Single Female thinking about moving to Boise (Nampa, Meridian: ski resort, how much)

[bella25]

Hi! Currently I'm living in a small mountian town near Yosemite in California, but I'm originally from Las Vegas. I'm thinking about moving to Boise. I've done my research, but I also did my research when I moved to California, and it wasn't very accurate, so I would like to get some opinions. Here's a few questions I have:

How's the single life? I'm 26 and single, I would like to live some place where I would be able to meet other singles. The town I'm in now has mainly married people my age. And Las Vegas is just party central.

Is the wage really that low? I've seen posts that the wages are low, but when I look at monsters.com and other sites, i find accountant jobs for $40,000-50,000. Is that realistic?

Does Boise have a small town feeling / close community feeling? I want to live some place where I know my neighbors and go to local place and know people.

And how cold does it really get? And how much snow? I've checked out the statistics, but once again, those were wrong for where I'm living now.

Thanks everyone!!!

[Anchorless]

I've heard the singles scene in Boise is tough. But I think that's coming from people who want Vegas, LA, NY type scenes.

I will admit, it is really tough to meet people here, just because people tend to keep to themselves. People are really nice, just a bit introverted. Most people meet people through work, and spread out from there.

The downtown scene is small but sort of raucous and incestuous (in the sense you see the same people every weekend). It's not much, but I guess people have fun.

Wages are low, but that depends on what type of work you're looking at. I can't say much about accounting, but I'd think 35,000-60,000 is about right. It's tough to find a job - be sure you have something before you come.

Yes, Boise has a small town feeling and somewhat close community. There's not a lot to offer for the different scenes, so you tend to see the same people and you'll get to know them if you try. Quality over quantity here, perhaps.

It gets somewhat cold - most of December through March won't get above 35, and some days or weeks it sticks around the 20's. Only a few days get colder, and you'll get a string of days each month that get warm and sunny. It does tend to stay cloudy and icy. This winter we've had great snow (thank god). But again, it's a dry cold, and coming from Vegas you know how that feels.

It's a great place for outdoors recreation - 30 minutes to the ski resort, the foothills to hike/bike/play in during the summer, the river, and tons of forests, mountains, lakes, and river stuff to do. People tend to come here for that.

[Aratay]

I'd agree with everything Anchorless posted above, but below are some additional thoughts.

The singles scene can be tough. I think (and this is my perception) that people get married very young around here....myself included. It can make it hard to find a group of singles (as I'm now divorced), and I find myself often times being the third wheel with a group of married friends.

The bar scene downtown is usually younger college kids not looking for real relationships, or a much older crowd, also not looking for relationships.

The weather is as Anchorless describes. When it does snow, it causes a lot of problems here in the valley. It can take a while for the roads to get cleared and public transportation doesn't really exist (save for a few buses). The majority of people drive everywhere....the combination of all of these things makes driving tough (and frustrating!) during bad weather.

The feeling of community is as much as you want it to be. If you want to be left alone, then you can find that here. If you want to be part of it, then you have to go join in. Don't expect the neighborhood welcome wagon at your door, but go talk to your neighbors when you see them and they'll be happy to chat away and get to know you.

I'd say the pay scale you mention for an Accountant sounds a bit high to me, but it just depends on the job. Definitely have a job before you come here, as the market isn't great right now.

Just a general warning here though...Nampa and Caldwell are not a part of Boise. If you do want to relocate, I'd consider Boise, Eagle, or Meridian. Good luck!

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by bella25

Hi! Currently I'm living in a small mountian town near Yosemite in California, but I'm originally from Las Vegas. I'm thinking about moving to Boise. I've done my research, but I also did my research when I moved to California, and it wasn't very accurate, so I would like to get some opinions. Here's a few questions I have:

How's the single life? I'm 26 and single, I would like to live some place where I would be able to meet other singles. The town I'm in now has mainly married people my age. And Las Vegas is just party central.

Is the wage really that low? I've seen posts that the wages are low, but when I look at monsters.com and other sites, i find accountant jobs for $40,000-50,000. Is that realistic?

Does Boise have a small town feeling / close community feeling? I want to live some place where I know my neighbors and go to local place and know people.

And how cold does it really get? And how much snow? I've checked out the statistics, but once again, those were wrong for where I'm living now.

Thanks everyone!!!

There is a pretty good sized population of singles, more mature 20 and 30 somethings in Boise, but you don't want to go to the bars to look for them. Downtown has a lot more than just bars, there are the more upscale, professional places to meet like minded people such as wine and martini bars, there are a ton of trendy coffee shops and other places to meet. Some people just get hooked on the college bar scene at 6th and Main, but Boise's downtown scene is so much than the college bars, and on any given evening there are people of all ages at all kinds of establishments, not just college kids hanging out at dance clubs or bars.
Downtown has a surprising mix of more sophisticated places to meet people, but it can be hard at first, it just depends on the people and yourself. I have noticed that the singles crowd here (20's and 30') is pretty level headed and open minded.



There are jobs with high wages, jobs with low wages. Boise is like most other cities; meaning it depends on your luck and timing when finding a job. You can find a good paying job here, people move here all of the time and make good money but you won't see them on this forum because they are not disgrunteled and trying to give outsiders the impression that there is no money to be made here.


Boise is described as a mid sized city with a small town feel. I know many people who have relocated here and have been impressed by the close community and family values here. Of course not every neighorhood or suburb will have the same closeness, but more likely than not you will experience a tight knit community if you move here. I feel that the neighborhoods in Boise are full of active people who are concerned. I have witnessed this first hand many times. There are many passionate people here who care about this city and where it is headed, and a lot of civic pride too.

[Anchorless]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

There is a pretty good sized population of singles, more mature 20 and 30 somethings in Boise, but you don't want to go to the bars to look for them. Downtown has a lot more than just bars, there are the more upscale, professional places to meet like minded people such as wine and martini bars, there are a ton of trendy coffee shops and other places to meet. Some people just get hooked on the college bar scene at 6th and Main, but Boise's downtown scene is so much than the college bars, and on any given evening there are people of all ages at all kinds of establishments, not just college kids hanging out at dance clubs or bars.
Downtown has a surprising mix of more sophisticated places to meet people, but it can be hard at first, it just depends on the people and yourself. I have noticed that the singles crowd here (20's and 30') is pretty level headed and open minded.

Eh, perhaps. I have plenty of friends that are part of that scene, and it's still really small. I mean, if you're talking about Flying M, Neurolux. Pair, Pengillys and the like.

I agree that there is more than just the bar scene, but not much. Downtown is a small place, despite what you think. And the crowds tend to be very insular, or rather, they're not going to seek you out. So if you're not extremely outgoing, good luck with making friends and finding dates just by hanging out at these places.

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

There are jobs with high wages, jobs with low wages. Boise is like most other cities; meaning it depends on your luck and timing when finding a job. You can find a good paying job here, people move here all of the time and make good money but you won't see them on this forum because they are not disgrunteled and trying to give outsiders the impression that there is no money to be made here.

It would quite shocking to thing that perhaps people say that wages are low here because, gasp, they actually are low? Especially in comparison to where most people are coming from.

Sure there are higher paying jobs out there. But they're absolutely few and far between, and again, good luck finding them or even getting an interview once you do.

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

Eh, perhaps. I have plenty of friends that are part of that scene, and it's still really small. I mean, if you're talking about Flying M, Neurolux. Pair, Pengillys and the like.

I agree that there is more than just the bar scene, but not much. Downtown is a small place, despite what you think. And the crowds tend to be very insular, or rather, they're not going to seek you out. So if you're not extremely outgoing, good luck with making friends and finding dates just by hanging out at these places.





It would quite shocking to thing that perhaps people say that wages are low here because, gasp, they actually are low? Especially in comparison to where most people are coming from.

Sure there are higher paying jobs out there. But they're absolutely few and far between, and again, good luck finding them or even getting an interview once you do.

Pengillys and Neurolux aren't the crowd I am speaking of. I think and agree that downtown is smaller, obviously not as large as someplace like Portland or Seattle, but the scene downtown isn't as small as you make it out to be.
And I know of places downtown where people do talk to newbies and not they are not insular and people are outgoing. I have pm'd the starter of this thread to give her some info on those places. Boise is changing and growing up. The state of the downtown scene even comparing it to 3 years ago is much different today as the city matures into a larger city. I know of a new piano bar in the works for downtown and is meant to be a place people can hang out and get to know each other. There are great poetry slams where people are friendly and want to know their fellow Boiseans.
There are options

[foghat]

Aratay wrote: Just a general warning here though...Nampa and Caldwell are not a part of Boise. If you do want to relocate, I'd consider Boise, Eagle, or Meridian.

Nampa and Caldwell are part of the greater Boise Metro area. Nampa is about 16 miles away and is next to Meridian. The issue it appears to me is county bias, Ada or Canyon.
There is nothing wrong with looking at Nampa or Caldwell. In fact home prices on average are much lower in Nampa and even lower in Caldwell compared with either Boise or Eagle. Eagle in fact is transplant central.

[skiboise]

Hi Bella,,
Have you been to Boise?

Snow is not really a huge issue, but in the early 80's we had a foot of snow on the ground for almost a month, so it can happen, snow tires are a good idea in the winter because there will be snow on the ground in Boise for brief periods of time.

Good paying jobs are available, but the supply is low and competition is pretty high. You should visit if you can... The Internet can mislead

[ontheboiserez]

that is the best place to be right in the middle of everything.

[truckingbronco]

Is the job market in Boise worse than the job market in Missoula, MT? Missoula has the worst job market I have ever experienced...someone with a degree was lucky to be making $25k and home prices were above $250k.