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Hello Susie,
Bend and Boise do share a lot of the same characteristics, and I can see your interest in both. Boise of course will continue to grow and develop into a larger city. With that comes the good as well as the growing pains. Fortunately however, we have a pretty involved and active community that cares about the quality of life here.
Boise is located in what locals call the Treasure Valley. The Treasure Valley (TV) is made up of Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Star, Eagle, Middleton, Nampa and Caldwell. They are all pretty close to one another but each is very different.
Boise has the largest mix of style and age of homes as well as shopping, eating, etc. Meridian is more suburbia for lack of a better term. Larger subdivisions, strip malls, chain restaurants etc., Eagle more recently has had an influx of upper end homes that are now becoming very affordable. The town of Eagle is more botique and less of the chain type feel. I really like Eagle, especially because of the river.
As for Nampa, it's certainly a lot different than Boise...or anywhere for that matter. It's rural with a very small re-developing downtown and it has its fair share sprawl and what seems to be a bit higher crime rate...check your stats though. Real estate wise, its been the last to appreciate and first to depreciate. People like it there...personally, I don't.
Also, there are pockets of town that don't feel big. Certain communities in and around Boise that are self sufficient with neighborhood anchors (stores, shopping, medical, restaurants, etc.)
Star and Middleton are also two towns that I would recommend, Star over Middleton, but both are quaint and not too far away from some of the amenities that you've pointed out.
As for snow, any city in the Treasure Valley is going experience similar conditions. Obviously the closer you get to the foothills you'll be closer to snow, but the further south you go, into the desert, you get into higher sustained winds. I'd be splitting hairs to say that Nampa would have less snow than Boise or the other way around.
My best recommendation would be go get a good driving tour. I enjoy taking out of towners on a tour through the different cities and showing them the good parts and the not so good parts. You'll certainly get a better feel for what you like that way and it's well worth your time! You'll have the chance to see how traffic flows affect each area and get a good glimpse of how long a daily work commute might be. If you're interested just let me know!
Wed Jul 22 2009, 15:26
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