Should I move to Boise?

May 27, 2010 9:00 PM

From Oakland to Boise? Liberal, hipsterish dude contemplating a move to attend BSU. Will I hate it? and yes, I saw this post, but it's from 5 years ago and I've heard the city is changing (for the better?) I'm thrilled about the rent prices I'm seeing. I've lived in Idaho before (Moscow), so I have a general sense of the culture, but haven't spent any time in Boise. What are the coolest, most convenient neighborhoods? Are there good (non-douchy) bars? Can I see relevant bands play? Any advice on transferring to BSU as an undergrad would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
posted by ryaninoakland to society & culture (9 answers total)

You realize that "non-douchey bars" and "relevant bands" are highly subjective terms, right?
posted by ixohoxi at 9:10 PM on May 27, 2010 [2 favorites]

Just got to Boise today for a visit. Drove from home in Napa Valley. I'll see what I can see! Tomorrow is adventuring around town day, while my husband's family is at work. I love looking for cool neighborhoods and places!
posted by Swisstine at 10:06 PM on May 27, 2010

Last time I was in Boise, the hot thing was to be at one of the three fondue restaurants and everything closed around 9:00pm on a Saturday.
posted by alex_skazat at 10:15 PM on May 27, 2010

I'm about to move up to Boise myself (I live down in Twin Falls right now). It's a beautiful city. The city is definitely changing; it's becoming more modern as it grows. You want to aim to live close to the BSU campus; I'm going to live by Ann Morrison park, which I hear is a great area to live in. No idea on the bars, as I can't drink yet, but many, MANY bands play all the time at the bars, out in the open and in venues around Boise as well (check out Alive After 5 for some upcoming bands playing free). Make sure to read Boise Weekly to find out about concerts, both paid and free.


I'm a transfer too, so hit me up with any other questions and I'll answer to the best of my ability.
posted by cobain_angel at 10:21 PM on May 27, 2010

Strikes me as vastly underrated. Here's a nice photothread from skyscraperpage.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 10:24 PM on May 27, 2010 [3 favorites]

Design*Sponge

I was looking to see what adventuring to do tomorrow and this city guide seems like a good place to start. It is geared towards visiting, but has some good food and culture links!
posted by Swisstine at 10:41 PM on May 27, 2010

The Tone Dogs say "there's a lot of nice fish in Boise".
posted by SandiBeech at 4:44 AM on May 28, 2010

Ok this is funny because I only look at askmetafilter once in a blue moon. 4 years later I have to say I really like living here. I've met a lot of great friends.

If you're liberal and hipsterish look for a place to live in the North End. It's within bike distance to downtown and BSU.

The Neurolux has some great acts as does the Visual Arts Collective. There's Alive After 5 and the Knitting Factory too. Last year Wilco played a local winery outdoors in the summer that's probably as good as it gets. The Egyptian has some good acts sometimes.

There's Ignite Boise (search youtube)

Lots of good bars. Too many.

The greenbelt is great.

Bogus Basin ski resort is only 45 minutes from downtown. McCall area with Brundage ski resort and beautiful Payette Lake 2.5 hours away.

The only thing Boise is lacking is a good downtown book store.

Good luck.
posted by joseppi7 at 9:40 AM on May 28, 2010

We went to most places on the Design*Sponge list. A great adventuring day! I agree about living in the North End. The downtown is growing (filling in) and seems really modern. The night life is actually pretty good. Downtown has many bars (of all levels, high and low, of douchery) all in a couple of blocks. I went to Red Feather Lounge, which is a food/bar/wine place. They had an amazing selection of beer and wine and it was a nice environment. Downtown at night sort of reminded me of Austin, TX (though much smaller)... where the streets were busy and bars/clubs were full. Palmer Cash had cool clothes. Basque Bar Guernica was SO good. The Saturday Farmer's market was awesome and huge. The green belt is beautiful! Boise is a really cool city!
posted by Swisstine at 9:27 PM on June 3, 2010