Boise is the heart of Idaho's Boise-Nampa metro. For a variety of reasons, including low cost of doing business, a central location and a high quality of life, Boise has become home to many large businesses and corporate headquarters. Some examples include Hewlett-Packard, Boise Cascade, Albertson's and Micron Technology. These ample employment opportunities only add to the appeal of Boise living.
Boise has been widely recognized for many aspects of its excellent lifestyle, as well as for its pro-business atmosphere. Fortune Magazine rated Boise as Number 1 on its 2005 list of Best Places for Business And Careers. The selection process was based on income and job growth, cost of labor, qualification of the labor pool, and lifestyle-oriented parameters such as housing costs and crime rates. Other awards to the city include the Second Best City in America to do Business, by Inc. Magazine in 2005; Number 5 city of its size in the nation for favorable cost-of-doing-business, by KPMG in 2004; Number 13 Best Overall City, by National Policy Research Council's Gold Guide in 2004; Idaho's Sportstown USA, by Sports Illustrated in 2004; Oasis for Retirees, by the Wall Street Journal in 2004; and Number 1 Biking Town, by Bike Magazine in 2003.
Although Boise is a thriving hub of economic activity, it retains the qualities that have long attracted new residents to the region: strong senses of culture and history, stunning natural landscapes and an open, family-friendly atmosphere. Cultural open mindedness is the way of life in Boise. The city has long been a destination for Basques, who began moving here in the late-1930s. Boise is believed to be the large concentration of Basques outside Western Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. Every five years, Boise hosts a popular Basque festival, called Jaialdi. As well, the colorful Basque section of the city complements the traditional American history evident throughout the city.
The Boise real estate market offers a huge amount of choice for prospective homebuyers. Although Boise is an historic city, much of the residential development occurred between 1970 and 2000. Even today, new homes are still being built. Prices for detached, single-family homes range from the low-$100,000s up to about $2 million. At the top end of this range, buyers will find expansive and modern hillside homes, possibly with acreage. Waterfront and water view properties are available in several subdivisions, including Wolfcreek River, Riverside Village and Lakeland Village. Boise's midrange homes generally have at least four bedrooms and 2,500 square feet or more of living space. For families and individuals just starting out, there is also a large selection of starter homes available. Boise's condominium/townhouse market is smaller than that of single-family homes, but quality options are still available. Prices for these units range from $100,000 up to about $700,000.
Boise living options can be divided into about four categories: historic homes, planned communities, ranch estates, and city-view foothill properties. Historic options are the large, regal and well-maintained homes in the North End. Tree-lined streets and vintage street signs on Harrison Boulevard are reminiscent of Boise's rich history. Nearby, on Warm Springs Avenue, old hitching posts remain by the side of the road.
Boise's planned communities are modern neighborhoods complete with beautiful homes, community recreation centers, swimming pools, tennis courts and perhaps walking trails or jogging paths. Some also offer water views and access to the Boise River. Lake River Estates, Harris Ranch, Lexington Hills and Island at River Run are just a few of Boise's many planned community neighborhoods.
In the outskirts of Boise, neighborhoods like Wildhorse Ranch provide a great option for horse owners who require acreage and open spaces. Such neighborhoods cater to those who enjoy being more removed from the city and closer to Idaho's natural landscapes.
Lastly, Boise's foothill communities are generally more exclusive neighborhoods with upper-middle to upper class resident populations. The Highlands, for example, is a golf community built around Crane Creek Golf Course. Highland homeowners enjoy stunning views of city lights, plus quick access to Bogus Basin, the local ski resort, and hiking and biking trails. Other foothill communities are Terra Nativa, Candleridge and Quail Ridge. Each of the foothill neighborhoods offers its own set of amenities; Quail Ridge has tennis courts and swimming facilities, while Terra Nativa features the River to Ridge Trail that winds through the development. Candleridge, like The Highlands, is a golf community.
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