boulder or Denver. Since I have never been to these places I am completely unsure where to live. The grass is always greener I guess! I have lived on Maui for 4 years and love every second of it. But being a young professional its hard to grow and buy a home, etc. If you ever get tired of the mainland, Hawaiian living is the best!

Aloha

I have wanted to move to Boulder for years already but ended up in Plano Texas! I still want to move to Boulder I don't like Texas, there's not much to do besides shop and eat so all this information is great! I hope to move there sooner than later. I grew up in Northern Cali and love the Santa Cruz Mtns, so if you love Boulder I'm sure I would too.

Thanks for this post. My husband and I are desparately trying to move from LA to Boulder. We are so sick of traffic, smog, and high prices. Of course, there is still traffic and high prices in Boulder, but you people don't know either of those until you live in LA. I love the West side of LA, particularly Santa Monica, but even a run-down 2 bedroom condo in SM will run you around 500K, so a 3 bdrm rundown house for 400K sounds great to me ;) And, I love the idea of biking everywhere. I so hope to make our dream of moving a reality this winter.

This is a great blog! I am too trying to get out of LA county. My boyfriend and I and our Weimerainer are looking to move. We live in the art/culture/music community of Long Beach, CA. We live two blocks from the ocean near downtown. We are renters with alternative lifestyles and jobs. I am a freelance photographer and he manages the most successful bike shop in the area. We are outdoor enthusiasts in our late 20's early 30's.. I run LB's only bike advocacy organization. Biking education, policy, infrastructure... and awesome rides and events. recycle, compost, grow, eat, music... Any thoughts on how we would fit in in Boulder or Denver? Minus what all of you have mentioned in the previous posts (which are great!) Many thanks.

Bernadette

Thanks, Bernadette. I think you'd enjoy Boulder, but I worry a bit that your enthusiasm for bicycling would be no big deal here and it'd be very hard to create a popular bike shop as we already have so many really good options. We also have at least one bike advocacy group that I know of! Figure that out, though, and I'm sure you'll be welcome additions to the 'hood.

Hi Dave. Thanks for keeping it real! I don't like sugar coating the realities, so I appreciate your input. Funny...You hit the head on the nail with your thoughts of me wanting to make difference in bike advocacy (or not ;) and Shawn does aspire to have his own shop. Do you mind answering a couple questions on the next reply?...you having such great first hand knowledge. Let me know, I have a few topics I would love to discuss and I really like your perspective thus far. Do you mind going into a little more detail on this part of your original post,

"Finally, there are times when the "crystal workshops" and "goddess seminars" and "alternative" stuff gets really old. A community that's more concerned with prairie dogs than homeless people, more concerned with expensive house sightlines than low income housing, can get a bit weird. 'nuf said about that."

I feel like what your getting at is first: the "hippie, eco friendly, mother Earth" type lifestyle statements that are irritating at times. I practice that lifestyle but in the comforts and private haven of my house and personal world, unless people are interested in the topic, than I speak up. I guess I have a filter of sorts : ) I don't need to make a big deal about it or preach to people, I just do it. Although, I do think it is important to join a community that thinks similarly on the subject.

Secondly: When you talk about "Prairie Dogs and house site-lines" Do you mean people have their priorities mixed up? Refocus on the important things?...

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts!

B

Hmmm... I think my main take on Boulder is that it's a great alternative community and we have a great quality of life, but that sometimes it feels *too* alternative, clueless about the realities of the modern world and contemporary culture. Yeah, I think that worrying about the safety of field rodents is less important than the quality of education our children are receiving, and I think that while it's important for our community to have a homeless shelter (unfortunately: it'd be nice if all those homeless people had homes) I don't get why our shelter is one of the nicest - and most expensive - buildings in the city. Your views may, of course, vary!

What can you guys help me out on with renting apartments. I want to move to Boulder and teach elementary school. I know I could never buy a house. Ideas, price range and location are important.

Stacia, the best place to look for apartments in Boulder is Craigslist, I think. We have our own: http://boulder.craigslist.org/ The local papers to check are the Daily Camera (major newspaper for the city at dailycamera.com) and the Colorado Daily (CU's campus newspaper at coloradodaily.com).

Beware of places on The Hill or near the campus: you could be in for a lot of noise and late night shenanigans, unless that's something you seek! Generally as you go further east you'll find prices drop, and anything walking distance to downtown is going to be a premium price.

My wife and I are looking to escape from Southern California. We have two young daughters, young enough to have very little attachments within Long Beach- except some extended family. Moving to Boulder is a new option being considered.

Our priorities are life style, cost of living and the education of our children. We understand that Boulder has a very dynamic range of outdoor activities and athletic opportunities. This we look forward to a great deal.
Being that this option is new, we have yet to determine if there is much of a difference in cost of living. Thus far I have read contradicting information. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Most online comparison tools require a zip code. Can anybody describe to me what their zip code is like?

As for the education of our children; we have embraced the Waldorf teaching style and schools, however we are not restricting ourselves either. Does anybody have experience/advise with this?

Thanks,

Ken

Thinking of moving my family to Boulder...lived in Napa...then Austin...now Madison...love all those places, but could use more sunshine and a more beautiful backdrop...got a multi-cultural family so afraid of homogeneity of Boulder...work for myself, so don't want too big a mortgage...love the woogie vibe as long as it doesn't go overboard...got kids age 10, 6 and 3, so schools are of primary concern...always lived in the hip part of town but willing to sacrifice hipness for square footage and good schools...any insight anyone can share would be greatly appreciated!

Great Blog! I came across this blog on a google search, looking for townhouses in Boulder Co.

I live in South Carolina at the moment. After visiting colorado last year and spending time in Boulder Co, my husband and I couldnt stop talking about how wonderful Boulder is.

It is like a perfect peice of heaven that was designed for just us! We are both big into road & mountain bike riding, snowboarding and many other great outdoor activities. Boulder offers all of that!

I am aware of the high housing prices and cost of living, but actually that is another reason why I love boulder. Currently living in South Carolina, I live in a nice house in a nice neighbourhood, my house does cost half of what houses in Boulder sell for. But here in SC I dont feel safe or happy, actually ever day is stressfull wondering if I am going to get robbed, house broken into, or my car stolen. A short trip to the grocery store is a headache! Although I have a good job, I work in a "bad area". For my age I am at a much higher stress rate than I should be. So It doesnt bother me that I'm going to pay out the roof for a rundown house in Boulder, I would pay that price for serenity.

Spending only a few days in Boulder last year, walking around at night, feeling completly safe, and you can feel the electricity in the air down town, Boulder has a great vibe, and everyone I met was so welcoming and friendly! all my life stresses were gone, my mind was clear and free.

I like the fact that Boulder residents care more about the enviroment and its wonderful creatures than homeless people, call me selfish all you want, but if I wanted to be around homeless people and the ghetto, I would stay where I live in South Carolina.

Boulder Colorado, you will be my new home for 2011, and I can not wait to live there!

Jack, your family should be fine here in Boulder. While we have less cultural and ethnic diversity than I'd like, it is non-zero and my take is that if people want to be part fo the community, then the community opens its arms to those people, adult or child.

In terms of schools, we have a wealth of great schools, from the Boulder Valley School District to lots of private schools ranging from the artsy (Shining Mountain Waldorf) to college track (Boulder Day).

Dawn, I can appreciate what you're saying too. There are definite pros and cons to socio-economic diversity and I do appreciate living in a town where I can have big boxes with Apple, Dell or Amazon logos emblazoned on the side just sit on my doorstep for an entire day until I get home, without wondering if it'll walk off courtesy of a light-fingered neighbor.

I am SO glad I found this blog!! Like a few of you, I too lived in Santa Cruz, and graduated from UCSC as a proud Banana Slug! :+D I have been enthralled with the idea of living in Boulder, since I first looked into graduate schools.

Currently, my husband and I are at a crossroads. We currently live in San Jose, and are both very much ready for a change. We hate being married to our mortgage (although, it sounds like this might be the case if we moved out to Boulder), are tired of the rat race, commuting 2 hours a day, miss friendly people (like the ones I met when I lived in Santa Cruz and Monterey) and are looking for a better place to raise our children, ages 4 and 2. Our daughter will be entering kindergarten this fall, so we are trying to figure out our options.

And, like a few have mentioned, our family is multi-ethnic too. I am East Indian (born and raised in the Bay Area) and my husband is Caucasian. It sounds like there's not much to worry about as far as racism or discrimination, but being that neither one of us have lived outside of the Bay Area, we are concerned about not being welcomed in a new community.

Let's cut to the chase, though. Dave, or anyone else, can someone tell me what a realistic income a family would be able to live off of in Boulder? Our hope would be to able to live off of one income for the first year or so, while I work and my husband stays home with our kids to acclimate the kids to their new schools. I was contacted by a recruiter and need to get back to her on my salary requirements. I realize that the cost of living in Boulder isn't as high as it is in Silicon Valley, but at the same time, it's not as cheap to live in Boulder as it is to live in other nearby areas.

Any help that you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated! And I'm thrilled to have found this blog!!!

Yes, what a great blog!...and while I'm not talking about it right now, we're big fans of attachment parenting...nice job on the blog Dave!

anyone care to recommend neighborhoods or a real estate agent?

nice blog posting!

Hi Dave,
I just came acroos your blog and am really enjoying it! I lived in Vail for about a year in 2000 and then moved back to CT after 9/11. My Dad lives in Longmont so I get out to CO once every year or two. I live in Fairfied County CT and am a private chef for a family in a town called Greenwich.....the land of all the hedge funders. I desparetly want to leave CT in the next two years and come back to CO. People there are so much more down to earth and pleasant then the east coast! I love boulder, it feels like home to me but am not cool with some of the politics. I totally agree about the prairie dog situation being a waste of time, money and energy! They are rodents for gods sake....that would be like people here doing the same thing for rats! Thats a bit over the edge for me! Prairie dogs are always going to be there, and if you kill them....well aanother family will soon move in. I do enjoy visiting the prairie dogs when i come out but can understand the rancers perspective too. I am surprised to hear that there is not much to offer for the homeless and hungry there! I am active in my community trying to donate food to the foodbank and getting involved with organiztions in CT helping the homeless. In the times we are in there are middle class folks eating at soup kitchens and living in shelters because they have lost their jobs or merly can't afford to feed themselves, it is very sad. I am a chef and moved into the private sector because it is stable and more money then in the restaurnt enviroment. I need to move to a wealthy area so that i can be employed, where i live in CT is very wealthy and can support my profession. Is there that much money in the boulder area that supports my profession? Also, I am a renter, not interested in buying at this time, I am 34 with a dog and a cat. Are apartments pet friendly there? Here not so pet friendly.

Thanks for your note, Jen. I have never looked for an apartment here in Boulder, so I can't really answer that part of your question, but yeah, I think there are definitely wealthy people here in Boulder who would be interested in a personal chef. I'd say you should focus on all-organic and alternative foodstuffs (like raw), and start thinking about whether you could use your own kitchen and deliver food daily/weekly to multiple clients, rather than a live-in situation.