Boulder is considered by many as one of the best places to live in the nation. For the past several years, the city has consistently placed in the Top 5 of numerous publications' "Best of" lists, for a variety of reasons. Examples include: Best Places for Singles by Forbes; Top Places to Retire by Retire Magazine; Best All Around Town by Outside Magazine; #5 Spot for Empty Nesters by Kiplinger; the Top Cycling City by Bicycling Magazine; #4 Green City by Yahoo – just to name a few.

Boulder is surrounded by 31,000 acres of open space and has over 130 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to very difficult. On Memorial Day, Boulder plays host to over 40,000 runners for the running of the "Bolder Boulder," the second largest 10K in the country.

Boulder is well known for its fabulous restaurants and cultural activities. The area is home to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NOAA, and the Naropa Institute. Boulder offers residents a wide range of interesting events throughout the year, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the World Affairs Conference, and MahlerFest. Be sure to check out the renowned Pearl Street walking mall; there's something there for everyone.