Townhouse within walking distance of restaurants/stores (Boulder, Broomfield: condominiums, neighborhood)

[Hipchik]

You're smart to rent first, then decide on where you want to buy. When I lived in Boulder I rented a nice townhouse at the west end of Spruce. It was a great location, short walk to Pearl Street and hiking. It has changed since I lived there, the West End is more built up and vibrant. I have no clue what the rents are like now though.

[WiW]

Thanks Katiana.

I've noticed that a lot of town homes have gas heat, but the stoves are electric. Are there laws against gas stoves in townhouses?

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by WiW

Thanks Katiana.

I've noticed that a lot of town homes have gas heat, but the stoves are electric. Are there laws against gas stoves in townhouses?

Not that I know of. However, electric stoves/ovens are the norm around here, with gas heat and water heaters. Go figure.

[davya]

So much for the Townhouse thing. If you're looking for racial diversity go elsewhere. Boulder is not racialy diverse. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

[whoisjongalt]

If you're willing to settle for a condo that isn't a townhouse, you'd have a much better chance of finding something near downtown Boulder for that price. As far as racial diversity...not so much. Some friends of mine were visiting from L.A. and we were on Pearl St. One of them said "This is the whitest place I've ever seen".

[vegaspilgrim]

I am REEeaaaallllyyy curious how so many people on this forum from out of state have narrowed their relocation choice to Boulder, that one specific garden spot as opposed to the greater Denver area/ Front Range corridor in general. Many of these people have never thoroughly visited the region before, and yet they're so sure Boulder is "it." Then they project requirements for housing that is completely out of line with the price range & type of community Boulder is.

If you want real ethnic/racial/national/religious/linguistic/political diversity in Colorado, plus affordability, try Aurora. There are places near the Aurora Mall which has a semi-walkable town center shopping area.

[WiW]

Thanks for your input vegaspilgrim. I looked at Aurora on google maps, and there doesn't seem to be easy access to trails etc, that I hope to find in the boulder area. (I know I didn't say that in my post). I also couldn't find townhomes in the Aurora Mall area (on Alameida Ave), so if you could point out some addresses in the area, I'd really appreciate it.

I plan to visit the area late this summer for a few weeks and I'm sure we'll come away with a better understanding of the towns. I have visited Denver, Ft. Collins & Colorado Springs in the past, but mainly on business.

Whoisjongalt and others,
The racial diversity would be good to have, but I know that it isn't realistic in the area. It isn't at the top of my requirements.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by WiW

Thanks for your input vegaspilgrim. I looked at Aurora on google maps, and there doesn't seem to be easy access to trails etc, that I hope to find in the boulder area. (I know I didn't say that in my post). I also couldn't find townhomes in the Aurora Mall area (on Alameida Ave), so if you could point out some addresses in the area, I'd really appreciate it.

I plan to visit the area late this summer for a few weeks and I'm sure we'll come away with a better understanding of the towns. I have visited Denver, Ft. Collins & Colorado Springs in the past, but mainly on business.

Whoisjongalt and others,
The racial diversity would be good to have, but I know that it isn't realistic in the area. It isn't at the top of my requirements.

In terms of trails, creeks, and plains nature preserves for jogging/bicycling, that can be found in many different places all over the Denver metro area, not just Boulder. For example I live in S Aurora right near Cherry Creek State Park, which is quite beautiful and chock full of different trails. There are also many walkable entertainment/shopping districts all over too, not just Boulder. There are old, revitalized shopping districts in Denver such as 32nd/Lowell, South Broadway, East Colfax, old South Pearl St, the 16th St Mall, downtown Littleton & Arvada, Cherry Creek North, and many new outdoor pedestrian oriented malls, such as Northfield Stapleton, Southlands, Southglenn, Belmar. The Aurora suggestion was tongue-in-cheek, and other than being very diverse, probably not what you're looking for (Aurora is probably the most opposite place there is to a "Boulder" vibe). I think what attracts people to Boulder is it has a lot of neat things all in one convenient package-- the in-town trails & mountains/foothills access, a walkable downtown entertainment district, a major university with all the pros and cons that a college town atmosphere provides, some old charming neighborhoods, all wrapped up in one "brand"-- Boulder. But all the individual components of what makes Boulder Boulder can be found in various places throughout the metro area.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I am REEeaaaallllyyy curious how so many people on this forum from out of state have narrowed their relocation choice to Boulder, that one specific garden spot as opposed to the greater Denver area/ Front Range corridor in general. Many of these people have never thoroughly visited the region before, and yet they're so sure Boulder is "it." Then they project requirements for housing that is completely out of line with the price range & type of community Boulder is.

If you want real ethnic/racial/national/religious/linguistic/political diversity in Colorado, plus affordability, try Aurora. There are places near the Aurora Mall which has a semi-walkable town center shopping area.

Qute accurate. If you really want to live near Boulder, you could try Lafayette for the same. It's "diverse" in the true meaning of the word, a little bit of everything.

vegas is right in a later post that virtually every town in metro Denver has access to trails and other outdoor activities.

[xeric]

Sure there are trails, walkable neighborhoods, etc. in other parts of the metro area but I think vegaspilgrim's remark is key (even though his intent was for you to look at other areas): in Boulder it's all wrapped up in one package. There are very few places in the country where you can walk from a vibrant downtown to mountains that are 3000 vertical feet above the town center. But it costs a lot.

In contrast, I live in southwest Fort Collins and can walk to two shopping centers as well as the foothills. These shopping centers are something but they can't really be compared to downtown Fort Collins in terms of shopping, dining, entertainment amenities. But if I moved to downtown, I would lose my easy walking access to the foothills. In neither case would I have good views of the mountains (which are limited to eastern Fort Collins). From what I've seen, the Fort Collins pattern is far more common: the attractions are dispersed. As a result, it is cheaper to live here then Boulder - but then you get what you pay for.