Denver vs. Boulder???? (2009, to rent, homes)

[smary75]

My husband and I are really stuck between Denver and Boulder. We are planning to move end of summer 2009 as my husband will be attending Naropa in Boulder. We have two small children and are looking to rent a modest house. We are from huge cities (Chicago and LA) and really need a break, hence Boulder and the foothills are very appealing, however, Denver is still relatively small in comparison to what we've been living in thus far.

We are a bit scared of the college kid vibe in Boulder - however we know that plenty of families make happy homes there - thoughts??? Also it seems like Boulder Heights is much less expensive than being in the city - we are open (and kind of like the idea) of being in a quiet mountain area with easy access to the city - anybody have any input on this as well, including other areas that might fit the bill? In terms of Denver - we are still considering it as our work might translate there just because of a larger population to pull from (husband is studying to be a therapist and I'm a natural childbirth instructor/doula). Again, these jobs must exist in Boulder - but will we be forever starving there??

Any input is much appreciated - we are really stuck here!!!!

Thanks!!!

[fieldmama]

Finding your old thread and wondering, Mama...what did you decide???

[Rockhopper11]

Originally Posted by smary75

In terms of Denver - we are still considering it as our work might translate there just because of a larger population to pull from (husband is studying to be a therapist and I'm a natural childbirth instructor/doula). Again, these jobs must exist in Boulder - but will we be forever starving there??

!!!

.

There may be many qualified professionals in these fields (in Boulder) in which you may be competing against. There may be more (and possibly better paying) jobs and less competition in Denver area. Keep this in mind. I can't say for sure but its something I suspect.

[POhdNcrzy]

I think The Hopper is really on to something there. I can't say it with 100% certainty, but both of those fields are gonna be already very, very crowded in Boulder (and also in Denver but not as much).

Rents in Boulder and Denver are pretty much the same. Boulder is a much, much nicer place to live in my opinion (by a factor of like 100x or more). I know the area very well. Denver is also chock fulla students, BTW.

[poldy]

I know this post is way old, but I have to disagree with POhd. We lived in Boulder for five years, and the city is literally half students. Everyone who lives there (who are not students) comments on how nice the city is during the summer. And it's true. We are actually planning on moving to Denver in March, so we'll see if it's full of students as well. Denver just seems bigger and is more diverse. And I'm pretty sure that rent in Denver is cheaper than Boulder. Boulder housing is REALLY expensive unless you find a great deal or live outside the city. Boulder is pretty, but we grew tired of the rich people and students. I hope you like it if you choose to live there. We're moving on.

[Katiana]

Boulder housing and Denver housing are roughly equivalent in price, for comparable homes. The difference is that there's much less lower end housing in Boulder.

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by poldy

I know this post is way old, but I have to disagree with POhd. We lived in Boulder for five years, and the city is literally half students. Everyone who lives there (who are not students) comments on how nice the city is during the summer. And it's true. We are actually planning on moving to Denver in March, so we'll see if it's full of students as well. Denver just seems bigger and is more diverse. And I'm pretty sure that rent in Denver is cheaper than Boulder. Boulder housing is REALLY expensive unless you find a great deal or live outside the city. Boulder is pretty, but we grew tired of the rich people and students. I hope you like it if you choose to live there. We're moving on.

Hey, I could live in Denver myself but let's get real poldy ! You're making this move for financial reasons it seems. What it boils down to is this:

Boulder (and all it's super-cool unique features and immediate surroundings) vs. A big sprawling smelly run-down glorified slum (Denver) sitting way out on the flat prairie.

It's sorta like Malibu versus Downey IMHO!

No dice!!

[whoisjongalt]

Originally Posted by POhdNcrzy

Hey, I could live in Denver myself but let's get real poldy ! You're making this move for financial reasons it seems. What it boils down to is this:

Boulder (and all it's super-cool unique features and immediate surroundings) vs. A big sprawling smelly run-down glorified slum (Denver) sitting way out on the flat prairie.

It's sorta like Malibu versus Downey IMHO!

No dice!!

I've lived in Malibu and I've lived in Boulder. Believe me, Boulder is nothing like Malibu.

[Katiana]

If you think Denver is a huge sprawling slum, you haven't seen much of it.

[Scott5280]

Originally Posted by POhdNcrzy

Hey, I could live in Denver myself but let's get real poldy ! You're making this move for financial reasons it seems. What it boils down to is this:

Boulder (and all it's super-cool unique features and immediate surroundings) vs. A big sprawling smelly run-down glorified slum (Denver) sitting way out on the flat prairie.

It's sorta like Malibu versus Downey IMHO!

No dice!!

All these comparisons are way off Boulder is NOTHING like Malibu..and Denver is far from a glorified slum on the prarie..In fact the Denver area boasts the most expensive neighborhoods on the front range.. places like Cherry Creek,Hilltop,adjacent Cherry Hills and Greenwood Village ect.are full of$$$ Places not quite as pricey .Platte Park,Capital Hill, Baker,Uptown ect. are all excellent areas of town with fairly low over all crime rates. I have lived in and own property in both cities. Yes, Boulder is a very nice place to call home, but so is most of Denver and surroundings.. The so called slums or truly rough areas make up rather narrow sections of Denver...It often comes down more to lifestyle than COL between the two.. From the way you make it sound ..I guess I'm very lucky I have never been shot in Denver.