Broomfield

Growing up in Colorado I've seen the incredible growth of Broomfield. There used to be so many open fields and space and it seems as if most of that is gone now. I have mixed feelings about Broomfield in that there are some really nice areas, but as one of the other reviewers has said, there are also some dated areas. The other thing I dislike is how it always feels to me that if you're in the heart of Broomfield it can seem like it takes forever to get to any of the highways. Traffic here is never good and I've personally noticed some impatient drivers (although they seem to be everywhere nowadays). There are a lot of strip malls which I think detracts from the personality of the place, but on the other hand there is a lot of shopping for whatever you need very close by. There are numerous restaurants to choose from, although many of them are the chain type with independent, locally owned being few and far between.

There are a lot of housing options in Broomfield, and the average median home price as of 2009 was $262,904. The median household income for Broomfield was $76,380 that same year, so the cost of living is pretty decent. For Broomfield being so populated (~56,000) it has a pretty low crime rate year after year. The town is predominantly white at 80% and the largest industry is healthcare and social assistance.

Broomfield used to be in 4 Counties but due to it's large planning area, the residents of Broomfield voted to create it's own County ( Broomfield County ). School Districts include Boulder Valley School District and Adams 12 with the largest percentage in Adams 12, there are also several private schools to choose from. One of the impressive things about Broomfield is the Cities long term vision and their persistent pursuit of sales tax generating business and commercial opportunities. Flatirons Crossing mall is a part of Broomfield ( often mistaken as a part of Superior ) as well as the Interlocken Business Park. Broomfield has a variety of shopping and dining opportunities in many different areas of the City. With residential neighborhoods ranging from the 1950's to present day new construction, there are a variety of single family home styles and prices, including townhomes, condos and patio homes. For golfing enthusiasts, there are 3 good golf course choices: The Broadlands, Eagle Trace and Omni Interlocken Resort. There is a small water park the Bay Aquatic Park, a well equipped recreation center and the recently completed Broomfield Commons Park and Open Space. Not what it used to be, Broomfield has a lot to offer.

Broomfield is a town that is only about 10 minutes toward Denver along the major highway 36 out of Boulder. For being so close to Boulder, Broomfield seems like it is another world. When you are in Broomfield it feels more like a Denver suburb than a Boulder neighbor.

I worked at an Italian restaurant part-time in Broomfield for about a year on the main drag 120th Avenue. I felt like I was back in Ohio, back in the midwest. People are a little chubbier, a little grumpier and the worse tippers I have ever had as a server. But...there is something about Broomfield that gives off that common blue collar American feel and like I said it reminded me of back home in Ohio.

The town seems is centered along the main drag and it is one un-memorable strip mall after another. I spent some time in the neighborhoods and was surprised how run down they really were, I guess it is way way cheaper to live in Broomfield than in the Boulder Valley including Boulder itself, Louisville (which is suburban but clean and nice) or LaFayette that is more a real town feel with character. Sorry, I just wouldn't want to live in Broomfield. It is depressing.

There are a few new cookie-cutter neighborhoods that are close to HW 36 that might not be too bad and may be affordable. The views of the mountains are pretty good but there is a Kansas flatness about Broomfield that is disappointing for Colorado. I came to Colorado seeking a more open minded view on life and wanted to leave behind Ohio's poverty mentality work a day gloom of the midwest, if you are looking for a new start try in and around Boulder, up in the mountains, in the foothills or even downtown Denver if you are a city person, just don't get stuck in Broomfield for too long.