Fort Collins v. Boise

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by Deselminator

My wife and I are considering moving out west from Iowa sometime in the next couple of years and I am currently torn between Fort Collins and Boise so I'm looking for some feedback. Here are the things we're looking for:

1. Better weather - Iowa winters suck...they're long & cold, the summers are hot and humid, and not dry and sunny enough for my standards.
2. We do want all 4 seasons and from what I understand both places offer that.
3. Snow - While my wife enjoys some snow, I could care less either way, but I don't want to be buried in snow. I'm a bit concerned about the amount of snow Ft. Collins gets in the winter. We've had over 50 inches here this winter and I'm sick of it From what I hear the snow tends to melt more quickly in Ft. Collins which would be nice, but does it really snow in May there? According to the climate graphs it does!
4. Mountains - Obviously both are close to the mountains, but which offers better access to them as far as hiking, biking, camping, etc? Also, I'd like to see snow-capped peaks in the winter. Not that brown crap you see in NV or AZ.
5. Sunshine - One of the main reasons I want to move out west is for the sunshine. I know that CO gets year-round sunny weather, but I like the idea of the long, really sunny summer days that Boise offers. I don't mind a cloudy winter as long as it doesn't last forever and it isn't too cold. I guess that's my biggest hang-up as far as winters are concerned...I can handle the snow or clouds as long as it's not horribly cold. How do these places measure up for sunshine and winter weather?
6. Cost of living/housing - I don't want to spend a fortune to live somewhere, especially to buy a nice house/condo. I realize Iowa is cheap by most standards, but I live in one of the most expensive areas in Iowa and it's still fairly affordable. I know both Ft. Collins and Boise will be somewhat more expensive than Iowa, but how affordable is decent housing, both on a national and regional scale? I don't want to spend $300k + to get a nice home.
7. Downtown scene - How vibrant is the downtown scene in both cities? I've briefly been to downtown Ft. Collins and I loved it. It reminds me a lot of downtown Iowa City actually. I want a clean, safe, downtown where people actually hang out. And one that doesn't shut down at 9 p.m. either. Also are there affordable, nice condos or apartments downtown?
8. Jobs/wages - I currently work in both banking as well as the hotel business, and my wife works in the insurance business. We don't absolutely have to stay in those lines of work, but what types of jobs do Boise and Ft. Collins offer in these areas? Or what types of jobs do they offer in general? How are the wages? And could anyone compare the wages to the Iowa City area wages?
9. Location - I like the proximity of Ft. Collins to Denver, as I enjoy the big city amenities from time to time, and Denver being only 1 hour away is a big plus. Besides Denver, however, there is really no other cities worth taking a day or weekend trip to near Ft. Collins in my opinion. Boise, on the other hand, isn't overly close to any other cities, but there are several places...Portland, Seattle, SLC, that are good candidates for a weekend road trip.
10. Air service - We enjoy traveling, and while I don't think Ft. Collins has much to offer for an airport (correct me if I'm wrong), Denver is only an hour away. I'm a bit concerned about the Boise airport's size, and the fact that it would be 5 or more hours to a major airport from there. I want somewhere where I don't have to spend $400 - $500 + to get a flight on average. Generally, it seems, the larger airports tend to be cheaper, but maybe that is not the case with the Boise airport. And I would like many flight options too.

Well I think that's all I can think of for now. I would appreciate any feedback you all can provide. Thanks in advance!

Very well though out there ... as you know both cities are growing rapidly, the current average rate is at $250,000 for a house in FOCO prob $300,000 by the time you move here and I'm sure you can get a job in banking/insurance here as well. Your right next to the mountains and driving distance to Denver. I think you might enjoy FOCO more but Boise might be a lil cheaper. It does snow about 5 months a year here, springs and falls are beautiful and summers you can go up to the mountains where its only 75 degrees. I'd say to go out for vacation and compare the two before you move and your priorities as well as the job pay. Good luck!

[_Charles_]

At the end of the day it is the people - your neighbors that you will live with. I have am well familiar with both places.

3 bonuses in Boise

1. Idaho residents are much nicer than Coloradans (easy to do) - fyi I am from Colo
2. FT Collins along with much of Colorado is grossly overrated whereas as Boise and ID in general well kept secrets.
3. Boise has nice proximity to the Pacific Northwest and the coast. Whereas FT Collins has proximity to nothing but totally lame Denver and more of Colo which gets old fast.

[ds495]

How is the economy in Ft Collins? One reviewer mentioned hurting from the tech crash in 2001. Comments? Jobs for white collar services? Graphics, marketing, game design?

[trishp]

I lived in Boise from 1993 - 1995, and I am currently living in Salem, Oregon. I too have been thinking about moving to Ft. Collins. Salem is a nice town if you don't want to go anywhere or do anything and like rain everyday for months on end.....

There was quite a change going on when I lived in Boise. There were a lot of new people moving from California and other states and the local Idaho residents were jerks toward outsiders. I don't know what your religion is, but Mormonism was quite influential in Boise when I lived there. I previously lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I know about the influences of Mormonism on culture. Boise was actually worse. I went back to Utah..... I would definitely check it out before moving there, unless of course, you are Mormon.

As far as anything else is concerned, Boise was an enjoyable place to live. The mountains are not visible, though, if you're looking for that. The city was very pretty and well-kept. There are lakes nearby and a lot of other outside activities. I wish I had more up-to-date info for you, but I don't. If the people have changed, I would move back there again.

Best of luck with your choice!

[thanderson]

Originally Posted by Deselminator

Anyone else have any thoughts, comments...advice? Surely Tom isn't the only one with an opinion on this matter, is he?

Deselminator,

I am reading this thread out of curiosity. I, too, am trying to decide between the same 2 cities. Currently in CA.

Thanks

[thanderson]

Also, does anyone know anything about the comparison between the 2 cities/ states relative to second amendment rights? That is one big reason I am leaving CA.

Thank you.

[Tom Emmerling]

Originally Posted by thanderson

Also, does anyone know anything about the comparison between the 2 cities/ states relative to second amendment rights? That is one big reason I am leaving CA.

Thank you.

I could not tell you the difference but if you have any specific questions on our laws here I could help you out.

[backspace2]

Originally Posted by Deselminator

My wife and I are considering moving out west from Iowa sometime in the next couple of years and I am currently torn between Fort Collins and Boise so I'm looking for some feedback. Here are the things we're looking for:

1. Better weather - Iowa winters suck...they're long & cold, the summers are hot and humid, and not dry and sunny enough for my standards.
2. We do want all 4 seasons and from what I understand both places offer that.
3. Snow - While my wife enjoys some snow, I could care less either way, but I don't want to be buried in snow. I'm a bit concerned about the amount of snow Ft. Collins gets in the winter. We've had over 50 inches here this winter and I'm sick of it From what I hear the snow tends to melt more quickly in Ft. Collins which would be nice, but does it really snow in May there? According to the climate graphs it does!
4. Mountains - Obviously both are close to the mountains, but which offers better access to them as far as hiking, biking, camping, etc? Also, I'd like to see snow-capped peaks in the winter. Not that brown crap you see in NV or AZ.
5. Sunshine - One of the main reasons I want to move out west is for the sunshine. I know that CO gets year-round sunny weather, but I like the idea of the long, really sunny summer days that Boise offers. I don't mind a cloudy winter as long as it doesn't last forever and it isn't too cold. I guess that's my biggest hang-up as far as winters are concerned...I can handle the snow or clouds as long as it's not horribly cold. How do these places measure up for sunshine and winter weather?
6. Cost of living/housing - I don't want to spend a fortune to live somewhere, especially to buy a nice house/condo. I realize Iowa is cheap by most standards, but I live in one of the most expensive areas in Iowa and it's still fairly affordable. I know both Ft. Collins and Boise will be somewhat more expensive than Iowa, but how affordable is decent housing, both on a national and regional scale? I don't want to spend $300k + to get a nice home.
7. Downtown scene - How vibrant is the downtown scene in both cities? I've briefly been to downtown Ft. Collins and I loved it. It reminds me a lot of downtown Iowa City actually. I want a clean, safe, downtown where people actually hang out. And one that doesn't shut down at 9 p.m. either. Also are there affordable, nice condos or apartments downtown?
8. Jobs/wages - I currently work in both banking as well as the hotel business, and my wife works in the insurance business. We don't absolutely have to stay in those lines of work, but what types of jobs do Boise and Ft. Collins offer in these areas? Or what types of jobs do they offer in general? How are the wages? And could anyone compare the wages to the Iowa City area wages?
9. Location - I like the proximity of Ft. Collins to Denver, as I enjoy the big city amenities from time to time, and Denver being only 1 hour away is a big plus. Besides Denver, however, there is really no other cities worth taking a day or weekend trip to near Ft. Collins in my opinion. Boise, on the other hand, isn't overly close to any other cities, but there are several places...Portland, Seattle, SLC, that are good candidates for a weekend road trip.
10. Air service - We enjoy traveling, and while I don't think Ft. Collins has much to offer for an airport (correct me if I'm wrong), Denver is only an hour away. I'm a bit concerned about the Boise airport's size, and the fact that it would be 5 or more hours to a major airport from there. I want somewhere where I don't have to spend $400 - $500 + to get a flight on average. Generally, it seems, the larger airports tend to be cheaper, but maybe that is not the case with the Boise airport. And I would like many flight options too.

Well I think that's all I can think of for now. I would appreciate any feedback you all can provide. Thanks in advance!

I have lived in both cities. Boise is obviously bigger. Both are experiencinggrowth, and housing prices are going up despite the housing problems elsewhere. Boise has a beautiful river going through town, the Boise River.Boise has some very nice parks, it has a huge skateboard park downtown,the downtown itself is new and vibrant. Fort Collins downtown is quaintand old. The river in Fort Collins is quite lame. I prefer Boise's biketrails over Fort Collins' bike trails. The former has a a greenbelt thatruns the lenght of the Boise river through town, and goes up to thedam. It is much much more boring in Fort Collins compared to Boise.I get depressed in Fort Collins during the summer because it is so quiet.Boise is a happening town. Although not as happening as Salt Lake City.I know of some people who left Boise and with to SLC for more action.The mountains north of Boise are very inspiring. This is just my ownpreference, however. I have never liked the Rockies much by comparison.I like the rivers up in the Sawtooth mountains. Boise is more isolated.But this fact has never bothered me. My favorite part of Boise isthe landscape heading West. Places like Nampa are hugely agricultural,and flat, which appeals to me. If you go far enough you will run intoan agricultural region of far-east Washington state (i forgot the name of the region.. palouse?), which is very beautiful with its rolling, farmland.To the East of Boise the landscape is an acquired taste, I suppose,since it is mostly scrub, and small canyons. To the best of my memoryyou will not see snow capped mountains in Boise. Mostly you will seebrown foothills. But the foothills are pretty after a snow. You don'tsee many snow capped mountains from Fort Collins, but if you areon the East side of town you get some nice views of mountain peaks.I think the better views can be had in Loveland. We can get absolutelyclobbered in FC with snow storms. I never experienced anything similarin Boise. In the depths of winter, it can takes months for the snow to melt in Fort Collins due to the depth of the snow. I prefer the wintersin Boise. These are my basic thoughts on the differences between the two places. Boise is much more dynamic than Fort Collins. But both are manageable in terms of getting around. I think the countryside around Fort Collins is superior to Boise. There are many million dollar homes inthe Fort Collins countryside. I do not understand where all the moneycomes from as there really isn't a whole lot of work in Fort Collins.But you will find some very envious spreads in FC.

[motomac]

Like several others, we are also looking at both Boise and Fort Collins to retire. Tough decision.... Lots of pros and cons for both, and so far it looks like it's just about even. Dang...it wasn't supposed to be this hard! :-)

Unfortunately, we can't just zip out for a look at either city because we're stuck overseas for another year or so. We'll just keep reading this and other forums, trying to figure out all our priorities, and try to make a decision.