Moving Back to CO, Maybe Not Boulder County this time? (Denver: fit in, condo)

[backtocolorado]

Hi, everyone:

My husband are I are moving back to Colorado at the end of this month, from Singapore. We have lived in Boulder County much of our adult lives, but have left twice for work. My husband's job will be in north Boulder.

When in Colorado, we have only ever lived in Boulder County, since the 80s. I lived in the city of Boulder (had a condo), and together we have lived in homes in Louisville and Lafayette. We love doing fun things in Boulder, but the housing prices kept us from ever buying there. Now, Louisville is just as cost prohibitive. So..... we are thinking of boldly looking beyond Boulder County. We'd like easy access to Boulder, and ideally Denver, too, along with easy access to trails and open space, shops, restaurants, gyms, etc.

We are empty nesters. We don't want a big yard. Out ultimate goal in a few years when my husband retires is to live part time in Colorado, and part-time on a coast somewhere.

Are there many empty nesters in Bradburn? It sounds like a great place, but also sounds like it's maybe inhabited mostly by very young families? Would we be out of place there? We love kids but our lives absolutely are not kid-centric at this point.

Any ideas and thoughts would be most welcome, on Bradburn or any other towns or 'hoods we should consider. We are prepared to spend 400-700k on a home. We will consider attached and detached homes.

Thank you so much in advance!

[davebarnes]

work is in north Boulder
rent in Longmont
then search for something more permanent

[mic111]

You might want to look at
Toll Brothers - The Enclave at McKay Shores

It is just being built so not sure of the demographics but they are small lots and the home plans include 3 main floor masters, 1 ranch and 1 traditional 2 story so I imagine that it would be popular with retired people. It is walking distance to King Sooper, some restaurants, banking etc. If you don't mind walking a little further or riding your bikes Orchard Town Center is very close and has alot of shopping, restaurants and movie theater. Also McKay lake is very nice to walk around.

[2bindenver]

What about an over 55 active adult community?

[backtocolorado]

We'd probably consider an over 55 active adult community..... never visited one, to be honest. We definitely are actively and "feel" younger than we are.

[backtocolorado]

Thanks; I'll check out McKays -- not at all familiar with it!

[Bradburn1]

Although I'd estimate about 60% of single family homes in Bradburn are families with middle/elementary kids, we do also have quite a number of empty nesters--they even have their own neighborhood group that holds events. You'd fit in great, everyone socializes with everyone of all ages, kids or no kids.

You might also take a look at Propsect New Town in Longmont. Prospect is a new urbanist community like Bradburn (walkable, mixed-use), but skews older with fewer kids demographically. At least according to a neighbor of mine who moved there, then moved back here because there were more kids for her young sons to play with.

Prospect is more expensive as it is Boulder County, and no grocery super close. Grocery close to Prospect is not far though either, it's only like 10 minutes, but in Bradburn there will be 4 grocery stores in 2-5 minute driving distance and 2 in 5-10 walking distance once Whole Foods is finished (Whole Foods and Sprouts.)

Houses in Prospect have small yards but the neighborhood architecture is very modern with crazy colors in some places. I personally love that but some people find it off putting. Bradburn has some modernish elements but is mostly traditional architecture. We do have some bright house colors but no comparison to Prospect. No neighborhood anywhere can compare to Prospect in that respect.

[backtocolorado]

Thank you so much! I've seen Prospect and find it appealing (and yes, expensive), but if I had my druthers, we'd be sort of in between Boulder and Denver, much like we were when we lived in Louisville and Lafayette.

Bradburn sounds great, and you have alleviated my concerns about us being the sore thumb grandma and grandpa of the neighborhood. We actually enjoy seeing children out and about, and surely wouldn't mind making friends with a few kids and their parents. We are just past the "all kids all the time" phase of our lives. Your comments have been so very helpful to me; thanks again!

[brown_dog_us]

How bad would the drive be from Bradburn to N Boulder?

[Bradburn1]

Depends on traffic. In rush hour to Valmont off Foothills pkway is 30-40 minutes. Non rush is 20-25. If lots of snow and rush hour, easy 1-2 hrs. On those days we stay home!