Ever heard of Treasure Valley? The Simplot family? The Greenbelt? If not, then let me open your mind to the little-known, seriously underrated future of one of the coolest cities west of the Rockies: Boise, Idaho.
There’s no delicate way to put this. For those who have never step foot in Idaho, you’ve likely written the state off as a somewhat desolate and utterly undesirable place to travel to. After all, what’s there to see in a state known for little more than its ability to churn out an ungodly amount of potatoes every season? And yes, Idaho does live up to that reputation… Check out the potato mountains we saw just a few months ago. But don’t miss the forest for the trees! I’m here to convince you that if you’ve dismissed the entire state of Idaho wholesale, you need to reconsider. The capital city of Boise alone is so full of culture and potential that it just might warrant booking that long-overdue trip to Idaho right away.
1. Boise has a fledgling tech scene just waiting to explode
I have a theory that any tech hotspot, past and future, comes together through the confluence of three things: 1) A strong educational institution that consistently churns out decently smart people, especially technical in nature, 2) Existing business infrastructure with a decade or two of history, and 3) Lot’s of money, earned over decades by local people, parked on the sidelines and ready to deploy. If you have thoughts on my framework, DM me on Twitter and let’s discuss. But assuming you’re with me, let me tell you… Boise has all three elements in stride. Best of all, they’re coming together like strings in a symphony as we speak.
Boise State University has established an impressive-enough track record of having strong programs in computer science, business, and engineering. For now, the talented many that remain in Boise have pathways into major employers that have dominated the area for years: Micron, Simplot, and St. Luke’s to name a few. This existing business landscape checks the final box for Boise: money, ready to deploy. Through decades of blockbuster success, especially that of J. R. Simplot and Micron alumni, a generation of wealth has been abundantly minted in the city and ready to invest right back into the community.
If you visit Boise, you’ll notice the slow but inevitable creep of the ‘technocrats’. Boise Startup Week banners will decorate major downtown byways for a few months a year. VC firms have taken up long-term leases in historic buildings just outside downtown. Major technology players from the coasts are increasing their footprint in the commercial buildings Boise’s cityscape is marked by.
To embrace and participate in Boise’s technology scene now is a little like embracing ‘the cloud’ back in 2007 when the stars quo was to rock a USB thumb drive on your keychain. You’ll feel a little weird and even alone about it. Yet secretly, you’ll know you’re onto something big.
2. Boise is home to a diverse, delicious food seen that is seriously affordable
Let me lead with the punchline: the Basque food in Boise is kick-ass. This incredible, thriving, impressively small population of northern-Spain migrants landed in Boise in the 1800s and have left their mark on the culinary scene of Boise quite prominently. From the Basque Block to small eateries scattered throughout downtown, the Basque food will leave you smiling and satisfied.
Other parts of Boise’s downtown food scene are covered in-depth by Midori in our Downtown Boise food blog post and are worth checking out. Best of all, you can snag some incredible deals on great food at all hours of the day. I noticed that seafood dishes like fresh trout, or exquisite entrees like a rack of lamb that typically run you anywhere from $25 to $50 in a coastal city only set you back $15 to $25 in most Boise restaurants (YMMV). Expect to pay an approachable $4 -6 for a local pint of beer (normal times, not HH!) and $6 – 8 for a glass of wine.
If you can manage to experience Boise’s famous Low-Power Happy Hour, the deals get even sweeter!
3. Living on a river is something everyone can get used to
For my entire life, through several moves across cities and states, I’ve always been within 20 minutes of a major lake or ocean. Frankly, I thought I’d feel land-locked in Boise. And to be honest, I did for a bit. But the Boise River really does inspire a unique way of life in the city. Within a week of being there, I was hooked.
It’s hard to spend more than a day or two in Boise without catching wind of the Boise River Greenbelt — and for good reason! This 25-mile stretch of trail that borders the Boise River is a spectacular journey through the city, its history, and its future. On a sunny day (which are about 300 of the 365 days in a Boise year), you’ll find people floating down the river, sipping wine along the banks, and so much more. The Greenbelt is the lifeblood of the city, much like the vertebra that brings the entire body of the city together in a really remarkable way. Breweries and wineries are scattered along the Greenbelt with the middle section dominated by municipal parks, monuments, and even the Boise Zoo (which sits conveniently only a few steps off the Greenbelt trail).
All I can say is that spending a few evenings walking along the Greenbelt after a day’s work left me serenely hypnotized by the river’s flow. I was hardly missing the ‘major’ bodies of water I was so accustomed to at all…
4. Be a part of something special
This can only be experienced by visiting Boise. There’s a special energy in the Boise air that you can only feel being amidst its people. You’ll meet some who’ve been there for decades, now excited and eager to see their hometown come to life with new culture and energy. You’ll meet others who’ve recently moved into the city after leaving their chaotic, stressful ‘other’ lives (often in Seattle, NorCal, SoCal) behind. Invariably, you’ll also meet the mighty few who struggle to see their city change with the inundation of new blood from around the country. But there’s beauty in all of it.
Its vibrancy grows by the day with new food, new people, and new opportunities abound. While those on the outside may look at Idaho and see an unremarkable state characterized by homogeneity, I’d invite you to be among the curious few to experience it from the inside and know what’s really happening.
Boise is a city in motion. And the only way to go is forward.
