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Living in Boise

The Boise City Guide is your online resource to information about living, working and playing in Boise. If you need additional information beyond what you see here, please feel free to contact The Joe Rogan Team, your Boise experts.

 

Boise Community

The City of Boise is part of a thriving Boise Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) 450,000 people which includes Ada and Canyon Counties and covers 1,645 square miles. Nampa and Caldwell are two of Boise's neighbors located within Canyon County. Boise is the largest metropolitan area in Idaho. 

Boise itself, with it's friendly people, is a great place to live and raise a family. Boise is also a remarkable city with outstanding recreational, employment and housing opportunities. With a population of 185,787, Boise, the largest city within a 300-mile radius and Idaho's state capital, is one of only two major metropolitan areas in the entire state. Downtown Boise is clean, safe and vibrant. Boise is truly a friendly city with a small town atmosphere with big city amenities.

Boise offers homeowners a number of community events and annual festivals, including:

Health care facilities are available to Boise homeowners include:

Boise Culture

Boise offers many of the entertainment venues of a larger city, such as: Operas, a Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadway Plays, a Ballet Company, several theater groups, Rock and Country & Western concerts, professional Ice Shows, semi-pro basketball, hockey, and baseball teams. Boise also has a nationally ranked, top 25 college football team atBoise State University and the nationally televisedMPC Computers Bowl is hosted here each December.

Boise also offers a number of art galleries with exhibits to peak the interests of art lovers of all ages with an excellent representation of local, regional, nationally and internationally recognized artists. Most of the galleries in Boise, which reflect the western heritage of the city, are located in or near the downtown area.

Boise is also the regional cultural center for the 250,000 residents who live within 20 miles, but outside of the city limits.

Boise's cultural attractions include:

Boise Education

Colleges and Universities in or near Boise

Boise Employment

The average unemployment rate in Boise is 5.2% This low unemployment rate is largely due to the growth and change taking place in the city.

Boise's major industries include:

  • Retail
  • Trade
  • Military
  • Utilities
  • Education
  • Wholesale
  • Agriculture
  • Healthcare
  • Government
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • High Technology
  • Food Processing
  • Financial Services
  • Corporate Headquarters

Boise History

When French-Canadian trappers finished crossing the territory's flat arrid plain, the forest by the river was a truly welcome sight. Therefore, they named it Boise, which means "wooded." Boise was founded in 1863, after the gold rush reached the area. The first government in Idaho was in Lewiston, but was moved to Boise in 1864 after being in Lewiston only one year.

Boise Housing

Boise and the surrounding communities afford a quality of life second to none. Real estate housing options in Boise range from affordable homes in downtown neighborhoods to stately manors on wooded hillsides in exclusive neighborhoods. This plus the availability of affordable housing make Boise, Idaho's most popular place in which to live, work and play and is a perfect place to buy your next home.

The average cost of a home in Ada County is $137,000

Boise Lifestyle

Downtown Boise boasts every dining experience one could imagine, from the corner hot dog vendor to a diverse array of 5 star restaurants plus a wonderful array of boutique shops. Boise offers homeowners a special mixture of the old and the new. Boise's Downtown is conveniently situated, providing homeowners with plenty of history and shopping in renovated historic places. 8th Street Marketplace, Union Block, and Capital Terrace, are loaded with specialty shops, restaurants, and pleasant surroundings that make for relaxed browsing and buying. Shopping in Boise can also be an exciting adventure in it's pleasantly historic surroundings where the bustle of downtown streets, new growth and vitality abound. Boise also has an abundance of art galleries and antique stores and vintage collectable shops.

"To experience Boise, is to experience a little piece of Heaven."

Boise Nature

Homeowners enjoy Boise's natural terrain and wildlife. Boise offers numerous natural outdoor areas where some homeowners love to fish for trout, steelhead, salmon and warm water species as well as hunt for big game, upland game, geese and duck. Others simply enjoy a picturesque stroll or bike ride along the Boise Greenbelt's paved trail that meanders along the Boise River right through the heart of the city. Beautiful pristine forests and open spaces are just part of what makes Boise such an exciting place to live and a great place own property.

Boise News
Search for "Boise ID"
  1. ID: Regional splits - Ridenbaugh Press
    The presidential poll released today by Greg Smith Associates does put Idaho, in the national perspective, more or less where you'd think: Lagging behind only Utah and Wyoming in support for Republican John ...

  2. Ada County budget includes money for open spaces - Idaho Entertainment
    Ada County budget includes money for open spaces ELSEWHERE Ada County on the Web ADDITIONAL INFORMATION STILL TIME TO COMMENT Residents can submit written comments on the proposed budget, until 9 a.m., Sept.

  3. Riverside Elementary staff collecting donations for teacher whose... - Sunherald.com
    The staff of Boise's Riverside Elementary School is raising funds and taking donations for teacher Brooke Linville, who lost her home in the fire Monday in Southeast Boise.

  4. Coroner Identifies Fire Victim a BSU Professor - Today's 6
    The remains of a woman found in the devastating fire that destroyed nine homes has been tentatively identified as Boise State linguistics professor Mary Ellen Ryder.

  5. TV On The Radio Announce Tour Dates - 411mania.com
    TV On The Radio Announce Tour Dates Posted by Mitch Michaels on 08.26.2008 Band going out in support of Dear Science starting next week! TV on the Radio will follow-up 2006's Return to Cookie Mountain and drop ...

  6. CommonTime Inc.: CommonTime expands capabilities for Lotus Notes... - TMCnet
    CommonTime Inc.: CommonTime expands capabilities for Lotus Notes Mobile Professionals with support for the new Treo Pro Smartphone; Global Lotus Notes mobility expert CommonTime Inc.

Boise Recreation

Boise is the Northwestern gateway to an exceptional array of recreational opportunities. During the winter months, Boise homeowners enjoy day and night snow skiing, both alpine & Nordic, and snow boarding along with snowmobiling, winter hiking and even ice fishing all within just a few miles of Boise. During spring, summer and fall there are diverse recreational opportunities, such as golfing, water skiing, world famous white-water rafting, hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, hunting & fishing, and rock climbing. Boise homeowners also enjoy a variety of winter sports like: Nordic and Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Ice skating snowmobile touring and making snow angels.


  • Auto Racing at Meridian Motor Speedway
    Address: 335 E. 1st Street, Meridian, ID 83642
    Phone: (208) 888-2813, or: Corporate Office (208) 429-8796
  • Bikes to Boards
    Address: 2722 Sunset Ave, Boise, ID 83702
    Phone: 208-343-0208
  • Bogus Basin Mountain Resort
    Amenities: Food service, gift shop, restrooms, ski school, rental/retail, sleigh rides and overnight accommodations
    Address: 2405 Bogus Basin Rd. , Boise, ID 83702
    Phone: 208-332-5151, or: 800-367-4397
  • Bogus Creek Outfitters
  • Winter at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort
    Amenities: Food service, gift shop, restrooms, handicap
    Address: P.O. Box 612, Kuna, ID 83834
    Phone: 208-887-7880 or 1-888-264-8727
    Fax: 208-855-2550
  • Boise Hawks Baseball
    Amenities: Food service, gift shop, restrooms and handicap access
    Address: 5600 Glenwood, Boise, ID 83714
    Phone: 208-322-5000

    Boise River Tours
    Amenities: Shuttle and Snacks Provided
    Address: 111 Broadway, Suite 133, Box 155, Boise, ID 83702
    Phone: (208) 333-0003
  • Boise Tour Train
    Amenities: Souvenirs and snacks, park setting, other attractions
    Address: P.O. Box 9165, Boise, ID 83707
    Phone: 208-342-4796
  • Boondocks Fun Center
    Address: 1385 S. Blue Marlin Lane, Meridian, ID 83642
    Phone: 208-898-0900
  • Firebird Raceway
    Address: PO Box 1398, Eagle, ID 83616
    Phone: (208) 938-8986
  • Greenbelt
  • Idaho Ice World
    Amenities: Skate rental - $2.00
    Address: 7072 S. Eisenman Road, Boise, ID 83716
    Phone: 208-331-0044
  • Les Bois Horse Racing Park
    Amenities: Food service, gift shop, restrooms, and handicap amenities.
    Address: 5610 Glenwood, Boise, ID 83714
    Phone: 208-376-RACE(7223)
  • Roaring Springs Water Park
    Address: 400 W. Overland Road, Meridian, ID 83642
    Phone: 208-884-8842

Boise Transportation

Boise is very accessible to all national and international markets. Boise homeowner's air transportation needs are served by 10 major national and regional airlines, 28 air freight and package express companies and seven air courier services. Boise homeowner's enjoy access to major cities around the nation with direct flights to Denver, Salt Lake, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland.

Boise Weather

Click for Boise, Idaho Forecast

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