Martin Acres
Boulder, CO
South Boulder’s original family neighborhood — 1,350 brick ranch homes on established streets, an active neighborhood association since 1977, Fairview High School access, and a more affordable entry point into the south Boulder lifestyle than Table Mesa.
- Zip Code80305
- Home StylesRanch, Split-Level, Tri-Level, Brick
- Year Built1950s–1970s (established)
- Price Range$700K – $1.1M
- HOANone
- School DistrictBoulder Valley School District
- Neighborhood Assn.MANA — active since 1977
- LocationSouth Boulder · Bounded by US-36 & CO-93
South Boulder’s Original Community
Martin Acres is south Boulder’s most established neighborhood — 1,350 single-family homes and four apartment buildings built primarily in the 1950s through 1970s, when the completion of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike (US-36) opened south Boulder to residential development. The neighborhood’s brick ranch homes, split-levels, and tri-levels on established, tree-lined streets reflect the confident, practical residential design of their era, and many have been thoughtfully updated over the decades while retaining the character of their original construction.
What makes Martin Acres distinctive within south Boulder is its community culture. The Martin Acres Neighborhood Association (MANA) has been active since 1977, one of the longest-running neighborhood associations in Boulder, and organizes annual events that give the neighborhood a genuine block-party character that newer communities struggle to replicate. The annual Fall Festival, with its pumpkin carving and apple cider making, draws participation from across the neighborhood and reflects a community that has been investing in itself for nearly five decades.
Martin Acres sits at Boulder’s most accessible south Boulder price point — meaningfully less expensive than Table Mesa while sharing the same Fairview High School assignment and enjoying many of the same outdoor amenities. The NCAR trailhead, Shanahan Trail, and Bear Canyon Trail are all within a short bike ride or drive. Whole Foods, King Soopers, and the Table Mesa Shopping Center are close by. RTD bus service (the FF2 to Union Station in Denver takes approximately 75 minutes door-to-door) provides public transit for residents who commute into Denver without driving.
The neighborhood has historically attracted a mix of CU faculty, young families, long-term Boulder residents, and some student rentals adjacent to the CU campus area. That mix has gradually shifted toward more owner-occupied family housing as prices have risen and the neighborhood’s school quality has become better understood by out-of-state buyers relocating to Boulder.
South Boulder Between Downtown and the Mountains
Martin Acres is bounded by US-36 to the north and CO-93 (Broadway) to the east — positioning it at the gateway between central Boulder and south Boulder’s open space network. Downtown Boulder is approximately five miles north via Broadway; the CU campus is approximately two to three miles north. The NCAR Mesa Lab and trailhead are accessible within a short bike ride west on Table Mesa Drive.
US-36 access from Martin Acres is straightforward, placing the Flatiron Flyer BRT stops (for Denver-bound commuters) nearby and keeping downtown Denver approximately 35–40 minutes by car. Multiple bike paths run through the neighborhood itself, connecting to Boulder’s broader trail network and making car-free local errands genuinely achievable. Martin Park — a neighborhood park with tennis courts, ball fields, a playground, a picnic shelter, and a Little Free Library — sits at the heart of the community.
Martin Park, Tantra Park, and South Boulder Trails
- Martin Park (tennis, ball fields, playground, picnic area, Little Free Library)
- Tantra Park (sledding and tubing in winter)
- Neighborhood bike path network (throughout Martin Acres)
- NCAR Trail (short bike ride west)
- Shanahan Trail access
- Bear Canyon Trail access
- Mesa Trail connections to Chautauqua & Flatirons
- South Boulder Recreation Center (nearby)
- Harlow Platts Community Park (nearby)
- Viele Lake (non-motorized boating, walking paths)
- RTD FF2 bus service (Denver commute)
- Boulder Creek Path (north via Broadway)
Education in Martin Acres
Martin Acres is served by Boulder Valley School District, with Fairview High School as the high school assignment — the same Fairview that serves Table Mesa and ranks consistently among Colorado’s best public high schools. This shared Fairview assignment at Martin Acres’ lower price point is the neighborhood’s most compelling value proposition for school-focused buyers.
BVSD boundary lines in south Boulder can be complex — always verify your specific assignment with Boulder Valley School District before purchasing. Some Martin Acres addresses may be assigned to Southern Hills Middle School.
Where Martin Acres Residents Eat
Martin Acres’ proximity to Table Mesa Shopping Center puts its primary dining options within easy biking distance, while the full Boulder dining scene is a short drive or bus ride north on Broadway.
The quintessential south Boulder neighborhood restaurant, a short bike ride from Martin Acres — organic craft beer, a hearty menu, and a genuine neighborhood warmth that brings Table Mesa and Martin Acres families together regularly.
A quality specialty coffee roaster with a south Boulder presence — the kind of serious coffee shop that Martin Acres residents treat as a daily ritual and a reliable work-from-home alternative.
Both a Whole Foods and a King Soopers are accessible at Table Mesa Shopping Center — providing the full grocery range that Martin Acres residents use for daily errands without a trip into central Boulder.
A beloved Boulder quick-service Chinese restaurant — clean, fresh flavors at approachable prices that make it a regular Martin Acres weeknight dinner destination.
A beloved Colorado burrito chain with strong Hill presence — a practical, affordable dining option that serves both the student population and the neighborhood’s owner-occupant families equally well.
For a special occasion — Frasca’s northern Italian cuisine and extraordinary wine program is 20 minutes north on Broadway and worth the trip for Martin Acres residents marking a milestone.
Living in Martin Acres
Martin Acres residents consistently describe the neighborhood in the same terms: friendly, walkable within itself, great for kids, excellent school access, and more affordable than it should be given everything south Boulder provides. That combination keeps families here for the long term.
One of Boulder’s longest-running neighborhood associations — organizing the annual Fall Festival, advocating for community interests, and maintaining the neighborhood culture that makes Martin Acres feel genuinely cohesive rather than just geographically proximate.
The neighborhood’s living room — a community park with tennis courts, ball fields, a playground, a picnic shelter, and a Little Free Library in the middle of the shelter. Hosts summer concerts and food truck events organized by MANA.
A neighborhood park that doubles as south Boulder’s best sledding hill in winter — a community gathering point that reinforces the neighborhood’s family-first character across seasons.
Multiple bike paths run through Martin Acres itself, connecting to the broader Boulder trail network and making car-free local trips genuinely practical — a meaningful quality-of-life advantage for cycling-comfortable families.
The Fairview High School assignment at Martin Acres’ price point is the neighborhood’s most compelling value — access to one of Colorado’s most academically celebrated public high schools without paying Table Mesa’s premium.
No HOA means no monthly fees and no aesthetic restrictions — combined with Martin Acres’ mature tree canopy and established lot sizes, the neighborhood has the organic character that newer developments spend decades trying to achieve.
Homes for Sale in Martin Acres
Ready to Call Martin Acres Home?
Martin Acres is south Boulder’s best-kept secret — Fairview High School access, NCAR trail proximity, an active neighborhood association that has been building community since 1977, and entry prices that make south Boulder ownership achievable. Let’s find your home.