Alright, Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. With a population of 236K, Boise City is a mid-size city. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think? Appreciate any input.
51 upvotes
48 Replies
Riley Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Autumn W.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much stable but now it's solid.
39 upvotes
Gloria P.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
Weston D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
39 upvotes
Ian Baker
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Julia B.
I've lived in North for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Allison Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Abigail H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in South area are improving. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Lucy Wright
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Old Town area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Lisa W.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Debra K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Vivian M.
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Skylar Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
true_peyton88
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Pittsburgh it's challenging.
24 upvotes
James L.
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Dominic J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Daniel Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Ariana Collins
Bought a house here in 2018 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Naomi Edwards
Moved here from Austin about 8 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Everly
interesting, hadn't considered that
19 upvotes
Maverick M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Jacob Hill
this is the way
19 upvotes
Avery Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
18 upvotes
William Brown
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Eleanor Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Bella Mitchell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
cool_xavier46
preach
15 upvotes
Adam Walker
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Declan Moore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
12 upvotes
Evelyn Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
11 upvotes
Skylar Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Westside schools are improving. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Denise R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Roman Edwards
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
10 upvotes
Avery B.
facts
8 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
7 upvotes
nolan_mind
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Elena Edwards
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Sofia C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Logan S.
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Ezekiel Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Melanie Sanders
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
5 upvotes
houstonlover2026
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
5 upvotes
Benjamin M.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Ellie Price
accurate
2 upvotes
Hudson Jimenez
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Brooks S.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's tough.
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