Are there still laid back people out there? (Denver, Boulder: appointed, townhomes)

[notatexan]

Hello.

I grew up in Boulder and haven't lived there since 1994, though I come back regularly enough. My husband and I are considering moving back, but I am concerned that Colorado has changed a lot. We would be leaving a really lucrative situation professionally where we are now, but the reality is that I am tired of living in a place where people are so busy keeping up with the Jones and grooming their image that they have forgotten what matters. In my opinion, it is because people where I live now are really insecure and that makes everyone super competitive, especially the women, it's sad. Now that we are thinking about having kids, I want them to grow up in a place where people have healthy senses of self, where they are secure in themselves enough to not worry if they have the 'right' handbag, are at the 'right' charity event, Boulder was never see and be seen land. Places with greater exposure to nature seem to 'keep it real'. But I do wonder, am I yearning for a community that was based on the 1970s and 80s that just doesn't really exist anymore? I was disappointed to read on another thread several Coloradans preaching at this mother who had asked for a suggestion on where to live, about how she shouldn't be so far away from her kids. They can think what they want to, but I think of Colorado as a very independent and respectful of "each to their own" kind of place. I know there are all kinds of people everywhere, but I am tired of judgmental, preachy people. Are there any places out there where no one is ranking each other? In Boulder, kids at my high school drove jaguars and kids drove VW buses, and it didn't define who you were whatsoever. Where are the laid back, intelligent people living? I am 35, would like best of all worlds, spacious house with land and views but walking distance to coffee shops, used book stores, ethnic restaurants. Am I searching for the fantasy that was my youth?

[Cupcake77]

Too many Californains and Texans have moved here since then and changed it a lot around here. But the good news is that they are happy.

[Bradburn1]

Well I think my neighborhood is laid back in this way, and we have townhomes that sell for under 200k right up to houses that sell for over 1.5 million. We are in easy walking distance to lots of things but have smaller lots (neighborhood is higher density to promote community interaction, resource conservation, and walkability). I think you would be hard pressed to find large lots of land in walking distance to shops--maybe some of Denver's city neighborhoods like Observatory Park and Cherry Creek but it depends on how large of land you mean, if you mean acreage with views, no, but large lots yes. Be prepared to pay 800k-2 million or so though. Also, Mapleton in Boulder.

I've never found people in Colorado to be "keeping up with the Joneses" types personally, everyone is very live and let live in my experience. None of the women I know here--even the ones in the million + houses--care one wit if they have the "right" handbag (what a nightmare it would be to me to be surrounded by such people, I can't even imagine such a thing). I am originally from Scottsdale, Arizona which was very much more "status conscious" than anywhere I've lived in CO. That being said, it's hard to generalize about any diverse area--there are awesome people and jerky people everywhere (as you said).

A close friend of mine moved to Littleton from Scottsdale a few years ago and she made the comment that she thinks people here are much more laid back (especially the women) and she doesn't feel the social pressure to dress to the nines when she leaves the house. I've heard some folks here on City Data say the southern suburbs of Denver (Highlands Ranch, Cherry Hills Village, Englewood) are more concerned with status but I had a neighbor move to Highlands Ranch and she hasn't noticed that (and she would).

[Bradburn1]

Proof of lack of status consciousness in Boulder

Boulderites Named Worst-Dressed, Best In Buff - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

LOL!

[Mike from back east]

Finally, the naked truth.

[suzco]

Funny; could say it's a new wrinkle on the Boulder "Buffs," though even our oldsters have no flab. . .

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Bradburn1

Proof of lack of status consciousness in Boulder

Boulderites Named Worst-Dressed, Best In Buff - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

LOL!

Now that's funny...but probably true. And I admit it often describes me! But it makes for great people watching on the Pearl St. Mall

[Cupcake77]

I dont get it, whats wrong with wearing northface coats or Uggs in the summer?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Cupcake77

I dont get it, whats wrong with wearing northface coats or Uggs in the summer?

Nothing, though I prefer the look of Boulder winter garb - T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Did the GQ article miss that?

[BigFish2]

Originally Posted by notatexan

Hello.

I grew up in Boulder and haven't lived there since 1994, though I come back regularly enough. My husband and I are considering moving back, but I am concerned that Colorado has changed a lot. We would be leaving a really lucrative situation professionally where we are now, but the reality is that I am tired of living in a place where people are so busy keeping up with the Jones and grooming their image that they have forgotten what matters. In my opinion, it is because people where I live now are really insecure and that makes everyone super competitive, especially the women, it's sad. Now that we are thinking about having kids, I want them to grow up in a place where people have healthy senses of self, where they are secure in themselves enough to not worry if they have the 'right' handbag, are at the 'right' charity event, Boulder was never see and be seen land. Places with greater exposure to nature seem to 'keep it real'. But I do wonder, am I yearning for a community that was based on the 1970s and 80s that just doesn't really exist anymore? I was disappointed to read on another thread several Coloradans preaching at this mother who had asked for a suggestion on where to live, about how she shouldn't be so far away from her kids. They can think what they want to, but I think of Colorado as a very independent and respectful of "each to their own" kind of place. I know there are all kinds of people everywhere, but I am tired of judgmental, preachy people. Are there any places out there where no one is ranking each other? In Boulder, kids at my high school drove jaguars and kids drove VW buses, and it didn't define who you were whatsoever. Where are the laid back, intelligent people living? I am 35, would like best of all worlds, spacious house with land and views but walking distance to coffee shops, used book stores, ethnic restaurants. Am I searching for the fantasy that was my youth?

There are potheads in every state...