Think Idaho is just full of potato farms? Think again! A once hidden secret and tucked away gem is now out in the open for all to see; Boise, Idaho is the place to be! Ranked multiple years in a row for the "Top 100 Best Places to Live" and the Treasure Valley placing in the "Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in America," Idaho as a whole has had a huge shift in population. If you were to drive on the freeway, head downtown or dare getting on Eagle Road, what was once strictly 1A license plates are now flooded with different area codes and states from people coming to the City of Trees.
For those who haven't had the opportunity to visit this wonderful city, we've highlighted some key parts as to what makes this place our Idahome.
Boise is considered high desert and therefore able to have hot, dry summers and chilly, snowy winters-- giving you the best of both worlds! The Boise Foothills contain 190 miles of trails to hike or bike through. Camel's Back is a great spot to play in the park and enjoy a happy hour with your roommate on 13th Street right after. Interested in skiing or snowboarding this winter? Bogus Basin is just a short car ride away. During the summer, Lucky Peak is a hot commodity for people to go boating or camping at, and don't forget about floating the Boise River during those hot summer months! If you're looking for a panoramic view of the city, take a hike (or drive) up to Table Rock. The view is guaranteed to take your breath away.
Boise State University is known for its fans, especially when it comes to football. There's a reason it's the infamous blue turf. Petitions have been made when there's talk about potentially changing the field's color. Now don't get us wrong, we love our University of Idaho Vandals, our College of Western Idaho Otters and the Idaho State University Bengals. But there's something about the Boise community that brings that next-level energy to sporting events.
Boise has always had a variety of people and cultures. Did you know the largest concentration of Basque Americans (approximately 15,000 people) live here?! Located downtown, the Basque Center is a popular spot and definitely something you need to check off your list. With more people than ever moving here, Boise has become a melting pot and with more residents the more cultures, perspectives, religions and opportunities become present.
With a smaller population than most other major cities, there's endless opportunity here. Although the cost of living in Boise is rising, it's cheaper than most would think. Add in a roommate and your rent is even cheaper! Some of the biggest, most well-known companies are moving to the area (does the name Amazon ring a bell?) while other companies are headquartered here; like Albertsons, Simplot, Cradlepoint (and even our very own Chillow)!
What really makes Boise stand out compares to other cities across the United States? Simply put, the close-knit community. When people are asked why they chose to move here, they usually talk about how friendly the people are and how there's so much room for opportunity and growth in the area. We hope this helped those who've never had the opportunity to visit to get a glimpse as to why we call Boise, Idaho, home.
-The Chillow Team