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Boulder, Colorado

KungaKunga
edited April 2011 in General Banter
Hey everyone,

I've been involved in a lot of meditation/Buddhist communities over the years, and the state of Colorado, and particularly the city of Boulder, keep popping up. I read that a lot of hippies ended up there in the 60s. Is anyone based out there, or has anyone visited? I would consider checking it out for myself if I heard some positive feedback? I live on the east coast. Thanks!

Comments

  • Now-Is-realityNow-Is-reality
    Well, I am going to school there next year... to a Buddhist University as a matter of fact. And I have lived near Boulder my entire life, it's a nice city: most people walk, or bike around and while there are a lot of Hippie-like people, there are also a lot of spiritual and open people. Because it is right next to the mountains, like right in the valley, there are a lot of outdoorish people as well... ANYWAY there are also a lot of buddhist sanghas in the area, and a lot of visitations from major people in the field of buddhist studies and such through the Buddhist University, Naropa.

    Hmmm, I think it's cool, they have "Vegetarian fast food" and just about any other kind of world friendly restaurant, you could think of. It's a nice little town.
  • KungaKunga
    I thought about going to Naropa. Concerned about the credibility of the degree, although that shouldn't stop me. What are you studying?
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    edited April 2011
    I thought about going to Naropa. Concerned about the credibility of the degree, although that shouldn't stop me. What are you studying?
    I think the credibility issue is relevant depending on what your career plans are, where you plan to work, the type of degree. "Now" plans to study psychology, and Naropa has a great, innovative program for that. I know a psychologist who has an independent practice, and her degree is from Naropa. She swears by their program. Maybe if someone were planning to practice in a large, health-insurance-based institution, like Kaiser Permanente in California, just as an example, or in a public school as a counselor, a Naropa degree wouldn't float. But I think the field of psychology has opened up a lot to "alternative" practices and degrees. Any kind of degree from Naropa would probably find acceptance in Buddhist institutions or businesses (dharma magazines, for ex., or the many sanghas and retreat centers with outreach programs), ecumenical organizations, and probably a lot of mainstream venues as well. A B.A. is a B.A., for entry-level employment.

  • Malachy12Malachy12
    Oh my gosh, your description of Boulder Colorado has made me fall in love. My gf and I aren't sure where we want to move to after graduation. We've been out to San Fran a bunch (but it's very expensive, and I need the outdoors). The we thought Oregon or Washington because the political atmosphere is open, and there is a lot of open land with trees. But now we definitely need to visit Boulder Colorado.
  • ArjquadArjquad Veteran
    I've been to boulder on a college visit (University of Colorado not Naropa) and it seemed really laid back and full of open people. I used to live an hour from there in the mountians and since it is a very outside based area, there is alot of those "hippie" people. Overall I love Colorado and Boulder is still my top choice of school.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    We've been out to San Fran a bunch (but it's very expensive, and I need the outdoors). Then we thought Oregon or Washington because the political atmosphere is open, and there is a lot of open land with trees.
    You'd be surprised how much open, natural space there is around the San Fran Bay Area. I'm homesick for the redwoods. But you're right; it's very expensive, though the pay scale is higher to compensate for that. Oregon and Washington have foul weather, and taxes of all sorts in WA are a bit oppressive, but definitely lots of open land with trees, mountains. Boulder sounds interesting.
  • Malachy12Malachy12
    @Dakini Yes, we're living in Michigan where the economy is going dooowwwn. But, I've grown up with woods, trees, and places to take my dog where we never see another person. I absolutely love how fun SanFran is, and your right... there are some area with awesome wildlife. Plants and flowers that I've never seen, huge redwoods not too far away either. There's no excuse to be bored in San Fran but houses out there are outrageous! Then insurance for quakes and fires is crazy. We hope to vacation in the states where we want to move, then ask about housing, taxes etc. My gf, wants to make sure that wherever we move, there will soon be legislation passed that allows for gay marriage, but I've told her not to worry. I really feel that soon, all states will allow it (with the exception of some southern states). I do worry if Colorado has a high population of Mormans, since they carry a lot of political power (look at what they did in California).But Boulder looks great because we love snowboarding, trees, and hiking.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited April 2011
    Oh, you were wanting to buy a house. Well, that's very impractical in CA, you're right. Prop'ty taxes really make it a waste of money. I hadn't heard about the quake and fire ins. Renting is the most practical in CA, especially the Bay Area. Where are you living now?

    Mormons? In CA? What did they do?

    I gotta check out Boulder someday.... :)
    We hope to vacation in the states where we want to move, then ask about housing, taxes etc.
  • Malachy12Malachy12
    @Dakini They organized in large numbers for grassroots movement to support prop 8. 40 percent of donations came from Mormon organizations, with over 70 percent of individual donations coming from Mormons. Yet only 2 percent of California is Mormon. That level of organization is scary. Now if only the Michigan Nurse's Union could have that kind of power... we might get some safer nurse-to-patient ratios, lol.
    Well if we did buy a house, it would probably be outside of SanFran, but close enough to drive in for a visit. Like maybe Walnut Creek, or Oakland. Friends of ours are always trying to convince us that Oakland is terribly dangerous... but I'm currently going to school in Flint, and have lived in Detroit. Michigan has three very dangerous cities... Saginaw, Flint, and Detroit. They were cracking me up when we visited them because they whispered "Watch it, it's meth-addicts like that guy that are dangerous" (pointing to a homeless guy that waved). I told them about the time I was sleeping in the car back home, and sat up for a minute... and saw out the window... a man doing the craziest tripped-out stork walk in the world... at 2pm. So I asked "Hey babe are we just getting into Saginaw?" and she laughed.. because we were.
    But I already excitedly told my gf, Boulder has a Buddhist University! (She was not impressed). Well Boulder has vegetarian fast-food, and snowboarding! (She was very impressed).
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    It depends on what part of Oakland, Malachy. Parts of North Oakland are OK. Walnut Creek might be more affordable, I haven't kept track. My dream is to move to Marin County (redwoods!!), but that's more expensive. *sigh*

    Yeah, churches can organize very effectively; there was an analysis of George HW Bush's election, and the Christian Right had a huge impact in getting him elected. Maybe we Buddhists should organize...?

    If you visit Boulder, give us a report. I'm sure Kunga would like to hear it (getting back on-topic... :D )
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