What BestPlaces Users Say about Boise City
As the capital and largest city of Idaho, Boise City has garnered a lot of attention as a desirable place to live. With its vibrant downtown, outdoor recreation opportunities, and affordable cost of living, it's no surprise that many people have chosen to call this city their home. However, as with any place, there are always varying opinions from those who have experienced living there. Let's take a look at what some users have to say about living in Boise City.
From , JohnB shares his positive experience, stating "Boise is a great place to live! The people are friendly, the city is clean, and there is always something to do." Similarly, user, KatieM, raves about the city's outdoor activities, writing "I love the access to hiking, biking, and skiing. There's always something to do, no matter what season it is." On the other hand, some reviewers have expressed concerns about the city's growth. MaryC from says, "Boise has grown tremendously in the past few years and it's starting to feel crowded. Traffic and housing prices have increased, making it less affordable." Another user, RyanH, echoes this sentiment, stating "The growth of the city has brought in a lot of transplants from other states, which has changed the feel of the community."
based on 131 ReviewsGet to know Boise City with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Boise City
Like it Here - 1/27/2017
Nice place with mostly nice people. However, there is some bigotry here -some think that everyone here should be white. But, these folks are mostly viewed as dumb and harmless by the general population.
And yes, we could and should do better with our air quality.
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Awkward Stage - 12/28/2016
Boise has hit an awkward stage of development. We don't have the amenities of big cities, but the cost of living and the homelessness/drug use that is more common in big cities has been hitting us harder and harder each year. Public transit is a wreck. Urban sprawl runs rampant. The cost of living is going up rapidly (especially in regards to housing), but wages are not keeping up. Those who are transferring from larger cities may find it more affordable, but we are very expensive compared to cities of similar size.
I have a Bachelor's degree and a graduate-level certification in my field and I barely make 30k/year. Our high unemployment rate is only because so many call-centers (low wage hell houses) are based here. We are a "Right to work" state which keeps wages low. There isn't a lot of room to grow for those who are relatively new to the job market (I finished undergrad in 2009). Investment into public education pitiful. There are some great schools in
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Live able but not greatest place - 12/31/2015
I agree with all of the good and also with all of the bad, as well. People are not trying to pump up Boise nor keep people away. Be warned, a lot of people love or hate Boise. It is nice and safe and very, very white generic lifestyle. That appeals to some and repulsive to others. Your call. Not really my taste but liveable. Had worse and had better living experiences. The air and water quality are bad. The wages low! Housing is either over priced historic or very generic cheap. But people have manners and are very low key. There are good parks and trails to use that are almost laughably deserted (more people about shopping here) but there is a really bad lack of green that I am used to, that is really tough on me personally. And I hate the conservative biased bigoted politics. Cannot read the paper, nor do most people though. Everyone just kinda lives unto themselves or own neighborhood-church and stays out of politics. Frustratingly blasé that way. But appeals to a lot of people
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Boise, the good the bad. - 12/14/2014
My wife, two kids (school age) and I have lived in Boise for about 11 years. My wife and I are very highly educated professional people. The people in Boise are generally very nice, some of nicest people I’ve known overall and I’ve lived all over the country. The parks are fantastic and the greenbelt along the river are outstanding, best in the country. A very fit town, lots of tri-athletes. The mountain biking is second to none and the road bike riding is huge here. The outdoors is very accessible, close by and lots of camping and fishing nearby. Housing is very affordable (for a reason). Now for the bad parts.
Wages in Idaho are very near the bottom, almost legendarily bad, more people on minimum wage than almost anywhere in the country. The wages for teachers are, I believe, THE lowest in the country. The state doesn’t give a damn about education and the legislature is constantly looking for ways to cut money for education. They seem to have almost a
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Boise, not Boise City - 4/25/2014
I don't know where else to say this, but Boise City, folks, is in Oklahoma. Boise is in Idaho, and is the capital. It is known as the City of Boise, Les Bois (ley-bwah')-for 'the trees', but never Boise City.
I may return to my hometown of Boise in the future, I have always loved it and have been away too long. There is so much beauty and variety of everything there. It is a cultural hub to be
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It's Boise -- NOT Boise City - 8/31/2013
I agree with some other posters here – it’s hotter than H here in the summer, and smoke that settles in the valley from nearby fires that happen every year, makes the heat oppressive. The air quality is as bad or worse in the winter from smog and stagnant air trapped for weeks on end by inversions - if the bad air doesn’t get to you, the weeks-on-end of winter gloom certainly will.
I also agree some another posters’ comments about the influence of the Mormon religion on state and local government – it is the VERY THING that makes this state so regressive and provincial, and why Idaho ranks last in just about everything that matters for quality life.
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High School - 3/13/2013
We are from the Pacific Northwest and are looking into relocating to the Boise area. Can anyone recommend a good area to live within a good school district? We have a child who will be starting high school. Thank
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Desert Oasis - 9/13/2012
I fell in love with Boise right away. Truly the city for someone who loves the outdoors, is looking for a family oriented settings, and wants most of the perks of a big city without the big city. Cost of living is low, the desert keeps the summer heat dry, the valley keeps the winters relatively mild, and the foothills provide a beautiful backdrop from any place in
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