Boulder, CO is known as one of the fastest-growing towns in the entire country.
There are plenty of job opportunities and culture. It’s a city that is considered safe with a booming economy.
If you’re contemplating moving here, you’ll quickly learn that Boulder is one of the best towns in the entire state of Colorado.
But before you begin your journey to Boulder, this guide will teach you about several pros and cons you should know prior to moving to the area.
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Pros of Living in Boulder, CO
First, let’s take a look at some of the pros of living in Boulder, CO.
1. Strong Economy
Boulder’s economy is thriving. It’s one of the top reasons why you should consider moving here.
There are plenty of facilities that are federally funded including a university, research facilities, and various tech and aerospace industries.
Some of the most favorable employers in Boulder include Boulder County School District, Array BioPharma, Google, IBM, and the City of Boulder.
Furthermore, Boulder ranks number three for the cities with the highest-performing job market following San Jose and Washington D.C.
2. Many Options for Transportation
If you don’t have a vehicle and must rely on public transportation, Boulder is the perfect city to do just that.
However, if you enjoy visiting the mountains, you may want to travel in your own car.
Boulder is full of various options for public transportation.
You will be able to take advantage of shuttles, rails, and paratransit.
While the transit system is simple to use, it can be quite pricey.
However, it may be well worth it due to frequent congestion and traffic within the city.
3. Excellent Food Options
If you consider yourself a foodie, you’ll be thrilled to know that Boulder is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the entire world.
If you prefer dining in, Blackbelly Market, Frasca, and Corrida are worth checking out.
There are also more casual options available such as Bramble and Hare, SALT, and The Mediterranean.
If you’re looking for vegan options, you’ll be happy to know that Boulder was ranked as one of the top towns for plenty of vegan-friendly restaurants.
4. Great Education System
Boulder Valley School District is home to more than 32,000 students.
The majority of schools within Boulder offer various programs for students including IB, AP, and gifted programs.
Class sizes consist of 18 students on average.
Three out of the 13 high schools in town are ranked among the top high schools in the United States.
Furthermore, The University of Colorado at Boulder offers students with above-average degree programs, with a great reputation.
5. Exceptional Weather
Boulder, CO has exceptional weather.
It is well known for its blue skies and high altitude.
If you’re all for enjoying outdoor activities, June, August, and September are the best months for this.
The coldest months are December and January.
However, if you enjoy winter sports, these months are perfect.
On average, December sees temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Living in Boulder means you’ll get to enjoy plenty of sunshine and very few rainy days.
6. Perfect for Outdoor Activities
If you consider yourself an outdoor enthusiast, get ready for plenty of fun outside in Boulder.
Living in Boulder gives you easy access to forests, mountains, rivers, and overall beautiful scenery.
If you enjoy nature, you’ll be happy to know that there are more than 60 parks in town including state parks, playgrounds, and more.
If you prefer the water, there’s a popular area in Boulder to swim or boat.
There are also over 300 miles of routes, trails, and bike lanes for those who enjoy cycling.
7. Family-Friendly Town
Overall, Boulder, CO is a great place to raise a family.
As a matter of fact, it’s ranked number 16 as one of the best cities to raise a family in America.
There are many young families that live in Boulder.
If you have younger school-aged children, you’ll benefit from excellent public and private school systems and much more.
There are also plenty of family-friendly activities to do in Boulder including state parks and many other local attractions.
8. Great Nightlife
Do you enjoy the nightlife?
If you consider yourself a night owl, consider yourself lucky if you choose to live in Boulder. Boulder is well-known for its great nightlife scene.
There are plenty of pubs, bars, taverns, and clubs.
Boulder comes alive at night and is full of young people looking to enjoy a nice evening out in town.
Cons of Living in Boulder, CO
1. Expensive to Live
One of the biggest cons of living in Boulder, CO is that it is expensive to live in.
For instance, home value prices are much higher than the national average.
The average home value in Boulder is $738,400, compared to the national average of $231,200.
The average rent in Boulder is $1,466. $949 is the national average.
So, in order to really survive in Boulder you must have a good income.
2. High Crime Rate
Boulder has a high crime rate.
In fact, it was ranked among the 10% of places in the country with the highest crime rates.
The most common criminal activity in Boulder includes larcenies, vehicle theft, burglaries, robberies, and assaults.
However, even still, many people report feeling safe in Boulder.
Overall, your safety will depend on how you behave.
3. Lacks Diversity
If you are looking to move to a city that is full of diversity and different backgrounds, you may want to think twice about moving to Boulder.
Boulder is made up of five different ethnic groups, with White (non-Hispanic) being the largest at 79.4%.
That is followed by White (Hispanic) at 7.04% and Asian (non-Hispanic) at 5.85%.
Again, this may or may not be a dealbreaker for you.
4. Heavy Congestion/Traffic
Boulder is a much smaller town, and therefore it experiences a great deal of congestion and traffic.
Boulder ranked number 216 as the most congested urban area.
This is in comparison to 975 cities in total around the world.
While this may not seem as bad, it could become problematic if you commute to work by car.
However, the good news is that Boulder does have a reliable public transit system.
5. Snowy Winters
If you aren’t used to the snow, you may have some major adjustments to make if you’re planning on moving to Boulder.
On average, Boulder sees approximately 89 inches of snow every year.
They typically see the majority of their snow during the winter months through March.
However, the heaviest snow snowstorms come in March.
The winter storms seen during this time can be dreadful.
6. High Sales Tax
Boulder, CO has higher than average sales taxes.
This also coincides with the high cost of living in Boulder.
Sales tax in Boulder is 9.05%.
The average national sales tax is 6.44%.
This means that you will pay more on the cost of goods and services compared to other cities in the country with lower sales tax.
7. College Town
This may or may not be appealing for those considering moving to Boulder.
Boulder is full of young people because it is a college town.
It is home to three different colleges.
Additionally, there are approximately 36 colleges within 50 miles of Boulder.
The average age for individuals living in Boulder is 28 years old.
But, with a younger population comes more activity during the night including clubs, bars, and restaurants.
8. Liberal City
If you’re a liberal, this one shouldn’t concern you.
However, if you are the opposite, you should know that Boulder is a very liberal town.
They are a town that leans to the left, which means plenty of debates regarding progressive policies and so forth.
You will also run into many businesses and residences with progressive signs on display.
Unfortunately, this happens to be the norm in Boulder.
Pros and Cons of Living in Boulder, CO – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Boulder, CO | Cons of Living in Boulder, CO |
|---|---|
| 1. Strong Economy | 1. Expensive to Live |
| 2. Many Options for Transportation | 2. High Crime Rate |
| 3. Excellent Food Options | 3. Lacks Diversity |
| 4. Great Education System | 4. Heavy Congestion/Traffic |
| 5. Exceptional Weather | 5. Snowy Winters |
| 6. Perfect for Outdoor Activities | 6. High Sales Tax |
| 7. Family-Friendly Town | 7. College Town |
| 8. Great Nightlife | 8. Liberal City |
Boulder Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Boulder Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Overall, is Boulder a good place to live?
Boulder is considered one of the best towns to live in the country.
Boulder is a college town but still has a city feel.
There are plenty of popular outdoor activities to participate in.
Additionally, the economy in Boulder is thriving and it’s a short distance to Denver.
Are there any museums or similar activities in Boulder, CO?
There are several museums and similar attractions in Boulder that contain artifact collections.
If you are looking for a place for younger children to learn and explore, Google Garage and the Playzeum are perfect options.
Furthermore, Fiske Planetarium provides more than 20 laser fantasy shows, live talks, concerts, and much more.
Does Boulder have a good job market?
Boulder, and Colorado in general, are ranked the highest in the entire nation for available jobs.
There are plenty of government jobs in Boulder.
Some of the best companies to work for in Boulder include IBM, Oracle, Qualcomm, Zayo Group, and Ball Aerospace.
What type of food is Boulder well known for?
Residents in Boulder are big on brunch.
There’s a huge menu of brunch specials on Sunday.
Additionally, there are several restaurants that only make breakfast items.
Additionally, you can find brunch at some of the nearby Mexican and Cajun restaurants.
Is Boulder, CO safe?
Boulder has a higher crime rate compared to other communities in the country.
Overall, the chances of an individual becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 250.
These crimes are aggravated assault, murder, rape, and armed robbery.
Overall, many people who live here still consider it a safe place to live.
Boulder CO is the place to be! Awesome nature, and good weather, and the cost of living is affordable, not like in major CA cities or NY.
I hope not too many people move here so it won’t get too expensive for me, I love it here.
As someone who has always been curious about living in Boulder, this article provided a comprehensive and informative overview of the pros and cons. It’s clear that the city offers a unique blend of outdoor activities, a vibrant community, and a high quality of life, but the cost of living and potential for extreme weather are important factors to consider. Overall, this post gave me a good understanding of what it would be like to call Boulder home.
The high cost of living, heavy traffic, and lack of diversity may be some drawbacks for potential residents.
Overall, Boulder offers a unique and exciting lifestyle for those looking to make it their home.