I lived there 1988-90. In 1990 we moved to Overland Park, KS, and I was bereft. In 1991 I went back to Boulder, because I missed it so desperately. And then, precisely because I missed it so desperately, I didn't return for ten years. I knew that going back would only make me long to return, which wasn't possible, given my husband's job. And when I did return in 2001, I saw the changes and the growth, and in all honesty, I would not go back. Even if I could afford it. Sigh.
The home we owned in Boulder, the last time I looked on Zillow was now going for at least 8 times what we bought and sold it for in 1988-90.
But more to the point, the population growth (even if home prices had never gone up) is the real issue. When we lived there, most of the way north from Colorado Springs to Denver (except for a bit around Monument) was all open country. Not any more.
I generally get to Colorado Springs once a year, and to Denver itself once a year for various writers or s-f conferences. I don't recognize it at all. Sigh. I know if we'd never left I'd have adjusted to the growth and the changes as they happened. But I moved away, and now I can only see the population growth and the changes.
Similarly, I grew up partially in Tucson, AZ. Went to high school there, moved away about three years later. I attend my high school reunions, and often visit in between because my brother still lives there and I've stayed in touch with friends. More than once an old high school friend has said, "Oh gosh, Poindexter, wouldn't you love to move back?" No, I wouldn't. Ignoring the climate aspect (I truly hate hot weather) all I can see is the growth and the urban sprawl. Had I never left, it probably wouldn't feel so bad. But since I did leave, returning after all these years (I graduated high school more than fifty years ago) just doesn't work for me.
All that said, I loved Boulder and I'm sorry we moved away. It was absolutely the best place to have little kids. My older son was in kindergarten, which back then was half day. We were in the morning half. The moms waiting to pick up their kids at noon bonded over time, and starting in January of my son's kindergarten year, we decided that on Fridays, after picking up and feeding our kids, we'd rendezvous at a nearby park. The kids (and a lot of younger siblings) played ane we moms simply sat around and chatted. And this is what was so great about living in Boulder: starting in January, we only had to skip two Friday park things because of weather. Yeah, only two. Starting in January.
What I loved about Boulder was that we could be outside almost all the time. Plus, of course, the views.
Well, that was many years ago and my sons are now grown. These days I live in Santa Fe, which is a good thousand feet higher than Boulder and I LOVE living at high altitude. While not as spectacular as the Flat Irons, I have an excellent view across my back yard of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
As you can guess, I am very much at home in the west.
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