Are you considering moving to Boise Idaho? Living in Boise might be just what you are looking for. Yet, how do you know for sure if Boise is the place you want to move your family to? That’s why I’m going to share with you the pros and cons of living in Boise Idaho, so that you’ll know if the Treasure Valley is the place for you to move to.
Life In Boise Idaho
Boise is the capital city of Idaho, located on the banks of the Boise River in the heart of what the locals call the Treasure Valley. The City Of Trees offers an oasis among the mountain ranges that surround it, with green grass and trees along the river that flows through it. Also surrounded by over 20 miles of the paved Greenbelt biking and walking trail.
Boise State University and the major hospital systems of St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center and St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center provide many jobs in the area. Tech jobs at Micron and HP also provide room to grow.
The growing number of locally owned coffee shops in downtown Boise, restaurants, and fun events are also attracting many people to Boise.
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Why Move To Boise Idaho?
Moving to Boise is becoming more common among people living on the Pacific coast. There are many residents of California, Oregon, and Washington who are ready to find a better place to live that’s more affordable than their coastal states. They are looking for kind people, safe neighborhoods, abundance of outdoor activities, and easy-going life in Boise Idaho, which is what draws many new residents to the area.
Let’s dive into a few cons of living in Boise, Idaho. Then I’ll follow it up with the pros of living in Boise, Idaho.
Cons of Living In Boise Idaho
Moving to Boise Idaho from California or any other state has a few cons, or things to consider so that you’re not surprised when you get here.
Air Quality
The air quality during the fire season in the Northwest can be a bit rough in the valley. You see, Boise is situated in the Treasure Valley and when there are fires in California, Oregon, and Northern Idaho, the smoke will often find its way here to sit for a few days at a time. Not only that, but there are often inversions during the winter months, creating a haze in the sky for a day or two at a time.
Transportation System
The public transportation system is lacking in Boise, compared to many other cities in our nation. Without any rail system, and a small supply of buses, most people will need to own a vehicle of their own to get around. Unless you live and work in downtown Boise and own a bicycle, since there are many bike lanes throughout the city.
Rental Prices and Real Estate Prices Continue To Climb
The Boise housing market is booming, and the supply cannot keep up with the demand. A healthy rental market usually sees a 5-6% vacancy rate, while the end of 2021 had only a 1.64% vacancy of rentals. There are many people moving to Boise, while there are also many kids growing up and wanting to move out of their parents houses and find their own place locally.
The Boise Real Estate Market is also showing increasing prices of homes across the board. Why? Well to make it simple, supply and demand. The new construction is struggling with supply bottlenecks, material delays, land shortages, and labor scarcity. This doesn’t allow new builds to help keep up with the demand of families looking to buy a house, as not many people are moving out of Boise and the Treasure Valley.
I want to be clear and explain that there are still many places to live in Boise and the surrounding suburbs. Over the last few months I’ve worked with several families moving to Boise from the Pacific coast. They are finding it more affordable to purchase a house in Boise than in their previous metro area. Reach out to me if you have specific questions about the current Boise housing market.
Idaho Values The Second Amendment
The value of the Second Amendment can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it. But it’s some good information to have if you’re considering moving to Boise, Idaho.
It’s A Small Metro Area
The Boise metro is on the smaller side, with a smaller international airport and fewer options for the arts and entertainment. Work travelers will have more connections than a larger airport. Also, we don’t have any major league sports teams. Yet, many new residents that I talk to also say that they don’t really notice this as much compared to all the pros of living in Boise.
Pros Of Living In Boise Idaho
With the cons behind us, let’s dive into the pros of living in Boise Idaho.
Short Commute Time
Compared to major cities such as Dallas, Minneapolis or Los Angeles, there is a much shorter commute time here in Boise, Idaho. For a growing city, you may be pleasantly surprised that most people don’t spend more than 25 minutes in their car commuting one way.
“An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity, but great fulfillment. “
– David Attenborough
Beautiful Nature
The outdoors are beautiful here in Boise, Idaho. With the Sawtooth Mountain Range to the East and the Owyhee Mountain Range to the West, Boise sits in the heart of the Treasure Valley along the Boise River. Many people even find that glamping in Idaho is a great way to get outdoors.
Healthy Lifestyle
There are many healthy people in Boise who enjoy shopping at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or the locally owned Boise Co-op. You will see them walking their dogs, going for hikes with friends, mountain biking, attending a yoga class, or even rock climbing in and around Boise.
In the winter months many locals will drive the 35 minutes up to Bogus Basin to go skiing for the day, and then follow that up with a healthy salad at Fork on 8th Street in downtown Boise.
Economy Is Thriving In Boise
The economy is really thriving in Boise, even after COVID. The housing market is growing, wages are increasing, and job opportunities are readily available.
Low Crime Rate
Boise is known for its low crime rate compared to the national average. Crime, violence, and break-ins are really not a topic of conversation among Boise residents. It really is a much safer place to live than many other major cities across the US.
Boise Is Clean
People in Boise pick up after themselves, not leaving a ton of litter everywhere. For example, Freak Ally, an alleyway in downtown Boise, is kept so clean that as you walk down it to see the beautiful murals on the walls you won’t find trash and litter all over the ground. Instead, you might be surprised to smell the aromas of the local restaurants, and not even the smell of trash.
Climate Is So Nice
You’ll experience all four seasons with a mild winter in Boise, Idaho. Providing an almost ideal climate for most people. Oh, and Boise offers over 200 days of sunshine with dry summers and very little snow in the winter months.
Nice People In Boise
There are genuinely kind people who live in Boise. They’ll smile, wave, and even let you merge into traffic without road rage. A stranger may see you drop a dollar bill like my son did at the Farmer’s Market last week, and rather than keep it she walked over and told my son he dropped it and gave it back to him. I hear it often from new residents…that people in Idaho are so nice.
If you’re considering moving to Boise, then reach out to me. I want to help you determine if Boise is for you and help you find a place to live. As a Boise real estate agent, I pride myself in providing the highest standard of integrity while building genuine friendships and exceptional results.
