If go right in the middle of denver and boulder (so like Westminster, Broomfield, Thornton, Northglenn....) they are the best prices and you get the best of both Denver and Boulder. The houses in that area are about a 20 min drive to either Denver or Boulder. I live in Westminster and work in Boulder. We bought a house 2.5 years ago for $265,000 it is 2,000+ sq feet, 4 bed rooms, 2 full bath and 1 half bath. We have an unfinished basement of 1000 sq feet that we will have finished by Dec. and we are adding a bed and full bath to. Taxes are DIRT cheap (like less then $2000/year). There is constant construction which makes me believe the market is doing well (however can be a pain sometimes). Tons of shopping, restaurants and ALWAYS activities and festivals that are usually free. Boulder is VERY expensive because back in the day they put a law in boulder that you can't build more properties unless you take down a property.... so that brought property prices/value up because of the demand. I am not a fan of living in Boulder (I did for 4 years while attending CU) because of all the students that take over Boulder. Denver, however is MOSTLY expensive apartment. There are subdivisions, like the Highlands, but they are very pricey for your living space. You can always go to South Denver (other side of Denver from Boulder) and they seem to have LOTS of work opportunities, but I have never been a fan of that area because its so far from Boulder and I do truly like Boulder to visit. I am not to sure about living situations or prices in South Denver.