Questions about college life in Boulder (Denver, Arvada: home, job market, neighborhood)

[Udochen]

Hello All,

I'm a 24 yr old college student living in Minnesota. I'm looking at going to school at the University of Colorado in Boulder next year to finish off the last two years of my Physics degree. After reading quite a few posts here, I've become aware of this so-called 'snobbishness' Boulder has and the tight job market.

I noticed many of the job discussions on here were based on having a degree and finding a career position. How is the job market for students? And is it possible to sustain a life out there without ending up eating Ramen noodles every day?

Also, since I'm moving out there by myself, is this 'snobby' attitude as bad as people claim? If I'm not going to make any friends because I don't have a couple million sitting in my bank account, that seems a little insane. I'm hoping that it's been exaggerated.

The town I'm from in MN has practically run out every person between 18-30 because they have nothing to do for the younger crowd. How is the social life for college kids, or people my age?

This is my first big move and so I'm quite new to the process and a little nervous. If there's any suggestions you could give me or warnings, they would be greatly appreciated. I've heard many great things about Boulder from friends and family and I'm taking a trip out there in December to scope the place out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[atkin]

Nah, the college has its own culture, and its own off-campus neighborhood (University Hill). Boulder is a few percent of Colorado's total population, while the university has about a quarter or a third of the students going to a state university in Colorado. Lots of students aren't from Boulder, and aren't stereotypical Boulderites.

I encourage you to give Boulder a chance, though. In many ways it's just like any other college town next to a mountain. It reminds me of my home town, Flagstaff, AZ.

[hawg64]

Boulder has it's positives and negatives just like every city. There's plenty (enough) to do, and it has beautiful scenery. The college crowd there range from 18 to 70 year olds so you'll definitely find people you can connect with. In terms of money, yeah Boulder is a wealthy community, but they are by no means arrogant about this, and in fact it's a pretty accepting city! However it is a very culturaly, and Politically isolated city when compared to the rest of Colorado, so when you visit Denver, Broomfield, Arvada, or any other city nearby you may feel like you're in another country. This isn't a bad thing by any means, but rather just the way it is/ and feels to most people. But in my opinion the Scenery, and Culture of Boulder are more than enough reasons to live there!

Hope this helps

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by atkin

Nah, the college has its own culture, and its own off-campus neighborhood (University Hill). Boulder is a few percent of Colorado's total population, while the university has about a quarter or a third of the students going to a state university in Colorado. Lots of students aren't from Boulder, and aren't stereotypical Boulderites.

I encourage you to give Boulder a chance, though. In many ways it's just like any other college town next to a mountain. It reminds me of my home town, Flagstaff, AZ.

Flagstaff does not even come close to Boulder. Boulder offeres WAAAAAY more in terms of social activities for the 18-35 age group. And, when people graduate, there are JOBS in Boulder, whereas Flagstaff provides no jobs for its college grads. In Flagstaff, you have to leave after graduating unless you become a licensed Realtor. NAU-Flagstaff has no integration into the City of Flagstaff, and the students are very cliquish. Boulder's former deputy City Manager is now the overpaid City Manager in Flagstaff, part of a beuracracy that does nothing for the young singles, totally unlike Boulder. For example, Boulder even has a Chamber of Commerce for entrepreneurs ages 20-40. I wish I had never moved to Flagstaff. I've never lived in Boulder, however in visiting there and 10 other college towns, I'd put it as #1 tied with Berkeley, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, etc. etc., and this is consistent with the various rankings from Forbes and other financial magazines on college towns rated highly for young singles . . .