What to Look for in a Rental Apartment to Deal with Boulder Weather
One of the best things about living in Boulder, Colorado, is that the county enjoys all four seasons of weather, from pretty springs to hot, dry summers to gorgeously crisp falls to snowy winters. Boulder also enjoys a much higher average of sunny days compared to the national average, meaning it’s a great place to live if you love getting out and about in the fresh air or love exciting outdoor activities.
But if you’re looking for a rental apartment in Boulder, it’s important to be aware of the practicalities of living somewhere with such diverse weather conditions to ensure you’ll stay comfortable, year-round, in your new home.
Keeping Cool
Boulder can get very hot and dry during the summer months, with temperatures reaching into the 90s (Fahrenheit). To this end, it’s a good idea to check that any rental apartments you’re considering are fitted with air-con, to help you keep comfortable when those Colorado temperatures start to soar. You may also want to check which direction the main living areas’ windows are facing to get an idea of how hot the spaces are likely to get in the summer.
Things You Can Do to Help Keep Temperatures Down in Your Apartment
As well as turning on the air-con, there are other things you can do to help keep your Boulder apartment cool in the summer. Room fans are an easy – and portable – way to get the temperatures down, or consider using an evaporative cooler. The latter are particularly suitable for properties in Colorado as they tend to work best in dry climates.
Don’t forget the basics, too, such as opening windows during the cooler parts of the day and closing them when the temperatures rise and keeping blinds or curtains closed against the heat of the sun.
Keeping Warm
If you’re looking for ‘proper’ winters, Boulder is definitely the place to head! The average January low stands at around 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and the county gets an average of 71 inches of snow each year – that’s more than double the national average. When you’re checking out rental apartments in Boulder, be sure that they have adequate heating systems and insulation for keeping warm when the thermometer drops. Don’t forget that landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the homes they lease out are habitable, meaning that they must be able to maintain at least a minimum temperature.
It’s also worth noting that there are, on average, 151 days a year when the nighttime temperatures in the county fall below freezing. So it’s a good idea to check with the landlord about the presence of pipe insulation. This is a vital way of ensuring pipes don’t freeze and subsequently burst in the winter.
Staying Cozy in the Winter
Using draft excluders on doors is an easy way to prevent pesky cold air coming into rooms (you can even DIY these yourself if you’re feeling crafty), as is switching to heavier curtains (or layering curtains) when winter comes. If you notice that drafts are coming in around the window panes, contact your landlord – a repair may be needed to properly seal them.
If your rented apartment has hardwood floors, investing in a large, cozy rug is both great aesthetically and will also help keep warm air from escaping.
What About Storms?
Boulder, Colorado, does experience the odd storm, including occasional summer thunderstorms. Although landlords are responsible for making good on any structural repairs to a property caused by storm damage, it doesn’t hurt to pay attention to the outside of the apartment when you visit, looking for things like cracks or obviously visible missing roof tiles.
Do I Need to Take Out Renters Insurance?
While it’s not a legal requirement to take out renters insurance in Boulder, doing so is highly recommended. Some landlords may even require prospective tenants to take out this type of policy as a term of the lease. And that lively weather we discussed above? Renters insurance in Boulder, Colorado, will protect your stuff in the event of weather-related damage, as well as theft. Plus, a policy is likely to be much more affordable than you think; you may be able to get that all-important peace of mind from just $5 a month.
Final Thoughts
Renting an apartment in Boulder is a dream for those who enjoy all four seasons of weather – and especially those who’d love the opportunity to get out and about in the beautiful outdoors all through the year. Taking into account a few things when checking out apartments, such as whether or not an air-con system and insulation are present, is a sensible step to ensure you’ll be able to fully enjoy your new home, both in the depths of winter and the height of the Colorado summer.
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