Boulder living? Relo from Texas (Denver, Broomfield: apartment complex, rental, condos)

[txspamom]

I'm looking at the rental prices of homes in the Boulder area and found some beautiful homes in the Erie area for a reasonable $1400-$1500/mth.

We are possibly relocating from the Dallas area and looking at either the Denver or Boulder areas.

We want the best for our money and also in a nice area with good schools and low crime.

Which would be best?

[Micktooth]

Have you looked at Louisville? It's just a few miles from Boulder and was recently named the 3rd best place to raise a family in the entire country! Last week, Conoco Phillips anounced that they will open a multimillion dollar world class research and training facility for renewable energy in Louisville. We are happy with the schools, our son is at Monarch and our daughter is at Lousiville Middle. Search zip 80027 and see what you can find. Good luck!

[Katiana]

I think the good schools and low crime is a given in most areas around Boulder. Boulder itself isn't very large; stay away from the University area and you'll be fine (unless you are an undergrad yourself, then you may want to live around other college students).

[txspamom]

Great, we will check Louisville out. Nope, no undergrad here. We are ages 31 and 33, with kids ages 7 and 9.

[loughlit]

I relocated from Dallas myself. I am a 29 year old single female and have been here now for 5 years and live in Boulder. So I can't give you advice on schools or place to raise a family...but I wouldn't trade the Boulder active lifestyle for anything. Trail running/hiking/road & Mountain biking are amazing here but you'll find that almost anywhere in CO.

[gnat01]

Hello all!

New to the forum, so I apologize for any repetitions.

I am planning to move to Boulder (work is in downtown Denver).

But before that, ofcourse, I need to know some good apartment complexes to look at. I would prefer a one-bedroom apartment (650+ sq ft would be nice) in a neighborhood that is not full of students (have done enough of the partying all night thing!). Additionally, if the apt complex is close to the hills and trails, even better!

What price ranges should I be looking at? I was thinking of being conservative for half a year while I pay off some loans; will somewhere between $750-850 (minus utils) be enough or am I being foolhardy? Even if its the latter (which it probably is!), a ballpark figure for apartment rents would be great!

Any suggestions for specific apartment complex names + street locations (approximate is fine) would be most welcome!

Once again, thanks!

-G

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by gnat01

I am planning to move to Boulder (work is in downtown Denver).

But before that, ofcourse, I need to know some good apartment complexes to look at. I would prefer a one-bedroom apartment (650+ sq ft would be nice) in a neighborhood that is not full of students (have done enough of the partying all night thing!). Additionally, if the apt complex is close to the hills and trails, even better!

What price ranges should I be looking at? I was thinking of being conservative for half a year while I pay off some loans; will somewhere between $750-850 (minus utils) be enough or am I being foolhardy? Even if its the latter (which it probably is!), a ballpark figure for apartment rents would be great!

-G

G, I moved from Dallas to Boulder 26 years ago. The "sticker shock" was unbelievable. I was clueless about the cost of living here. In Dallas I rented a beautiful brand new studio apartment for $300 (imagine that!). The only place I could afford in Boulder was a room for $350 that didn't even have a kitchen. Of course, it is much more expensive now.
A quick search shows that 1 bedroom apts. currently rent for $750-$950, depending on the area, of course. You may want to look at the listings in the local paper online: www.daily (broken link)camera.com.
Most of the apartments on the west side of town near the foothills are in the vicinity of the university. Otherwise that area consists of very expensive homes. I lived as far west as you can get in a converted garage for a while. It has since been torn down to build McMansions all along the creek.
I also worked in downtown Denver when I moved here. The commute was a pain. (NOT worse than Dallas, but close.) If you are used to the Dallas commute it may not bother you.
I really don't mean to dissuade you. It is a wonderful place to live. Just be well aware of the high cost of living. You might consider researching some other areas. There are lots of apartments and condos to rent in Broomfield, just off US36, only 10-15 minutes to Boulder.
Good luck!

[nelumbo]

Do you want an apartment in a larger managed complex, or maybe an apartment in a duplex or triplex? If you want to live near the foothills (west of Broadway) but not near students, you will be limited to South Boulder (south of Table Mesa) and maybe far north Boulder. I know there are some apartments near Table Mesa and Broadway that have 1BRs, might be more in the $900+ range. The region west of Broadway between Baseline and maybe Canyon is the 'Hill' which has a large student population. I think there is something of a premium to rents close to CU, but otherwise rents are fairly uniform across Boulder (rent more dependent on amenities and size than on location).

There are various trails that run through Boulder, not just on the foothills side. I live near east Boulder, and there are a number of trails and multi-use paths that go to the reservoirs and across the plains.


There are several moderately priced apartment complexes off of Table Mesa near r t36 - some along Moorhead, and others to the east of rt 36 (it is a full highway at that location) along Thunderbird. These are older buildings (50s-60s, I'd guess) but in decent condition and very convenient to the AB, B, and BX buses that run to downtown Denver.

Cost is relative - I moved here from the Boston area, and my rent is about half of what it would have been in MA, plus the utilities are a lot cheaper.

[Katiana]

Your price range is doable in Boulder. There is a large complex just west of Broadway on Table Mesa that looks nice to me (I go to church nearby). My DD is in a student-type apt bldg in the student area and she pays $900 for a 2 BR.

[2bindenver]

You would save more money by living closer to work. Denver is cheaper than Boulder, and you would not waste so much time/gas on the commute.