With over 236,000 residents, Boise City is your next home in America’s southwest. This metroplex is Idaho’s capital and one of the most populous in its region.
Living in the metro provides residents with various amenities, with Downtown Boise serving as the cultural center and home to many small businesses as well as some mid-rise buildings.
You can encounter everything you need to make your life more comfortable here.
Boise has excellent schools, hospitals, active entertainment, and public transportation. However, remember that this page contains the city’s drawbacks, which can make or break your decision to settle here soon.
First, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each city’s features is essential. So, if you are wondering why you should move to the metro just like everybody else, this article is for you.
List of Contents
Is Boise City, Idaho, A Good Place to Live In? The Green City in Idaho State
The Good Side
Boise’s Great Greenery
One of the best components of Boise is the abundance of green space in the surrounding area. There are at least ninety parks in the area, also known as “The City of Trees.”
Living here allows you to take advantage of the 25-mile green belt, which you can use for jogging, cycling, and other physical activities. The Aldape Park, which has a large open play area, is one of the well-known areas here.
The Antelope Bitterbrush Reserve, with over 325 acres of land, is also an ample space that the city maintains to conserve essential wildlife habitats.
Meanwhile, the Oregon Trail Reserve, which has two ramps and public art that everyone will enjoy, is an excellent place to visit.
Platt Gardens, located on the Hillside overlooking Capitol Boulevard, is also a local favorite for wedding and graduation events in the city.
On the other hand, every neighborhood in the metro has a nearby mini-park that all residents can enjoy.
It Is Enjoyable to Live Here
You have unlimited Snake Valley Recreation Area access if you live in Boise. Next, go shopping at Capital City Public Market, which features fresh local produce, food, and a diversity of local craftspeople.
If you enjoy educational places, you should know that the metro has many of them. Bring your family to the Aquarium of Boise, participate in interactive activities at the Discovery Center of Idaho, and learn about local history at the Boise Art Museum.
Meanwhile, visit Zoo Boise for more exciting wildlife encounters or the Idaho Botanical Gardens and the Hulls Gulch Reserve to take in the breathtaking scenery.
When winter arrives, the presence of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, which has seven chairlifts for downhill skiing and twenty-three miles of Nordic trails for cross-country skiing, makes outdoor activities a breeze.
So, whatever season you experience here, know there will never be a dull moment to spend your family day or leisure time in Boise City.
The Exciting Entertainment Scene
When you live in Boise City, you will not only be able to enjoy a fun day trip, but the entertainment scene is also vibrant. Annual events in the city include the Boise Soul Food Festival, the sporting fest at Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the Firkin Frolic Beer Fest, and the Festival of Trees.
There is also the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, which you can enjoy with your family and friends.
On the other hand, there are live music venues such as The Basque Center, Liquid Lounge, and Green Acres Food Truck Park, where you can enjoy a good weekend and nightlife. So there would be no shortage of lively entertainment if you lived here, especially if you were close to Downtown Boise.
Boise’s Outstanding Educational System
If you have school-aged children, you may want to provide them with the most appropriate education possible. The metro area offers an excellent opportunity to select the best elementary and tertiary schools. With that, you can enjoy that fantastic benefit in Boise City.
Whether looking for the best grade school, Collister Elementary School is the best in Boise City and ranks third in the state. Next is Highland Elementary School, second in the city and 4th in the state.
Meanwhile, Sage International School of Boise and Timberline High School are the top secondary schools in the area.
With its excellent colleges and universities, the city will not fall behind. In terms of national universities, Boise State University ranks #293 in the national slate. Meanwhile, Stevens-Henager College-Boise Campus and Boise Bible College are available.
Wherever you live in the neighborhood, there is a good school where you and your children can enroll.
Boise’s Culinary Culture Will Attract You
Living in Boise City will never leave you hungry at any time of the day or night. There are numerous dining options available here that both locals and tourists enjoy.
The downtown area is compact and walkable, with local craft beer, award-winning Idaho wines, and various restaurants. However, there are other areas of the city with excellent gastronomy.
Kibrom’s Ethiopean & Eritrean Food serves traditional Ethiopian meals. Next up is Lemon Tree Co. , where you will undoubtedly enjoy their artichoke “cheesesteak.”
Meanwhile, if you are out for the day and looking for a delicious brunch, Wild Root Café is the place to go. You will never be sorry if you order their brisket platter.
Furthermore, if you see smoking magic just a few steps from the States Capitol, you are most likely in the Saint Lawrence Gridiron restaurant. In short, there is a great food scene in every corner of Boise that you will enjoy anytime.
The Bad Side
Challenging Winter Atmospheric Inversion
Boise City might not be the best choice if you want a place in the southern United States with pleasant weather.
This setback causes concern among residents, particularly during the winter season. The city has a significant atmospheric inversion, and you should be concerned, especially if you have health problems.
During times of high pressure, the warm air has the potential to trap colder valley air. This situation produces a beautiful sunny day ideal for skiing and a dreary, cold gray day in the valley.
This drawback is not advantageous if you are not a fan of winter, as it comes with a significant compromise.
The Layout of The City Can Be Puzzling
If you are relocating to Boise City for the first time, you may find the city difficult to navigate. Because the metroplex cuts through the Boise River, there is no traditional grid pattern to follow.
Driving alone can be difficult if you live in a neighborhood far from the city center. If you have a problem finding your way around, you can take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft.
The good news is that Valley Regional Transit, the city’s mass transit system, is available to answer your navigational needs.
What Is the Cost of Living in Boise City, Idaho? Affordable City in Southwestern Idaho
The Good Side
Boise’s Favorable Living Expenditures
Surprisingly, compared to Portland or Baker City, the cost of living in Boise City is favorable and much more affordable.
You can get your essential groceries here for a low price. A liter of milk, for example, costs $0.75 in Boise, a loaf of bread costs $3.15, and a kilo of banana costs $1.45. There are also steals at the Boise Farmers Market.
Meanwhile, utility costs are comparable, and even a minimum-wage earner can afford them. Idaho Power, the area’s leading electricity supplier, charges 11¢/kWh, less than the national average of 15¢/kWh. You will also have an average monthly utility bill of $301.45 here.
Even health care in the city is accessible to all. According to PayScale, the average doctor’s visit fee in this area is $121.11, while the consultation fee for a dental appointment is $103.57. These low prices are one of the benefits you want to look for in your new home.
The Housing Market Is Growing
When the median home value in Boise is higher, the city still has a thriving housing market that everyone can afford.
On average, a single home in the metro costs around $496,900, while a single studio flat will cost you $703. However, whether you want to be a homeowner or a renter, there are neighborhoods here with affordable housing.
Collister neighborhood has low home values, where you can buy a house for $206,060 and rent a flat for $746 per month. Meanwhile, Depot Bench on the northern edge of town has a home value of $181,200, while a studio lease costs $724.
On the other hand, North End homes on Harrison Boulevard have a home value of $288,917 and a rental fee of $782. Whatever you prefer, there is something better for you in Boise City.
You Will Save Money by Taking Public Transportation
Taking public transit in Boise is undoubtedly one of the best value packages available if you live here.
This city’s average one-way commute time is 18.4 minutes, less than the national average. The bus company charges a reasonable fare of $1.25 for a single pass, $2.50 for an all-day pass, and $42 for a monthly pass.
This carrier also offers significant discounts to students and senior citizens. Meanwhile, a standard tariff fee for a taxi is $2.60, while a liter of gasoline in Costco has a price of $4.950.
Also, air travel is not a significant issue because the city has its own Boise Airport. However, most people in the town choose to drive to work, accounting for 80.6%, and only 0.7% use a public vehicle.
The Bad Side
Houses, In Particular, Are Expensive
As I previously stated, median house prices in Boise City are significantly higher when compared to prices in nearby Nampa and Caldwell.
The average house value in this area is $496,900. However, fine neighborhoods here have luxury pricing for real estates, such as Highlands, Harris Ranch, and Boise Heights. The prices in these communities range from $700,000 to millions of dollars for a single home.
The demand in the housing market has constantly been growing, and the prices are increasing too.
Why Work in Boise City, Idaho? Better Career Growth Opportunity
The Good Side
The Positive Response to Its Job Market
Living in Boise City gives you an advantage in finding a decent job. Its job market has grown by 3.6% in recent years and has the potential to grow by 50.85% in the future.
The increasing number of large corporations establishing headquarters in the city allows job seekers to find work.
In the Bureau of Labor Statistics quarterly report data, the city had a 2.45% unemployment rate in April 2022. This number could be a decrease from the previous year’s 3.1%.
Currently, most of the city’s employment opportunities are in the science and technology sector. There is also plenty of opportunity in advanced manufacturing, food production, and the energy sector.
The Metroplex Varying Industries
If you are looking for employment in the metropolis, you should know that Boise has a variety of industries where you can apply.
Albertsons, Inc. , Blue Cross of Idaho, Treasure Valley YMCA, and Fred Meyer are among the large corporations with offices here.
Another well-known company in the area is St. Luke’s Health System, which employs approximately 10,000 Idaho residents. Meanwhile, J.R. Simplot is the best firm to consider if you want to work in the agricultural business.
On the other hand, getting a job here pays better, with an average per capita income of $32,147 and a household income of $54,547. The balance of work and fair compensation make you want to move here as soon as possible.
The Bad Side
Anticipate High Income Tax
One disadvantage of working in Boise is that you are not exempt from paying your federal obligation for personal income tax.
Idaho collects personal income tax, unlike other states that do not, such as Texas, Nevada, and Florida. According to Idaho State Tax Commission, you must pay a tax rate ranging from 1% to 6.5% of your earnings. The greater the wage, the greater the tax burden.
Therefore, if you choose to work in the area, you must accept that you will not receive your entire paycheck.
That concludes our list of the good and bad sides of living in the City of Trees. Knowing there are more amenities and beautiful features here than drawbacks is excellent.
We hope you appreciated our article and that you can now decide whether Boise City is the best place for you to settle in Idaho.
We love you and hope to see you soon.
Thank you very much!