Questions re: moving to Boise

krs006

My DH is going to be in Boise this weekend for a final interview.  He is pretty excited about it and thinks that he will probably be getting an offer.  We currently live in Des Moines, Iowa and are expecting our first child in May.  I have never been to Boise but have cousins that live in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I am assuming that they are similar.  I have heard Boise is similar in size to Des Moines and that the cost of living is also pretty similar.  Here are my questions: what is Boise like?  Do you like living there?  What are good neighborhoods to live in?  Is it a family friendly place?  Any advice would be appreciated!  Thanks!

NerdBride_D&D

We're going to be moving to the Boise area too at the end of March. I'm curious to see what the responses will be like too. I've been to visit there once for a friend's wedding, and am so nervous about making the move. lol, I was thinking about making a post like this and then I saw yours. Great minds ...

Congrats to you and DH on the new job too!

books4brooke

Boise is a good place to live.  Many people LOVE it here.  There is tremendous access to outdoor activities (the ski hill is only 30 minutes to the top).  There is also a cultural life if you seek it out.  We went to the Philharmonic last night, and it was pretty good.  The university here offers a lot of performances (Broadway on the road and the like).  The crime here is relatively low, and the schools are adquate.  Traffic is becoming more and more of a problem.  I live in SE Boise, so I don't deal with it.  But if you live in Meridian or especially Nampa, your commute could more than double.  I highly recommend living in an area close to work.  There really aren't bad places to live... except maybe Caldwell.  I'm not much of a fan of Nampa either though.  Good luck with the job.

books4brooke

Oh.  I was also going to say, the hardest part for me (and others I know who have lived on the East Coast) is that the closest urban area is over 5 hours away.  It often feels very isolated... I suppose that's why everyone goes camping on the weekends!

MrsZubterfuge

I moved to Boise about 7 months ago. I love it. It is very family friendly =D

steph_august

DH and I just moved here at the beginning of January, and so far so good.  It is hard to move to a place where you know no one, which is what we did, and so far I've found it harder than DH since he gets to go to work everyday and I'm still job hunting.

Anyway, I still don't know much about the town, but everyone we've talked to seems to love it and we keep hearing what a great place to raise a family it is.  HTH!

MrsZubterfuge

I like living here a lot. I can tell you what its like based on my Wisconsin experience, but I don't know how it compares to Iowa.

Nondairy Lady

I moved here aqlmost 4 years ago.  DH and i just bought a house in Nampa.  It has been the best decision I think I have made.  We are in a safe nice neighborhood near the freeway and we got the biggest house for our money.  Just know that whereever you choose to live you will have to use the freway to get anywhere and it is under construction a great deal and when it is not it is full of traffic.  But by far and away I will never leave this place.  the people are so friendly!    If youa re in need of a job let us know I am sure amongst all these women we can help you out!  Have a great day!

books4brooke

I disagree about the traffic.  If you leave to the West of Boise, that is true.  That's why I chose to live in East Boise.  I don't ever deal with freeway traffic (unless I go toward Nampa).  My philosophy is I left D.C. and New York so I wouldn't have to sit in traffic for 30+ minutes a day.