Boulder vs. Denver (Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville: middle-class, crime, neighborhoods)

[NewHomeOregon]

I'm thinking of relocating to Colorado! (I'm torn between Oregon and Colorado)

Is there more to do in Boulder or in Denver? I like to walk and hike in nature. I enjoy cultural events and farmers markets. Music is a love. Stage theatre is good too, but I don't go that often.
I was looking at a YouTube video of Boulder, and perhaps it was just the areas I was looking at, but it didn't seem as beautiful as I thought it would be. The video was taken in Summer, I assume, and the hills looked all dried up.
Also, do you think Denver or Boulder is safer. I know Boulder has an excellent reputation. In addition, I'm a very progressive minded person. I appreciate a tolerant attitude toward other cultures/religions/sexual orientation.

How would you compare their public transportation?
From what I've read, Denver seems to be hotter in the Summer than Boulder. I don't like the heat too much.


Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Pierce2011]

Hi NewHomeOregon,
You should search some of these threads in CO, Denver and Boulder. You might find the answers you're looking for. People have been posting all of their likes and dislikes about both cities. I can't remember which thread I recently posted on, but I had a paragraph about Boulder that sparked some interest. Some people thought I was telling stories, but no, it was all true. I haven't posted that much, so you should be able to find it quickly.

I think you might have gotten the impression that Boulder isn't very close to Denver and that they have completely different climates, crime, transportations, etc.

• Whatever the temp is in Denver, is pretty much the same in Boulder.
• "Boulder has an excellent reputation"? I enjoy visiting Boulder. I think it is very beautiful. But I personally could never live there. I have my own reasons, which may be reasons why somebody else might love it. (Mork & Mindy lived in Boulder, CO. for a reason!)
• Crime happens everywhere. Just when you think you live in such a great neighborhood, something horrible will happen to shake you up. (JonBonet?)
• As for transportation...I've always owned a car. I don't know any different. Someone else can address that one.
• "Is there more to do in Boulder or in Denver?" There is a LOT of things to do in both cities. Whatever you feel like doing, jump on the hwy (I-36) and go do it. It might take you all of 30 min's to get from Boulder to Denver or vice versa.
• "progressive minded person"? We are everywhere. I don't tolerate intolerant people.

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

Originally Posted by NewHomeOregon

I was looking at a YouTube video of Boulder, and perhaps it was just the areas I was looking at, but it didn't seem as beautiful as I thought it would be. The video was taken in Summer, I assume, and the hills looked all dried up.

This is a semi-arid climate. During the summer, the foothills are all dried up. This is not a lush, green, forested area.

And the other poster is correct. There's not much different in temp between Denver and Boulder. It's gets just as hot in Boulder too. I sometimes think if someone has never been here before, they have the impression Denver/Boulder are in the mountains.

[qfrost]

Originally Posted by jkcoop

This is a semi-arid climate. During the summer, the foothills are all dried up. This is not a lush, green, forested area.

This was the biggest 'false' concept we had of Boulder. But that aside, from what you've described Boulder would be a better fit.

[docwatson]

I would say it depends what you are looking for - both cities have good transit, decent to good bicycle facilities, progressive attitudes. Both have music, although in variety and amount Denver has more. Boulder has nature very close; Denver has some decent bike trails, pakrs and open areas but to really get into nature you have to drive or take a bus. Boulder is a college town of 100,000, 30,000 of whom are students. It is not terribly culturally diverse, is largely either upper-middle-class or renters, and has more of a mix of suburban, professional or aging hippie outlooks. Denver is a bigger city with diversity, ethnic neighborhoods, places like Capitol Hill where younger people and young professionals flock - its a bit different vibe. Boulder has well-rated schools; Denver is more hit-or-miss.

Also pay attention to how you want to live and what you can afford. Coloproperty.com can give you a good idea. Boulder has satellite cities that are more affordable - Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Gunbarrel (not really a city), Niwot ... Denver has neat historic neighborhoods and there are threads on them (Highlands, for example).

[Katarina Witt]

The transit company is the same for both cities, RTD. Boulder has pretty good service b/c people use it a lot.

There is more to do in Denver, that kind of goes with the territory of Denver being a city of 600,000 and Boulder a city of 100,000.

I agree with others that the temperature difference is minimal, maybe a couple of degrees or so.

[sprint100]

I just visited Boulder and the things like Google maps street view, etc do not do it justice. Very, very nice, I'd say visit once just to get a real feel. Or at the very least visit for a day or two.