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Boulder Neighborhoods ~ Photos & Commentary
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West Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Boulder was first settled as a gold mining supply town at the mouth of Boulder Creek and Boulder Canyon in the 1860's. The West Boulder Neighborhood contains among the oldest homesteads in Boulder. Mapleton Avenue was treeless until it was lined with maple trees planted 100-years ago. You will find historic districts and homes in this area of Boulder.
The fabled Pearl Street Mall is just east of this area. West of the Pearl Street Mall is a small business district known as "The West End". Here you will find a neighborhood natural grocery, an apothecary, a wine shop, a bakery, a garden shoppe, cafes, etc.
Several City Parks can be found in this area, as well as trailheads leading into the foothills.
As you walk the old streets of West Boulder you can sense the heritage of Boulder. This is where the pioneers and their families first lived -- close to the mountains.
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Boulder Suburban Mountain Neighborhood Profile
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There are several "mountain communities" in the foothills west of Boulder. Some are only 5-minutes away while others are over 30-minutes away. You will find multi-million dollar homes as well as rustic cabin-style homes. Most properties are within the Boulder Valley School District with school bus service if you have children.
With an increase in elevation comes pleasantly cooler summer temperatures and greater snow accumulation in the winter. Living in the mountains will introduce you to your own well, your own septic system and propane fuel for your heating -- things you should understand when purchasing a mountain property.
It's fun to learn of the history of the land that you are purchasing. It is likely to have originated as a turn-of-the-century mining claim with a colorful name like the "Longfellow Lode". The mountains remind us of the Wild West.
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Central Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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The original Boulder Downtown was built on Pearl Street beginning in the 1880's. Horse drawn carriages, saloons, general stores, churches and banks were the mainstay establishments. In the 1980's, several blocks of Pearl Street were closed to vehicle traffic and the pedestrian Pearl Street Mall was created.
Today's establishments include saloons, eateries, boutique retail shops, banks, bookstores, art galleries, espresso bars and the same churches. These half-dozen blocks really are the "pearl" of Boulder. Weekends find "street performers" that juggle fire, perform magic tricks, play music, sing, dance and make you laugh -- all in hopes of a donation.
Within a few blocks of Pearl Street you will find the Boulder Farmers Market, Central Park, the Boulder Creek path, various annual festivals, the Dairy Center For The Arts, the University of Colorado, and the North Boulder Recreation Center. Central Boulder is also home to the City's most expensive luxury condominiums.
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CU & Southeast Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Southeast Boulder is dominated by the University of Colorado's Main Campus and separate Research Park. Broadway Boulevard runs north-south through the heart of the Campus. The center of campus is known as "The Hill" and is the mecca for after-school entertainment. The Pearl Street Mall is only a few blocks to the north as an additional venue.
The University of Colorado was established in 1876 and it's construction made use of native stone found in the area. Still today, new university construction is true to this 1870's style giving the campus an "Old East Coast" feel with open grassy expanses between majestic stone buildings.
As you go west of the Campus, you find some of the most expensive houses in Boulder that back-up to the National Forest Lands of the Front Range. The closer that you are to the Campus, the more you will find more condos, apartments and rental houses. Tree-canopied streets are common in this Neighborhood.
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Northwest Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Whether you are looking for traditional or avant garde, you will find both in Northwest Boulder, known as NOBO by the locals. With it's traditional architecture, the Wonderland Hill area includes Wonderland Lake, an integral element of Boulder's eco-system with lake and wetlands. A pedestrian / bicycling path circles the lake and leads to several trail heads west into the Front Range.
The Uptown Broadway area is about new urbanism. Mixed-density residential housing, retail space, open space and commercial work space, all blended together. Award-winning modern designs by various real estate developers share a common goal of community living.
You will find local neighborhood businesses catering to your community experience, not national franchises. Walk to the coffee shop, the bakery, the pizzeria, etc. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset run or bicycle ride into the foothills. Just a short distance away is the Boulder Reservior with more walking, bicycling, swimming and even sailing classes.
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South Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Up-close views of Boulder's namesake Flatiron Mountains, quick access to open space trailheads, Harlow Platts Park and Viele Lake are neighborhood amentities that everyone finds attractive. Trendy shops, cafes and convenience-businesses in the Table Mesa Shopping Center support a non-car life style if one so choses.
SOBO-South Boulder as the locals refer to this area is attractive to families with its park, South Boulder Recreation Center and close proximity to schools. Retirees also enjoy the area for it's pedestrian pathways and neighborly-friendliness.
Young professionals are attracted to SOBO including many of the scientists that are employed by the various Federal laboratories located in South Boulder. You will also find those that work in Denver, but prefer the Boulder life style live in SOBO with the convenient access to the highway leading to Denver.
For those that live in South Boulder, they don't understand those that don't!
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East Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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The East Boulder Community Park with it's lake, play grounds and sport fields is a hub of activity every day of the year. East Boulder is criss-crossed with pedestrian and bicycle pathways that lead in all directions for miles.
East Boulder is home to a number of community facilities including the East Boulder Recreation and Senior Center, the Boulder Community Foothills Hospital, the Boulder County Recycling Center and the City of Boulder Flatirons Public Golf Course.
You will find older residential areas, new developments and "re-developments" in East Boulder. "Far" East Boulder blends into the Boulder Suburban Plains area with the full-spectrum of goods and services that you would expect. Life in East Boulder is both comfortable and convenient.
If you want spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, East Boulder offers you just that!
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Boulder Suburban Plains Neighborhood Profile
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The Boulder Suburban Plains is a loosely-defined area on the fringes of the City of Boulder as well as within unincorporated areas of Boulder County. As a general rule, this area lies to the east and northeast of the City of Boulder.
So why would you consider the Suburban Plains for your next house? The reasons include value, acreage, privacy, open space, views and few restrictions. You will find small subdivisions of homes as well mini-ranches complete with horses, chickens, etc. Among the multi-million dollar estate are small eclectic homes.
Carefully consider your neighbors when purchasing. Your property may have it's open well, septic system and use propane for heating. These are elements that require special understanding.
The terrain is flat as you head toward Kansas. The view of the Rocky Mountain Front Range is spectacular. You feel more like a frontier pioneer living in the Suburban Plains!
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Northeast - City Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Northeast Boulder - City is conveniently located in relationship to 28th Street / Hwy 36 which is the primary north-south thorough-fare in Boulder and the Diagonal Hwy which travels northeast to the City of Longmont and beyond. The 28th Street corridor is Boulder's principal consumer business district with large grocers, shopping malls, and other retailers.
You have quick access to the Boulder Reservoir with a swimming beach, pedestrian / bicycling trails, picnic areas and even sailing lessons. The residential neighborhoods of Northeast Boulder - City are criss-crossed with City of Boulder pedestrian / bicycle pathways that extend in every direction for miles.
As a general rule, the further the distance from the Downtown Pearl Street Mall area, the more real estate that you get for your money. This area also transitions into the Suburban Plains area in many places.
Convenient location, good property value and a great view of the Front Range make this neighborhood worth considering.
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Northeast - Gunbarrel Boulder Neighborhood Profile
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Northeast Boulder - Gunbarrel is "teathered" to Boulder via the Diagonal Highway. While legally incorporated as a part of the City of Boulder, there is a physical separation from Boulder. To the east, south and north of this area, you will find the Boulder Suburban Plains of unincorporated Boulder County.
"Gunbarrel", as referred to by locals, has a significant employment base of high and medium-tech companies. You will find that many of the residents are employed by these Gunbarrel employers.
The best housing values in Boulder are found in Gunbarrel. You definitely get more house and land for your money than any other Boulder neighborhood. The private Boulder Country Club with large traditional estate-styled homes is located in Gunbarrel. Further north you will find the communities of Niwot and Longmont.
Good housing value, an employment base and great Front Range views together with all of the City of Boulder services and facilities makes this an attractive neighborhood.
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