Forbes (2009): Boulder best town 'to live well'

Yups, this year, Boulder topped the magazine’s list of “America’s top 25 towns to live well.” In 2008, Forbes put Boulder at the top of its “smartest cities” and “best-educated cities” lists. I think its something to do with the graduate community from the University of Colorado in Boulder, who, unlike other graduates who zip off for greener pastures in sexier cities, actually stay on to live and work in Boulder.

I also read somewhere about how bicycles in Boulder match up to (or was it outnumbered?) the number of residents in the town. And how the thoughtfully designed bike lanes and cycling trails encourage this mountain town's residents to give up their vehicles for a bicycle ride to their destination instead. Coupled with high altitudes, fresh air and a mountain range for your backyard, I guess these are the winning attributes that pushed Boulder to no.1 for its high quality of life. Unfortunately, I also hear that the real estate prices are just as high. Darn!

After exploring the farmers market in town last Saturday, we wandered over to Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian mall in the heart of Boulder's downtown. Pearl Street is a much smaller mall than Denver's 16th Street Mall, and it doesn't have a spiffy shuttle service, but it has its own fair share of stylish outdoor cafes and quaint, eclectic shops.