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There is no comparison on this one. I went to Sedona this past spring and it was a major tourist trap. The line of traffic trying to get into Sedona was miles long. Probably at least 5 miles long. Sedona has a little Main Street with a bunch of stores designed for tourists and there is nowhere near the road space to accommodate the hordes of tourists trying to cram into Sedona.
The road from Flagstaff to Sedona is the nice part. There is a beautiful river that runs down the mountain and the areas if filled with boulders and lush trees. If I were going, I would come south from Flagstaff and then go back north when leaving. Going the other direction is like being stuck in traffic in LA or Houston during rush hour. And for what? Sedona is tacky. The landscape around it is pretty but there are prettier places like Saguaro National Park in Tucson.
Boulder on the other hand is a true city in every way that happens to be next to the Rockies. The main problem with Boulder is that you have to be a Saudi royal to be able to afford living there. There are other towns within 30 minutes that are more doable. Other than that the Boulder area is got to be one of the best places to live in the world
There is no comparison on this one. I went to Sedona this past spring and it was a major tourist trap. The line of traffic trying to get into Sedona was miles long. Probably at least 5 miles long. Sedona has a little Main Street with a bunch of stores designed for tourists and there is nowhere near the road space to accommodate the hordes of tourists trying to cram into Sedona.
The road from Flagstaff to Sedona is the nice part. There is a beautiful river that runs down the mountain and the areas if filled with boulders and lush trees. If I were going, I would come south from Flagstaff and then go back north when leaving. Going the other direction is like being stuck in traffic in LA or Houston during rush hour. And for what? Sedona is tacky. The landscape around it is pretty but there are prettier places like Saguaro National Park in Tucson.
Boulder on the other hand is a true city in every way that happens to be next to the Rockies. The main problem with Boulder is that you have to be a Saudi royal to be able to afford living there. There are other towns within 30 minutes that are more doable. Other than that the Boulder area is got to be one of the best places to live in the world
Why?
I like Boulder, but definitely don’t love it. I thought it was small and not that scenic as there’s nothing particularly special about the Flatirons. It’s expensive, which I don’t really mind if you get something for it, but in this case it doesn’t really seem worth it. Maybe I’m missing something here?
These are very very different places.I feel like Sedona is more comparable to a smaller mountain town like Boulder's neighbor Estes Park.
QOL - since they are so different I'd say tie. It you are looking to live in Boulder and can afford to do so I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Similar with Sedona.
Weather - very subjective (tie), if warmer is better than Sedona, if you want more variation Boulder would fit the bill.
Natural Beauty - Sedona's exposed geology with bright red speckled with green plants is extraordinary. The drive down from Flagstaff with lush foliage is amazing, not something you think of being in Arizona. The Flat Irons and Boulder Canyon/Boulder Falls are pretty good, but I think Sedona takes this one.
Things to do - The size discrepancy between the two becomes apparent here. Pearl street and a large university make for a more vibrant place. The long linear layout of Sedona kills the walkability. I'd say outdoor recreation is a tie with plenty of hiking, riding, and rock climbing in both.
Food - Ive had good food in both. There seemed to be more options in Boulder, and so I would give it the edge.
Better Future - Boulder is just on a different level, it would be hard to but against it given the two choices.
Overall Sedona would be a place for a second home and vacation. Despite the outrageous cost of living Boulder is more well rounded and more livable.
I like Sedona's stunning scenery and mountain vistas and geography overall. It is much, much smaller than Boulder. Sedona is essentially a retirement town with resort-like tourist amenities.
Boulder is so expensive (Sedona too, of course) and when I went I did love it. But it seemed like a super large ski resort town, in a way. Lovely how close it is to the Rockies though, and I can see the allure of folks wanting to live here.
But if both were side to side compared: I'd pick Sedona to have a 2nd home in and Boulder to live full-time.
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