Moving is typically a very stressful time in one’s life because of all the major changes that happen at once. This stress means the small things that you normally wouldn’t give a second thought can add to the anxiety. Moves are often accompanied by major life changes like, graduating from school, a new job, or marriage that are responsible for this stress but there’s also a lot of money and time that need to be poured into the process to ensure the move is successful.
What should you know about Boulder?
The first thing you’ll notice about Boulder are the gorgeous views of the mountains and this backdrop persists throughout most of the city. Although Boulder is usually associated with the University of Colorado Boulder and thought to be mainly a college town, that couldn’t be further than the truth.
While the youthful energy is present, Boulder is much more than a college town. The city is incredibly friendly, has insanely good beer and a fantastic dining scene, and its location – nestled up against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains – there’s convenient access to all your favorite outdoor activities.
Additionally, it’s consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Colorado and even one of the happiest cities according to National Geographic. The high quality of living does mean prices in the housing market are steep and homes are constantly in demand. It’s up to you to determine if the many amenities the city offers, and youthful culture justifies the high cost of living and tough housing market.
The Best Neighborhoods & Places to Live in Boulder
1. Downtown Boulder
There’s always something to do and something to see in Downtown Boulder. Centered around Pearl Street, it’s the heart and soul of the city and the brick paved streets, distinctive Victorian-era architecture, and numerous quaint shops and eateries give off a small-town charm. There’s always an interesting live street performance you can run into and something new to discover. This makes Downtown Boulder a popular tourist location, so it’s typically very busy and bustling with activity.
If you’re looking to settle down and raise a family, this probably isn’t the neighborhood for you but if you’re young and looking to experience all that the city has to offer, Downtown Boulder is a great place to live.
2. Chautauqua
Located at the base of the Flatirons, Chautauqua is one of the most scenic areas in Boulder and offers some of the easiest access to hiking, biking, and other activities in the great outdoors. Interestingly, the area was constructed as a summer enrichment program for schoolteachers from Texas in 1898 but has since expanded massively into a thriving family community.
Most homes are built in a Victorian style but new construction in the area has brought some modern design aesthetics along with modern features to the community. Homes in this area are rather pricey though, ranging from one to four million dollars.
3. Wonderland Hills
Constructed as a high-end development project in the 1970s, Wonderland Hills aimed to provide a sense of mountain living without having to do much additional driving to get to them. And it succeeded!
Wonderland Hills is ideally located right between the flatirons and downtown Boulder, giving you the best of both worlds. With homes starting out at $400,000, It’s surprisingly affordable (for Boulder) and is a great place for families to settle down.
4. Whittier
Whittier is positioned just a few minutes from Pearl Street in Downtown Boulder – close enough that you’re never far away from an exciting night on the town but far away enough so that you feel like you have your own space.
It’s actually considered one of Boulder’s most walkable neighborhoods and many of the homes are incredibly artistic. The proximity to downtown means home prices start out around one million dollars.
5. Gunbarrel
Gunbarrel owes its existence to the tech giant IBM. In 1965, the company built its Boulder plant and needed suitable housing for all their employees so rather than making them commute, IBM built a community right across the street.
Today, the community is known as Gunbarrel and offers some very affordable homes because it’s further from the happening downtown area, 20 minutes to be exact. Homes start at around $350,000, making this a great place for families that are just starting out.
Let Laborjack Help Make your Move as Stress-Free as Possible
Planning on moving in the near future? Let Laborjack provide the muscle and help pack, load, and unpack your belongings. With our muscle you get to focus more on the exciting parts of your move rather than straining yourself with the physical labor and logistics. Book a job now to get the help you need.