Boulder is the happiest place in Colorado and for good reason! The town is full of character, fabulous restaurants, spectacular views, outdoor adventure, charming neighborhoods, and is within close proximity to Denver and the mountains. It is a great place to work, raise a family, or go to school.
Boulder brings in a variety of people including artists, entrepreneurs, technologists, professional athletes, and students together to experience the laid back “Boulder vibe.” The variety in the neighborhoods is no different. While every nook and cranny in Boulder is special and offers a unique flavor, we’ll highlight some of the best neighborhoods in Boulder.
Downtown Boulder
If you would like a hip, urban vibe then downtown is the perfect spot. You will be in close proximity to the historic Pearl Street Mall – a walking street in the center of downtown that welcomes street performers, offers excellent dining, and is a short walk to the trails. Downtown is the ultimate urban, yet laid back mountain vibe experience. The only caveat is the cost of housing. In 2019, housing prices averaged $1,300,000.
Elementary school: Whittier Elementary School rated 6/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Casey Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Boulder High School 9/10 on greatschools.org
Newlands
Photo credit: Your Boulder
Let’s take a trek a bit north of downtown Boulder to the Newlands. This neighborhood is centered around North Boulder Park, a large open space park with nice playgrounds, green fields, and exercise equipment surrounded by mountains, specifically Mount Sanitas. The homes in this area are close to the trails with plenty of opportunities to go for a hike on some of the best trails Colorado has to offer. While sleek, new remodels are happening in the area, the houses typically tend to be older, some dating back to the post war era. If you are craving a remodel project, the Newlands has plenty of opportunity. Expect price tags to be around $1,000,000 and up for a single family home.
Elementary school: Foothills Elementary School rated 9/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Casey Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Boulder High School 9/10 on greatschools.org
Table Mesa
Photo credit: Boulder Colorado USA
Table Mesa is located in South Boulder, situated right at the base of the foothills making it extremely accessible to the Flatirons. The drive to downtown Boulder is around 10 minutes, however; you are conveniently located 10 minutes closer to Denver if you are a commuter. The neighborhood is family-oriented with plenty of parks, a recreation center, and excellent schools. South Boulder is well known for its tight knit community. It’s normal to know all of your neighbors by name and for parents and kids to gather at the park around happy hour time to socialize. The housing prices are a tad more reasonable than downtown. Expect housing prices to be around $800,000-$1,000,000 for a single family home.
Elementary school: Bear Creek Elementary School rated 9/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Southern Hills Middle School 9/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Fairview High School 10/10 on greatschools.org
East Boulder
Photo Credit: Blackbelly
Also known as the “Brooklyn of Boulder,” East Boulder is upcoming and highly sought after. The area is very accessible to parks, open space, trails, and only a few short minutes from downtown. Multiple breweries, coffee shops, chef-driven restaurants such as Blackbelly, and shops are located there and all within walking or biking distance on the extensive trail system that runs through the neighborhood. Housing prices are around $800,000 and up for a single family home.
Elementary school: Eisenhower Elementary School rated 8/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Manhattan Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Fairview High School 10/10 on greatschools.org
Gunbarrel
Family friendly, room to spread out, and more bang for your buck are all attractions of living in the “burbs” of Gunbarrel. Located about 10-15 minutes northeast of downtown, Gunbarrel is peaceful and quiet and feels almost rural. This area is perfect if you want to be near downtown yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s common for your neighbors to have chicken coops, backyard gardens backing up to open space, and in some cases horses. Prices tend to hover around $700,000 for a single family home.
Elementary school: Heatherwood Elementary School rated 5/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Nevin Platt Middle School 5/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Fairview High School 10/10 on greatschools.org
The Hill
Boulder is home to the University of Colorado and the “hill” is where most students tend to live. The Hill is full of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. While the neighborhood is mostly college students, the fun and funky vibe brings in other visitors as well. Most of the houses are student housing with a few nice Victorians and cute bungalows mixed in. Expect to occasionally see college students playing beer pong in their yard with incredible views of the Flatirons in the background. The prices on the hill are expensive running around $1,300,000 for a single family home.
Elementary school: Flatirons Elementary School rated 8/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Manhattan Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Boulder High School 9/10 on greatschools.org
Chautauqua
Photo credit: GoColorado
A truly special place in Boulder is the Chautauqua neighborhood. This neighborhood is located south of downtown Boulder and is home to the national historic Chautauqua Park. The trails, wildlife, abundance of trees, and incredible views make this neighborhood a desirable place to live. Enjoy a morning hike out your backyard or have breakfast while staring at the Flatirons. Chautauqua has a mix of homes ranging from old Victorians to new construction while still having plenty of funky Boulder homes mixed in. The prices start at about $1,000,000 and go up for a single family home.
Elementary school: Creekside Elementary School rated 8/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Manhattan Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Boulder High School 9/10 on greatschools.org
Goss Grove
Photo credit: Boulder Daily Camera
Close to downtown Boulder, Goss Grove is an inviting neighborhood with plenty of green space, an excellent walkability score of 89, and a mix of great people. Goss Grove maintains a nostalgic feel and boasts a community garden, art sculptures, a free little library, and plenty of stone benches where residents can take a break from gardening or socialize with neighbors. This neighborhood is also the perfect place for active individuals, situated very close to the Boulder Creek Path where you will find residents and visitors biking, running, and walking.
Elementary school: Whittier Elementary School rated 6/10 on greatschools.org
Middle school: Casey Middle School 4/10 on greatschools.org
High school: Boulder High School 9/10 on greatschools.org
The number of great neighborhoods can be overwhelming. You really cannot go wrong in Boulder. If you’re not sure which area is right for you, our team of experts is here to help. We have been breathing in Boulder air for many years. We have walked, ran, biked, and driven through all the neighborhoods which have given us an intimate familiarity with Boulder. We would be more than happy to help you find your perfect perch. Reach out today!