Wondering what it’s like to live in Boise? Knowing what a city is like before spending the time and money to move there is important. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Until now. I’ve lived in Boise my entire life, so I thought I’d share my perspective as a local.
Living in Boise is like living in a big city that has a small-town vibe. The city has everything you need including an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities, places to shop, countless restaurants, various housing options, public transportation, and plenty of job opportunities.
Below I break down each category to give you a realistic idea of what living in Boise is actually like.
What’s It Like to Live In Boise?
Activities
One of the first things people notice when they move to Boise is all the things to do around the city. The common misconception is that our town is a dried-up, empty desert, full of cactuses—but that’s far from the truth.
Boise is an interesting city. If you enjoy living the “city lifestyle”, you can live it to the fullest here. Although Boise isn’t necessarily a “big city”, it still offers many of the big city amenities.
Things like top-quality restaurants, massive shopping centers, and several other activities and local events are available year-round.
Here are some popular inner-city amenities offered in Boise:
- Dozens of local breweries and bars for socializing.
- Multiple coffee shops.
- High-quality restaurants such as Bardenay, Chandlers, Lucianos, and a ton more.
- Plenty of chain and local grocery stores to choose from like Albertsons, Walmart, Costo, Winco, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Trader Joe’s, and the Boise Co-op.
- Countless local shops that sell clothing and other accessories
- Huge shopping malls like Boise Town Square Mall and The Village in Meridian.
- Numerous gyms, yoga studios, and climbing gyms to choose from.
- Family fun centers like Wahooz and Big Als.
On the other hand, if you prefer to live a more “outdoorsy lifestyle”, Boise is perfect for that too. With its ample bike trails, walking and hiking paths, along with several nearby outdoor experiences like whitewater rafting, fishing, skiing, and even rock climbing, the city has something for everyone.
Here are some popular outdoor activities and experiences offered in Boise:
- Floating and fishing at the Boise River.
- Whitewater rafting and canoeing on the Payette River.
- Walking and riding bikes on the Green Belt.
- Hiking the Boise Foothills.
- Rock climbing near Table Rock.
- Swimming and boating at Lucky Peak.
- Snow tubing at Eagle Island.
- Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding at Bogus Basin Resort.
Personally, I’m a mix of the two types of lifestyles. I enjoy the convenience of all the amenities in the city, but I also like heading down to the river to throw a line in or hiking Camel’s Back with my dogs.
That said, Boise allows you to live however you want to live. And if you ever change your mind about your lifestyle, there are plenty of opportunities that await you right outside your front door.
Transportation
Cars, bikes, and pedestrians can all get around Boise with ease. If you prefer public transportation, the local bus system will take you as far west as Caldwell (about 40 minutes away from Boise) to the eastern outskirts of Boise.
Most people drive their own vehicles as the traffic remains relatively light, so owning a car is still a viable means of transportation. You can expect to get from one end of Boise to the other in about 30 minutes depending on the time of day.
As of late, traffic has been increasing exponentially though. The streets are now filled with license plates from all around the U.S. including California, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Texas, whereas a few years ago, this was a rare occurrence.
Those who live within a few miles of their work might prefer to bike. The city streets are covered in bike lanes, and sidewalks remain in good condition throughout town. This makes biking and walking easy and safe for the most part.
Boise is home to some of the worst drivers in America though, so you really have to watch out when crossing the streets or riding your bike.
If you do need a ride, there are plenty of options besides the local bus or riding your bike. Although there aren’t a ton of taxis around (there are some), Uber and Lyft are extremely popular in the city.
Other options include e-scooters like Lime and Byrd in addition to e-bikes. These two-wheeled electric hotrods are available all over the city, so you’re more than likely to find one if you need it.
Jobs
With continued growth comes plenty of job opportunities. Boise is set to become one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. by 2060; and at this rate, maybe even faster. With that, there are plenty of job opportunities for anyone who’s considering starting a career here or continuing to grow their current career.
More specifically, industries like construction, education, retail, and healthcare are all in need of helping hands. Nearly every business I drive by has a help wanted sign, and that’s even with the city’s below-average 2.5% unemployment rate.
Overall, you can find any type of work in Boise. It’s also a great place for entrepreneurs who are looking for a cheap place to live, as you don’t need a huge salary to call Boise home.
Housing
The current housing market is one of the downsides of living in Boise. However, it might not seem so bad if you’re used to paying higher rent or mortgage, but for locals, the current market is extremely high and has put many people in a tough spot.
The average cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city ranges from 1,000 to over $1,200 per month. If you want a larger apartment or a house, expect to pay upwards of $2,000 per month or more.
One good thing about the current housing situation is that you can find cheaper places to live in nearby cities that are only a short drive away. Nampa, Caldwell, and Middleton all offer similar amenities to Boise while costing slightly less.
For example, it was cheaper for me to build a new house in Caldwell than to rent an apartment in Boise (monthly).
It’s hard to say how long the market will stay inflated though. With so many people moving to the city, the demand for housing remains high which has enabled builders to keep costs high.
One thing that’s for sure is that Boise is working hard to accommodate all its new citizens. There are numerous apartment complexes, suburbs, and condos going up as I write this—so finding a place to live shouldn’t be a problem.
Weather and Climate
Arguably, one of the best things about living in Boise is the weather. We get four distinct seasons—winter, spring, summer, and fall—which all offer different experiences depending on the time of year.
Winter is cold with some snowfall and a lot of fun activities like sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
In spring things begin to warm up, the flowers begin to bloom, and the city comes to life with people picnicking, gardening, and getting active again.
Summer is outright hot and dry with plenty of fun activities to experience. Local parks, lakes, and the Boise River are all full of people trying to cool off and have a good time.
As the summer winds down, the leaves begin to change colors as fall sets in. This time of year is perfect for visiting local coffee shops, hiking, or cozying up next to a warm fire.
Here is an average of Boise’s weather throughout the year.
| Season | Average Temp | Average Precipitation / Snow | Length of Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 34 degrees | Snowfall: 18 to 40 inches | December to March (4 months) |
| Spring | 69 degrees | Rain: 1.2 to 2.3 inches | March to June (4 months) |
| Summer | 87 degrees | Rain: 0.9 to 1.9 inches | June to September (4 months) |
| Fall | 60 degrees | Rain: 2.9 to 5 inches | September to December (4 months) |
One thing to note about Boise’s weather is its ability to change in an instant. One minute it can be dumping rain, the next it’s sunny. Also, I’ve even seen snow as late as April. Of course, it doesn’t stick to the ground that time of year.
Ultimately, if you enjoy varying seasons and activities Boise’s weather is a great opportunity to learn new hobbies, make new friends, and experience all the seasons to their fullest.
If you’re still wondering whether Boise is the right city for you, I’ve covered other topics that are sure to help you make the best decision, so make sure to check them out below.
- 21 Reasons Not to Move to Boise
- 20 Pros and Cons of Living in Boise (Composed By A Local)
- Where to Live in Boise? (Best Neighborhoods to Call Home)