New Age Community- Boulder (Denver, Durango: appointed, fit in, rental)

[megan044]

I am a mid-western looking to relocate to Colorado in the fall. I'm considering the Boulder area because of all the events, seminars and gatherings based around new age beliefs.
I'm single and in my mid-twenties looking for a place that has night-life but also a welcoming, laid-back, take a day-at-a-time kind of feel to a place. I'm really tired of chain restaurants, big-box stores and people that are stuck in jobs they hate and a life that does not bring them happiness.

Is there such a place in Colorado that exists? From what I'm read and heard about Boulder, it could fit my description. The only negative is that it's very expensive. I can only afford it if there is a place for another freelance photographer in the area. Anybody know anything about the photography market there?

Peace

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by megan044

I am a mid-western looking to relocate to Colorado in the fall. I'm considering the Boulder area because of all the events, seminars and gatherings based around new age beliefs.
I'm single and in my mid-twenties looking for a place that has night-life but also a welcoming, laid-back, take a day-at-a-time kind of feel to a place. I'm really tired of chain restaurants, big-box stores and people that are stuck in jobs they hate and a life that does not bring them happiness.

Is there such a place in Colorado that exists? From what I'm read and heard about Boulder, it could fit my description. The only negative is that it's very expensive. I can only afford it if there is a place for another freelance photographer in the area. Anybody know anything about the photography market there?

Peace

Moderator cut: not necessary Boulder is an interesting place to live and has some good people. However, for many residents, the New Age Belief of Boulder is the pursuit of Status and Wealth. You will find more laid back people in any other community in Colorado, than in the aggressive, competitive, narcissistic Boulder society.

Your ideas are typical for a few young people and Boulder may fit your persona. However, it is not better, nor does it have happier or more self fulfilled people than the many thousands of other cities and towns in the country.

I would suggest you explore and expand your photographer talents in imaging the diverse culture and beliefs of our national identity. You will get a better understanding than the myopic view you hold of the rest of us.

The photographic images you get of Boulder may be comforting, but you will be photographing a mirror image of yourself, because you want to validate your own views. Go beyond that experience and seek out a wider lens image of the world, and perhaps your pictures will show real perceptive images, and teach all of us.

Livecontent

[tao]

Originally Posted by livecontent

Moderator cut: not necessary
I would suggest you explore and expand your photographer talents in imaging the diverse culture and beliefs of our national identity. You will get a better understanding than the myopic view you hold of the rest of us.

The photographic images you get of Boulder may be comforting, but you will be photographing a mirror image of yourself, because you want to validate your own views. Go beyond that experience and seek out a wider lens image of the world, and perhaps your pictures will show real perceptive images, and teach all of us.

Livecontent

Wow that's a bit condescending, don't you think? Your post came across as very smug and pedantic, not to mention insulting to the OP.

To the OP, Boulder sounds like it would be a great fit for you. Don't let the naysayers rain on your parade. Boulder is very artsy so I'm sure you won't have any trouble being part of the artistic community.

[chilaili]

And anyway, Livecontent hates anyone who lives in Boulder so I would take his/her comments with a large handful of salt

[suzco]

Boulder may be many things to many people. It certainly has a large, "new age" community. It is not, however, relaxed or laid-back. It is densely populated, has traffic and congestion, and is likely not the kind of location OP is thinking.

OP: Visit Boulder.

If you look through past threads here at C-D, you'll find many from posters who thought Boulder was exactly the place they were dreaming of (except for being expensive, of course) but when they finally visited were bitterly and often angrily disappointed. Boulder just wasn't what they thought it was from all they had heard about it from afar.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by chilaili

And anyway, Livecontent hates anyone who lives in Boulder so I would take his/her comments with a large handful of salt

Indeed. Until I joined this forum I had no idea there were so many haters out there. All the negativity is very sad.
Megan, there's only one way to find out if Boulder is a good fit for you... visit and get a feel for it. Only you will know if Boulder is right for you.

[DressageRider]

I will join the chorus and say, you need to visit Boulder to see if it fits your needs. From your brief description, it sounds like you are describing a utopia that does not exist. (A place where everyone loves their jobs? Sign me up!) And Boulder also has big box stores and chain restaurants -- but that isn't all it has.

It is a great town, but it might not be as relaxed as you might like. Another place I thought of when I read your description is Asheville, NC.

Come visit!

[subsound]

Personally, I think you would fit in with the younger Boulderites...on the converse side I doubt you'll be able to afford to stay unfortunetally. Unless you are really good at photography you will be up against college arts students that have decent skills, but work pretty much for beer money and not a living wage (or ex students that still have parents support but want to stay in the area).

I would suggest Portland, Oregon as well for the New Agey sort of thing. I've spent 14 years in the Denver Boulder area, just moved to Portland..pretty similar attitudes in my opinion. You'll have to like rain, and the economy has suffered much more then most (12.1% unemployment to 8% in Colorado) so it won't be a near term option.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by suzco

Boulder may be many things to many people. It certainly has a large, "new age" community. It is not, however, relaxed or laid-back. It is densely populated, has traffic and congestion, and is likely not the kind of location OP is thinking.

OP: Visit Boulder.

If you look through past threads here at C-D, you'll find many from posters who thought Boulder was exactly the place they were dreaming of (except for being expensive, of course) but when they finally visited were bitterly and often angrily disappointed. Boulder just wasn't what they thought it was from all they had heard about it from afar.

As a young person and a newcomer, I sure THOUGHT this place would be relaxed and laid back. IT IS once you get OUTSIDE of town on the award winning trail system, Chautauqua Park, Boulder Creek Canyon, etc. Overall, it's a very competitive atmosphere compared to Durango, CO / Flagstaff / Sedona / Prescott / Santa Fe / Albuquerque.

For the reasons that Suzco suggests, after visiting Boulder, check out other up and coming towns in Colorado such as Durango, Frisco, Breckenridge, Nederland, Aspen, Telluride, Ouray, et. al. -- along with Santa Fe, NM; Taos, NM; Albuquerque NM; Sedona AZ; Prescott, AZ; and Flagstaff, AZ.

It's also not an easy place for young people to find a short term rental and ultimately buy property.

It's a high energy college town, with a lot of money from big developers, putting up shopping centers between congested 6 and 8 lane boulevards, like Phoenix, AZ.

Such "progress" would never be tolerated by anyone moving here from the aforementioned cities.

On the other hand, someone like me who is into the outdoors should be careful to not talk down the City limits in a reply like this.

Boulder's right against the Front Range, with some of the best trails and open space of any City in the US.

And there are some beautiful historic neighborhoods with 100 year old trees and the bike path system through the hardwood forests along the creek.

I don't know of any town with such a sharp contrast, between the town and nearby pristine wilderness areas and canyons covered with lush vegetation and wildflowers.

On the other side of town you have lush green prairie and farms similar to the Midwest.

With an abundance of positive ions from gusty winds in Boulder, I'm not sure why the New Age community is present here.

In Sedona, there's hardly any wind and that's the New Age capital of the US.

However, not that many young people in Sedona, although Flagstaff nearby has lots of young people.

If you can afford it, I'd suggest a loop around Colorado (be sure to include Durango!), and perhaps include Santa Fe and Sedona as well.

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by Tom Lane

With an abundance of positive ions from gusty winds in Boulder, I'm not sure why the New Age community is present here.

Tom, I like your post here. But I'm a little sketchy on your New Age-y credentials after reading this bit here.

Boulder is a massive energy point. Can't you feel it?