Boise currently has a population of 229,000, and that’s a much higher number than just a few years ago. Since March of 2000, the influx of people has been 194% higher than those who have left town. The population increased 18.2% between 2010 and 2018; and in 2018, Forbes named it the fastest growing city in the United States. As real estate costs continue to climb and Boise Idaho businesses see a high level of growth, the nation’s next hot spot could be too hot to touch.
A Future Growth Driver
When you think of explosive-growth cities, you probably don’t think of any city in Idaho. That’s normal. It’s also why Boise has been one of the best kept secrets in the country for many years. Today, more people are aware of this secret, but there is still time to get in during the growth phase. With innovative tech companies moving in from San Francisco for lower costs, you should fully expect this growth to continue. In fact, 25% of the people moving in are from California. If you’re an investor, this should present an excellent opportunity. The average home price increased 12% in 2018 year over year.
The average rent increased 7% over the same time frame, which can be viewed as a positive or a negative. If you’re an investor that plans on renting out a property, this is a good sign. If you’re someone looking to rent, not quite. Then again, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $980, which is about $100 less than the national average.
If you’re not an investor and someone who is simply looking for a better way of life, this is also where you will find it.
A Better Commute
The following is an often overlooked factor when it comes to happiness. The average commute time across the United States is 26.4 minutes. In the capital city of Idaho, the average commute time is just 18 minutes. That’s quite a difference from San Francisco, where the average commute time is 32.8 minutes–yet another reason many people are making the move. For the record, the average commute time in New York City is 40.8 minutes. However, not many people move from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. After California, most people are moving from Washington, Utah, Oregon, and Texas.
More To Do In Boise Idaho
When you’re here, you’re going to find seven breweries, six taprooms, five wine bars, and even one cider hours. The latter is Meriwether Cider House, which has 20 ciders on tap from around the world. Of course, not everyone is going to get excited about cider, but that’s not the point. This is one example to show the trendiness and uniqueness of the city.
If you prefer beer, you can hit Battlecreek Alehouse, which is located on 8th Street and has 40 beers on tap. Battle Horn Brewing is scheduled to open soon several local staples have opened downtown tap rooms (Mad Sweed, Edge Brewing). These are also affordable beers: $5 -$6 for a pint. Then you have Bardenay, which was the first restaurant-distillery in the country. Bardenay is located in the Basque community. When you’re at Bardenay, you can order everything from a burger to tacos to seafood.
If you’re looking for cheap beer and arcade games, check out Spacebar Arcade. You can drink beer while playing classic arcade games. How many cities have a Spacebar Arcade?
If you prefer the classic route, then you can go for drinks at Cactus Bar, which is the oldest bar in the city. Or, if you want a dimly-lit speakeasy, go to Press & Pony.
Regardless of where you go for food and drink, you will have many opportunities to work off those calories. This is a fit city, with gyms, yoga studios, and bicycles as a preferred mode of transportation when you’re downtown. There is also a 25-mile greenway that cuts through the city, with a river by its side. If you’re looking to go for a stroll, it’s always going to be a scenic one.
Top Three Restaurants
In addition to an incredible coffee shop scene, the dining options are impressive. You can go to the always-reliable Fork or you can try out Wylder. The latter serves a honey-badger pizza that will blow your mind, largely because they cook the dough for 48 hours and only use the highest-quality flour and top-tier ingredients. And if you want to start your day off right, head straight for Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro.
Put It All Together
Whether it’s investment property, a shorter commute, an intriguing nightlife, an active lifestyle, or quality dining options, Boise is on the rise. This trend is very likely to continue. The people who move here are usually those who want to live their best life.