Considering moving to the Boise area? You may be wondering what makes Boise so great….and also why it’s not so great.
So What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Boise, Idaho?:
Pros:
- Cost Of Living
- Many Outdoor Activities
- Commute Time
- Mild Winters
- Still Feels Like A Community and Not A Big Town
Cons:
- Increasing Rent Rates
- Isolated Location
- Winter Inversions
Pros of Living in Boise
Plethora Of Outdoor Entertainment
Do you love to camp? How about fishing? Hunting sound like fun? You have come to the right place. Boise is within striking distance of all these past-times, and more.
If you’re a fan of boating, Lucky Peak and Spring Shores are about 20-30 minutes away, where you can wakeboard, fish or enjoy other aquatic pursuits.

Mild Winters
For a northern intermountain city, Boise is blessed with fairly mild winters. We have had a handful of brutally cold snowy seasons, but that is typically the exception and not the rule.
This has sometimes led to not having much snow at our backyard ski resort, Bogus Basin. But they seem to hold their own, and never seem to have too many rocks showing on the slopes. And of course, that may be your excuse to get out of town and try out one of central Idaho’s other ski hills– Brundage in McCall or Sun Valley. Both are a couple of hours drive away.

Get in touch with Ryan today! Mobile: 208-514-7636 ryansdrew@gmail.com
Cons of Living in Boise
Increasing Rent Rates
According to Apartment Guide’s 2019 Annual Rent Report, Boise has the 5th highest rent increases in the country, with a one-bedroom apartment annually increasing 14.4%.
Isolated Location
Boise is a great place to call home. But as a native Boisean, I do get a little stir crazy from time to time, particularly in the winter months when there’s not much on the calendar. Wouldn’t it be nice to jump in the car and head to the next city for a game or concert?
Well, you better plan an extra day to your journey, since the nearest city of any substantial size (a.k.a. Salt Lake City) is nearly 5 hours away. Portland is an hour or two further, so you have to be committed to taking a road trip. Some of you jet setters may not be phased since a quick plane ride can transport you quickly to some new scenery.
Check Out Our Other Articles on Home Hunters Boise:
- The 13 Most Commonly Asked Questions about Boise Home Buying
- The 13 Best Family Activities in Boise, ID & Surrounding Area
- Buying a Home: Getting Pre-Qualified for Your Boise Home
- Here are 7 Compelling Reasons for Living in Meridian, Idaho
- 5 Cool Boise Neighborhoods That You Need To See
The Dreary Boise Inversion
I think most Boiseans would agree that when it comes to weather, the word “inversion” is almost considered a swear word. In valleys such as ours, warm air has the potential to trap colder valley air, typically during a time of high pressure.

This leads to a beautifully sunny day up skiing up at Bogus, and a dreary, cold gray day in the valley. This dreariness can go on for weeks at a time in typical Boise winter. Some just accept the gray days as a part of winter, others enjoy griping about the weather. But this would be considered a con in my book.