Couple in early 20's looking to move to Boulder, CO area. Where do you suggest? (Denver: 2013, apartments)

[DressageRider]

Originally Posted by wilctj17

Here's the deal. We both want to live within walking distance (optimally), or driving distance of some great mountainous hiking trails.

Living close to mountainous trails generally means $$$.

Originally Posted by wilctj17

We also would be moving with a limited budget.

What is your budget? Longmont used to be the most budget-friendly option, but the rental market in this region is super competitive, just to give you a head's up.

Originally Posted by wilctj17

So my question is, are there any affordable towns near Boulder, that also have a good nightlife?

Depends what your interests are... yes, there are restaurants in all the towns around Boulder. If you like craft beer, you will be in heaven.

[bostonguy1960]

Originally Posted by wilctj17

Wow, kind of nasty responses for someone who is simply asking a question. The reason I would have a limited budget is because we would be moving all the way across the country, and unless someone has a very high paying job, that kind of move would limit any ones budget.

I am working on my degree and don't plan to move until I have it so that I can properly secure a job before I get there.

I suppose coming from such a small town, my idea of a good nightlife differs from others. I really am just wondering if the smaller towns on the outskirts of Boulder have at least one restaurant open after 5pm. I can't get that where i'm at.

I thought some responses were a bit aggressive also, but don't take it personally. I see you're new. This same type of response occurs in other such popular places on C-D where it seems some/most regular posters wish to discourage anyone else from relocating there (even including the most recent of transplants?).

See Portland, Oregon's board, as seemingly any potential relocator is barked at: "are you educated, are you hip and cool, are your dogs cool?, transplants have ruined our state," blah blah. Most mean well....

[wilctj17]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

^^We see a lot of such inquiries, of people with very unrealistic plans. Yours seems fairly realistic, now that you've told us. DH and I actually came here without jobs, but I had plenty of experience and he had just finished grad school and needed to look for a job no matter where we lived (for comparison's sake).

There are plenty of places that have restaurants open after 5 PM. You might try Louisville, though it's getting more expensive. Lafayette is a more reasonable option.

Thanks for the suggestion! I was looking into Louisville! It seems much more affordable for us, than Boulder, while also being nearer to the mountains.

I visited Lakewood and Denver in August, while helping friends move there. They actually moved without jobs, and I was really worried about them, but they are making it work. I really liked Lakewood, but I wanted a better view of the mountains, as opposed to the foothills. Even the foothills were amazing though. I'm from Escanaba, Michigan (the U.P.), and there is nothing but flat land and pine trees. I will miss the lakes though.


Currently, my boyfriend and I have a combined monthly income of only $2600. I try and think about the fact that Colorado has slightly better wages, but it's difficult to calculate on uncertainties. We might move in with friends, and that would make housing more affordable. I'll look into Louisville more. Also, I heard good things about Gunbarrel.

[wilctj17]

Originally Posted by DressageRider

Living close to mountainous trails generally means $$$.



What is your budget? Longmont used to be the most budget-friendly option, but the rental market in this region is super competitive, just to give you a head's up.





Depends what your interests are... yes, there are restaurants in all the towns around Boulder. If you like craft beer, you will be in heaven.

I freakin' LOVE craft beers. We have ONE new brewery in the town i'm currently in. I would love to go to a place where we have more options! Haha

[Sean Kellogg]

Originally Posted by wilctj17

I'm from Escanaba, Michigan (the U.P.), and there is nothing but flat land and pine trees. I will miss the lakes though.

Wow, that's up there. I'm from the Detroit area. Do people have the Yooper accent there?

[wilctj17]

Originally Posted by Sean Kellogg

Wow, that's up there. I'm from the Detroit area. Do people have the Yooper accent there?

Haha, yeah it's pretty far north. I don't feel like I have an accent (most people don't think they do anyways), but I sometimes catch myself saying "Aboot" instead of about. Other than that, the real thick "Yooper" accents start showing up near Houghton all the way up to Copper Harbor, and west towards Wisconsin and Minnesota.

[wilctj17]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

The only place near Boulder that has a lot of night life is Denver. Louisville has a decent amount of nightlife, for a town of 20,000, but keep that number in mind.

Is that number supposed to be small, or large to you? I currently live in a town of 12,000 so that actually sounds like quite a pleasant amount to me

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by wilctj17

Is that number supposed to be small, or large to you? I currently live in a town of 12,000 so that actually sounds like quite a pleasant amount to me

Louisville about 1/5 the size of Boulder, and 1/30th the size of Denver. It has a lot, but not all those two have.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by wilctj17

Currently, my boyfriend and I have a combined monthly income of only $2600. I try and think about the fact that Colorado has slightly better wages, but it's difficult to calculate on uncertainties.

That's a combined income of $31k a year. You both will need to find better jobs. You really don't want to come out here and try to make it work with a minimum wage job. The cost of living will make it a miserable existence.

btw, I've been through Escanaba! I was just driving through, but I remember the big hotel. Interestingly, Boulder is about the same size as Green Bay. Except Denver and it's 3 million people are 30 miles away.

[wilctj17]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

That's a combined income of $31k a year. You both will need to find better jobs. You really don't want to come out here and try to make it work with a minimum wage job. The cost of living will make it a miserable existence.

btw, I've been through Escanaba! I was just driving through, but I remember the big hotel. Interestingly, Boulder is about the same size as Green Bay. Except Denver and it's 3 million people are 30 miles away.

We both certainly plan on getting better jobs, but I really appreciate the reality check. It's hard to imagine the financial differences between where i'm at now and what it will be like there. Our rent right now is $525 plus we pay utilities, and that's high for our area. From what I've seen, you can't find a single place for less than a thousand in Colorado.

And yes, The House of Ludington! Creepy place to stay the night, but a beautiful dining hall.