I Boise a good place to live?
I’ve been living in Boise for over a year now and I’ve come to know quite a bit about what it’s like to live here.
With a population of around 230,000, Boise is the largest city in Idaho and the state capital. It’s famous for outdoor activities, historic architecture and a growing arts scene.
But, like any city, it’s not all perfect, and I’m here to give you an honest look at life in Boise. If you need to know more about moving here, based on what I’ve experienced, I’m happy to help out. Feel free to ask me any questions.
See: 6 Safest Places to Live in Montana
Contents
Is Boise, ID a Good Place to Live?
Boise is a great place to live, especially for families.
Here, you will have easy access to outdoor activities, with trails like Camelback Park close by. It’s also near some beautiful spots in the Pacific Northwest.
We do have events and concerts, but the nightlife might not be as active as in some larger cities, and if you are in your 20s, it can be quite boring.
Boise is generally cleaner and safer than many other cities; it has good schools, hospitals, and cultural places as well.
Living in downtown Boise can be expensive. You might need an income of about $75,000 a year as a single person, considering rent and other living costs.
Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour (I don’t know anyone working for $7 an hour, but that doesn’t mean there are no people on minimum wage), and the median home price is $566,500. Groceries also have a 6% sales tax.
Public transport isn’t great, and summers can be very hot, but these are trade-offs for the outdoor activities available.
Pros of Living in Boise
Affordable Cost of Living
Even though the prices for homes and rent have been going up, it’s still a lot cheaper than what you’d pay in bigger cities.
Everyday stuff like your electric bill, groceries, and getting around town won’t break the bank either. But, just like anywhere that’s getting popular, more people moving in means prices might keep climbing.
Even with these changes, living here can give you a good mix of city life without the hefty price tag.
Natural Beauty
Having some of the most beautiful naturistic sights in Idaho, the beauty of Boise is a sight for sore eyes.
The town’s natural beauty is the biggest plus of moving to Boise and enjoying the scenic views.
The presence of scenic beauty accounts for the city’s high number of recreational sights.
Living in Boise, you can partake in many adrenaline sports, including mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, skiing, birding, or many other things that suit your palette.
This town’s number of outdoor activities ensures no better place to spend your warm summer days than in Boise.
So, with its quick and easy access to the outdoors, you can take a vacation anytime without having to commute far from your home!
Some of the best outdoor areas in Boise are:
- Boise River Greenbelt
- Bogus Basin Mountain Recreational Area
- Ridge to River Trail System
Rich in Job Opportunities
Since Boise is the state capital, Idaho has come a long way in its development and has become a home to many companies.
With many companies setting shop in Boise and the city having one of the country’s strongest agricultural markets, plenty of jobs are available here.
With the presence of so many employers, moving to Boise is a great chance for you to find a good job.
Living here, you will be able to find a job that pays well and suited to your preferences.
With Boise’s unemployment rate pummeling to 2%, I can easily say that the economy here is booming.
Some of the biggest manufacturers aree:
- Albertsons, Inc.
- Hewlett-Packard (HP)
- Treasure Valley YMCA
Safety
While the national crime rates indicate a steady rise throughout the country, Boise residents feel relieved with the low crime rate upstanding for a long time.
One of the benefits of living in Boise is its friendly community. Locals here are very friendly and look out for each other.
A vigilant police department and an active community ensure that crime rates remain in check.
Since Boise counts as the 8th safest city to live in the world, relocating to this town is a great move for those wanting to raise a family.
With friendly neighbors and safe conditions, you won’t have to worry about taking precautionary steps to ensure your or your loved one’s safety.
Chilly winters
Despite being a northern intermountain city, Boise’s winters are fairly mild.
With an average low of 24 Fahrenheit and an average high of 93 Fahrenheit, the weather in Boise doesn’t get unbearably cold, allowing the residents to enjoy the many different colors of winters blooming in Boise.
Winters bring along some activities, including skiing and trying out many delicious recipes of the winter season.
Apart from the ideal winter conditions, the summer weather in Idaho also remains stable.
The ideal weather conditions of the town further enhance the natural beauty of the town and lets you witness everything great about the city.
Full of Entertainment Options
When talking about entertainment options, Boise answers with full force and brings a long-range adding aesthetic and upkeep of the city.
The downtown area is full of many things to do, including restaurants, shopping malls, cultural attractions, and landmarks, making the city a stellar option for foodies and extroverts.
Boise also boasts the local zoo maintained with high standards and an active sports scene, courtesy of Boise state university.
With an active art scene, sports, and food options to try, life in Boise never gets dull!
More From Where to Live: 9 Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane, WA
Cons of Living in Boise
Mean Geese!
The City of Trees is ridden with many geese. While geese are seen as peaceful animals, geese in Boise are surprisingly mean!
Driving on the city streets, especially Parkcenter or Myrtle, you will notice the geese strolling through the roads.
Unless you’re not a heartless person, you will have no choice but to wait for them to cross the road.
Apart from blocking the roads, these geese also hiss at the people visiting Greenbelt.
Be careful because if you push them around a little, they might take a swing at you too!
Too many Potatoes
You may have heard people associating Idaho with potatoes. Ever wonder why?
It’s because the city has a lot of potatoes and a massive amount of potato-themed businesses!
Expect to find potato hotels, potato drops, potato bowls, or any number of potato-named businesses here.
Be ready to bear a potato joke when you tell someone you are moving to Boise, Idaho.
No Major Cities Nearby
While Boise has plenty to offer, you must commute a long distance since no major city is nearby.
Choosing to move to Boise will isolate you from the remaining world, including the many major cities, making it difficult for you to have a variety of things to do.
If you grow bored of things to do and see in Boise, you better fill up your fuel tank and prepare for a long drive before you start to see any signs of civilization!
Weather
Boise’s weather can be a downside for some residents, as the city experiences a semi-arid continental climate with distinct seasons.
Summers can be hot, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 100°F, while winters bring cold temperatures, often dropping below freezing. Snowfall is common, which can lead to slick roads and icy conditions.
The dry climate also results in limited precipitation, making droughts and water shortages possible.
Education System
While there are a number of quality schools in the area, the state of Idaho consistently ranks low in terms of education funding and support.
This can lead to larger class sizes, outdated resources, and lower teacher salaries, which may impact the overall quality of education.
While Boise State University offers a range of higher education opportunities, the city lacks the breadth and diversity of educational options found in larger metropolitan areas.
Lack of Diversity
Boise is a beautiful city, but it’s true that it’s not the most diverse place you’ll find.
Most of the folks here are white, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that the city doesn’t have the same level of cultural variety you might find in bigger, more diverse cities.
This lack of diversity can affect everything from the food scene to the kinds of festivals and events you’ll find around town.
More From Dollar Sanity:
9 Pros and Cons of Living in Tacoma, WA
12 Pros & Cons Of Living In Oregon
10 Richest Cities in Idaho Ranked By Household Income
11 Pros And Cons Of Living In Omaha, Nebraska
8 Pros & Cons of Living in Billings, MT
13 Pros and Cons of Living in Provo, UT
Hi, I’m Ashley a freelance writer who’s passionate about personal finance. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the power of money and how it can shape our lives. I’ve spent years learning everything I can about budgeting, saving, investing and retirement planning. So if you are looking for tips, advice, or just a little bit of inspiration to help you on your financial journey, you have come to the right place. I am always here to help, and I am excited to share my passion for personal finance with you.