The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Boulder
By Aaron Randolph on October 10, 2022
Boulder, Colorado has been a popular place to settle since the late 1800s, but in the 1950s the population nearly doubled. Exponential growth continued in the decades to follow resulting in an array of unique subdivisions.
Housing styles ranging from 1950s ranch homes, to historic Victorian manors are just some of the inventory available to prospective homebuyers. From the welcoming community, to the stunning views of the Flatirons, Boulder’s charm is undeniable.
Whether you’re moving from Denver in search of more space and tranquility, or you're relocating from across the country for a career in the tech industry, the team at Prevu Real Estate has compiled a list of the best neighborhoods in Boulder, Colorado.
Best Neighborhoods in Boulder
- West Pearl
- East Pearl
- Mapleton Hill
- North Iris
- Chautauqua
- Central Boulder
- South Boulder
- North Boulder
- Wonderland Hills
West Pearl
Completed in 1977, the Pearl Street Mall is an open-air promenade stretching from 11th Street to 15th Street. Broadway runs through the middle of the mall, roughly dividing West and East Pearl. This is the heart of downtown, where pedestrians will see everything from quirky street performers to world-famous musicians at the historic Boulder Theater.
To the west, the Pearl Street Mall simply becomes Pearl Street, which leads into Boulder Canyon. In fact, from West Pearl’s restaurants and breweries, patrons can see the Rocky Mountains. The distance from the western edge of Pearl Street Mall to Eben G. Fine park is only one mile, meaning you can raft down Boulder Creek and finish the day at Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery 20 minutes later.
On Pearl Street, most homes are newly built condos and apartments with coffee shops and boutiques nearby. Two to three blocks north of Pearl, beautifully maintained Victorian and mid-century homes line picturesque suburban streets.
East Pearl
With easy access to Pearl Street, East Pearl is the quieter side of downtown, spanning from Broadway to 28th Street.
Pine Street, an important thoroughfare two blocks north of Pearl, has numerous historic Victorian homes and newly built condos which characterize the residential area.
While East Pearl is influenced by the bustle of downtown, the calm banks of Boulder Creek reflect the easy-going atmosphere of the neighborhood. Here, the Boulder Farmers Market brings vendors and locals together each Saturday for locally sourced food, live music, and good conversation.
After perusing the market, shoppers can enjoy lunch at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. This ornate building was handcrafted without power tools in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and gifted to Boulder in 1987.
Mapleton Hill
Officially declared one of Boulder’s historical districts in 1982, most of Mapleton Hill’s homes are at least a century old. In fact, The Squires-Tourtellot house still stands at 1019 Spruce Street and is believed to be Boulder’s oldest house, built in 1865.
The neighborhood is known for Victorian mansions and antique single family homes which enjoy the canopy of aged trees in the summer, and an impressive display of fiery foliage during the fall.
To the south, Mapleton Hill is bordered by downtown, making it easy for residents to enjoy Boulder’s nightlife. Broadway makes the eastern border and hosts the Museum of Boulder, a Victorian home which has been converted into an exhibition of Boulder’s history. Mt. Sanitas acts as a natural border for the neighborhood to the West, and a local favorite for quick hikes.
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Learn about commission rebates in ColoradoNorth Iris
Bordered by Foothills Parkway, Valmont Road, and Folsom Street, North Iris is surrounded by three of Boulder’s most significant roadways. 28th Street is the main commercial corridor in the area, featuring familiar staples like Safeway, Starbucks, and O'Reilly Auto Parts.
While those businesses help people take care of the essentials, North Iris is also home to some of Boulder’s most beloved, local places.
Movement Boulder, at the corner of Valmont Road and 28th Street, is Boulder’s most popular rock climbing gym. Here, it’s common to spend as much time talking as exercising. On the other side of Valmont Road, residents often dine at Fresh Thymes Eatery, Boulder’s most cherished local restaurant and sanctuary for like-minded people to celebrate life and good food.
For buyers seeking approachable home prices, the condos and apartments in North Iris might be the perfect fit.
Chautauqua
As the resting place of the Flatirons, Chautauqua is the soul of Boulder. These sandstone rock formations are Boulder’s most distinguished characteristic, drawing locals on snowy and sunny days alike.
Flagstaff, Chautauqua, and Lower Chautauqua are technically three neighborhoods, all situated along Baseline Road. From nearly anywhere in the area the Flatirons decorate the skyline with captivating views. There is no commercial area directly within the borders of Chautauqua. However 2 miles away in East Boulder, shoppers will find Starbucks, Safeway and Walgreens on Baseline Road.
For the adventurous, Chautauqua Park’s trailheads lead to more than 40 miles of hiking trails among the Rocky Mountains. During the summer months, concerts being held at Chautauqua Auditorium echo through the fields and front porches of the neighborhood, serenading everyone within earshot. When well-known artists perform, the community enjoys these musical acts on a blanket, with a picnic.
Central Boulder
Big box stores like The Home Depot, Target, and Apple can all be found at the 29th Street Mall. This outdoor mall is the center of Boulder’s most commercial neighborhood, with everything shoppers might need.
The main pipeline between Boulder and Denver is Route 36, which becomes 28th Street as it passes through Boulder and continues all the way to Rocky Mount National Park. For those who need to travel between the two cities, easy access to this highway makes for a smooth commute.
It may seem ironic, but the parking lots of Target and The Home Depot boast some of the most impressive views of the Flatirons in the city. For those considering a move to Boulder, the newly constructed condos in Central Boulder provide access to commercial needs and natural beauty alike.
South Boulder
Creating the southern border of the city, South Boulder contains Martin Acres, Table Mesa and Highland park. These quiet, close-knit subdivisions are filled with 1960’s ranch homes and 1970’s contemporary houses.
South Boulder is home to the National Center for Atmospheric Research trailhead, otherwise known by residents as the NCAR trail. A local favorite for outdoor activities, this idyllic open space is dotted with evergreen trees and offers a unique, southern view of the Flatirons.
The primary commercial park in the area is located at the intersection of Table Mesa Drive and Broadway, which creates the eastern border of the neighborhood. Here, residents savor local libations and burgers at the Southern Sun Pub & Brewery, the sister brewery to Mountain Sun.
The Table Mesa Shopping center is also home to Colorado's unique King Soopers supermarket and Elevations Credit Union.
North Boulder
In recent decades, as it has become increasingly popular to live in Boulder, commercial and residential growth expanded north. The result is a cluster of newly constructed subdivisions nestled into the gentle foothills west of Route 36.
Here, the real estate consists of single family homes and condo units with humble plots of lands and easy access to the mountains. North Boulder is the northernmost edge of the city, with no development beyond it. As a result, mule deer and elk can still be seen grazing in nearby meadows.
On the First Friday of each month, the aptly named NoBo Arts District, hosts a walkthrough of the neighborhood’s artists and innovative businesses. Locals gather in the streets to witness artisans and designers in action, year round. Afterwards, crowds head to the Upslope Brewing Company to test Boulder’s local brews.
Wonderland Hills
Below North Boulder, between the mountains and Broadway, prospective homebuyers will find Wonderland Hills. In the heart of the neighborhood, a 1.8 mile trail encircles Wonderland Lake, where hikers take in panoramic views of the rolling foothills.
Most homes here were built in the 1980s, echoing the contemporary, architectural aesthetic of that time, but with a western twist. Asymmetrical roof lines and intricate landscape design characterize the unique style of these subdivisions.
A small cluster of shops located at Quince Avenue and Broadway provide access to essential amenities. Though Wonderland Hills is especially peaceful, downtown Boulder is only a seven-minute drive down Broadway.
