$1,555,672Average Value$487Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Altona combines rural charm with easy access to larger cities
Panoramic foothills, rushing creeks and vast prairie lands create the landscape surrounding Altona, a rural neighborhood situated between Boulder, Lyons and Longmont. Many trails wind through the area, offering residents plenty of outdoor recreation. Altona is primarily residential, with most homes either spread out with plenty of privacy or found within Lake of the Pines, a gated community resembling a suburban neighborhood. Commuting to the larger cities is part of your daily routine, and easy to do with U.S. Highway 36 nearby. Altona is attractive to those wanting a larger home in the mountains, with easy access to city conveniences.
The hillside homes of Lake of Pines sit adjacent to Allens Lake in Altona.
Altona has open spaces and large lots with acreage.
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Altona's Lake of the Pines subdivision has large, well-manicured homes.
The cost of living in Altona
The median sales price for a home in Altona is about $1,230,000, which is more than Boulder’s median sales price of around $950,000 and Longmont’s of roughly $570,000. In response, the median household income for Altona is about $131,000. Despite the higher home values, cost of living is similar to the surrounding areas. “The cost of the living is the same [as in Boulder], because the shopping is the same,” says Mary Hostetter, a real estate agent with Open Real Estate, who has almost 10 years of experience. “It’s still affordable compared to other mountain communities in the area.”
Single-family homes with acreage in the foothills
Altona’s housing market is often split into two areas: the foothills and Lake of the Pines. Most homes in the neighborhood sit on large lots of land in the foothills and come in a variety of styles. “The foothills have really beautiful views and more of that mountain living experience,” Hostetter says. Farmhouses and contemporary mountainside homes built in the 1970s and 1980s are common. These larger homes span 2,500 to 6,000 square feet and share features such as wrap-around porches and picture windows. Many also have rustic cabin vibes with wood siding and fireplaces. Prices range between the upper $900,000s and $3 million.
There are also sprawling ranch-style homes and raised ranches in the area. These smaller homes cost around the mid $500,000s to $2 million, depending on square footage. “You have more of the older homes and more things that are affordable in that area,” says Michelle Clifford, a real estate broker with Compass, who has over 30 years of experience.
Altona has many hillside homes dotting the Colorado foothills.
Mountainside homes and raised ranches are found throughout Altona.
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Lake of the Pines has luxury homes and community events
In the northern area of Altona, Lake of the Pines is a private, gated community surrounding Allens Lake. Many of the homes here are newer, Craftsman homes or luxury estates that cost $3 to $5 million, some with waterfront views. “It’s such a beautiful little neighborhood, you feel like you’re a million miles away,” says Clifford. “It’s a great place to be.”
Throughout the year, the community will host events that bring people together. Seasonal festivities include:
An Easter egg hunt
Spring Clean Up Day
Fourth of July parade* Pumpkin carving contest
Lake of the Pines is a private neighborhood community in Altona, sitting on Allens Lake.
Lake of Pines Beach is a fun place to take you furry best friend for a walk.
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The Greenbriar Inn is a popular dining spot in Altona, on U.S. 36, where residents like to socialize.
Easy commutes to Boulder, Lyons and Longmont
Since Altona is primarily residential, most people commute to Boulder, Lyons and Longmont for work, school and essentials. U.S. 36, also known as North Foothills Highway, is the area’s main thoroughfare. Commuters can use it to travel a little over 10 miles south to Boulder, or roughly 8 miles north to Lyons. “US 36 is like bicycle alley and fast car alley. Cyclists are constantly going through,” Clifford says. “A lot of people will just go and pop into Lyons to eat.” Longmont is about 13 miles northeast, mostly taking backroads that later connect to Colorado state Highway 119.
Outdoor adventure surrounds Altona via trails and lakes
Several trails have access points in Altona, letting residents easily explore the area’s foothills, valleys and water features. Heil Valley Ranch is a well-known spot for hiking, about 2 miles from the neighborhood. It has eight different trails that carve through forests and meadows. Some trails have spots for picnicking and even allow biking or horseback riding.
Popular trails near Altona include:
Wapiti Trail, which is 2.5 miles exploring Heil Valley Ranch’s foothills.
Joder Ranch Trail, which is 2 miles exploring the area’s prairie lands.
Left Hand Trail, which is 5.5 miles exploring Left Hand Valley Reservoir.
Buckingham Park is a picnic area along Left Hand Creek that has access to even more trails. Another source of recreation is Allens Lake, within Lake of the Pines. Residents can go kayaking, swimming or fishing in the water, and a small walking path surrounds the area. About 6 miles south of Altona, Lake Valley Golf Club offers a private, 18-hole course.
Left Hand Creek runs through Buckingham Park and allows fishing.
Practice your swing at the private course at Lake Valley Golf Club.
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Top rated Longmont public schools
Altona is served by the St. Vrain Valley School District, which enrolls over 31,750 students across the greater Longmont area. “People go to Longmont to take their kids to school,” Hostetter says. “There are some really good schools up there. Perfect for families.” The public schools are top rated. Silver Creek High School is known for its P-TECH program, which allows students to earn an associate’s degree in cybersecurity.
Altona Middle School is located in Longmont and serves the Altona neighborhood.
Silver Creek High School is a top-rated school in Longmont with quality programs.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Altona neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Altona
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Altona Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Altona, Boulder sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Altona, Boulder over the last 12 months is $1,346,577, down 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
