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What's Boulder, CO really like?

Original Post
Lauren Trojan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 0

Hey Guys,

I just started talking to a company in Boulder about a job, and I'm curious what Boulder is really like? I've grown up in NC and never moved outside the state, so it would be a really big move for me.

Basic feedback I've gotten so far - expensive, exclusive, everyone climbs 5.14, unfriendly staff at the gym

HUGE clarifier - this is based off a couple people's feedback - I know this and that's why I'm asking everyone what's their impression.

rickpat · · Boulder, Co · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 10

Sounds like the worse place ever...
I moved here from GA a little over a year ago, and just like you I have never lived anywhere outside of GA. Yes it is expensive, but you can always find a deal on housing. There are a lot of good climbers out here, and some people are dicks. But there are even more really cool chill people. I started climbing when I moved out here and never have had a problem finding someone to climb with on my level, and whenever I have asked for help at the gym or at the crag people are more than nice. Just like anything in life its going to be what you make. My advice is to get out of the SOUTH, love the place to death, but it will be the best decision you ever made.

Robert Buswold · · Northglenn, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 80

The Boulder area is great... I'm from Texas and I'm so glad I moved here. I hate Texas anyway, but I've lived a lot of places (ex-Navy) and Colorado has been wonderful. Not everyone climbs 5.14 here, it's actually very easy to find partners to climb whatever grade you're up to. The gyms are ok - but they are just gyms. You move here to climb outside, right? Overall, most people are friendly and willing to help the new guy... well, except for Neptune Mountaineering...

Dr. Ellis D. Funnythoughts · · Evergreen, Co · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 125

this should answer any questions of what the locals are like

Boulder. Nuff said

Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090

I've been here for two weeks hanging out and climbing with a buddy. This was my face book update the other day.

It's official. Boulder is just plain weird. I'm sitting in a coffee shop and just had a guy sit down and start talking to me Topics, in order, in 5 minutes, that he hit, were Aug 3 at 12:20pm

Smart phone bar code scanners, over population on earth, nasa trying to figure out over population, nasa knowing how to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere, nasa starting colonies on mars in 40 years, starting his own businesses, dropping out of community college because it wasn't working out starting several small businesses in boulder so he'd be financially secure, trying to get on his feet, getting his"caregivers license" so he could grow weed and open a dispensary to fund his small businesses, trying to open an online store, buying into severa franchises, climbing, soloing the flatirons and finally introducing himself. I think he's back Aug 3 at 12:26pm

I'm from the south, love it. I also love boulder, but the strange combination of silly wealthy eco loving naked juice drinking subaru driving pricks versus dirt bags playing drums for money on pearl street doesn't make me want to move here. The incredible climbing and good people I have met do though. If I were to move here I'd move just outside of boulder. I love it here, but couldn't live in boulder proper.

John mac · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 105

Move here!

I love Boulder, sure there are a lot of people who are weird as shit (last night I had a 50 something hippy tell me she could teach me yoga while having sex with my girlfriend) but thats half the fun of living here.

I personally don't see the rich dick thing that a lot of people talk about. I think interactions are what you make of them.

I have yet to meet one rude person at the gym and the only rude people I have met at a crag were stoned college kids carrying their rope in a duffel bag.

There are not a lot of places where you can walk to great climbing and hiking trails as well as world class restaurants. It is expensive but just compare it to New York and it will seem nice and cheap!

There is no where else in the world I want to live!

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60

>One of the best city Park and Trail systems in the country right in and outside the city limits.

>Great climbing close enough for before work, lunch and after work.

>Enough rock that you can always find uncrowded routes.

>A nexus for mountain sports.

>If you ride a bike, the hills will get you in top shape.

>Wildlife outside of and in the city limits (careful of black bears in the autumn).

>An hour away from RMNP.

>1 to 1.5 hours away from skiing.

>As mentioned, great restaurants.

>Live music

>4-5 large health food stores (Vitamin Cottage is the most reasonably priced.).

>The best spring water in the country if not the world at Eldorado Springs (you can fill up at the source for $1.25/5 gallons).

Bapgar 1 · · Out of the Loop · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 90
Dr. Ellis D. Funnythoughts wrote:this should answer any questions of what the locals are like
That pic makes me think Portland, OR... ah Portlandia
DFrench · · Cape Ann · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 465
Mike McHugh wrote:Nobody rides their bikes
Haha, are we talking about the same Boulder? Frickin' EVERYONE rides their (custom, more-expensive-than-your-car) bikes in that city!

Whenever an inquiring mind asks me to describe boulder, I point them to two sources of info:

1) The "Smug Alert" Episode of South Park

2) The Gortex Vortex Article from Outside Magazine

Good luck with the move. You'll find that a lot of the Boulder-hating comes from people (like myself) who used to live there but were forced to move away and we harbor a resentment for those who remain in the blissful bubble...sigh.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

We love to make fun of Boulder, but the fact is that it's a really cool place to visit. I've never lived there, but would in a heartbeat if I had a good job there. The variety of climbing close by is impressive, it has a good little nightlife scene, and there are tons of hiking trails in town. Never had any unfriendly experiences with climbing gym staff and I've been to BRC and the Spot quite a few times. All told, the place has a good vibe for me.

So if you get the job, I would move there!

Joe Huggins · · Grand Junction · Joined Oct 2001 · Points: 105

Mike makes a lot of good points

#1 is interesting-I'm not from here;neither are most of the other people here. When I meet a born local, I'm surprised (a little).

Boulder makes an easy target partly because it is a much nicer place than New York or Houston; or Billy Hollow, for that matter.
I know so many fine people here,the dicks are a decided minority. As far as wingnuts-yeah, they're here, but so what? Is that unique? In Kansas they want to teach the Bible in biology class.

Lauren, I moved here in '79, and I've had to spend a few years moving around for jobs, from sea to shining sea. With its' many peculiarities and (yes) posers, it's still a uniquely great town.
Take the Job.

H BL · · Colorado · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 95

It's a beautiful place, but quite the opposite of NC. Many Coloradans call it the "People's Republic of Boulder." Seriously though there is a lot to do around there as far as climbing and being outdoors go.

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

It's like plain yogurt. A bland white culture.

Adub · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 5

It is an awesome place to be. The hub for many adventures and educational experiences. Socially I think this quote sums it up "Boulder is 50 square miles surrounded by reality". I would not tell you to stay away just I prefer to live on the far far outskirts. =)Like Denver.

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245
Sam Stephens wrote:I'm from the south, love it. I also love boulder, but the strange combination of silly wealthy eco loving naked juice drinking subaru driving pricks versus dirt bags playing drums for money on pearl street doesn't make me want to move here. The incredible climbing and good people I have met do though.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

If you love the south then you might hate Boulder, but if you love Cary then you might love Boulder. They are similar in that no one living in either place is actually a local, but just a transplant from somewhere else. They are both small, liberal cities in states that are still, for the most part, full of conservatives. They are both more expensive than areas just a few miles down the road and they both have a lot of strange people that think their city is the center of the universe.

It all depends on what matters to you most. If you really need to eat, sleep and breath climbing then Boulder might be the spot for you. You will get to climb outdoors more than most other climbers, and you will be living w/in a 10 hour drive of pretty much all the major climbing areas in the west, not counting CA, OR and WA. There are also many other outdoor pursuits that are easily accessed by living in Boulder.

I currently live in London (sort of) and while driving up to the Peak District with a friend I was asking him why he didn't live in Sheffield (kind of the Boulder of the UK). "You and your wife could easily find work up here and you'd be a lot closer to all of the best climbing. Why are you still in London?"

I could tell by the look on his face that he had honestly never considered it. After a few seconds he simply said "well, because I'm a southerner," and that was it.

I immediately understood. With the savings I've accumulated by not having student loans and the weak dollar, my wife and I could choose any city we want when we move back to the US. But we already know that it will be in North Carolina. Why? We're east coasters, we're southerners, and we would go insane if we had to live west of the Mississippi.

Access to climbing is nice, but it's far from the most important thing in the average persons life. I'd hate to think of how boring (and depressing) of a person I'd be if I searched for a job and a place to live based on how close it was to (insert name here) Canyon. There is more to life...
bag · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 0

I would recommend you come to visit. If outdoor recreation is a high priority to you, it's almost impossible to find a place with more to do or better weather year round. I personally have never been bothered by or noticed the dickishness and whatnot. But other people I know who have tried to live here just didn't dig it. One thing you wont find is a well-connected subculture of, say climbers or cyclists who go out of their way to embrace and welcome newcomer; probably since we're all doing those things, there seems to be less of a "community" of those who do them, more of an anonymous feel at the gym or crags. But anonymous does not necessarily equal unfriendly or mean. I climb 5.11 at best, have my circle of great partners, and never have any illusion that my climbing "matters" beyond whether I'm having a good time. Beyond that stuff, Boulder County is one of the most highly educated places in the country (which includes some wingnuts but also people working on climate and energy issues, etc), and while the local gov'ts are really active and there are a lot of rules, the city and county have done some innovative things to try to ensure a good quality of life for such a large community. It's great and not for everyone. You should check the place out for sure.

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245
Kevin Friesen wrote:>One of the best city Park and Trail systems in the country right in and outside the city limits. >Great climbing close enough for before work, lunch and after work. >Enough rock that you can always find uncrowded routes. >A nexus for mountain sports. >If you ride a bike, the hills will get you in top shape. >Wildlife outside of and in the city limits (careful of black bears in the autumn). >An hour away from RMNP. >1 to 1.5 hours away from skiing. >As mentioned, great restaurants. >Live music >At least 4-5 large health food stores (Vitamin Cottage is the most reasonably priced.). >The best spring water in the country if not the world at Eldorado Springs (you can fill up at the source for $1.25/5 gallons).
Ok, some of these are a bit of a joke.

-First of all, you used the word "nexus." What are you a WWF wrestler?
-Wildlife in the city limits is not a good thing, and in fact it is only there because of urban sprawl and poor disposal of food waste (personal, not municipal).
-1.5 hours from skiing sure, but what skier in their right mind would want to live in Boulder when they could be in SLC?
-Health food stores? With the food costs out west compared to NC, I don't even want to know how much you're all natural organically grown flaxseed oil infused fair trade muesli costs. HealthY food is great, but health food STORES are gimmicks.

-But at least Boulder has live music... only place in the world!

Before everyone goes crazy on me, I'm only joking around. That's why we start these Boulder threads right? I'd love to hear what jokes you can come up with about my redneck part of the country :)
Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

PS, Raleigh (where the OP lives) is above Denver on the list of most educated cities. Didn't see Boulder...

John mac · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 105
Ryan Williams wrote:PS, Raleigh (where the OP lives) is above Denver on the list of most educated cities. Didn't see Boulder...
you must be looking at a different list than me.

"The most-educated city in America: Boulder, Colo., home to the University of Colorado with high-tech employers like IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ) and Sun Microsystems (nasdaq: JAVA - news - people ) to keep alumni in the area after they graduate."

forbes.com/2008/11/24/econo…

It was also recently rated the top foodie town as well as the #2 city with the best looking people (what ever that means).

Now I'm sounding like one of the pretentious dicks everyone hates.
Finn The Human · · The Land of Ooo · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 106
jmac wrote:last night I had a 50 something hippy tell me she could teach me yoga while having sex with my girlfriend
You were talking to a 50 something hippy while having sex with your girlfriend? Weird, dude.
phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

We have more medical marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks outlets.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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