Living in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is served by the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), one of the highest-rated districts in Colorado, receiving an "A" on niche.com. Families move to the area specifically for the public schools, and most neighborhoods inside Boulder city limits feed into well-regarded elementary and high schools.

Elementary Schools (Niche Ratings + Notable Strengths)

• Bear Creek Elementary — A+ rating. Strong reputation for academics and stability.
• Mesa Elementary — A rating. Smaller school feel with consistent performance.
• Crest View Elementary — A- rating. Serves North Boulder; known for strong enrichment programs.
• Flatirons Elementary — A rating. Walkable neighborhood school close to downtown.

Middle Schools

• Summit Middle School — A+ rating. Charter school consistently ranked among the best in Colorado.
• Southern Hills Middle School — A rating. Larger school with strong test scores and extracurriculars.
• Casey Middle School — B+ rating. IB program option; diverse student population.

High Schools

• Boulder High School — A rating. Large school with AP, arts, and athletic programs. Walkable to downtown.
• Fairview High School — A+ rating. One of the top public high schools in the state; IB program.
• New Vista High School — A- rating. Small, alternative public high school with individualized learning.

Charter & Specialized Options

• Summit Middle (charter) — high-performing academic focus.
• Boulder Preparatory High School (alternative public).
• Horizons K–8 — well-regarded K–8 alternative public program.

Private/Independent Schools

• Boulder Country Day (K–8).
• Friends School (Pre-K–8).
• Dawson School (K–12, in nearby Lafayette).

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We know that lots of people are bailing on their cities to go to places like Boulder which offer a covid/post-covid respite from their old lives. They work remotely and that all sounds perfect. If however, you ever choose to leave your old gig you could hardly be in a better smaller city than Boulder for finding a new job. This place is jumping with tech and aerospace and creative enterprises. If on the other hand you choose remote, this city is amazing. Check out the LookyLOO Guide to Top Remote Cities in case you're building a shortlist.

Also, as long as you’re living here, you might as well enjoy the 300 days of sunshine. After largely being shut in for a couple years it is really nice to go out and get some rays. All of this adds up to Boulder being one of LookyLOO's Top Outdoor Meccas in the U.S.

ChristianLS
6m ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I love Boulder and I think it's been improving over the past few years
I've seen so much griping and negativity about Boulder lately, both from redditors here, as well as certain local business owners talking to the press. So to counter that, a little positivity. Be warned, this is from the perspective of somebody who loves cities and loves to watch how they change and grow. You might even say… a City Nerd. (And no, I'm not him.)

I still love all the same things about this town as when I first moved here a few years back-the gorgeous mountain views and all the amazing outdoor activities, the four-seasons climate where it's usually mild and pleasant on summer mornings/evenings and winter afternoons. The phenomenal (by US standards) bicycle infrastructure, the walkable neighborhoods and very walkable downtown. The sense of community at my daughter's school, the un-nosy pleasantness of most people I encounter. The lack of low-density sprawl and the compactness which makes it quick and easy to get around, where you can kind of have a feel for every neighborhood and what's in it, but still have access to most of the day-to-day amenities of a larger city without ever leaving town.

But beyond all of that, I think Boulder has been getting better, not worse, over the past few years.

For more reviews of what living in Boulder is like from locals, check out The Reviews.

Q: Is Boulder expensive?

A: Yes. Boulder is one of the most expensive housing markets in Colorado. Prices are especially high in Mapleton Hill, Chautauqua, and Newlands. Rentals are more varied, especially around CU Boulder.

Q: Are the schools in Boulder good?

A: BVSD is one of the strongest districts in the state. Fairview, Boulder High, and Summit Middle are consistently top-rated, and several elementary schools have strong reputations.

Q: Is Boulder a good place for remote workers?

A: Yes. Coworking spaces are easy to find, and many residents work hybrid for companies in Denver or national firms. Internet reliability is strong, and most neighborhoods make remote work simple.

Q: What industries are most common in Boulder?

A: Tech, aerospace, research, higher education, and outdoor-product companies lead the job market. Federal labs play a major role in scientific hiring.

Q: Is Boulder walkable?

A: Parts of Boulder are very walkable, especially the downtown/Pearl Street area, the University Hill area, and older neighborhoods with grid-style streets. Other areas are more suburban and car-dependent.

Q: What’s the weather like?

A: Winters are cold but sunnier than most places at this latitude. Summers are warm and dry. You’ll see more temperature swings than in many mountain towns because Boulder sits at the base of the foothills.

Q: Is Boulder safe?

A: Generally yes, especially in residential neighborhoods. As in most cities with a university and active downtown, safety varies by block and time of day.

Q: Do people commute to Denver?

A: Some do, especially for specialized jobs. The drive is about 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. Many people commute only a couple of days per week.

What are the best neighborhoods for newcomers?

A: Newlands, North Boulder, Martin Acres, and the areas around Chautauqua are common choices. For students or faculty, University Hill and the adjacent streets are closest to campus.

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