Boise is a great place to live. It also has its fair share of troubles. Being a “boom” city definitely has its downsides. The increased traffic is causing air-quality issues, sprawl makes some areas of town feel like anywhere, big-box-store USA, local people with ”good” jobs as a teacher/nurse/government worker are getting priced completely out of home ownership, and some of the folks moving here are doing so for what IMO are the wrong reasons: I’ve literally had people say they are moving to get away from ‘those people’ or they talk about loving the ‘culture of Idaho’ by which they mean there are mostly white people. Ugh.
The traffic is getting heavier and faster — drivers fly past our office on a lovely residential street, nearly hitting school children in the crosswalk. And the honking! Enough with your adult temper tantrum — be patient and courteous, you live in Idaho now, what’s your hurry?! Control yourself!
People are less friendly and more entitled, surprised when I say hello to them on the sidewalk or trails and dismissive of the rules of our beautiful historic districts. (That tree that’s been there for 100+ years? Let’s just cut it down because it’s blocking a little sunlight and I can afford the measly fine.)
Look, I’m a realtor and I help people move here every day. I’m also a third-generation Idahoan and if the doors had closed when my family came Boise’s population would still be 50k! I know why people come here, I continue to choose Boise and the North End to be my home. I am not against people moving here. Just remember (the positive reasons) WHY you moved here: It’s beautiful, it’s safe, you don’t need to be in a hurry, you can ride your bike to trails out your back door, it’s filled with trees and devoid of litter, people are friendly, things are easy here, life is a little slower.
Don’t move from the congested, fast-paced, crowded place you’re coming from without leaving those things behind. Don’t complain about the traffic where you were and refuse to get out of your car once you get here. Don’t go on and on about how you didn’t know your neighbors and then drive into your 4-car garage without saying hello. Don’t just come here and attempt to recreate what you complained about and left, just because it’s familiar — you hate traffic and congestion but you’re moving to Eagle Rd and Chinden, really?!
If you don’t want things here to become what you left there, you have to get involved, be a part of the solution, pick up trash and other people’s dog poop, say hello, be respectful, be polite, be quiet, and slow-the-hell down!
Don’t assume everyone thinks like you, don’t talk about how ‘cheap’ the houses are when the person serving you brunch is likely never going to be able to own a home here. Be empathetic to those around you who may not have had the accidental good fortune of selling a tiny house for $2m and thus have extra money to throw around. Go slowly, learn about people, ask about traditions, get to know your neighbors, be quiet and small vs big and boastful, don’t assume. Give back, help people, tip well. In other words, be an Idahoan.
And always remember, if you or your friends or family have real estate needs, we are your Boise, Idaho and North End real estate experts. If you are interested in searching for your next dream home, please click here.
