Tri-cities Or Boise - Thoughts Anyone?

[Balco9]

Are you saying Pasco is a better place to raise a family than Kennewick?

[relocated46]

Some of Kennewicks schools score much higher on state testing according to Greatschools.com. Just something I looked at when I was chosing a location to move into. You might want to check it out.

[wishinandhopin]

I don't think you'll find any place with "culture" on the East side of the Cascades. Spokane would come the closest, but it's got a very different climate then Tri-Cities.

[trueblue]

I have never been to the Tri-cities so my reply is definitely one-sided. Boise is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, or have an active night life. Downtown Boise has many shops, restaurants, bars, etc. as well as an active cultural community (especially Basque). We have tons of shopping and lots of things to do on the weekends, you are never be bored here. Downtown farmers markets, art fairs, First Thursday, Fall for Boise (a two month long art festival downtown). Most of the Broadway shows and big concerts come here as well as smaller bands for the cosy Big Easy venue. Downtown is always a party on the weekends and especially if the Broncos win. If you like sports, you have found your mecca. The Broncos, Steelheads, Boise Burn, Boise Hawks...you name it. The climate is also very mild with few snow days, in three years I have never had to shovel any snow, it just doesn't stick. The summers are warm and great for floating the river, fishing, or enjoying the many miles of Greenbelt along the Boise River. I am not much on suburbs, I live a mile from downtown so this is my opinion of Boise...not Meridian or Eagle etc. Also, bring your bike...Boise is one of the best bicycle friendly towns in the country. Boise is the type of place you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. Hope this helps.

[mustang34]

I'm not saying that Pasco is better, it is just as fine. For some Kennewick would be better, for others, Pasco. It depends on your needs. As for quality of schools, Pasco's schools appear worse because we have a large group of people that do not have the resources to do well in school. The quality is still good.

[Anchorless]

Originally Posted by bb0905

I have lived in Richland and Kennewick (Tri Cities) and I have lived right outside of Boise in Mountain Home; if I had to make this decision I would definately choose the Tri-Cities! First the people in the Tri-cities are generally more intelligent, they have great schools, good sports programs, and the area is layed out better - downtown Boise around the mall is too busy because that is all there really is to do there. Granted, if you like skiing and camping and are willing to drive a little bit then Boise may be your choice. (But the Columbia River also has good fishing too!) I just remember there being a lot of crime per capita in Boise. In the Tri-Cities there is crime but mostly on the Pasco side of the river; if you stay in Kennewick and most of Richland you will be safe. I hope this helps. P.S. If you are picturing mountains and evergreens right in Boise your mistaken (I thought that too before I moved there.) They do have them but North of town a ways.

Downtown Boise has no mall. You're thinking of the Westgate area, which is just a big-box retail wasteland.

I've lived in Boise my entire life. The areas near the downtown, Northend, eastern Boise, and Boise State University are simply amazing; the rest of Boise (and the surrounding suburbs) is nondescript, busy, and boring.

Boise gets hot for two months of the year (July and August), but its usually only mid 80's to mid 90's, with a rare 100 degree day. But it's dry heat, and most of Boise is tempered by the trees and the river. It also gets cold for a few weeks during January and February. Spring time is annoying because you'll have a few 70 degree days, and then a few windy, cold 40 degree days. Spring in unpredictable. But I don't think there's a better place to spend the fall months (Sept - Dec). The weather is perfect.

Downtown Boise is quaint, vibrant, and simple. Parking is free after five, and still affordable during the weekday (meaning, free for the first hour, and its not hard to find a parking spot). You can't find a better city for mountain biking, or outdoors in general. The Greenbelt is a treasure (one of those priceless things you find in life that you just fall in love with). Skiing is only 30 minutes away at Bogus Basin, and you can night ski there, too. In the summer the river is a popular destination to float. And Boise State football is a blast.

I can get to anywhere in Boise in less than 20 minutes. Traffic is starting to get bad, but its still manageable, as is the (increasing) home prices.

What's bad about Boise? It is lacking in diversity, and we are a medium sized city in terms of cultural opportunities (though probably still better than the Tri-cities area). We are also growing quickly, which annoys me. Boise is suffering from sprawl as a result. We're also, as a state, very conservative...and this can be frustrating at times.