What is the worst thing about Boise? (Moscow, Eagle: fit in, job market)

[CTC]

My family hails from Boise (home steaded in the area) and I lived there for a couple of years and visit fairly regularly.
Boise is great, but this thread is about what is wrong w/Boise so here goes:

1) Urban Sprawl-It is unreal-the lack of planning is shocking. The sprawl is pretty constant all the way to Napa. Traffic is bad as well.

2) Most ignore the wonderful downtown area for the chain eateries/bars (happens every where I suppose)

3) Hot-Hot-Hot in the summer! 90-100 for weeks at a time-with poor air quality

4)Very provincial for the largest town/state capitol-lacks a certain vibe for those outside of the box. The new downtown helps a lot-but a new Portland?-ha\

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by JustinFromBoise

^^ You just said Vancouver has a population of 2 million. Boise has 600k, we don't have the tax base to support a train, everyone will go broke.

Actually, Boise has a population of around 201K although the entire Treasure Valley is 635K.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (commonly known as the Boise Metropolitan Area or the Treasure Valley) is a region in southwestern Idaho which officially includes Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem and Owyhee Counties. It includes Idaho's three largest cities, Boise, Nampa and Meridian. It is the state's largest officially designated metropolitan area.

BTW, am originally from West Vancouver, BC. Vancouver itself has around 600K while the Vancouver Metro Area has 2.1M or so.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by Grumbler

Actually, Boise has a population of around 201K although the entire Treasure Valley is 635K.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (commonly known as the Boise Metropolitan Area or the Treasure Valley) is a region in southwestern Idaho which officially includes Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem and Owyhee Counties. It includes Idaho's three largest cities, Boise, Nampa and Meridian. It is the state's largest officially designated metropolitan area.

BTW, am originally from West Vancouver, BC. Vancouver itself has around 600K while the Vancouver Metro Area has 2.1M or so.

I was talking in terms of metro.

[Aratay]

Worst thing about Boise? Take a trip to a local Walmart on any given night and take a look at some of the locals....talk about living up to hick stereotypes! Larry the Cable Guy would have a heyday here. But, it keeps things interesting....and we're getting better about fashion and those types of things. That being said, I love Boise!

[jufrbo]

Hopefully no one guages a city on their Wal-mart. But it does make for good people watching, what with gummy Joe and all.

[Aratay]

True enough JfB about most Walmarts being good for 'interesting' people watching. Now, the Western Idaho Fair....so rarely do so many 'interesting' Idaho folks come out of the woodwork. I'm from a hick-town myself, so I don't feel guilty about my comments here....these are my people.

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by Aratay

True enough JfB about most Walmarts being good for 'interesting' people watching. Now, the Western Idaho Fair....so rarely do so many 'interesting' Idaho folks come out of the woodwork. I'm from a hick-town myself, so I don't feel guilty about my comments here....these are my people.

Go to to any State Fair in any state and you will see plenty of "interesting people". Also go to any Walmart in any city and you will also see plenty of those people you mention, especially at Walmarts in Seattle. Boise probably has less Walmarts than other similar sized cities. I can think of only 1 in Boise city limits and 1 in Garden City. Target and Fred Meyer are the big players around here.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by Aratay

True enough JfB about most Walmarts being good for 'interesting' people watching. Now, the Western Idaho Fair....so rarely do so many 'interesting' Idaho folks come out of the woodwork. I'm from a hick-town myself, so I don't feel guilty about my comments here....these are my people.

I'd quit going to the fair if it was any other way.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

One thing about Boise is that the traffic is really, really bad. Other than that it is the best kept secret in the west.

LOL.. sorry.. I just stumbled into this thread because I'm loving reading up on Boise. Such a great looking city that we know extremely little about here in Atlanta where I live.

As far a traffic though - hey, come visit US sometime...


NOW does yours seem bad?

[Torrie]

LOL! That's great Greg! Exactly my sentiments. Boise's traffic is hardly a problem. Now you on the other hand have a legitimate thing to whine about!