Are you moving to Boise and curious to find out what makes the City of Trees so attractive?
Boise was the second-fastest growing city in the nation in 2019 with the city’s population topping 749,000.
If you’re moving to the Boise area then you’ll be happy to know Public Storage just opened up units in the area. The acquisition marks our first storage units in Idaho.
We bought six new locations to offer nearly 3,500 outdoor drive up storage units, and a heavy offering of parking spots near you.
The city’s outdoor recreational amenities are a draw for those who love the outdoors while its cost of living is ideal for young families, and recent graduates of Boise State University.
“There’s a lot to do in Boise,” said Stacey Blake, an Idaho native and Public Storage district manager. “It’s a very outdoorsy town, you can go fishing, hiking, anything you want to do outside, it’s here. There’s also Boise State which has a very popular football team, and they also have a beautiful river walk.”
We’ve got 6 things you need to know before you move to the state’s capital.
Exploring Boise River Greenbelt and Outdoors
For the outdoorsy person, there’s a little something for everyone from skiing to hiking. Enjoy the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt which meanders along the Boise River and through the heart of the city. The greenbelt connects pedestrians and cyclists to other riverside parks and has been rated the best park in the state of Idaho by Money.com.
Along the greenbelt you’ll find the 84-acre Julia Davis Park, which is home to the Idaho Black History Museum, Idaho State Historical Museum, Discovery Center of Idaho, and Zoo Boise.
“With the river close by, being able to hike in the summer, and snow in the winter time, it’s considered a really great place to be,” said Lisa Thomas, a regional manager with Public Storage.
Just outside of downtown is the lower Boise Foothills. Explore the area with an outing to Hulls Gulch, a 6.5-mile multiuse trail that features a waterfall. If you’re looking for something a little easier, hit Cottonwood Creek Trail in the Military Reserve where you’ll find sagebrush flats on your hike.
If you’re seeking something a little more adventurous, head north to the Boise National Forest which is brimming with biking, hiking, camping and fishing options. In the winter months, hit the slopes at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, a ski area less than 20 miles outside of the city.
Thriving Boise Arts and Culture Scene
Art enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Boise Art Museum. Located on the grounds of Julia Davis Park, the museum not only features contemporary artwork but has an outdoor sculpture garden.
Not too far way is Freak Alley, an alleyway in downtown that has become the hub for eclectic murals and graffiti art.
The music scene is also thriving in Boise. There are music venues large and small which hosts concerts year around to satisfy anyone’s music taste. In the spring, the annual five-day Treefort Music Festival is held in over three dozen indoor and outdoor music venues throughout the city.
The Gene Harris Jazz Festival,named after the city’s most famous jazz musician, is organized annually by Boise State University as a way expose more of the community to the genre as well as raising scholarship funds for music students at the university.
The city is also home to Boise Phil and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
“When people come I take them to see Freak Alley, but also to see the culture and diversity that’s happening in Boise,” Thomas said. “On top of that, the people there are really warm, welcoming and kind. I really enjoyed getting to know the community.”
Enjoying Boise Wineries and Beyond
Take a stroll around downtown and visit a handful of urban wineries and tasting rooms.
There are also more than 30 wineries within minutes of downtown Boise, making this region known as the Napa Valley of Idaho.
Attending Boise State University
Boise State University is the pride of this metropolitan region. This 285-acre campus offers more than 100 graduate programs and as well as awarding baccalaureate and master's degrees.
The university, which was founded in 1932, is located in the heart of the city. It’s no wonder Boise State students and residents alike loving watching the Broncos football team play on the iconic blue turf at Albertsons Stadium.
This isn’t just a college town. A majority of recent graduates opt to stay in the city and start their professional careers, according to Boise Valley Economic Partnership.
Celebrating Boise’s Basque Community
Did you know the largest concentration of Basques–a European ethnic group – is in Boise, Idaho? There are an estimated 16,000 living in Boise.
The Basque Block is a unique district in downtown which features the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. It offers tours and educational activities. After visiting the museum head over to the Basque Market for Spanish & Basque food.
Moving to Boise
Apartment and Condo living is becoming popular in the downtown, said Thomas. Meanwhile, the surrounding suburban areas often feature smaller homes, which make our six new locations in Boise and Meridian perfect for owners who are relocating and need to store items temporarily.
“Downtown Boise is a fantastic place to live. They have Freak Alley where you can see all the beautiful graffiti artwork and there’s plenty of restaurants within walking distance,” Thomas said.
The median home value in Boise is $472,634, according to Zillow. The cost of living in Boise compared with other metro areas in the Northwest, such as Portland, Oregon is 27% cheaper.
“It’s growing exponentially, and I think there’s a lot more growth yet to come,” added Blake.
Among the top employers in the city include St. Luke's Health System, Micron Technology, Inc., a manufacturing and technology company; and Albertson’s which has its headquarters based in the City of Trees, according to the Boise Valley Economic Partnership.
It’s also a great city for those who are no longer in the workforce or looking to retire soon, with 34 percent of residents over the age of 50. In 2020, it was named the 5th best city to retire by Money.com.
Public Storage Boise area locations:
• 2851 S Federal Way, Boise, ID 83705
• 2902 S Beverly St, Boise, ID 83709
• 7202 W Victory Rd, Boise, ID 83709
• 6295 N Saguaro Hills Ave, Meridian, ID 83646
have one or more of the following sustainable initiatives in place to help you make an informed storage decision: LED lighting, Efficient HVAC Systems, Solar power generation, Eco-Friendly Water Practices, or High R-value Insulation.