Neighborhoods between Denver and Boulder? (Westminster, Longmont: rental, condos, house prices)

[MEMMOM]

Hi - thanks for such a great forum. Are there neighborhoods (safe; good schools; affordable - if such a thing exists; good transport) that are between Boulder and Denver. My husband is applying for a Boulder position but our family is more accustomed to urban living and of course more possible job prospects for me. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

[2bindenver]

yes. no. maybe.
define:
safe
good schools
affordable
good transport

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by MEMMOM

Hi - thanks for such a great forum. Are there neighborhoods (safe; good schools; affordable - if such a thing exists; good transport) that are between Boulder and Denver. My husband is applying for a Boulder position but our family is more accustomed to urban living and of course more possible job prospects for me. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

You may have the wrong impression but many areas of Boulder are very urban. It is very dense small city with heavy auto traffic. Boulder, many decades ago, put a restriction on growth and surrounded some of the city with open space. Consequently growth has become extremely dense and expensive in the city. It is also home to a very large university and that adds tremedously to the population density with many young people who drive too fast. I have found that there are areas near Downtown Denver that are less Dense and with less traffic than some areas of Boulder.

The advantage of the compactness of Boulder is, like many urban cities, it has developed good public transit. So in the core part of Boulder, you can easily live without a car and it has excellent bus transit to Denver.

I know that Boulder tries to give the impression that it is a liberal mountain village with parks and open space. Yes, it is true, it has many nice parks, and great open space surrounding the city; especially to the west toward the mountains. However, it is not in the mountains--it butts up and includes some foothills but mostly it sits on the plains. There are many areas that are in the Canyons with a Boulder address but these areas are mostly unicorporated Boulder County and rural.

So the answer if you are into urban living then Boulder may be your thing. There are other areas in Boulder, particularly in the Gunbarrel area, along the Diagonal to Longmont, and east Boulder but they are suburban.

Many people live in Boulder and commute to Denver for jobs and many people go the opposite way. The connection from Boulder to Downtown Denver is very convenient and frequent on public transit.
You can live in Boulder for your husband job and you can widen your search for a commuting job in Boulder; or, you can live cheaper (some areas), in the urban core of Denver and your husband can commute to Boulder.

I would exclude any cities between Boulder and Denver because none of them are define as urban environments and consequently lack the better public transit and walkable amenities you will see in an urban center. There are some areas in old towns of Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont that can be considered a little urban and do have good transit into Boulder and you may consider them but job prospects are less.

All depends on what part of Boulder, your husband is going to work, some are not as good for public transit.

Livecontent

[MEMMOM]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

yes. no. maybe.
define:
safe
good schools
affordable
good transport

I believe I've found a starting point in Broomfield or Westminster. Thank you anyway.

[MEMMOM]

Originally Posted by livecontent

You may have the wrong impression but many areas of Boulder are very urban. It is very dense small city with heavy auto traffic. Boulder, many decades ago, put a restriction on growth and surrounded some of the city with open space. Consequently growth has become extremely dense and expensive in the city. It is also home to a very large university and that adds tremedously to the population density with many young people who drive too fast.

The advantage of the compactness of Boulder is, like many urban cities, it has developed good public transit. So in the core part of Boulder, you can easily live without a car and it has excellent bus transit to Denver.

I know that Boulder tries to give the impression that it is a liberal mountain village with parks and open space. Yes, it is true, it has many nice parks, and great open space surrounding the city; especially to the west toward the mountains. However, it is not in the mountains--it butts up and includes some foothills but mostly it sits on the plains. There are many areas that are in the Canyons with a Boulder address but these areas are mostly unicorporated Boulder County and rural.

So the answer if you are into urban living then Boulder may be your thing. In addition, there are other areas in Boulder, particularly in the Gunbarrel area, along the Diagonal to Longmont, and east Boulder that are surburban.

Many people live in Boulder and commute to Denver for jobs and many people go the opposite way. The connection from Boulder to Downtown Denver is very convenient and frequent on public transit.
You can live in Boulder for your husband job and you can widen your search for a commuting job in Boulder. Or, you can live cheaper, some areas, in the urban core of Denver and your husband can commute to Boulder.

I would exclude any cities between Boulder and Denver because none of them are define as urban environments and consequently lack the better public transit and walkable amenities you will see in an urban center. There are some areas in old towns of Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont that can be considered a little urban and do have good transit into Boulder and you may consider them.

Livecontent

This really helps. I guess when I say urban - I'd like at least access - if that makes any sense. The reason I'm looking at communities between the two (Boulder/Denver) is we know at least a few people in Denver. And I may have better job prospects in a larger area as opposed to Boulder - I could be wrong but just assumed there would be a wider variety of options. Will continue to research. Thanks so much!

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by MEMMOM

This really helps. I guess when I say urban - I'd like at least access - if that makes any sense. The reason I'm looking at communities between the two (Boulder/Denver) is we know at least a few people in Denver. And I may have better job prospects in a larger area as opposed to Boulder - I could be wrong but just assumed there would be a wider variety of options. Will continue to research. Thanks so much!

I think you are correct in your assessment of job possiblities in Denver v. Boulder, and it takes the better part of an hour to get between the two. Louisville is an old mining town turned suburb, it has an "old town" that is quaint. Ditto Lafayette. Both have lots of new housing as well. Both have good public transit, both to Boulder and to Denver. One generally doesn't have to walk too far to a bus stop, even in the newer areas. They don't get you much closer to Denver, though.

If I were looking for something "in between", I might go with Broomfield. Very suburban but it has a nice sense of community, with a lot of cooperation between the city and the schools.

[MEMMOM]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I think you are correct in your assessment of job possiblities in Denver v. Boulder, and it takes the better part of an hour to get between the two. Louisville is an old mining town turned suburb, it has an "old town" that is quaint. Ditto Lafayette. Both have lots of new housing as well. Both have good public transit, both to Boulder and to Denver. One generally doesn't have to walk too far to a bus stop, even in the newer areas. They don't get you much closer to Denver, though.

If I were looking for something "in between", I might go with Broomfield. Very suburban but it has a nice sense of community, with a lot of cooperation between the city and the schools.

Just saw your reply Katiana - thank you. I'm checking out Broomfield. Thanks again for everyone.

[Bradburn1]

There are lots of neighborhoods that would suit your criteria (although the urban aspect, not so much), to make specific suggestions what is your price range/rent range? Without knowing that, I would agree with the Broomfield suggestion but also parts of Westminster. My neighborhood, Bradburn Village, has an urban feel (mixed-use/walkable) with the benefits of excellent public schools, safety, and an ideal location between Boulder and Denver (20 minutes to each, longer in rush hour for Denver though great park n rides close so you can take bus to either, many people here do that). Is on 120th between Federal and Sheridan in Westminster. Neighborhood is hyper social though and filled with kids so if you don't want to ever speak to your neighbors or see/hear packs of kids running about, wouldn't be a good fit. We have townhomes, single family, live/work, and soon to be condos. Prices range all over the map from 200s to over 1 mil (single family homes range from 300-1 mil). There's plenty of rental opportunities as well.

[MEMMOM]

Originally Posted by Bradburn1

There are lots of neighborhoods that would suit your criteria (although the urban aspect, not so much), to make specific suggestions what is your price range/rent range? Without knowing that, I would agree with the Broomfield suggestion but also parts of Westminster. My neighborhood, Bradburn Village, has an urban feel (mixed-use/walkable) with the benefits of excellent public schools, safety, and an ideal location between Boulder and Denver (20 minutes to each, longer in rush hour for Denver though great park n rides close so you can take bus to either, many people here do that). Is on 120th between Federal and Sheridan in Westminster. Neighborhood is hyper social though and filled with kids so if you don't want to ever speak to your neighbors or see/hear packs of kids running about, wouldn't be a good fit. We have townhomes, single family, live/work, and soon to be condos. Prices range all over the map from 200s to over 1 mil (single family homes range from 300-1 mil). There's plenty of rental opportunities as well.

Wow! Your neighborhood sounds great. Thanks. House prices on the lower end would be our preference and the more kids the better. I'll look this up. Thank you again.