Boulder

General Overview

The city of Boulder is an incredibly unique place that blends the beauty of the outdoors with cutting edge technology. Boulder can be divided into 11 neighborhoods, each occupying its own niche.

Boulder, Colorado is a unique place that bends the beauty of the outdoors with cutting technology and can only be described as one thing – iconic. Located adjacent to the famous Flatiron Mountain Range, this city has been developed over time and has retained much of its past both in architecture its open space. This gem of Colorado attracts adventurers, students and entrepreneurs from all around the world.

Location

Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of 5,430 feet (approximately 1,655m) above sea level. It is just 25 miles away (a 30-minute drive) from the state capital Denver, and is home of the state’s largest university, the University of Colorado.

Real Estate Community in Boulder

Average Market Pricing

Boulder single-family homes for sale have prices ranging from $315,000 to $13 million. Average listing price in Boulder is $737,400.

Common Design, Construction, or Architectural Types

Boulder has developed architecturally over the years, retaining the Victorian style that was popular during the inception of the city and progressing to the organic and contemporary styles that are more popular in modern day. Some of the common styles are ranch, Victorian, mid-century modern, craftsman, brutalist, organic and contemporary. On a single block, you may find many architectural styles nodding to Boulder’s development through the years. The following information was provided by REMAX.

Ranch Style Architecture

In the 60’s and 70’s ranch architecture was very popular; this is the same time frame that Boulder experience a major population boom. Ranch homes typically have a wide, open floor plan and are one story tall.

Some features typically found in Boulder ranch homes are sunken living rooms, informal room designations and family-oriented layouts.

Victorian Architecture

Victorian homes were constructed during the Victorian era, which was around the time Colorado became a state (1876). You’ll notice this style in Boulder’s oldest homes in the form of their large frame, multi-faceted roofs, decorative trim and occasional towers. A great example in Boulder is the Arnett-Fullen House, located on Pearl Street. Victorian homes are among the most valuable on the market if they have been well maintained. They are also crucial to the history of Boulder and for this reason many buildings and homes have historic protections.

Mid-Century Modern Architecture

From the 1940s to 1970s the mid-century modern aesthetic was significant. These homes reject earlier more maximalist styles for a simpler, minimalist style.

The most defining characteristic of a mid-century modern home is its open floor plan. They also emphasize blending indoor and outdoor living spaces, for example floor to ceiling windows, sunrooms and easy backyard access are common characteristics found in mid-century modern homes.

Organic Architecture

Boulder is a city known for its outdoors, it comes as no surprise that organic architecture is common. The main goal of organic architecture is to blend the home into the surrounding environment via gardens, modest stone and wood features, windows and even mirrors. Additionally, many organic architects place a focus on sustainability.

Contemporary Architecture

As time goes on, the fads change. Both new and traditional features might be used by contemporary architects. Currently we are seeing a generous use of glass, asymmetrical features, repurposed building materials and smart home technology. The “work from home” era has also led to a focus on outdoor lighting, open floor plains, convertible living spaces to make living and working at home more enjoyable.

Notable Homeowners

Kari Whitman is a Boulder, Colorado native, and opened her boulder interior design office in 2010. She has worked with clients such as Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and Antonio Banderas to name a few.

In 2012 she bought a vintage cottage two doors from her childhood home. She had this to say about living in Boulder, “It was a really cool place to grow up. I have a profound love for Boulder.” To read more about Kari’s Boulder home click here

Living in Boulder

General Cost of Living

Does it cost more in 2022 to live in Boulder? According to Salary.com Boulder prices are up 2.3% from 2021. The largest increases were found in transportation, food and housing.

Boulder Median Home Price: $737,400
Colorado Median Home Price: $384,000
National Median Home Price: $231,200 Anyone who wants to spend more money on a Boulder luxury home can expect to spend at least $2 million.

Employment/Job Opportunities

Boulder has many job opportunities, the largest employers are Ball Aerospace, Medtronic, Inc., and the University of Colorado Boulder. While the average cost of living in Boulder is higher than the national average so is the average salary earned at $73,000. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Colorado’s state law sets the minimum wage rate at $12.56 per hour in 2022.

The income tax rate in Boulder is 4.6%, which reflects the national average, while the city’s sales tax rate of 8.8% is slightly higher than the national average. The area’s job market has increased by 2.7% over the past year.

Weather

The climate in Boulder is temperate, with nearly 250 sunny days throughout the year.

The hot season lasts for approximately 3 months, from June to September, with an average daily high temperature above 78°F. The hottest month of the year in Boulder is July, with an average high of 86°F and low of 60°F.

The cold season lasts for 3.5 months, from mid November 18 to March, with an average daily high temperature below 51°F. The coldest month of the year in Boulder is December, with an average low of 23°F and high of 43°F.

The rainy period of the year lasts for 8 months, from Marchto November. The month with the most rain in Boulder is May, with an average rainfall of 1.9 inches.

The rainless period of the year lasts for 4 months, from Novemberto March. The month with the least rain in Boulder is January, with an average rainfall of 0.1 inches.

To read more about the weather in boulder click here.

Restaurants

Boulder has a wide variety of restaurants. The restaurants vary in both price and food type and range from nationally acclaimed fine dining to fast-food chains. An expensive meal in Boulder is approximately $9 and a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restraint costs approximately $65.

Schools

According to Public School Review there are 30 public schools serving 13,789 students in Boulder, CO in addition to 20 private schools (serving 2,241). Approximately 86% of K-12 students in Boulder are educated in public schools. Boulder has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Colorado.

The top schools in Boulder are Summit Middle Charter School, High Peaks Elementary School and Fairview High School. The schools are ranked by combined scored in math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

Transportation

There are many methods of transportation in Boulder, CO. Many people commute to work in Boulder from surrounding cities (Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Broomfield, Westminster and Denver). Due to traffic and the cities goal to reduce pollution from cars, city leaders encourage the use of mass transit in the downtown area by discouraging commuters from parking downtown.

The Regional Transportation District, is a significant bus system that makes traveling in and around Boulder both easy and affordable. The bus system enables commuters to travel to Boulder from as far away as Denver. A single-ride ticket on an RTD bus will cost between $2.60 and $4.50, depending on the destination. A ride to the airport will cost $9 regardless of location. Riders can also purchase a 10-Ride Ticketbook. Prices for this can cost anywhere from $23.50 to $40.50 depending on if the rider wants to use local or regional routes.

Parks, Recreational Activities, and Attractions

There is an extraordinary amount of open space in Boulder, Colorado. The most famous park is Chautauqua Park, which is an iconic historic landmark dating back over 100 years ago.

Boulder maintains 60 public parks! But it also rock-climbing access, white water rafting, mountain biking trails, hiking trails, running trails, marathons, cycling groups, skiing and more!

Visit the Department of Boulder Parks and Recreation to see the season activities Boulder has to offer.

Live in a luxury Victorian home or invest in a college townhome in Boulder, Colorado. Get in touch with the Schlutz Group at 720.637.3312 so we can help you find the home that best meets your standards.