The Good & the Bad: Your Mileage May Vary
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3/2/2007
I'm a native Idahoan, and trust me, I've went through my phase when I absolutely hated the place. Having lived elsewhere, though, I've come to appreciate Boise's strengths will still being aware of its weaknesses. Idaho's biggest draw is its forests, lakes, and mountains. Boise rests in a valley surrounded by picturesque foothills and is only about one hour away from the sprawling forests that make up the center of Idaho. If there is an outdoor activity, chances are Idaho is the perfect place to do it. (Exception: surfing.) We have four seasons here, but the winters aren't as harsh as they used to be. Still, there is an abundance of snow on the mountains and locals have their choice of Bogus Basin or Brundange. Further up north is the newly opened Tamarack Resort and to the east is the world-famous Sun Valley.
Despite the influx of Californians in exile, Boise is relatively sedate. The freeways are constantly being expanded to accomadate the new traffic, but those used to metropolitan traffic will find it child's play. The crime rates are still low, again, relatively.
The cost of living is pretty low. The main draw (besides the outdoorsy vibe) has been the low property values. They're on the rise though as more people migrate up. The downside is that the wages are low as well. You might be shocked at the pay cut.
The schools get mixed marks. It's no secret that education is not a high priority in Idaho. Highly conservative, the voters keep property taxes low and school initiatives struggle to pass. There is still a lot of farm land out here and farmers are highly sensitive to property tax issues. Still, thanks to stinging reviews, Idaho is concerned about raising their standing in the national rankings. It's on their radar at least, where it wasn't before. If you have kids, your best bet is to investigate the local school. Some are better than others.
Politics. This too, is a mixed bag. Full disclosure time: I'm a liberal. This is a unqualified red state. It's tough sometimes. Now if you're a conservative you might find this a ringing endorsement. But if you're a progressive like me, you mind Idaho a political wilderness as well. It's definitely mixed in with religion as we have a lot of Mormon spill-off from Idaho. But if you're looking for conservative and traditional, this is for you. If you're two dads with kids, look out. Having said that, if you are a liberal, Boise is the best place in the state to be, especially
David | Emmett, ID