A Realistic Look at Boise (crime, credit, house)

[motomac]

Originally Posted by pll

Traffic doesn't even compare in the slightest to the traffic in Anaheim. We should be thankful.

I've seen several references to "heavy traffic" in Boise. Is this in reference to morning/evening rush-hours or all the time?

[boisefan88]

Originally Posted by motomac

I've seen several references to "heavy traffic" in Boise. Is this in reference to morning/evening rush-hours or all the time?

It's pretty much only morning/evening rush hour, and it's limited only to a few of the main arteries.

It's relative, too. Certainly it's nothing coming from most major metro areas, but at the same time, it may be more stressful because how poor everyone drives during the rush hour. The conditions half of the year don't help.

It's a frustrating commute. At least when I have to suffer it (which isn't often anymore).

[boisefan88]

Originally Posted by motomac

When you speak of the housing market improving, do you mean from an owner's view....i.e. values starting to climb? For those of us thinking about moving to Boise, the market should be good from a buyers perspective, right?

It depends on what you're looking at.

From what I've heard for most lower priced homes (under 200k) the market is still strong, prices haven't dropped a ton, and there are a lot of buying interest. For homes above 200k the market is more volatile, there is high supply and not much movement.

In general it's probably a great time to buy and a horrible time if you bought recently and/or are trying to sell.

Housing was never really a problem here. It's always been jobs, jobs, jobs.

[Jarndyce]

Originally Posted by motomac

I've seen several references to "heavy traffic" in Boise. Is this in reference to morning/evening rush-hours or all the time?

There is no commute to speak of if you have experience living in a "Big City." I have found that Boise (Idaho?) locals consider a 3 mile drive to be a "hassle" --"You mean I have to go all the way downtown?"--or--"You mean I have to go all the way to Federal Way!"

The street traffic can get tough around Noon at certain intersections. But Boise traffic is A L O N G W A Y from anything that resembles LA or San Diego or Atlanta..

Unless you're coming from a place like Kuna or Marsing or a community like that and you're coming into Boise..I bet most commuters don't have enough of a commute to even bother with a book on tape!

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by Jarndyce

There is no commute to speak of if you have experience living in a "Big City." I have found that Boise (Idaho?) locals consider a 3 mile drive to be a "hassle" --"You mean I have to go all the way downtown?"--or--"You mean I have to go all the way to Federal Way!"

The street traffic can get tough around Noon at certain intersections. But Boise traffic is A L O N G W A Y from anything that resembles LA or San Diego or Atlanta..

Unless you're coming from a place like Kuna or Marsing or a community like that and you're coming into Boise..I bet most commuters don't have enough of a commute to even bother with a book on tape!

I think the people who complain about the traffic in Boise are the ones who grew up here and maybe do not like growth. Just a guess

[boisefan88]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

I think the people who complain about the traffic in Boise are the ones who grew up here and maybe do not like growth. Just a guess

This is likely true, but it's also apples to oranges comparisons and more importantly, relative.

Of course Atlanta and LA will have worse traffic - they're much, much, much larger cities.

It would be interesting to see how our traffic compares with peer sized cities.

I do know that traffic is indeed such a problem that it has been the dominant topic in the last four or five legislative seasons.

[boi2socal]

Compared to Eugene, Spokane, Reno...Boise has much more congestion. From my experience. However, Boise is somewhat larger than Eugene and Reno. Spokane with CDA is virtually the same as the Boise Metro.

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by boi2socal

Compared to Eugene, Spokane, Reno...Boise has much more congestion. From my experience. However, Boise is somewhat larger than Eugene and Reno. Spokane with CDA is virtually the same as the Boise Metro.

One HUGE difference between Boise and Spokane though is that downtown Boise has so much better civic planning for traffic flow. So while certain areas have that "suburban traffic crawl" feeling on major arteries, the downtown area of Spokane is WORSE than downtown Los Angeles for traffic flow. (And I know, I patrolled LA and even in a police car with lights/siren it was maddening).

So I think maybe you have to bifurcate each area's downtown from each area's outlaying suburban areas and highways/expressways, since I think it can be two different things. Once you're free of downtown Spokane, I agree that Boise is worse. But if you're comparing downtown areas, I would say Spokane is MUCH worse.

[boi2socal]

Agreed, Downtown Boise flows nicely.

Downtown LA still flows better than most parts of LA! ha

[Jarndyce]

Originally Posted by boisefan88

This is likely true, but it's also apples to oranges comparisons and more importantly, relative.

Of course Atlanta and LA will have worse traffic - they're much, much, much larger cities.

It would be interesting to see how our traffic compares with peer sized cities.

I do know that traffic is indeed such a problem that it has been the dominant topic in the last four or five legislative seasons.

That's kind of my point. When I read threads and threads on here about how awful Boise's traffic sitch is...I just laugh a sinister, bellowing, moustache-twirling type laugh because it's INSANE to read. There is no REAL commute hassle when we think "BIG PICTURE."

Boise downtown was "laid out" nicely with a smart grid of some sort...although I am thinking about stuffing some Politician's pockets to rework the light timing on Front...why doesn't Front St flow as smooth as Myrtle!!

The street traffic on Fairview around noon does suck a bit. But that kind of hassle is a completely different feeling than bumper to bumper on the 405 or the 805 in San Diego....

There is construction crap on the 84...and it's not ending anytime soon..but, again, there is sooo much worse out in America...

The closest road rage I get are when buggers (usually in Gigantor trucks) try to slink over to the 184 onramp after the Cole/Curtis intersection...