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Vol VI Issue 43
June 14, 2011
Previous Issues
Beautiful Boulder, Colorado,
Progressive, Hip and Sophisticated, Offers Retirees a High Quality of Life in
a Scenic Setting
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
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Nestled in the shadow of the rugged Rocky Mountain
foothills, just 25 minutes northwest of Colorado's
capital city of Denver, scenic, liberal Boulder (population 95,000)
is the home of, and completely defined by, the
University of Colorado's flagship campus. This
area was first stumbled upon by gold prospectors in the
1850s but really started to gain traction when state
legislators designated it as the site for the new
university, which first opened its doors in 1877.
Since then, Boulder has blossomed into a progressive, sophisticated, environmentally
aware, outdoor-oriented metropolis, and it has an educated and
eclectic population (about 20% of which is age 45-64 and
8% of which is age 65 and older). It sits in a gorgeous
location, and the cost-of-living is high, roughly 35%
above the national average, but for those who can afford
it, Boulder is hard to beat.
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This safe, affluent town takes growth management very seriously and has
had a strict anti-growth plan in place since the 1970s.
As a result, new building is limited, and real estate is
expensive. Building heights are also regulated so that
residents' views of the mountains and the Flatirons (the unique
rock formations directly to the west) are not impeded.
Real estate comes in all sizes and ranges, from ramshackle, rental
houses on the edge of the CU campus and older, charming homes on
the "Hill," to splashy, new multi-million dollar
mansions on the city's northern edge and colorful Victorians
neighboring the funky, downtown Pearl Street pedestrian
mall. There are also average ranch-style homes on the
southeastern and northeastern sides of town. Apartments are
plentiful but most are occupied by students. Actually, students
live all over town but primarily on the lower edge of the
"Hill" and on the immediate east and north sides of
campus.
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Boulder real estate is three times more expensive than the national
average, with the median single-family home selling for $500,000.
And that is a pretty average home. Those in the more sought-after
neighborhoods sell for considerably more. The "Hill" may be Boulder's most distinctive neighborhood.
This area stretches from the CU campus up to the edge of the foothills where
the terrain becomes too steep for building. Homes here were built
in the 1920s and 1930s and are large, mostly brick and rife with character and
charm. Many belong to University professors, and the Ramseys, of Jon Benét infamy,
once lived here.
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Another sought-after neighborhood, historic
Mapleton Hill, runs along the downtown area's northern edge. Here,
homes run in the $900,000s and date from the turn of the 20th
century. Most have been renovated and have 3 to 4
bedrooms. Just down the street stands the home from the
opening credits of the old "Mork and Mindy" television
series. Table Mesa, toward the southern edge of the city,
is another neighborhood of note; homes here date from the 1960s
and are fairly standard, bi-level and tri-level tract housing with
2 to 3 bedrooms. Some of these are also rented by students.
In many towns prices drop as one moves out from the
center of town, but that is not the case in Boulder because the city is surrounded by
open space, mountainous terrain and other communities. Boulder is built to the brim, with
nowhere for new building to happen unless something old is first torn down.
The property tax is low, roughly .006 of a home's fair market value, depending on exemptions. A 50% homestead exemption (up to $200,000) in actual value is available for those at least age 65. The person must have owned and lived in the home for at least 10 years. Full-year Colorado residents age 65 or older, disabled, or a surviving spouse age 58 or older, may also qualify for the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate and/or the Property Tax Deferral. Qualified applicants can receive a rebate of up to $600 of the property tax and $192 of their heating expenses paid during the year, either directly or as part of their rent payments.
When it comes to retirement taxes, residents age 55 to 64 can exclude a total of $20,000 for Social Security and qualified retirement income. People age 65 or better can exclude up to $24,000. All out-of-state government pensions qualify for the pension exemption.
And while it is not Aspen or Vail, Boulder has a casual,
funky affluence,
where laid-back intellectualism and social responsibility are nurtured and
expected. Used bookstores, outdoor-gear retailers, coffee shops and
natural food stores are the norm (although chain stores and
restaurants are here, too). It is a liberal oasis in an otherwise
conservative state, with 73% of voters calling themselves Democrats.
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This is an interactive map.
Click on the arrows in the upper left hand
corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and
click on the +/- signs (more than once if necessary) to zoom
in and out.
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Because growth has been controlled, the quality of life is
very good. Neighborhoods are well-kept. Streets are quiet and
tree-lined. There are plenty of parks and open spaces.
Schools are safe. The downtown Pearl Street Mall is a wonderful
pedestrian shopping area with eclectic shops, restaurants, street performers,
political speakers, open-air vendors and a vibrant atmosphere. Standing at the east end of the Mall and and peering toward the far end on a
sunlit day, with the magnificent mountain scenery peeking out in the distance,
often prompts an under-the-breath, "Wow." People-watching is great fun since all kinds of
interesting folks live in Boulder. Students,
"granola" types, professionals, scientists, researchers, preppies,
left over Hippies and outdoor aficionados are all happily here.
The University of Colorado is in the center of town and has a truly
beautiful campus. All of the buildings are built from red sandstone and
have
tile roofs, making for a pretty picture with the blue and gold foothills
towering in the background.
This area is a recreation Paradise, with rafting,
kayaking, hiking, camping and cross-country skiing literally minutes away.
Even Eldora, a small ski resort, is only 45 minutes to the west. The
town boasts tennis courts, swimming pools and miles of bicycle and walking
trails. This is a health-conscious place, and it is hard not to be
motivated to stay in shape.
Boulder is not, however, just about outdoor recreation.
Opportunities for intellectual nourishment abound. The University
offers a rich assortment of lectures, music recitals, guest speakers and the
wonderful, annual Conference on World Affairs, which brings nationally and
internationally recognized experts, on everything from film direction to
stem-cell research, to town for panel discussions open to the public.
And, of course, the unsanctioned annual Naked Pumpkin Run (naked people
running with pumpkins on their head) is quite popular.
The historic Chautauqua Auditorium, located at the foot of
Bluebell Mountain, hosts summer concerts every year, and the renowned, outdoor
Shakespeare Festival brings in theater-goers from Denver and beyond.
For those who like to shop, the closest indoor mall is Flatiron Crossing
Shopping Center, about 15 minutes south along Interstate 25.
Boulder Senior Services, run by the City of Boulder, manages
two senior centers that offer classes, transportation and travel programs.
RSVP Boulder is an organization that give those 55 and older the opportunity
to volunteer in the senior community and elsewhere, providing Meals on Wheels,
offering companionship to homebound people, helping disabled children at the
local therapeutic riding center and much more. There are, in fact, 350
agencies in Boulder County that provide senior services of some kind. So
although this is a college town, the older demographic is just as important as
the younger one.
Boulder Community Hospital is the primary medical facility
with 197 beds and is fully accredited by the Joint Commission. It is a
Level III adult trauma center and accepts Medicaid and Medicare
patients. Centura Health - Avista Adventist Hospital, also a Level
III trauma center is just 8 miles away in Louisville. Half a dozen other full-service hospitals are 30 to
60 minutes away in Denver, and for military retirees, Denver also has a VA
hospital.
The climate in this part of Colorado is definitely
four-season, characterized by cool, sometimes cold, winters, rainy or
dry springs (it varies from year to year), lovely, crisp autumns and summers
which bring 70s, 80s and 90s. This is a semi-arid area, so humidity
is low. It does snow, but as in much of Colorado, the snow usually comes
one day and is completely gone the next, leaving behind the bluest sky this
side of the Mediterranean Sea. The sun shines 300+ days a year. On
the comfort index, a combination of temperature and humidity, Boulder ranks
way above the national average. The air quality is below the
national average, but the water quality is above the national average.
And getting around town, in any season, is made easier by RTD,
the local bus system. This is an environmentally-aware place, so many
people ride the buses. They are plentiful, clean and run on time.
People age 65+ ride for $1.10 one way, and SeniorRide takes groups of 10
seniors or more to various cultural and entertainment events.
There is Call-n-Ride program and also a very spiffy bus that runs
every hour from Boulder to various points in Denver. The closest
international airport is Denver International Airport, on the high plains east
of Denver.
While Boulder offers just about everything a person might
want, there are drawbacks to retirement here. The
top one is the traffic. There are too many cars, which seems to
contradict the eco-friendly mentality. Traffic gets even worse
during football season. While the population is eclectic, educated and interesting, with college
professors and scientists in high supply, it is not ethnically diverse.
Student-heavy neighborhoods can get a little rowdy on weekends. The
elevation is 5,400 feet, which might be an issue for some people.
Despite these negatives, Boulder exudes a bit of magic.
Not many things are better than enjoying a Shakespearian play under the stars at the University's
outdoor Mary
Rippon Theater or taking a stroll along the Pearl Street Mall on a summer evening
while jugglers,
high-wire walkers and musicians ply their trade. In Boulder, the setting
is inspiring, the people are interesting and the living is good.
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