Reasons To Retire In Colorado
What draws people to retire in Colorado? Colorado pulls people from all over the world with its majestic mountains, an abundance of recreational opportunities, and gorgeous weather. Its consistently named one of the best places to retire when it comes to taxes, financial opportunity, and health. Whether its the clean mountain air, countless ski resorts, or stunning views, our Colorado communities will be a place you will love to call home.
Learn more about the unique benefits of retiring in Colorado and how to make your retirement dream a reality.
What To Know About Moving To Boulder Co
Boulder is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States thanks to its exceptional career opportunities, safety, health-focused culture, and thriving economy. The city offers endless possibilities for Boulderites seeking health and wellness, including forest bathing, hiking, mountain climbing, and excellent healthcare facilities.
Are you contemplating moving to Boulder? Well, youll notice that Boulder is highly ranked as one of the best places to live in Colorado. But before you start packing, moving experts from Laborjack have highlighted a few things you need to know about Boulder, plus the pros and cons of relocating to the area.
Best Places To Live In Colorado
Thinking of moving to the Centennial State? Here are the best places to live in Colorado
If youre planning a move out West, youre likely looking for options in colorful Colorado, and will want to know which cities are considered the best places to live in Colorado. Coloradoknown as the Centennial State because it became a state in 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signedis a beautiful place to call home.
Each city is unique in its own way, but the one thing they all have in common is the prominence of natural beauty . The Rocky Mountains can be seen from near and far, and the lush valleys are ripe with wildflowers, flowing rivers, and waterfalls. So where is the best place to live in Colorado? Here are the cities that topped our list of the best places to live in Colorado.
1. Castle Rock5. Fort Collins6. Lakewood
Read on to see why these 6 cities made it on our best places to live in Colorado list.
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Boulder Residents Are Very Fitness
If youre looking to get fit and stay fit, youll be in great company in Boulder. Colorado is known as one of the fittest states in the country with Boulder being one of the fittest cities. Many athletes from around the world move to Boulder to train at altitude.
Boulder offers year-round opportunities to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. The city hosts Bolder Boulder, one of the largest 10K races in the world. Over 50,000 racers descend on the city during Memorial Day Weekend for a day of fun as they compete alongside some of the worlds most competitive runners.
Residents also enjoy access to numerous gyms, trails, and bouldering . Theres even a bike path where cyclists can ride from Boulder to Denver.
Why You Should Move To Boulder Co
Despite plentiful snowfall, Boulder residents enjoy 300 bright sunny days a year, and the city has earned an unsurprising reputation for being one of the best places to live in the nation. The small-town feel, safety, and friendliness of Boulderites make it an easy place to live, work, play, and stay for the long haul.
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Where To Retire In Boulder And Home Prices
Real estate developers have taken note of Boulder’s popularity with retirees and have responded with many 55+ developments. They range in price and in amenities . Boulder real estate is quite expensive compared to U.S. averages and some other cities in Colorado. According to the National Association of Realtors the median selling price of a single family home in Boulder was $835,200, in the 2nd quarter of 2021, which shows a 37.7% rise compared the 2nd quarter of 2020.
What Is A Good Salary To Live In Colorado
In more recent data, a good salary in Colorado is roughly $62,000 per year, or approximately $5,168 per month. This will ensure all of your bills are paid and still leave room for a bit of discretionary income. Bottom line: The average cost of living in Colorado in 2021 is $4,310.05 but this is on the low side.
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The Quality Of Life Is Incrediblebut It Comes At A Price
Boulder is often lauded as one of the best cities in the United States to live. National Geographic, working with scientists at Gallup, even ranked it the happiest city in the United States based on 15 metrics.
Whether you live in North Boulder, Downtown next to Pearl Street, or on University Hill , Boulder moves at its own, more relaxed pace. People in Boulder are friendly and new residents may be surprised by how often they find themselves having a quick chat with people they meet around town.
Resident Carrie Smith, the creator of Hashtag Colorado Life who moved to Boulder from Texas, agrees that Boulders quality of life makes living here worth the higher costs.
Living in Boulder is like a never-ending adventure. There are so many amazing things to do, food to eat, and activities/events that are always happening. The Flatirons frame the beautiful city, so you get this small-town feel but with bigger city amenities. Boulder is in high demand so the availability of homes is limited. But the location of the city itself is very central to the mountains as well as Denver and the Denver International Airport. So it can make it totally worth the higher price tag.
And that price tag is quite high. According to a CBS report, Boulder is one of the least-affordable metro areas in the U.S., with median home price in the mid $500s as of 2018.
Is Living In Boulder Worth It
The cost of living in Boulder is higher than in most US cities, but many residents feel the quality of life is worth it. … Other standard expenses are within average range: groceries at 95.5/100, healthcare at 95.5/100, and utilities at 92.5/100, but transportation costs are above average at 109.5/100.
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Pikes Peak: Woodland Park Down To Colorado Springs
Like the aforementioned town, Woodland Park is another alpine suburb, but this time of Colorado Springs . Its located less than a 30 minute drive from Colorados second largest city, residing in the omnipresence of Pikes Peak. Like Evergreen, Woodland Park is a fun community full of health focused, nature loving citizens.
The town of 7,642 residents in 2010 sits at 8,465 feet toward the top of the stunning Ute Pass. This easy mountain drive winds from downtown COS, up past Manitou Springs, Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls before passing thru Woodland Park and finishing 7 miles west of that in Divide. It passes by the Pikes Peak Highway.
Ute Pass stretches from 6,165 to 9,165 feet in elevation. Each community along the route offers unique sights and sounds for visitors and locals alike. If youd rather live a couple thousand feet lower and with far greater access to entertainment and facilities, Colorados second largest city is a fantastic place to retire.
Its still cheaper than Denver and folks who live in Colorado Springs love in there. At ~6,000 feet in elevation its about the same climate as other front range cities, so warmer than Woodland Park by ~10 degrees.
The Weather Is Incredible
Coloradans are reluctant to share how nice the weather actually is here. There are over 300 days of sunshine a year, infrequent rain, and snow that melts pretty quickly after each snowstorm. And, with low humidity, the cold weather months arent bad at all.
However, Colorado does have its fair share of inclement weather, so keep these things in mind before you move here:
- Hail storms: Colorado gets a significant amount of hail. As youre looking at insurance policies for your home, spend some time looking at your hail coverage.
- Flooding: In 2013, Colorado experienced once-in-a-millennia flooding with Boulder experiencing a significant amount of damage. Being nestled at the base of the mountains in a valley with a river that runs through it, flooding is something that may happen again in the future. Prepare to have some frank conversations about flood insurance and flood-prone areas during the homebuying process.
- Chinook Winds: Boulder can be incredibly windy at times, especially during the winter months when the mountains are constantly buffeted by the Chinook winds. What are they? They occur specifically during the winter months and are actually warming winds during that time of year. Sometimes the wind moves faster than the cars going the speed limit, Carrie Smith said.
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Pros Of Moving To Boulder
- Boulder residents are generally friendly and welcoming.
- The safety and security standards in Boulder are unmatched.
- The city is home to world-class restaurants, bars, and dining joints, making it a perfect spot for trying new food and nightlife experience.
- Availability of many natural scenes like mountains, rivers, and forests, which youll find ideal if youre an outdoor enthusiast, snowboarder, or skier.
- Boulder has a thriving economy making it an excellent corridor for growing and established entrepreneurs.
- The city offers unlimited education and career opportunities, so Boulder is the place to be whether you want to find a new job, start a new career, or get higher education.
- The city also has a unique youth culture inspired by the presence of UC.
Best Places To Retire In Boulder County
Explore the best places to retire in the U.S. based on number of retirees, weather, and access to healthcare and entertainment. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, CDC, and other data sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.
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Current Resident: I’ve lived in this neighborhood for almost a decade. It’s a safe and sleepy community with an array of varied local businesses, parks, breweries, outdoor walking and biking paths, good schools, etc. Neighborhood folks are down to earth and friendly…Read 6Reviews
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Current Resident: Lafayette is a small town 15 miles from the foothills. We are inclusive, diverse, and friendly. We value the arts, our youth, and our community. I believe some ways that we could grow as a community are the following: 1) to become more aware of ways that white supremacy has impacted our community, and how we can work together to break down barriers that keep everyone from equal footing. 2) to identify ways to support the most marginalized in our community immediately. 3) to pursue excellent education for all of our children so they can have the tools that they need to succeed for themselves and for all of our futures…Read 80Reviews
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Trendy Outdoorsy And Progressive Boulder Offers A High Quality Of Life In A Truly Beautiful Setting
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
Nestled in the shadow of the rugged Rocky Mountain foothills, just 25 minutes northwest of Colorado’s capital city of Denver, beautiful Boulder is home to the University of Colorado’s lovely 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 that time, Boulder has blossomed into a progressive, trendy, environmentally aware, outdoor-oriented metropolis with an educated, eclectic population . It sits in a gorgeous location and is a stimulating place to live.
It is not, though, inexpensive. The cost of living is 67% above the national average, and the median home price is $750,000. The city is surrounded by open space, mountainous terrain and other towns. Growth management is taken seriously, and a strict anti-growth plan has been in place since the 1970s. As a result, new building is limited. Nothing new goes up unless something old is torn down. Building heights are also regulated so that residents’ views of the mountains and the Flatirons, the unique rock formations on the outskirts of town, remain unobstructed .
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.
Can I Retire While I Have A Disability Application
If you file for disability retirement and your condition improves while your application is being processed and you are able to return to work, you may withdraw that application at any time before it has been approved. The withdrawal request must be signed by you and received by us before your application is approved.
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Reasons To Live In Boulder Colorado
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Nestled amongst the striking Flatirons, Boulder is a busy, beautiful city that boasts bigtime tech companies and a passion for outdoor living. Whether you love hiking, biking, or enjoying local boutiques and restaurants, Boulder has something for everybody. Here are 10 reasons why Boulder, Colorado is a great place to live.
You Might Not Need A Carunless You Love The Mountains
Depending on where you live in Boulder and your lifestyle, you may find that you dont really need a car. The city is compact and has a robust public transportation system with cheekily named buses that will HOP, SKIP, and JUMP you to your next destination.
For those considering getting an electric car, there are charging stations throughout town. And there are several car share programs that operate within the city. These programs include both for profit and nonprofit car share organizations such as eGo CarShare or ZipCar.
One thing to be aware of if you decide to forgo a car: Boulder has limited transportation options going into the mountains. While the neighboring town of Nederland has frequent bus access , youll need a car if youre looking to spend a significant amount of time exploring the mountains.
If you live in the Mapleton Hill area, youre within walking distance of Downtowns Pearl Street Mall, which is arguably the heart of Boulder. Gunbarrel is a bit further to the North East and while it has access to public transit, it may be a good idea to have a car if you decide to live in that area.
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Best Small Towns To Retire In Colorado
Points out some of the best small towns to live and retire in Colorado. If you want to take a look outside and be in constant amazement whenever you do, then Colorado is definitely a place to consider retiring to.
- Post author
Did you recently retire and you are looking for a really great place to retire to? Maybe you will be retiring soon and you are looking forward to some peace and quiet after a lifelong of working really hard. For a lot of people, they opt to retire in places like Florida where it is warm and sunny all year round. Still, it is good to be open to other options because there are many places in the United States that are definitely looking into. Colorado happens to be one of them and before you start thinking that retirees generally do not like skiing, these are some things that you should know about the place. Here are nine of the best smalls towns to live in Colorado.
Retirement is a huge step for anyone. In fact, a lot of people look forward to it and start saving for it even at a young age. Having lived a high strung and stressful life, retirement is the time to unwind, relax and just enjoy everything that you worked hard for. Check out the best small towns in Colorado and you will surely find the tranquility, peace, quiet and rest that you have always yearned for. Also visit the retirement communities in Colorado, many of which are located in small towns. There is no more ideal place to grow old in than the best places to retire in Colorado.
What It Is Like To Retire In Boulder
Boulder, Colorado represents an ideal combination type community for many people in retirement. It is a college town with 32,000 students in the University of Colorado providing a vital presence. It has the Rocky Mountains for recreation. Its strong high-tech industry provides a good economic base. There are many cultural things to do. The area has a relatively mild climate compared to the mountains nearby. Boulder, a city of over 100,000, tends to be one of the more expensive towns in Colorado, reflecting its desirability and the strong local economy. The city has won so many awards that the Citys official website has an entire page devoted to them most focusing on best Green, Bicycling, Running, Healthiest, Best Place to Live. Both Modern Maturity and Money Magazine have listed Boulder as a top place for retirement. It has many parks and a plethora of cultural opportunities. Boulder is located in Boulder County. The city of Denver is less than 50 miles away. For more information on retirement in Colorado.
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