Interested in the Boulder area... any Organics/Recycling/Dog friendly small towns nearby? (Longmont: fit in)

[InLimbo520]

We are currently in Tucson, AZ, and have our first baby on the way. Previously lived in Eugene, OR and even further back, Omaha, NE. So i'm pretty varied on living situations i.e. winters.... We need a place to settle down as I finish school and we both pursue work and we are interested in the Boulder area. Unfortunately it appears that Boulder proper is going to be out of our price range (to rent). We are interested in a little more rural setup. The main issues for us are: we shop organic and bulk foods, recycle, and have a pit bull (friendly as can be). Are there any particular towns or areas near Boulder that would vibe well with these factors? Overall we want to avoid cookie cutter, suburb, big box store, etc...

For anyone familiar with Eugene, OR... we enjoyed many elements of the culture there, though the bad economy drove us out. So again, basically: near Boulder, but with our mindset... is that possible?

[wetcement]

I've read a similar post on Mothering that Nederland would meet your needs and is a lot less pricey than Boulder but with a very earthy vibe.

[CCCVDUR]

Durango-Bayfield-Pagosa Springs on the other side of the state perhaps - an up and coming area still under Smart Growth Phase 1 although lacking an UGB (Boulder will inevitably enter Phase 2 when it evolves)

Ft. Collins and Salida on the East Side of the state

also the San Luis Valley perhaps an up and coming area but I don't know when - Crestone, Alamosa, etc.

[Katiana]

If you want to work or go to school in Boulder, we need to focus on places near Boulder. Louisville would work for you. There are cookie cutter areas, but downtown is old and funky. It's dog friendly, plenty of recycling going on (trash collection is single stream with composting), organic and bulk foods are available. Not too rural, and there are some big box stores, eg Lowe's, Home Depot (both very useful if you are handy), Sam's Club.

[eon-krate32]

Nederland or Lyons would work nice for you. While the geographic size outstrips that of Boulder and the population is not far behind, Longmont (15miles northeast of Boulder) is a really great city to live in. It has all the venues and commodities that anyone could really ask for, there are several all organic shops in town (like the Vitamin Cottage on 17th and Main), there are no dog restrictions that i know of and the city is great for outdoorsy people, the rents usually aren't too high but then again Longmont has neighborhoods that fit in both ends of the spectrum (from the slums and ghettos to the new and the expensive mansions).