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Altona

Altona

Neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder County 80302

$1,591,233 Average Value
$554 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

A rural neighborhood in the foothills

Situated deep in the foothills and surrounded by numerous creeks, Altona is a rural neighborhood roughly 11 miles north of Boulder that has stunning views and plenty of recreation on all sides. “One of the nicest aspects of Altona is that it provides the seclusion of the mountains with easy access to town," says Real Estate Broker William Greig with Compass. Most homes are spread out and have plenty of privacy, though the Lake of the Pines gated community resembles a suburban neighborhood. The area is equal distance from Boulder and Longmont.

The hillside homes of Lake of Pines sit adjacent to Allen Lake.
The hillside homes of Lake of Pines sit adjacent to Allen Lake.
There's lots of land for ranches in Altona.
There's lots of land for ranches in Altona.
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Altona’s spread-out homes and gated community

Most homes in Altona sit on large acres of rolling land, though varying in housing styles. Sprawling ranch-style homes are common for those with farmland and can cost anywhere between $665,000 and $2 million. Farmhouses and contemporary mountain homes in the area are larger, ranging between 2,500 and 6,000 square feet, and are priced between $975,000 and $3 million. These properties share features such as wrap-around porches and picture windows, though many of the mountain homes have rustic, cabin vibes with wood siding and fireplaces. At the northern tip of Altona, Lake of the Pines is a private, gated community of 80 houses that surround Allens Lake. “Having a private lake is one of the nicer amenities to have in Boulder with the potential for direct water access from your house,” Greig says. Many of the homes in this community are multi-generational luxury estates with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor pools and patios. Aside from the other contemporary mountain homes in the private community, these properties cost $3 million to $5 million.

Lake of Pines private community has many hillside homes.
Lake of Pines private community has many hillside homes.
You'll find mountain homes throughout Altona.
You'll find mountain homes throughout Altona.
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Scenic trails alongside creeks

There are several trails with access points in Altona – the ones in the east, like the Joder Trail, explore the area’s wide-open space and prairie lands, while the others in the west, like Heil Valley Ranch and Corral Trail, go into the foothills. The Left Hand Canyon Trail provides a scenic overlook of the Left Hand Valley Reservoir and has several natural swimming areas along the way for cooling off. Buckingham Park is a picnic area close by that sits along Left Hand Creek. Most of these trails are accessible to hikers, bikers and horseback riders, though only a handful allow dogs on leashes. Lake Valley Golf Club is a private, 18-hole course 6 miles away. While the course is only playable to members, its restaurant, Persimmon Grill, is open to the public. Additionally, Allens Lake provides plenty to residents living within Lake of the Pines. “The road surrounding the lake is less than 2 miles around, making it the perfect walk to take with kids or a dog,” Greig says. Residents can also kayak, canoe, swim and fish on the water or relax at the Lake of the Pines Beach.

A beautiful creek runs through Buckingham Park.
A beautiful creek runs through Buckingham Park.
Practice your swing at the private course at Lake Valley Golf Club.
Practice your swing at the private course at Lake Valley Golf Club.
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Leaving town for errand runs

Opportunities for shopping and dining in Altona are almost nonexistent. The Greenbriar Inn is the only restaurant in the area, though it is considered a Boulder County Landmark. The fine dining establishment serves traditional American dishes with a seasonal menu. Residents can also head to Niwot, roughly 11 miles away. The Garden Gate Café is a breakfast spot, while Farow is a bistro that uses hyper-local ingredients for its meals. Longmont is 12 miles away from Altona and is a retail shopping hotspot. Along Hover Street, there are several big-box stores like Kohls and Boot Barn, and chain restaurants like Texas Roadhouse and Raising Cane’s. Grocery stores in the area include King Soopers, Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market. Additionally, Longmont’s Downtown is lined with boutiques, antique stores, sporting goods stores and novelty shops selling everything from candles to records. Local restaurants include The Roost, with its upscale pub food, and Lucile’s Creole Café, with its Cajun-inspired breakfasts.

Enjoy dinner outside on a beautiful summer evening at The Greenbriar Inn.
Enjoy dinner outside on a beautiful summer evening at The Greenbriar Inn.
Garden Gate Cafe is a popular breakfast and brunch place in Niwot.
Garden Gate Cafe is a popular breakfast and brunch place in Niwot.
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A-rated public schools in St. Vrain Valley

Families living in Altona can send their children to schools within the St. Vrain Valley School District. Blue Mountain Elementary School maintains an A grade by Niche and teaches inquiry-based learning with a focus on science and technology. From there, students can attend Altona Middle School, which earns an A-minus grade and has an IDEALab for problem-based projects. Silver Creek High School has an A grade and partners with Front Range Community College to offer a P-TECH program that encourages students to earn an associate degree in cybersecurity.

Altona Middle School boasts an A-minus Niche grade.
Altona Middle School boasts an A-minus Niche grade.
Silver Creek High School boasts an A Niche grade.
Silver Creek High School boasts an A Niche grade.
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Driving through Altona

With Altona’s expansive rural landscape, driving a vehicle is almost required. Most of the winding neighborhood streets are dirt, though there are a couple of major paved roads such as Nelson Road and Left Canyon Drive. US Route 36 travels north and south through Altona and can connect commuters to Boulder and Lyons. There is one RTD bus stop at US 36 & Lake Ridge Trail, providing transportation outside of the neighborhood.

There's lots of land for ranches in Altona.
There's lots of land for ranches in Altona.
Well manicured homes and neighborhoods in Altona are nestled by grass fields.
Well manicured homes and neighborhoods in Altona are nestled by grass fields.
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Celebrating a private community’s closeness

Within Lake of the Pines, the private community hosts several events throughout the year to bring people together. Holiday celebrations include an Easter egg hunt, a Fourth of July parade and pumpkin carving in the fall. There’s also a Spring Clean Up Day that ends in a community-wide barbeque. Every year, Lake of the Pines puts on a fundraiser event to restock Allens Lake with fish.

A private neighborhood community sits on Allen Lake.
A private neighborhood community sits on Allen Lake.
Lake of Pines Beach is a fun place to take you furry best friend for a walk.
Lake of Pines Beach is a fun place to take you furry best friend for a walk.
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Brittany Bell
Written By
Brittany Bell
Michael Ng
Photography Contributed By
Michael Ng
Kellan Beaver
Video By
Kellan Beaver

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Jenny Hart, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Denver International

70 min drive

Bus

Us 36 & Lake Ridge Trail Fs Sb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Altona US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,934,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,620,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$554
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Months of Supply
2.80
Median List Price
$1,650,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
97%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
218
Median Year Built
1978
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,055
Significantly above the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
49,222

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Jenny Hart, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
522
Median Age
48
Population under 18
20.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$131,071
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$149,530

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
61.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
21''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
56''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

13 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Altona