Boulder is a thriving metropolis amidst natural wilderness, offering big-city conveniences and outdoor adventures. Its location at the base of the Rocky Mountains puts some of the country’s best hiking trails on your doorstep. Its city streets boast leading restaurants, nightspots, and retailers. It’s come a long way since Indigenous people began living here more than 13,000 years ago. Gold prospectors settled the city, and it grew rapidly with the establishment of the University of Colorado, the Boulder Colorado Sanitarium, and national scientific hubs such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Today, Boulder is a culturally diverse city. More than 10% of locals were born outside the United States, including many people from Venezuela and other Central American countries. More than 10% of Boulder’s residents identify as Hispanic, while more than 6% are Asian. The city’s attractive facilities and booming economy have helped the local real estate market grow. Strong demand has seen the price of studios and two-, three-, and four-bedroom rental properties increase in the last year. If you’re considering moving to Boulder, check out properties in these quality neighborhoods.
Selection criteria
We considered various factors that are usually important to renters when selecting our top Boulder neighborhoods, including:
- Price
- Location
- Amenities
- Transportation
- Schools
- Community engagement
1. Mapleton Hill
Mapleton Hill is one of Boulder’s most prestigious neighborhoods. This suburban oasis is just a stone’s throw from the heart of the city. With tree-lined streets, lavish Victorian- and Queen Anne-style homes, and friendly neighbors, it’s a picture-perfect community that attracts families who love the finer things in life. This entirely residential neighborhood has a WalkScore.com rating of 83, making it one of the most walkable areas in Boulder. The Mount Sanitas and Sanitas Valley trailheads and the stores, restaurants, and nightspots of Pearl Street and downtown Boulder are all just a short walk away.
The biggest downside to living in Mapleton Hill is the price. While the rentals are typically high quality, you’ll pay an average of $2,000 per month for a one-bedroom property and $2,940 for a two-bedroom place. While rent prices for two-bedroom properties have fallen slightly in the last year, strong demand for one-bedroom rentals has seen their prices climb steadily by around 22% in the last year. There are also limited rentals, which further drives up the price.
2. Newlands
Next to Mapleton Hill against a dramatic mountain backdrop, you’ll find the picturesque Newlands neighborhood. Active families love enjoying picnics and playing ball at North Boulder Park and hitting the nearby Mount Sanitas and Red Rock trails. For indoor fitness, you can swim laps or join a class at the North Boulder Recreation Center. It’s next to the Ideal Market, which offers all the essentials most families need, and Pearl Street is a short walk away for fun after dark. Newlands is a tight-knit community with its own Facebook page and a volunteer organization helping residents stay connected.
Newlands has limited rentals, especially if you’re on a budget. While prices for family-friendly three-bedroom properties have fallen by 18% in the last year, they still cost an average of $4,495 per month. The price of one- and two-bedroom rentals has increased over that period to $1,600 and $2,375 respectively.
3. University Hill
Home to the University of Colorado, University Hill is a buzzy college town. There’s a range of properties available on the Hill, as the locals call it, including basic student accommodation, Victorian mansions, and Bungalow-style homes. Enjoy cheap eats at local 13th Street institutions such as The Sink and Illegal Pete’s, then catch an indie band at the Fox Theater. University Hill is also home to Folsom Field, which hosts major touring acts and college football games. When you need some retail therapy, University Hill has many quirky boutiques and bookstores.
University Hill’s college town status can be a blessing and a curse, depending on your point of view. While it gives this neighborhood a youthful energy, some residents complain that students can be loud and bad-mannered. They also make the local real estate market competitive, especially close to campus. One-bedders are cheap for this central location, with an average price of $1,698, which has remained relatively steady in the last year. Growth for larger properties is much steeper, with three-bedroom places now costing around $5,535 per month and four-bedroom dwellings costing an average of $6,660.
4. Goss-Grove
For a more family-friendly option in the heart of the city, consider Goss-Grove. Singles and families of all demographics love this charming inner-city neighborhood, which boasts a community garden, Little Free Library, independent boutiques and eateries, and colorful street art. Check the community bulletin board regularly because residents often post details about mixers such as block parties and neighborhood socials. A biking score of 100 and a walkability score of 89 show how easily you can get around Goss-Grove.
Nearly 90% of Goss-Grove residents rent, and that turnover keeps prices relatively low for a centrally located community. Expect to pay an average of $1,650 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,400 for a two-bedroom place. Prices for four-bedroom properties have fallen by 21% in the last year, allowing you to secure a spacious family home for around $4,170 per month.
5. Boulder Junction
One of Boulder’s hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods, Boulder Junction is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a modern apartment in the heart of the city. This densely populated community was originally called Transit Village, as it was close to a proposed train station site. Officials axed the station, but this community continues to grow, albeit more slowly than if the transport hub eventuated. Empty retail spaces are a little disheartening, but there are still offices, restaurants, and some stores in the neighborhood. It’s also an easy walk or short bus ride to many Boulder hotspots.
Local studio apartments are the cheapest option, with an average price of $1,890 per month. There’s been massive growth in larger properties, with one-bedroom units priced at $3,295 per month and two-bedders at $4,339, both around 40% higher than the year before. Those rents bite, but if you can swing them, living in Boulder Junction is convenient and lots of fun.
6. Whittier
There’s something for everyone in Whittier, a diverse and desirable neighborhood near vibrant Pearl Street. While it’s right next to this buzzy dining and entertainment hub, Whittier is relatively quiet, so it offers residents the best of both worlds. There isn’t a lot of traffic, with most people preferring to walk around the community, often with a dog keeping them company. The streets also have designated cycle lanes for family bike rides or eco-friendly commuting. You may benefit from leaving the car at home, as parking around Whittier’s uptown businesses is notoriously limited.
Established in 1859, many of Whittier’s larger historic properties are some of the neighborhood’s most expensive. While prices have fallen by 28% overall in the last year, you’ll still pay an average of $2,598 for a two-bedroom rental and around $3,000 for a three-bedder, up 8% in the last year. Newer one-bedroom condos and apartments cost around $1,700, which is great value considering their proximity to downtown. The local property market is competitive though, so the best rentals never stick around for long.
7. Park East
As its name suggests, Park East is a suburban neighborhood with plenty of green spaces. The park that shares its name borders Bear Canyon Creek and has a playground, basketball court, picnic shelter, and multi-use path for exploring. Park East is also home to Valmont City Park, which has an off-leash dog park, disc golf course, skate park, and 42-acre bike park. Park East is just 4 miles southeast of the city center, but with few public transit options, most residents need a car to get around. Motorists will appreciate its proximity to the Foothills Parkway.
Park East has mid- to high-end apartments and larger family homes in various styles. However, there are limited rentals, especially if you want a smaller dwelling, so you may need to be patient if your heart is set on this area. Prices are relatively stable and represent great value for money though. Budget around $2,200 per month for a two-bedroom place in Park East.
8. Keewaydin
If you don’t need a lot of space, you can snap up a real bargain in Keewaydin, another gem in the eastern part of Boulder. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is just $1,176 per month. Two-bedroom properties are $2,348 per month, which is still reasonable for such an attractive Boulder neighborhood. Expect to pay a little more for rentals with views of the nearby Flatirons.
It’s a quiet suburban spot that makes staying active easy, with Keewaydin Meadows Park, the East Boulder Community Center, and East Boulder Dog Park all located here. Locals are friendly and welcome newcomers to their tight-knit community. You’ll appreciate the peace and quiet, but as there are few public transport options, you’ll need a car for running errands locally and commuting to the center of Boulder. It’s close to Highway 157, though, and should only take you around 8 minutes to drive downtown.
9. Martin Acres
Martin Acres is a charming community in South Boulder for active families seeking respite from the fast pace of Boulder city living. A planned neighborhood built on an old apple farm in the 1950s, it remains a tight-knit community focused on families. You’ll see them riding their bikes or strolling on the well-maintained paths, socializing at block parties, and enjoying the annual Fall Festival. Its Creekside Elementary School has a perfect 10 rating from GreatSchools. It’s on a major RTD bus route for easy commuting to the city.
As a planned neighborhood, properties can be a little cookie-cutter for some tastes. It’s also a historic community, so property owners can do little to alter their traditional ‘50s style ranches and multi-level rentals. Many don’t take advantage of the nearby mountain views, although you can enjoy them when strolling the streets. Property prices have risen in the last year, especially for four-bedroom rentals, which cost $3,650 per month on average, up 47%. One-bedroom rentals have experienced a more modest increase to an average of $1,600 per month. As the properties are historic, they’re typically spacious and good value.
10. Table Mesa
Table Mesa is another excellent choice for anyone wanting to live outside the city. Like its nearest neighbor, Martin Acres, it’s close to hiking trails and parks. It’s also home to the small Table Mesa Shopping Center and a few local restaurants. Table Mesa’s location is both its biggest attraction and largest downside. While many love the peace and quiet, the 10- to 15-minute drive downtown can make big nights out difficult. It’s close to the Denver-Boulder Turnpike, though, which makes commuting to the office easy.
While its population is becoming more diverse and welcoming to young professionals, Table Mesa is really set up for families. Rentals with fewer than three bedrooms are rare and a bit dated, with most built in the ‘60s and ‘70s. There also aren’t many around, so you’ll need to move quickly on any Table Mesa rentals that interest you. After recent increases, expect to pay around $3,400 for a three-bedroom rental and $3,775 for a four-bedroom place.
Additional resources
These useful resources can make transitioning to your new life in Boulder easier:
- Visit Boulder, The Convention and Visitors Bureau: https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/
- City of Boulder government site: https://bouldercolorado.gov/
- Boulder Chamber: https://boulderchamber.com/
- Zumper apartment listings for Boulder: /apartments-for-rent/boulder-co
- University of Colorado Boulder: https://www.colorado.edu/
- Be Heard Boulder: https://www.beheardboulder.org/
- Daily Camera: https://www.dailycamera.com/
- Boulder Weekly: https://boulderweekly.com/
- Colorado Daily: https://www.coloradodaily.com/
- Boulder Public Library: https://boulderlibrary.org/
- Boulder Community Health: https://www.bch.org/
- Community Foundation Boulder County: https://www.commfound.org/
- Out Boulder: https://www.outboulder.org/
Final thoughts
As Colorado’s largest city, Boulder offers diverse neighborhoods to suit all tastes and budgets. With busy downtown communities and suburban spots that help you escape the fast pace of city living, Boulder has you covered. Weigh up your options, and we’re sure you’ll find a great place in Boulder to call home.
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