I'm originally from Portland and You can expect to pay around $1,359 for rent here. With a population of 236K, Boise City is a mid-size city. Homes are going for about $456,000 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
53 upvotes
25 Replies
Emily
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Evelyn Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Savannah Smith
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Camila Gonzalez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's improving.
31 upvotes
desert_landon17
preach
31 upvotes
Ezekiel
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Madeline Wood
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
jeremiah_soul
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Scarlett Bailey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
26 upvotes
Alexander Ramirez
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Isabella Jackson
seconding this
24 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Gabriel Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Sophie Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Declan Mitchell
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Sadie Hernandez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Ellie Morris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Allison Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
mesa_jaxon
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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