Need advice on "good" or "bad" areas in Boulder... (Denver: apartments)

[moving_to_boulder]

We're moving to Boulder next Month. Some people told me that I have to watch out where to buy a house. For example: Longmont has lots of problems and is regarded blue-collar; Louisville and Superior are suburban living, etc.

We are currently interested in Lafayette, but our friends said we must be very cautious: Lafayette has some super rich people while some crime-infested areas. We have to pay attention not to live in those "poor" pockets.

Is it true? Anybody can give me some advice?

[stickboy]

I lived in Longmont for the last 10 yrs (recently moved to Denver due to my job moving and not wanting to deal with the commute). I think at one time Longmont had a reputation as a poorer, agricultural town (suger beets) -but now its a bedroom community for Boulder/denver. We had absolutely no troubles in tens years we lived there. I thought nothing of going jogging after dark. It certainly is less crowded than Boulder.

The one thing that Longmont has on Lafayette is water. Longmont is pretty fat and happy with water quantity and quality to supply the town. In 10 yrs longmont has never had mandatory restrictions. Lafayette on the other hand has very junior water rights and generally has watering restrictions all summer. I believe Lafayette has aquired more water in the last few years, but I know they still have a problem. Access to denver from Lafayette is not as quick, if that concerns you.


Superior seems like a planned community to me -all cookie cutter homes..kinda the Highlands Ranch for the north part of denver, but on a smaller scale. Its certainly not bad -just very homogenized

Have you looked at Louisville as well? Somewhat cheaper than Boulder, yet still close to denver/boulder. If you want small town feel, Niwot or Lyons is very nice. I'd live in Lyons in a heart beat -except my commute would be way too long. Hope this helps.

[chilaili]

There is some very definite non-blue collar housing in Longmont these days! Especially around the golf courses and in the Historic Downtown area. Try an online property search and you'll see what I mean.

[ToddBradley]

If I were moving back to Boulder (after having lived there about 10 years and then left for Broomfield) I would avoid the area just east of the university. There are a lot of student slum type apartments there, with moderate crime. I lived in one and my car was broken into twice in two years, my storage locker was broken into once, and people even stole some groceries I left on my doorstep. I'd also avoid the houses right around The Hill.

If I could afford it (and apparently you can) I'd get a house on Table Mesa or try for one of the higher density units in north Boulder near the old drive-in theater. There are also some really nice areas just east of Foothills.