Information On Lyons (Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield: for sale, townhouses, transfer to)

[escapingMA]

I'll try to be short and to the point. My wife and I are hoping to move to the outskirts of Boulder within the next year or so. We've chosen this area because her company has a plant in Boulder so she can transfer.

We were looking into the Lyons area because it's within a 1/2 hour or so of where she'll be working and doesn't seem to be as densely populated as some other area's.

We're looking for a laid back "outdoorsy" lifestyle, land that's not being taken over by housing developments or soon will be and a friendly small town atmosphere. We're not city people looking to relocate to the country. We're salt of the earth country folks looking to regain the country lifestyle.

Our two main concerns are that we stay within a 1/2 hour of Boulder and that there is a decent school system.

Does it sound like Lyons will work? Should we be looking into a different area? We do plan on visiting but right now we're only able to look at maps and stats so there's a lot we don't know.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[jkcoop]

I can only comment in regards to Lyons from just when we drive through (quite often) and I also have a friend here in Longmont who grew up in Lyons.

Lyons is a small town but it is also a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park so to me it seems like it gets tons of traffic. Especially this time of year. When my husband and I were driving back Sunday from the Reservoir we cut through a back road in Lyons and there were some great houses on land back there. Lyons does have some huge homes - people with money wanting to get into the foothills.

They are part of the St. Vrain school district - which is huge. We are part of it down in Longmont. We've always been happy with the schools my son has gone to - but the schools do vary throughout the district.

Where at in Boulder is the place she can transfer to? That can make a huge difference on drive time. Don't go by maps - traffic will be a big factor and so with the weather in the winter.

[Phlosphr]

I am moving to Lyons in two months from Rhode Island. I chose it for the same reasons you and your wife have chosen it. The only difference is I am going through a divorce and I needed to be closer to where I find the most joy. I did not want to live in Boulder because for some reason it is becoming grossly cost prohibitive there. I love Pearl Street and all the outdoorsy stuff but the 500k and higher home pricing half a block from down town is keeping me in Lyons. I've been visiting Boulder for years and it is taken me this long to finally make the move. I'm really looking forward to getting out there for the autumn hiking and camping, when the tourists finally leave - it's very serene.

I just saw a property for sale in Lyons, 35 acres for $140k. Thats a great price, no idea if there are services on the land...I would highly recommend a stop at the little cafe in town to chat with folks, lots of very nice down to earth people there.

[chilaili]

Lyons is a nice little town, very laidback and easygoing people, a little bit of development has taken place there but it doesn't appear excessive. There are several good places to go eat and drink, a couple of antique shops, lots of great festivals during the Summer and activities on the creeks or mountains and yes, traffic in the Summer at the weekends can be dreadful. Its public transportation is a bit limited (bus only runs into Boulder Mon-Fri during rush hour times) and there are just a couple of small local supermarkets but it has tons of personality and I've heard its schools are very good.

[escapingMA]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I'm not too sure on the traffic issue. I deal with quite a bit of that here and it's something I'd really like to leave behind.

The company is on Longbow Dr. off of 63rd St.

Should I be looking at another town? We spoke with an agent and he mentioned Broomfield. Seems a bit congested and more apt to be developed in the next 5 - 10 years though. Again, this is just what I see on maps and Google Earth though.

Thanks again!

[DressageRider]

You might want to look at Niwot, but also I wouldn't write off Lyons. I don't think the traffic that they're speaking of is anything like you're used to. I could be wrong here, but my impression of Lyons' traffic is that there a main road that goes through town that has a ton of cars on it in the summer heading up to Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park/etc. But it isn't as though Lyons is gridlocked throughout. It really is a small town and I don't think there is much of a problem with traffic on the other streets? (Someone feel free to prove me wrong!)

Broomfield is mostly housing developments and a large mall. From what you've said, I wouldn't look there.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by DressageRider

You might want to look at Niwot, but also I wouldn't write off Lyons. I don't think the traffic that they're speaking of is anything like you're used to. I could be wrong here, but my impression of Lyons' traffic is that there a main road that goes through town that has a ton of cars on it in the summer heading up to Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park/etc. But it isn't as though Lyons is gridlocked throughout. It really is a small town and I don't think there is much of a problem with traffic on the other streets? (Someone feel free to prove me wrong!)

That is exactly right. The worst of the traffic happens in the Summer over holiday weekends and probably during the two music festivals they hold there BUT as most people are on their way to somewhere else, traffic does move thro Lyons pretty quickly. There are two main roads out of there heading into the mountains. Lyons is small enough to not really need a car to get around.

[Neditate]

I was also going to mention looking at Niwot, as well as Erie or Longmont too. Certainly much closer to your wife's work location.

[basiledes]

Went to school and lived in Lyons for 10 years.. As for development it is going downhill, they are trying to put houses and townhouses (especially) on any inch of land they can now. As for the school, it was fun because I got to smoke pot, drink, and hallucinate at an early age (Pretty much the only thing to do in the town). May sound bad to you but it was a life experience. I also had 2 spelling errors while writing this..

Also concerning traffic... it's only on two roads in the middle of town.


If youre working on Longbow why not move to Gunbarrel?

[whoisjongalt]

Lyons is a great choice....WAY less suburban feeling than Longmont or Niwot. Gunbarrel is nice and basically part of Boulder but it, too, is very suburban and generic. If you can afford it, Boulder Canyon and Nederland are beautiful and close to Boulder...houses up there start about $400,000. You could get more for your money in Lyons though.