I’m considering a move and would be grateful to hear from any twitchers with experience living in Boise. I’m curious about the training options (where to swim, ride, etc.) but also quality of life issues like where to live (I’m married and have a 3yo son- maybe more on the way…) schools, restaurants- things like that. Any input is appreciated. If it matters, we live in Michigan now, so climate will be one difference.
Ken
I am interested too. A training partner of mine goes there once a year to visit fam and train. He loves it there, close to good climbs, not completely congested like where we are (Sacramento, CA).
Great place to live. I am a Calif native and moved to Boise when I finished grad school in Minn. I was only there for 2 years but found it to be a great place for an athelete to live. The weather is nice, no extreme hot or cold. Great rolling hills for road bike, mountains everywhere for MTB. Running trails through the middle of town along the river. When I was there the masters swimming was at the downtown YMCA. I swam at the other Y in the middle of town on my own, much better pool. Good minor league hocky and baseball. Boise State is a great footbal program. Fun downtown area for night life and hanging out. I only moved away to be with familt back in Calif.
Good luck
Casey- thanks very much, I sent you a private message.
Damage- thanks to you as well. One question (well two, actually) if I could- where in Boise did you live, and where would you live if you were to return?
Ken
Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. Moved to Boise 13 years ago from the East Coast where I grew up (CT/PA). All I can say is that Boise has it all, and I will never leave. Great cost of living, housing, jobs (i work at HP, one of the biggest employers here with 4,000 on site), amazing weather (280 days of sun a year) a family friendly environment with a vibrant downtown backed by 100’s of miles of trails to run and ride on. We are like Boulder 25 years ago. We can ride outside 10 months of the year and ski the other (XC or alpine is 16 miles up the gnarliest hillclimb west of Mt. Evans).
Boise is a tri-geeks dream place to live and train. The bike scene is one of the strongest in the country for a small city. Everyone rides, either mtn. road or both. And running, forgeddaboutit. We literally have 100’s of miles of foothills trails or the greenbelt along the river. Swimming is definitely the weakest link without an outdoor lap situation, but the Y has masters indoors, (i go to downtown Y, although i work 1 mile from the 50 meter at West Y). Probably 15 different masters sessions to choose from and free with your membership.
The tri scene is alive and kicking. The club is called boiseaeros.com. 25 of us went to Wildflower as a group a few weeks ago and had a blast. We have some fast peeps here, lots of Kona qualifiers, and a few top 10 Worlds short-course dudes running around. This weekend the Aero’s Couer d’Alene pain train takes it annual journey to Stanley (125 miles, 10,000 feet of climbing). Any questions?
Come on out and see for yourself.
CASEY: Were you with us in Idaho City last Sat??? What happened?
there is only ONE PLACE to live in Boise… THE NORTHEND (or Foothills if you’ve got the $$$).
always good for another tri-geek to move to town…just try not to tell too may of your friends…you know keep it like a secret go to www.georgescycles.com for bike race info as well as www.spondoro.com for some other local racing stuff-cheers
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yeah, Idaho, I tried to get them to close the borders here about 10 years ago, but some greed-head wasn’t done with his land raping and development, so here we are. I’m worried that Boise will “jump the shark” before I find the next Mecca.
S
unfrotunatley as far as growth is concerned its just getting started… but to the guy from michigan who started the questioning…great place for families, its all about the kids out here-cheers and good luck
sto and Idaho- thanks for your responses. Seems to be one of these decisions where I’m having trouble identifying the bad part (other than the pain of moving, of course).
Ken
I would get there quick too. There are going to be a half million baby boomers looking for a fun place to hang their hat every year for the next 10 years or so. Look out NC, Idaho, Wash state, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado cause most of them will be coming with plenty cash from selling their overpriced house in the city. Your housing cost will go way up in the next few years.
My moms house in Missoula is probably $350 k, up from $100 k a few years ago, and it isn’t even an expensive house.