According to Business Insider, the Pacific Northwest city of Boise, Idaho is having a moment. Boise is not only the capital of Idaho, but it’s also the largest city in the state. Read on to learn just why everyone is moving to Boise.
Why Is Everyone Moving to Boise?
For starters, Boise was named the “best place to live for millennials” in 2019 and is even developing a dynamic tech startup scene in its own right. In an interview, Wes Jost, Senior Vice President and Manager of Zions Bank’s Idaho commercial-real-estate group explained that Idaho’s economy has become incredibly diverse, particularly in the last ten years.
With a hot housing market to match, it could be a great time to consider a cross-country move. Unfamiliar with Boise? We’ll help you get acquainted with this list of pros and cons and what you need to know before moving to Boise.
Pros and Cons to Living in Boise
The Pros:
There’s something about Boise, according to the data. Boise is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and for good reason with this list of pros.
Some of Boise’s best attributes check off a couple of important factors including friendly people and mild weather that features a glimpse into all four seasons. This makes Boise the ideal location to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. In fact, the Greenbelt is a 25-mile tree-lined trail that follows the Boise River through downtown and greenspace galore that brings out walkers, runners, and cyclists.
If hitting the gym is more your style, don’t sweat it! Boise offers its share of indoor cycling gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers (including Fitness by KA, founded by Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong).
Professionals can find their stride within Boise’s workforce that boasts a low unemployment rate of just 2.3%. Boise’s population growth has made it a destination for many companies, including many that choose Boise for their headquarters. Major industries in Boise include mining, extraction, utilities, manufacturing, professional and technical services, healthcare, education, information technology (IT), and retail. This means big opportunities for Boise residents and graduates of Boise’s beloved Boise State University.
Dread those grueling commutes to and from the office? Boise’s average commute time clocks in between 15 and 20 minutes in the metro area, lower than the national average, so you can enjoy a better work-life balance.
Foodies will enjoy Boise’s bustling brewing and wine scene as well as an incredible food scene that features farmers markets focused on local foods and diverse cuisine. And if you think Boise turns in early, you’d better think again! Boise offers a nightlife scene with cocktail bars, trendy arcade bars, and the best-kept dive-bars along Main Street downtown – including the Cactus Bar, which claims to be the oldest bar in Downtown Boise.
Oh, and Boise is ranked one of the safest cities in the world with low crime rates and one blogger’s “A+++ for community” sharing that the people are “incredibly friendly, welcoming and warm,” which helps it retain that small-town charm, even if the population is booming.
The Cons:
Before you get to packing, though, it’s important to consider the cons of moving to Boise.
First, a hot housing market like Boise’s means steeper home prices. While the cost of living in Boise is much more affordable than many other cities in the United States, home prices are higher than the national average by about $40k. Unfortunately, there is also fear that this boom is out-pricing longtime locals. This has spurred an uncomfortable divide as the city grows and more out-of-towners move to Boise.
If you rely on public transportation to get around, Boise’s infrastructure can feel lacking. There is one interstate highway (yep, just one) to connect Boise with cities like Portland, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah. While traffic rates may be lower than larger metropolitan areas, a growing population can challenge a city’s existing roads and highway system, which means you might not escape traffic headaches after all.
Bus riders are out of luck after 6:45 pm and on Sundays when the busses don’t run at all. Boise’s local airport might feel restricting for frequent flyers as it services a smaller number of destinations.
As we all know, diversity (or a lack thereof) in our cities is important to recognize. Though Boise is growing, it still lacks in diversity. With 89.06% white residents, this statistic speaks for itself. While this may feel off-putting, it is important to note that Boise has a large refugee population to continually offer safety to people from Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Congo.
Lastly, for almost anyone who is moving or looking for more space, storage solutions can be limited and hard to find. Check out local storage company Boise Box to make the storage process easier!
Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Boise
Ready to move to Boise? You’re not the only one! Thousands of people are flocking to the “City of Trees” making its population grow 18.2% between 2010 and 2018.
Most out-of-state transplants hail from California – mostly the Los Angeles metro area. Nearly 80,000 people moved to Idaho in 2018 and of that number, nearly 21,000 came from Cali. Many other out-of-state transplants are moving to Boise from Washington, Utah, Oregon, and Texas.
Boise also happens to be one of the United States’ best places for millennials, offering a unique work/life balance that serves as a solid foundation for raising a family.
With affordable neighborhoods, a vibrant culinary scene, no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy, and a safe city to raise a family, it’s no wonder thousands are relocating to Boise.
Make the process even smoother by choosing Boise Box to take care of your storage solutions. We bring the storage unit to your stuff and pick it up once you’re ready, letting you feel excited about your move – not stress.
