Grad student and husband moving to Boulder area... need advice on a good area to live, buy (around 140K) or rent (Westminster: for sale, real estate)

[MargeryKempe5455]

I am looking to move to Boulder in July or early August. I don't know much about the area. I've checked out a few websites on housing prices, and Boulder seems to be a bit pricey. We would like to buy, but need to stay around 140K. We will also rent if necessary. Looking for a minimum of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Anyone have any suggestions??

Also, my husband is an HVAC and Refrigerant Tech. Anyone know of any good businesses in the area that are hiring?

[Neditate]

Yes, Boulder real estate is expensive. You might be able to find a small condo in that price range. Did you look at this website? COhomefinder | Boulder Colorado For Sale and Sold Condos Townhomes and Lofts
If you don't need to live in Boulder there are more options in the surrounding communities of Lafayette, Louisville, Superior.

[DressageRider]

Your price range is low for the area. Definitely look into Longmont, Lafayette, Superior. I don't know what type of town you are interested in -- they each have different personalities, amenities, etc.

Another great real estate website is Coloproperty.com.

Good luck!

[edog80]

Longmont and Lafayette will be good for that price range, and they are close commuting distance.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by edog80

Longmont and Lafayette will be good for that price range, and they are close commuting distance.

I doubt you could find a single family house in either city for that price, except a very old, very small one.

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I do not knw of anyone who is hiring.

[Melanie777]

Originally Posted by MargeryKempe5455

I am looking to move to Boulder in July or early August. I don't know much about the area. I've checked out a few websites on housing prices, and Boulder seems to be a bit pricey. We would like to buy, but need to stay around 140K. We will also rent if necessary. Looking for a minimum of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Anyone have any suggestions??

Also, my husband is an HVAC and Refrigerant Tech. Anyone know of any good businesses in the area that are hiring?

The city of Boulder has an awesome affordable and median income housing program. There are a few places close to the University available for that price range, but otherwise you're going to end up pretty far from the University (maybe Broomfield or Westminster) for that price.

This condo is across the street from the University (2bd/2ba for $153K):
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed


Good luck!

[davya]

Good luck! Housing in this area is very high. You may find something in Longmont for that price the way things are right now but you will have to look hard!

[MargeryKempe5455]

Thanks for the comments. I know that the price range is pretty low for the area. I've been looking at Automated Homefinder, which has pulled some interesting matches for my search. I need to know a bit more about some of the surrounding areas. I don't mind driving in to campus, but I just want to find a town that is going to fit my husband and I. We are out-doors kind of people, so great fit for Colorado! We have a small dog and cat. We like activity!! We just don't want to be stuck somewhere where nothing at all happens. So, any suggestions or comments about the surrounding towns?

[chilaili]

You can find properties in Longmont or Lafayette in your price range - check out coloproperty.com or gokellerwilliams.com. They may not be spacious but they do exist. I don't know Lafayette but Longmont is a town of about 74,000 people so there are definitely things going on: City of Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado; Official Government Website will give you more details.

[Melanie777]

I would try to stay in Boulder if you can, and live in a smaller rental. Lafayette is a nice small town with a cute downtown area (kind of gentrified over the past 5 years) and some good mexican restaurants (Efrain's) and grocey stores (Vitamin Cottage and a good Kroger/King Soopers store). Louisville has a cute small town too, but neither town has very much night life and if your looking for outdoor activity, I would stay in Boulder: Chautauqua park, awesome Farmer's market, and a ridiculous amount of restaurants, local shops, bars and venues too.

As far as commuting to campus, I did that from Lafayette and it sucked. Finding parking and the downtown traffic was hellish, and as a grad student, I was so much happier when I lived close to campus.

Any place further out (Broomfield, Westminster) and your commute time is getting close to 1/2 hour to get into the downtown Boulder campus area, and in those places you get more house for your money but the atmosphere is American Generic Suburbia (shopping centers, Starbucks, fast food and Walmart/Target).

South Boulder has cheaper housing but can be a bit trashy (undergrads passed out on the lawn in the morning, loud parties, cops called, etc.)

That's all I can think of... HTH!