Martin Acres is a fantastically convenient and surprisingly affordable Boulder neighborhood. With easy access to U.S. 36, a major RTD bus route and lots of bike paths, living here means you get anywhere you want to go with little hassle.

History: This neighborhood started out as a Boulder suburb in the 1950s. With the completion of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike, the population of the area started growing. What first began as a neighborhood of small family housing quickly turned into a college rental hotbed. These days, you’ll find a nice mix of student rentals with more and more families coming back to call this neighborhood home.

Housing: If you’re price-conscious, then this is the neighborhood for you. One of the most affordable parts of town, it’s still possible to find good deals on houses, many starting in the low $300′s (which is a good deal in Boulder). Many of the houses are 50′s ranch-style or 60′s tri-level. But driving around the neighborhood, you’ll see folks popping the tops (code for adding second stories) and changing the architectural design of their house to make it more eco-friendly.

photo credit: David Ellis on Flickr

Restaurants & Shopping: Martin Acres is located across the intersection from the Table Mesa shopping center. Several notable South Boulder dining destinations can be found here, including the Southern Sun brewery (younger sibling to this one), the delicious breakfast spot Southside Walnut Cafe and a super-yummy bakery offering gluten-free options, Kim & Jake’s Cakes.

In addition to all this goodness, there is also a King Soopers grocerystore, a bank, coffee shop and wide range of other businesses. And if all that isn’t enough for you, Pearl Street is just a short bike ride downhill. Just remember that it’s all uphill on the way home to Martin Acres from downtown Boulder.

Family & Fitness: Two big draws of Martin Acres are the many bike paths that traverse the neighborhood and Martin Park, where community events take place, showcasing bands, food trucks and fun for the whole family. In addition to the baseball diamond, playground, tennis courts and sheltered picnic area, Martin Park is also home to the newest little library in town. Look for the small decorated box in the middle of the shelter and feel free to take a book or leave on whenever you’re there. And if you’re looking to hike, fear not. Many of South Boulder’s best trails are only a few minutes up the road, with a proper trailhead at NCAR.

Schools: Creekside Elementary, Summit Middle, and Fairview High

Quirks: Martin Acres has a well-established and active Neighborhood Association that was started in 1977. The neighborhood hosts an annual Fall Festival, where residents come together to carve pumpkins and make apple cider.

Major Street Boundaries: Broadway to U.S. 36, Baseline to Table Mesa

Even with the large number of student rentals, Martin Acres has the feeling of a real neighborhood. With it’s close proximity to just about anything you’d want to do in Boulder, Martin Acres is a bit of a hidden gem. You can still find a good deal on a house here. But that won’t be the case for long, so get yourself to Martin Acres before everyone else beats you to it.

Top photo credit: Peter Krefting