If you’re moving to Boise, Idaho, you’re probably wondering what the area has to offer first-time residents. What are the most popular neighborhoods within town, and does it have an outstanding educational system and fun activities that you can pursue?

This overview will provide you with a behind-the-scenes guide to Boise, Idaho. Before you make your big move, you’ll discover what it’s like to live in one of America’s most popular cities for millennials. You’ll learn everything there is to know about affordability, top attractions, schooling, community, transportation, and neighborhoods in Boise so you can be prepared for the change of scenery. Or if you’re still contemplating and wondering, “should I move to Boise, Idaho,” you’ll see all the charm that this city offers!

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1. It’s One of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities
2. Boise is One of America’s Best Places for Millennials
3. The Pacific Northwest City Has Many Affordable Neighborhoods
4. Boise Has Several Convenient Public Transportation Options for Residents
5. Boise has Epic Parks and Entertainment Attractions for People of all Ages

1. It’s One of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities

 

Thousands of people are flocking to Boise. This Pacific Northwest city is known as the “City of Trees.” for its beautiful wilderness and gorgeous natural settings. It sits in the high-desert oasis of the Boise River region, a forest region dominated by cottonwood trees. Additionally, Idaho has over 4.7 million acres.

According to Forbes Magazine, Boise is one of the fastest-growing places within the continental United States. The tree-lined city had an 18.2 percent population boom from 2010 to 2018. Today, over 229,000 residents call this city home.

Affordability 

Cost is one of the top things to know before moving to Boise, Idaho. Compared to the national average, Boise’s prices are pretty low in many categories and average approximately 8% less than the average cost of living in the United States. Utility prices are 14% lower than the national average, and food is 10% below the average. This makes Boise a perfect destination for people looking for improved affordability on the West Coast. 

West Coast housing prices are skyrocketing, and many people are looking for alternative cities to move to, like Boise. According to recent Zillow housing statistics, the average home price in the city has climbed almost 24 percent in just this past year. The median home price in Boise is currently around $530,000. Though housing is rising, this price tag is still significantly less than the steep median home prices found in coastal region towns like Los Angeles ($944,000) and San Francisco ($1.5 million).

As of May 2020, the average hourly wage in Boise is $23.56. Taxes are also traditionally low compared to other West Coast cities, with state income tax estimated to be between 1% and 6% and a sales tax of around 7%.

Nearby Hubs

Boise is a connector city positioned near several national airport hubs. Residents can take a quick, two-hour flight to visit coastal, seascape cities like San Francisco or the Rocky Mountain metropolitan areas like Denver (another flourishing city). The Pacific Coastal region is a brief flying distance from Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.

2. Boise is One of America’s Best Places for Millennials

 

Boise offers a unique home and work-life balance that is difficult to find in other Northwestern cities. According to Business Insider, Boise’s job market for startups is thriving. Major tech giants have fled Silicon Valley and moved to this area. Younger residents have departed from California, New York, and other areas with higher living costs.

Boise offers many amenities for young people and families. There is a booming microbreweries market for craft beer enthusiasts. Additionally, posh Brooklyn-style coffee houses have cropped up everywhere. Downtown has an entire neighborhood, referred to as 8th street, dedicated to catering to the younger generations. There, you can find trendy bars, restaurants, and shops. The walls in this neighborhood are lined with colorful murals, making it a cool scene for art lovers to check out.

Family Life

Quality education is another important thing to know for families before moving to Boise, Idaho. Children can receive a superior public school education from the Boise Independent School District, one of the United States’ highest performing school districts. This district is ranked in the top ten school districts in Idaho (out of more than 100) and is rated even higher on the list of best school districts for athletes in Idaho. The West Ada School District is also close to the Boise area and has other great options for education. 

Whether your family needs public or private education, Boise has it all. Explore this list of top schools in the Boise area: 

1. Riverstone International School: Riverstone is a private school that covers schooling from Pre-K to the end of high school. Riverstone is also ranked the number one private school in all of Idaho.
2. Falcon Ridge Public Charter School: This school teaches from grades Pre-K to 8th and is one of the best public schools in Idaho for elementary and middle school students.
3. Boise Senior High School: This high school is open to students in grades 9-12 and is known for good ratings with their academics and college preparation.
4. Renaissance High School: Teachers are highly rated at this school, which is available to grades 9-12.
5. Timberline High School: Timberline only teaches grades 10-12 but is known for having proficiency in teaching STEM subjects. 

Community

There are many opportunities to help you feel part of a community in Boise, especially with the abundance of volunteer opportunities. Our Mesa Moving and Storage team takes pride in supporting our community and giving back. Whether you’re looking to volunteer time or supplies, there is always a way to get involved. These are some causes Mesa Moving has participated in that you too can volunteer for: 

• Move for Hunger
• Operative Give
• Tour of Utah
• Granite Kids
• Primary Children’s Hospital
• Kids to Go
• The Road Home 
• St. Luke’s Hospital

3. The Pacific Northwest City Has Many Affordable Neighborhoods

 

Finding the right neighborhood for your needs is challenging when moving to a new city. Fortunately, Boise has many affordable, outstanding options perfect for single people, couples, and families. Here are several suburban areas you should consider before relocating to Boise.

• Boise State University Neighborhood: This stately area is nestled close to the city’s downtown area. It is only a few minutes from the Boise River and two popular city parks. Homebuilders constructed many houses within the BSU area between the 1930s and 1960s.
• West Boise: This sprawling neighborhood, situated close to Meridian, has distinct charm and character. Developers built many of West Boise’s ranch homes during the 1970s and completed the Eagle Road developments in the early 2000s.
• Hazelwood Village and Southcreek Area: These large communities are the most coveted in Boise’s Southwestern area. Most residents live east of Cole Road and south of Amity Road.
• State Street and Gary Lane Districts: The Boise foothills serve as a pristine backdrop for the towns nestled between the downtown corridor and Eagle, ID. The State Street area, built in the 1940s, has several major shops, stores, and entertainment venues. The Gary Lane area construction began in the 1990s.
• East Boise and Harris Ranch: These affluent areas span the Northeast region to the downtown area. This historic corridor is renowned for its palatial mansions and outstanding amenities. Harris Ranch is the most recent suburban area development.
• South Boise: This family-friendly region offers a series of quiet neighborhoods and ranch homes. It is near several malls, shopping areas, and popular restaurants.

4. Boise Has Several Convenient Public Transportation Options for Residents

 

Boise is an environmentally sustainable community. About 75% of Boise’s population is interested in energy conservation, and there are many practical ways that our community practices sustainability. Boise continuously makes environmental efforts with programs like the citywide compost center and Dixie Drain. 

Mesa Moving is no exception and puts in efforts to aid the environment daily. We strive to reduce energy in all of our warehouses and use large cab trucks to increase employee carpooling and reduce air pollution. 

If you’re passionate about reducing emissions, using Boise’s public transportation is a simple way to do so. The City of Boise has several alternative transportation options within the great Treasure Valley area, including:

• Valley Ride: These city buses operate within the greater Boise city limits and other areas within Treasure Valley. An all-day pass costs $2.50, or you can get a long-term pass ($42 for a month or $282 for a whole year).
• ACCESS: This transit service provides curb-to-curb service in the cities of Boise, Garden City, Nampa, and Caldwell. Call (208) 345-1234 or 1-800-377-1363 to set up an interview for this transportation option. The cost is currently $3 per ride.
• Scrip Taxi Program: Participants must acquire a Scrip ID card, which can be obtained at the Dick Eardley Senior Center. Contact (208) 608-7580 for more information.
• SHIP: The Valley Regional Transit and Go-Ride now have a new program called SHIP that offers free rides to Seniors ages 65 and older and individuals with disabilities who live in Ada county. Residents must register in advance for each ride.

5. Boise has Epic Parks and Entertainment Attractions for People of all Ages

 

Boise has plenty of exciting entertainment options for anyone seeking a fantastic adventure within the city, including families looking for family-friendly fun. There are several fun attractions that you can check out after moving to this tech town. Here are some exciting places you may want to check out while living in the City of Trees:

• The Boise River Greenbelt area has a series of parks, trails, and natural areas that are perfect for hikers, joggers, and bicyclists.
• Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation is an exhilarating venue for snowboarders and skiers during the winter and outdoor enthusiasts during the summer months.
• World Center For Birds of Prey is a wildlife preserve featuring mysterious predator birds. Visitors will learn about their flight patterns, survival and defense tactics, and relationship with humans. The facility has several interactive exhibits and live bird demonstrations.
• Freak Alley Gallery is the largest outdoor mural gallery in the Pacific Northwest region. It promotes local art and artists in the Boise area. The exhibit is free and open to the public 24/7.
• Idaho Botanical Garden is a lush, 15-acre natural haven featuring flora from the area. The facility is next to the Boise foothills. It won the 2020 Travelers Choice Award from Tripadvisor.
• Zoo Boise has over 300 animals and 100 different species for you and your family to visit. The zoo is very affordable and has multiple attractions to keep your kids entertained.
• Aquarium of Boise has over 250 species of marine life to explore and has volunteer opportunities. You can either do a self-tour or a guided tour with a behind-the-scenes look into how feeding works for the entire aquarium.
• Black Cliffs is a great area for rock climbing in Boise and is located along the Boise River.

Ready to Move?

Now that you know everything about Boise, Idaho, are you ready to move soon? Mesa Moving and Storage can help you. Boise residents and more depend on the friendly expertise of Mesa Moving and Storage. Our trained local movers and packers are customer-centric professionals committed to caring for every customer. To schedule a consultation with one of our professional movers, contact us today.