The locals describe Boise as the biggest small town you will ever experience, and it’s true.
Despite having a population of around 200,000, there is a feeling of community for those of us fortunate enough to call the Boise area “home”.
There are many distinct neighborhoods of Boise, including the older North End, The Bench, Southeast Boise, and various other areas. Each has its own unique flavor and neighbors seem to get to know each other despite the overall size of the city.
One of the first things new residents experience is how friendly people are here.
Boise residents seem to expect you to look them in the eye and speak to them on the street. To the uninitiated, it is a startling experience to have a stranger smile and speak to you when you pass them on the street.
In stark contrast to other major metropolitan areas, Boise’s crime rate is surprisingly low. We have somehow managed to avoid the problems of other major cities. It is indeed refreshing to be able to walk the downtown streets late at night without being afraid for your safety.
The Boise River runs through downtown Boise and offers dozens of miles of riverside greenbelt complete with walking and biking trails. Ann Morrison Park, Julia Davis Park, and Kathryn Albertson Park interconnect alongside the Boise river to provide ample places for river rafting, family picnics, sporting events, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
And, our beautiful four-season climate provides enough variety to make things interesting without having to deal with tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, and other challenges common to many areas of the country. Our summer weather is warm, but not unbearable, thanks to our arid, high desert environment. Winters are usually mild with a few dustings of snow that disappear by midday. Spring and Fall in Boise can only be described as delicious!
A multitude of recreational opportunities exist within an hour’s drive of downtown Boise. For skiers, there’s Bogus Basin Ski Area, located about 45 minutes above downtown Boise. The terrain is everything from bunny slopes to black diamonds, offering ample challenges for even the best skiers. If you enjoy flyfishing or camping, the nearby Payette River, Stanley, and Sun Valley all offer abundant recreational sites.
Perhaps best of all is our relatively affordable housing. Entry-level homes start around $125,000 in many segments of our real estate market, and you get a lot of house for $250,000 in many upscale subdivisions with ample common areas and nearby shopping. For a little more, you can expect to get a very high-quality custom home in a gorgeous planned community.
For more information, download my free Moving To Boise e-book at the upper right corner of this page.
August 15th, 2009 Posted in About Boise, ID | 
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