What's Boulder, CO really like?

Mike Lane wrote:By and large, self-absorbed Yuppies are just flat-out irritating. It also means we know where to go find them when the shit finally hits the fan.

Huh? Why do you need to find them Mike? Are you waiting for "Armageddon" so you can grab your gun and "get some" for yourself?
I realize you probably meant this to be funny, but the implication is really just creepy.

So you don't like 500 lawyers at the bottom of the sea or dead baby jokes Joe? I'll crawl back into my hole now.

Mike Lane wrote:So you don't like 500 lawyers at the bottom of the sea or dead baby jokes Joe? I'll crawl back into my hole now.

Just curious, really. I have a friend who likes to try and be charming with young ladies; no matter what he comes up with, it's always more gross than charming.

I knew another guy out in the Bay area. Stockpiled food and weapons, waiting for Jesus to come back. One day,he gets into a rant,and starts exclaiming about the fun he's going to have during the apocalypse with his guns. After a minute, he hangs his head, and says-"I hope Jesus comes soon".

Absent personal acquaintance, visual cues, or tonal inflection; it can be tough to figure out who's serious. And yes, dead baby jokes are creepy; the lawyers can look after themselves.

Lauren Trojan wrote:So excited! Just found out that I'll be interviewing in Boulder on the 29th and 30th! Hoping to be there from 27th-30th. Now the really important question - with so little time what are the must dos while I'm there (climbing and in the city)?

In town or very close to town outdoor stuff:
-hiking or running at Chautauqua (this is one of my favorite things about Boulder- it's so close to town)
-hiking or bouldering at Mt. Sanitas (there's supposed to be a lot of easy bouldering up there)
-bouldering at the Satellites (which you hike to from Chautauqua)
-climbing in Boulder Canyon (it's not the best, but it's right there)
-tubing on Boulder Creek (if it's really hot)

Restaurants:
Casual/Cheap:
-Mountain Sun (okay food, great beer)
-Thai Avenue (in the food court on the hill. no atmoshpere, but great, cheap food)
-Sherpas (good food/atmosphere, not great service)
-Snarf's (subs)
-Lucille's (breakfast)
-Walnut Cafe (breakfast)
-Lark Burger (delicious burgers)

Mid Range:
-Dushanbe Tea House (the building was a gift from our sister city and it's beautiful- you should definitely check it out)
-Happy Noodle House
-Pizzeria Locale (a little posh for my taste, but great pizza)
-Sushi Zanmai (go before 6:30 for happy hour)
-The Med (great happy hour, but make a reservation b/c it's a zoo around dinner time)

Expensive: (I've never actually been to any of these places, but I hear they're good)
-Frasca
-The Kitchen
-Flagstaff House

Nearby Climbing:
-Clear Creek (~30 minutes, my favorite sport climbing in the area)
-Rocky Mountain National Park (~1.5 hours, Amazing bouldering and good alpine trad)
-Lumpy Ridge (~1.5 hours, multi-pitch alpine trad)
-Mount Evans (2 hours?, great bouldering and I think some trad, too)

Hope that helps!

Mike, I have to admit that as a teacher living in Boulder and working in BVSD, I too have experienced the haughty dismissal. Several years ago at an ed awards dinner where teachers sat at donors' tables, my friend and I were grudgingly acknowledged and hastily dismissed by our "patron" donor, a very prominent real estate maven. Her involvement seemed more about marketing and image than genuine support of teachers and education. However, parents from that same echelon tend to most helpful and supportive of both their children's schools and teachers.

i've lived in boulder for 22 years and 20 of those i lived on $18K or less--and i always had fun guys to climb with, a good crew to ride with, and plenty of cool people to be around at the farmer's market or elsewhere...maybe you guys are hanging in the wrong places or in the wrong circles.
of course the money people are here...it's boulder (or berkeley or bend or bozeman)...so just avoid them or better yet--give it right back.

RC

Rob, I totally agree. It's who you hang with and where you focus your attention. I don't seek out pompous snobs, but occasionally you can't help bumping into 1 or 2. That goes for anywhere you live, in my experience.

I also agree with giving it back. What's more fun than politely informing a pompous ass of what they are, leaving them flummoxed and red in the face.

word david...but i hear you...my wife's in education, too and there are some seriously rich/clueless/arrogant folks out there who don't value teachers/working people/sub-six-figure "types"....

on the whole, though, life's what you make it here...so search out the good folks, like most of the crew here on mp!

yo!

What's wrong with being "seriously rich"? Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion. Do you equate that with snobbery, automatically? (I'd like to be seriously rich. Or even half-seriously!)

Lauren,

How did your interview go (well, I hope) and what was your initial impression of Boulder? As you've seen, the very mention of Boulder elicits passionate feelings and prolonged debate.

yo frank...it's certainly not a "rule" by any means, but at least in boulder, over the last 20 years, there's a strong correlation between the seriously rich and the seriously clueless/arrogant/clique-ish/snobby...there are plenty of uncool people without cash, middle-income, whatever...too...but in boulder the influx of wealth-without-work types has been noticeable and in my opinion a serious downgrade on the town and its vibe.

Waaaay overcrowded. Glad I lived here, then had the sense to leave, in the 1960's. The Western slope of Colorado is much nicer.

indeed, how'd it go, lauren?!

I grew up just north of Boulder and moved to the mountains right after high school. A lot of what was said is true. It's weird, people are dicks, and it's expensive. But like anything else it is what you make it. It has world class climbing in it's backyard, there's high quality breweries scattered across the city and county (check out Left Hand in Longmont, one of my favorite spots down there) and you're only a couple hours from the ski resorts. In my opinion it is the best place to live on the front range.

Hey Guys,

I can't thank you enough for all of your great feedback! Everything has been a bit of a whirlwind so I'm just catching up on the latest replies. Some of them are hilarious.

I'm hoping my interview went great - its an incredible opportunity so I had my fingers crossed that I would like the town. The trip there and back were very very fast - I flew in Saturday and out Monday. My interviews Monday were from 9:30-3 then I had to head to my plane, and so my impression is really only a first impression.

I stayed one night in Denver and one night at the Hotel Boulderado - people were very very nice. Since I'm used to camping having someone run out to grab my bags made me laugh. My potential future manager took me to Salt - the food was incredible. To be fair NY Strip is one of my favorites almost anywhere :)

I hired a guide on Sunday as a present to myself - I just started learning to lead trad and wanted to have someone supervise my gear placements. I didn't think fair to subject anyone on here to that! We did the Yellow Spur and shot over to the left so I could lead a pitch. I think if Boulder was horrible, Eldorado Canyon might make it worthwhile anyway. Now hiking before acclimating (and being slightly out of shape) was brutal. Having just climbed with a guide in NC for beginners - climbing with my guide was very different. Maybe just a Southerner/Northerner thing.

Thankfully the city just seems to have a really warm and fun atmosphere. Growing up in South Charlotte and living in Cary now its not like I have diversity here either.

I've been glancing at housing - I own next to nothing - and it seems like finding a room to rent for $500 is completely possible. I'm spoiled now and pay $400/mo for rent/utilities/cable - so anywhere I move will sadly be more.

Berkely your list was amazing - I can't wait to knock off each of those! I flew in on Saturday and tried to hit Clear Creek. My ability to follow directions is abysmal - I drove right by it and ended up in Boulder - I got a little sidetracked sightseeing!

Mike this was hilarious even if true "infiltrate their karmic bubble of rainbow unicorn sutras"

I'll keep you guys posted - I shouldn't find out for another two weeks at least. Hoping to drive cross country to move. Since I really own just clothes should be a super simple move if they offer (a big if). Hopefully if they do I would love to meet with some of you to go climbing!

You climbed Yellow Spur on a Sunday?? How long did you have to wait in line??

lauren, as most people have said boulder is what YOU make of it. There are nice folks and there are a holes. Sure it might be more $ to live here but as I,m sure you saw on your visit its worth it. Also it is possible to live in Eldo itself.peace

Ed w. , there was probably no one else on the Yellow Spur as no one climbs in Eldo anymore. peace

If you're willing to have roommates, I think you can definitely find a room with other working professionals for around $500. It's also a great way to meet people. I live in south Boulder in the Martin Acres neighborhood, and lots of rooms in homes are rented by either students or working professionals, for $450 to $550 a month. Check out Craigslist's rooms for rent in Boulder at the link below. Look for a place farther away from campus, as living near student rentals can be noisy. Best of luck on the job! boulder.craigslist.org/roo/

Steve, Last time I climbed Yellow Spur was about 22 years ago with Tom Kelley, another Devil's Laker. We were surprised that we didn't see anyboy else in that area all day. Found out later it was closed for raptor nesting!!

I got the job! (Pending the official letter on Monday)!! So incredibly excited :) Thank you all of all of your advice so far! My first day is October 24th!

Thankfully I have a month of corporate housing to figure out where to live - but any suggestions on areas? My office will be in Gunbarrel.

I've never been at a place with so many climbing gyms - do they do cross memberships to all of them or is each good for something specific?

Any key gear - I'm coming from the south and so wintertime is relatively mild - anything I'd wish I was bringing with me/getting when I get there?