Neighborhoods
Boulder Overview
Boulder is made up of many diverse and distinct neighborhoods. The center of town is called the Pearl District. The University of Colorado is just south of Downtown and located on an area usually referred to as the “Hill”. Just south of that is a classic neighborhood called Chautauqua which has some of the oldest homes in Boulder and is anchored by the Chautauqua Retreat area nestled into the foothills.
South Boulder has several national science research institutions and to the far south is an area called Table Mesa, a neighborhood built in the 60’s and undergoing a resurgence as of late. North of downtown is the historic Mapleton District which has some of the original homes built in Boulder and features the tree lined boulevard of Mapleton Street. Just north of the Mapleton District is one of the most popular neighborhoods in North Boulder called the Newlands Neighborhood. Large homes have been replacing the bungalows built in the 50’s and the neighborhood is anchored by the North Boulder Park.
Farther north is the Wonderland Lake area, a beautiful lake is bordered by the foothills and open space on the west and open space to the east. A little farther north you’ll find a new development called the Holiday neighborhood.This is a modern new urbanism development complete with multiple shops and restaurants all within walking. To the far north is a relatively new subdivision called Dakota Ridge that is winding down with approximately 30 building sites left available to be developed.
Downtown
Downtown and the Pearl Street District nationally known by the award winning Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian mall that features shops, restaurants, coffee shops beautiful floral plantings and street entertainers. Just a few blocks from the Boulder Creek Trail, a trail that runs along the creek that is very popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists. A farmers market that makes you feel like you’re in a small village in Europe is held every Saturday and Wednesday through out most of the year.
Newlands Neighborhood
The Newlands neighborhood is just north of the historical Mapleton area. Anchored by the North Boulder Park complete with baseball field, playgrounds and picnic area the Newlands area has become one of the most popular neighborhoods in town. Due in part to it’s close proximity to downtown and Pearl Street Mall and it’s close access to the foothills and one of the most popular hiking trails in town the Mount Sanitas Trail. A very popular shopping area, Ideal Market Shopping Plaza, is close by and offers a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and assorted necessity shops all within walking distance. It’s also a very popular meeting place for cyclists, runners and skiers to meet. These factors have increased the value of homes in this neighborhood dramatically over the last 15 years.
Whittier Neighborhood
Located in downtown Boulder bordered by Broadway Street to the west and 28th Street to the east this neighborhood encompasses the heart of downtown Boulder with Pearl Street as it’s nucleus. Mostly older single family homes that have been restored along beautifully tree lined streets this vibrant neighborhood attracts those who want to walk to the Pearl Street Mall area to enjoy the many restaurants, shops and vibrant pedestrian oriented lifestyle. The desirability of being so close to the Pearl Street Mall has increased the values of housing in this area demanding more per square foot then anywhere else in Boulder. Multiple high end condo and town home projects have been built over the recent years to accommodate those would want to live downtown but do not necessarily want a single family home. The south section of this neighborhood does have a high degree of student oriented housing because of it’s location just north of the University of Colorado. The student population adds another unique vibrant flavor to the atmosphere of this area.
Located in downtown Boulder bordered by Broadway Street to the west and 28th Street to the east this neighborhood encompasses the heart of downtown Boulder with Pearl Street as it’s nucleus. Mostly older single family homes that have been restored along beautifully tree lined streets this vibrant neighborhood attracts those who want to walk to the Pearl Street Mall area to enjoy the many restaurants, shops and vibrant pedestrian oriented lifestyle. The desirability of being so close to the Pearl Street Mall has increased the values of housing in this area demanding more per square foot then anywhere else in Boulder. Multiple high end condo and town home projects have been built over the recent years to accommodate those would want to live downtown but do not necessarily want a single family home. The south section of this neighborhood does have a high degree of student oriented housing because of it’s location just north of the University of Colorado. The student population adds another unique vibrant flavor to the atmosphere of this area.
The Hill and Chautauqua
The “Hill” Neighborhood
The area just west of the University of Colorado is referred to as the “Hill”. Located on a steep incline just south of Downtown Boulder the Hill is a collection of eclectic shops and student oriented restaurants and bars. The close in surrounding area is a mix of fraternity and sorority houses, apartments and shared housing for students. Their are many older homes in this area and many have been converted to student housing. Some of the most charming older homes in Boulder are located to the west and south of this area. It is a very interesting blend of student population, teachers and others associated with the university and a mix of long time residents and new families that are drawn to this area.
Chautauqua Neighborhood
Located just west of the university and south of the Hill district this neighborhood is anchored by the original Chautauqua organized at the turn of the century by a group from Texas that would summer at the retreat in Boulder. Nestled at the base of the Flatirons the specific Chautauqua area is a collection of cozy cabins and a few meeting halls that now serve as a restaurant and venues for outdoor concerts in the summer. The surrounding neighborhoods are mostly large classic brick homes built in the thirties and forties and because of the close proximity to numerous hiking trails, the university and downtown Boulder the homes in this neighborhood have become quite expensive. Large mature trees give it a established classic look more reminisced of a East Coast neighborhood.
North Boulder
Dakota Ridge
Located in the most northern section of Boulder Dakota Ridge is a neighborhood that has been developing over the last 15 years with mixed use of single family homes, town homes and condos. Located off of Lee Hill Road and bordered by open space the residents of Dakota Ridge enjoy the benefit of walking out their door and getting to an open space trail within a few blocks perfect for dog walking, biking and running with trails that literally stretch for miles either way. The development is nearing completion with approximately 30 home sites left to be developed and a 3 acre park that is now under renovation providing children’s play area, picnic area and fields for Frisbee and dog walking. It’s a great location for cyclists to kick off a ride on one of the many northern routes just outside of town or up Lee Hill for a mountain ride.
Holiday Neighborhood
Located in North Boulder the Holiday neighborhood is one of the newest developments in Boulder. Emphasising “new urbanism” this neighborhood is an eclectic mix of condos, town homes and single family homes. Striking exterior colors and architecture highlight this very trendy area. One of the hottest areas of town over the last 5 years this new development is nearly finished and home sales have been very strong from the moment the project was started. The neighborhood is built very dense to take advantage of the very expensive cost of land in Boulder. Highlighted by a new shopping district that offers coffee shops, restaurants, bike shop and hair salons etc it has become a self contained neighborhood. Convenient bus service runs every 15 minutes during most of the day and takes you right downtown where you can transfer to other bus lines that can take you virtually anywhere in town. Cyclists love this section of town because it is a great jump off point for many of the most popular routes out of Boulder.
Wonderland Lake Neighborhood
If ever there was an appropriate name for a neighborhood the Wonderland name is it. Truly a beautiful area anchored by Wonderland Lake and the foothills rising immediately up from it’s western shore this neighborhood boast some of the best views in town. In this arid high desert atmosphere a lake in itself is unusual but add the specter of the soaring foothills and it becomes breathtaking beautiful. A very popular jogging and cycling area this neighborhood has become one of the most sought after areas of town thus creating high market prices for the homes in this area, especially homes with a view of the lake and surrounding foothills.
Four Mile Creek Neighborhood
Located northeast of the Palo Park neighborhood the Four Mile Creek neighborhood is bordered by 47h Street to the east and Jay Road to the north. This area is newer construction built in the mid to late nineties. Primarily a single family neighborhood many of the streets have Caribbean themed names. The south part of the neighborhood is indeed bordered by the Four Mile Creek. In addition, just to the east of 47th Street is a large protected open space that often has cattle grazing in the summer months giving the area a rural feel while being merely minutes away from downtown Boulder. Many popular cycling routes can easily be accessed from this neighborhood including the “rez” (Boulder Reservoir) and eastern and northern flatter routes that are very rural and beautiful. Most of the homes have a large square footage footprint and command a high purchase price.
Located northeast of the Palo Park neighborhood the Four Mile Creek neighborhood is bordered by 47h Street to the east and Jay Road to the north. This area is newer construction built in the mid to late nineties. Primarily a single family neighborhood many of the streets have Caribbean themed names. The south part of the neighborhood is indeed bordered by the Four Mile Creek. In addition, just to the east of 47th Street is a large protected open space that often has cattle grazing in the summer months giving the area a rural feel while being merely minutes away from downtown Boulder. Many popular cycling routes can easily be accessed from this neighborhood including the “rez” (Boulder Reservoir) and eastern and northern flatter routes that are very rural and beautiful. Most of the homes have a large square footage footprint and command a high purchase price.
Orange Orchard Neighborhood
Located north of Jay Road between 30th Street and 47th Street and just north of the Four Mile Creek neighborhood this is the most northeast neighborhood in Boulder.Although no orange trees actually grow there all the streets are named after fruit like Peach Way, Apple Way, etc. Historically this was a very rural area that had a lot of orchards. Today you can find some of the biggest lots in town in this neighborhood from 1/2 to almost an acre for some of the properties. In addition to the large lots, the area to the north is undeveloped and with a small pond. The area to the east of 47th is also undeveloped so it really retains it’s original rural feel. The homes are fairly large although it’s harder to tell because of the large lots and command a high price due to the amount of land included in the home purchase. Once again a great place for cyclists to jump off onto several great biking routes.
Located north of Jay Road between 30th Street and 47th Street and just north of the Four Mile Creek neighborhood this is the most northeast neighborhood in Boulder.Although no orange trees actually grow there all the streets are named after fruit like Peach Way, Apple Way, etc. Historically this was a very rural area that had a lot of orchards. Today you can find some of the biggest lots in town in this neighborhood from 1/2 to almost an acre for some of the properties. In addition to the large lots, the area to the north is undeveloped and with a small pond. The area to the east of 47th is also undeveloped so it really retains it’s original rural feel. The homes are fairly large although it’s harder to tell because of the large lots and command a high price due to the amount of land included in the home purchase. Once again a great place for cyclists to jump off onto several great biking routes.
Gunbarrel Neighborhood
Located to the northeast of the city of Boulder is an area referred to as “Gunbarrel”. Though the address still reads Boulder on your mail the area is called “Gunbarrel” dating back to the 1800’s when some land was traded for a gun as one story goes. No one seems to know for sure how it got the name. This area began to expand as a new subdivision in the early sixties because of it’s close proximity to IBM. Later the Boulder Country Club Golf Course was built and the influx of higher end homes developed around the course. Today it is a mix of condos, town homes and single family homes and is best known for it’s famous neighbor, Celestial Seasonings, located on the western fringe and drawing visitors from around the world. A small but diversified shopping plaza provides all the stables for day to day necessities along with several restaurants. A great area for cycling, seemingly endless bike paths and some of the best close in mountain bike oriented trails can be accessed from this area. Also located close to the Boulder Reservoir which provides a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, cycling and even a miniature airplane airport!
South Boulder
Martin Acres Neighborhood
Bordered by Broadway on the west and Table Mesa on the south this neighborhood was built in the sixties on what was the old Martin Family farm. Mostly brick ranch style homes about 1,000 square feet, (unless a basement was included), these homes became a very dense area of student housing in the seventies and eighties and continued through till about 2000 when it slowly converted to entry level first time buyers because of the affordability factor. Now the student population has been reduced dramatically as the neighborhood continues to gentrify and investors who bought in the seventies and eighties cash out.Conveniently located near the Table Mesa Shopping Plaza and the university it has developed into a family oriented neighborhood. Great bike trail access and bus connections make it a convenient location for commuting to work anywhere in Boulder and also a park and ride is close by with bus service to Denver
Bordered by Broadway on the west and Table Mesa on the south this neighborhood was built in the sixties on what was the old Martin Family farm. Mostly brick ranch style homes about 1,000 square feet, (unless a basement was included), these homes became a very dense area of student housing in the seventies and eighties and continued through till about 2000 when it slowly converted to entry level first time buyers because of the affordability factor. Now the student population has been reduced dramatically as the neighborhood continues to gentrify and investors who bought in the seventies and eighties cash out.Conveniently located near the Table Mesa Shopping Plaza and the university it has developed into a family oriented neighborhood. Great bike trail access and bus connections make it a convenient location for commuting to work anywhere in Boulder and also a park and ride is close by with bus service to Denver
Table Mesa Neighborhood
Located in South Boulder, the Table Mesa area skirts the foothills down to Broadway. Most of the homes were built in the sixties and given the close proximity to the university a lot of teachers and students lived there. Recently rejuvenated by the the success of the Table Mesa Plaza which has attracted new upscale shops, restaurants and even a microbrewery and is anchor by a major grocery store. The towering foothills afford some of the best views in town especially of the famous Flatirons rock outcroppings Boulder is famous for. Easy access to the freeways toward Denver and south toward I 70, the major route up to the mountains, are another draw to this area of town. The home prices have increased as new families and residents have moved in and remodeled and expanded the existing mostly ranch style homes. This area has great hiking trails and a bike trail system that can be easily taken for commuters to the university or downtown. The bus service is also excellent and very encompassing.
South East Boulder Neighborhood
Located south east of Downtown Boulder and bordered by Baseline Road to the north and Highway 36 to the south this area of town is a mix of student housing due to it’s close proximity to the university and single family homes built in the sixties. The East Boulder Recreational Center is located on the eastern fringe of this area and is an excellent public facility very popular with local residents. Wonderful mountain and hybrid bike trails can be accessed from this area. It’s also very popular with walkers and runners. Large patches of open space to the east and south afford some of the best close in views of the famous Flatirons and foothills.
East Boulder
East Boulder Neighborhood
Bordered by 28th Street on the west Valmont Street on the north and Baseline Road on the south this is a very mixed used area of town. The 29th Street Mall is located on 28th Street just north of Arapahoe Avenue and after an extensive renovation (formerly it was the Crossroads Mall) it has mix of retail, restaurants and a 12 plex movie theather. Just north of that is where the Whole Foods Market plaza is located. It is undergoing a face lift and expanded into the former Barnes and Noble store which is building a new store in the southeast corner of the plaza. This is a very vibrant area for retail with Whole Foods as the flagship store. The area between Valmont to the north and Arapahoe to the south is mostly light business office complexes, car dealerships and light retail. The University of Colorado East Campus Research Park is located just east of 28th Street and south of Arapahoe. East of the Research park is a small neighborhood with a mix of condos, town homes and single family homes built in the late sixties and early seventies. The Flatirons Golf Course borders the east end of this area.
Noble Park Neighborhood
Located in east central Boulder just east of the Foothills Highway.It’s bordered by Valmont Ave to the south and 47th Street to the east. A mix of condos, town homes and single family homes this is a bit of a undiscovered jem of a neighborhood. The home prices are lower per square foot then other more popular areas of town but this neighborhood is slowly being discovered and prices are beginning to creep upwards. Conveniently located by the highway it affords easy access to Denver, south toward Golden and east toward Longmont.
A bike trail winds through the neighborhood giving access to all parts of the city and a 2 minute ride to Whole Foods and 5 minute ride to Downtown and the Pearl Street Mall. Several parks are located within easy access of this neighborhood and it is very dog friendly. The new Valmont Park located just south of Valmont is being developed into a world class cyclocross track with additional cycling oriented venues to be added over time.
North East Boulder Neighborhood
Located just north of downtown Boulder and bordered by Broadway Street to the west 28th Street to the east and Iris Avenue to the north this centrally located neighborhood is predominately single family homes. The Ideal Market Shopping Plaza area is the nerve center of this neighborhood (similar to Newlands neighborhood that lies just to the west of Broadway). This plaza area has undergone a significant resurgence over the last 10 years and boasts very popular coffee and tea shops, bakery, wine store, bagel shop and multiple restaurants and the newly renovated Ideal Market grocery store now managed by Whole Foods. It’s a meeting place for cyclists in mild weather and skiers in the winter months to carpool to the mountains or a great place to meet and jump off on multiple road bike cycling routes for cyclists. The gentrification of the neighborhood has increased the values of homes in this area significantly. In addition, the close proximity to downtown Boulder also has raised the home values.
Palo Parkway Neighborhood
Located just east of 28th street in north central Boulder this neighborhood is a diverse mix of single family homes, condos and town homes. Most of the homes were built in the sixties and at one time was very rental oriented but that has changed to first time home buyers because of the affordability and convenient location. Bordered on the east by a major soccer field complex a new development called Northfield is being built with the emphasis on the “new urbanism” construction. This includes duplex’s and single family homes with a mix of Boulder city require affordable housing mixed in. The dense feel of the homes with very little space for yards is compensated by a park in the middle of the complex and some of the most stunning views of the foothills in town.
Located just east of 28th street in north central Boulder this neighborhood is a diverse mix of single family homes, condos and town homes. Most of the homes were built in the sixties and at one time was very rental oriented but that has changed to first time home buyers because of the affordability and convenient location. Bordered on the east by a major soccer field complex a new development called Northfield is being built with the emphasis on the “new urbanism” construction. This includes duplex’s and single family homes with a mix of Boulder city require affordable housing mixed in. The dense feel of the homes with very little space for yards is compensated by a park in the middle of the complex and some of the most stunning views of the foothills in town.