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Whoa...I have to reply for a few reasons. I grew up in Boise and moved back after college and I went to the University of Utah in SLC for my undergrad so I feel like I can add to this conversation.
I have lived in both Boise and SLC and they can be alike and very different, depending on what you are looking for. SLC is beautiful but the LDS influence is everywhere, the state government is mostly LDS so there are many state laws that are very difficult to live with. Downtown SLC has beautiful architecture and light rail but there might as well be tumbleweeds rolling down the streets. There is very little "downtown atmosphere." Very few restaurants, bars, and shopping (and no the Gateway is not downtown). The whole "private club" law is ridiculous and the city is missing a huge opportunity for income. There are nice neighborhoods there, the Aves, 9th and 9th, 15th and 15th but there is also a growing gang population are well. I worked on the Gang Project with the SLC Police and many of them had moved from LA and said the situation the SLC was headed that way. The city library is the most beautiful library I have ever seen, but it's often filled with the every growing homeless population in SLC. There is a huge gap between the haves and have nots in SLC. Alss, I don't see any positive changes, the downtown is torn to bits being remodeled but it is all owned by "The Church" so don't expect anything different.
Boise on the other hand is not as beautiful as SLC but the city core is vibrant, young, and exciting. There is always something to do downtown or if you like outdoor activities well...take your pick. The weather is generally mild in Boise and many people ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. The LDS influence in Boise is much different from SLC. Although there is a large LDS community the state government isn't run by LDS lawmakers so the state drinking laws are comparable to most states. The downtown area is so impressive and filled with tons of opportunities. I was having dinner downtown with my father in law from SLC and he kept asking "what's going on down here tonight?" I just assured him that nothing was going on, that's just Boise on a Saturday night. He was blown away at the leave of activity compared to SLC. Boise also has a huge Basque population that is mainly Catholic so there is some religious diversity. Boise doesn't have light rail or great public transportation and the urban sprawl is starting to remind me of SLC. But I think one of the main things Boise has that SLC doesn't is potential.
The Boise airport can get you anywhere you need to go and for reasonable prices (I travel for work).
I haven't been to Ft. Collins so I don't have any advice on that.
I hope this helps.
Last edited by suzco; 04-21-2008 at 08:10 AM..
Reason: moved from Colorado forum; off topic there
I grew up in Utah, in the Bountiful/North Salt Lake Area...I moved to Meridian, Idaho 13 years ago.. I would NEVER move back to Utah if I could help it. It's too big...all of the changes and new construction the did for the olympics made it a nightmare to go anywhere. To be honest the people are just plain nicer in Idaho than they are in Utah from my opinion. Sure there is less snowfall during the winter in the Boise Valley, but there is still plenty of snow in the mountains for snow activities...and I don't mind the fact that you may only need to shovel a few times in the winter here, as compared to a lot of shoveling in Utah. Plus the inversion is much more severe in the Utah valley than in Idaho. Hands down Idaho for me!
As you asked, gerbjones, you wanted input from people who have lived in both cities. I have lived in both cities and see pros and cons of each. I need to clarify and say I haven't lived in Bountiful, which technically is part of the Ogden Metro, I believe. But, I have lived in Boise and in SLC.
I think you'll find SLC far more comparable with the Portland area than Boise in metro standards. For example, the light rail and how UT is expanding so rapidly the connections from essentially southern UT County to Brigham City by train is something those in the Portland metro are use to. Except this will be far more expanded in UT with various trains.
Boise is absolutely more "northwestern" than SLC, IMO. It's my understanding that is why so many from Seattle and Portland relocate to Boise for the cheaper cost of living, but northwestern living. Despite the various threads about California residents moving to Idaho, more move to UT. Consequently, SLC feels much more connected to California, AZ as part of the desert southwest, to me.
While you work at home, depending on what you do, or may want to explore, SLC has many more connections to other major cities in the U.S. as well as internationally. Besides Micron in UT, Novell, Lotus and a few other semi-conducter, computer-related industries are in UT. Far more industries are in UT.
I don't want to get into a religious discussion here, with the exception of one comment already written. It has been my experience that people find similar types of friends wherever they are. It has often been said those who are UT natives and LDS are different than LDS members elsewhere. I think there was a day that was more true than currently. With Salt Lake County having over 1 million residents, there is a lot more diversity than use to be.
Bountiful is in Davis County. It is pleasant enough and I wouldn't agree with the twinprism's comment about the oil refinaries smell, except on the freeways. The residential area of Bountiful gives a beautiful view of the Great Salt Lake, other moutains etc. depending on where one lives.
You may want to check that out Davis County more thoroughly, much like Ada and Canyon Counties in ID. Depending on the major reasons you want to relocate, the cost of housing, teacher/student ratio and other facts in Davis County may sway either you or your wife. Recreation occurs in town as well as short distances away.
The Wasatch Front, with about 2 million people, is a major metro area. Salt Lake City proper doesn't reflect the population of Salt Lake County, given the Urban sprawl as boiseguy mentioned (and I agree). Provo is more the size of Boise, without a lot of the infrastructure Boise has. However, SLC has far more.
I respectfully disagree with boiseguy about the cost of flights. SLC has an international airport and is a major hub for Delta. Direct service to Paris starts in July.
Perhaps costs of flights depend on the destination. With more flights and airlines in SLC prices are lower in most markets, except maybe to Seattle and Portland and other northwest cities, where Boise would be cheaper.
I would agree with Torrie in some ways it depends on what you like to do in your time off. OR and the northwest coast is certainly closer to Boise than SLC. Conversely, Denver, Vegas and other cities are closer to SLC. As Anchorless mentioned, there are numerous recreational opportunies within easy driving time from SLC.
Park City is an International Destination with 5 star hotels and less than an hour from Bountiful. Other ski resorts (both near Ogden and in the famous Cottonwood Canyons south) are very affordable for families.
Boise with a smaller population and simply doesn't offer some of the amenities larger cities must offer. While rapid growth and change have demanded more educational opportunities in Boise, you'll find the same and more in UT. There are many more public and private universities granting many different degrees in UT. Perhaps future and current education of your children is or is not a consideration. If it is, check out the stats about the enrollment in the various universities in each area.
Overall, SLC has a more diverse economy, a greater tolerance for political differences, has hosted the Olympics and has major nationally acclaimed medical instituions. There is nothing in Boise to compare to the Moran Eye Center or the transplant programs in SLC hospitals. There are no Trauma I hospitals in Boise. I'm not saying Boise hospitals are inadequate, I'm simply saying often patients are referred to Seattle, Portland or SLC based on facilities and specialists not found in Boise.
Shopping will be far more diverse and upscale when the new multibillion dollar City Center is complete in downtown SLC. Where Saks will go, still remains a debate, given the multiple very upscale developments being built I find it interesting that investors from Portland are investing in SLC, like the owners of Trolley Square, when other opportunities are closer in Boise, elsewhere in OR and WA.
From my POV, currently, UT has a much more educated and progressive Gov. than Idaho does and sees needs of the entire state, not just a county or two. I believe UT ranks among the highest in the nation for the education level of the workforce.
Sales tax use to be a much larger difference between UT and ID. Not anymore.
Those are a few thoughts from someone who has lived in both cities, and other cities as well. Ultimately, I think as most everyone has suggested, it depends on what is most important to you and your wife for your family.
It's hard to live in one city or another with an unhappy spouse!
Just so you know Boise is larger than SLC by population (SLC 180,000/ Boise 202,000 and growing) SLC has been approximately the same population for over a decade
Lagoon-an amusement park?? LOL I remember going to that place once-what a joke when you consider I live 4 hours from Cedar Point, Ohio, or Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL, or Paramount's Kings Island in Mason, OH, which is 2 hours away.
I lived in SLC for 1.5 years-my parents could not stand it, so dad took a promotion that brought him and the family back to Idaho. I would say go for Idaho-it has it's problems like any other place, but the benefits far outweigh the problems!
Quote:
Originally Posted by boi2socal
I think Boise has more recreational opportunities with an easy drive. Boise has a river and resevoir that have more opportunities than a salt water lake. Fishing, rafting, floating, boating, water-skiing, snow-skiing, biking, hiking, etc. are only minutes away from the edge of town (some of that can be done in town!). And it may sound silly but Boise really isn't that far from the ocean...a relatively easy day drive (under 8 hours). Honestly, I think the only thing SLC has on Boise is an amusement park and slightly better shopping and both of those may not mean a thing to you.
I haven't spent much time in SLC but never really get a great vibe. Just seemed a lot like Boise for miles and miles so I would just rather live in Boise since there aren't a lot "big city" opportunities there. From what I've noticed Boise gets nearly as much concerts, Broadway plays, etc. as Salt Lake City (as far as touring entertainment). The Boise Airport, although relatively small still offers many non-stop flights and is one of the nicest facilities I've ever flown in and out of after it's recent remodel. It is also located less than 10 minutes from downtown.
Boise often ranks high for the tech industry and is being considered by Microsoft for further expansion. Their choices are either Boise or Denver. Not Salt Lake.
Mtn. States Resident has lived in both cities so I suppose he has a better point of view. Although my impression of Salt Lake has always been a big city without much big city amenities. In recent years Boise has gotten major national retailers and restaurants before or at the same time as Salt Lake; a metro area several times larger than Boise (i.e Cheesecake Factory, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie). Boise doesn't have Nordstrom; to this day I can't tell you why besides some possible stronghands from other stores, other than that Salt Lake doesn't have Boise beat by a whole lot - at present. Both cities seem to be getting many new stores so who knows what the future may bring.
I do agree that Boise has had some retailers and restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory earliery than SLC did. One issue with SLC is Salt Lake City proper is only about 27 blocks south and probably about 30 blocks north. SO one gets into all of the other towns/cities/other in SL County very rapidly. It's hard to think that being on 3900 South is NOT technically Salt Lake City.
The Cheesecake Factory was explained to me a little differently than I think has been portrayed to this point, for SLC. They wanted to put one at the Triad Center. The Demographics the company ran were absolutely nuts. Of course the income and education level in Boise, where the Cheesecake Factory is, was higher than the 5 mile radius around the Triad Center. DUH!
RosePark, Glendale, the area leading to the freeway that is industrial and the fact that the Triad was a redevelopment area tell one who is looking that isn't going to be the mecca of $. So I don't feel quite as comfortable making blanket statements, given some of the details I know.
The Cheesecake Factory did build right by the new Nordstroms in Murray and I, for one, won't be surprised if they do something like that around the multi-billiong dollar City Center in downtown SLC. They seem to like Nordstroms clientele.
I've been in Anchorage, AK where there is a small Nordstrom. I, too, wonder why there isn't one in Boise. However, it may go back to the model described in the March, 2007 Idaho Business Review that a retailer really needs to have at least two locations in the state to make it worth their while.
Who knows, maybe Nordstrom will end up at Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls and also commit to a location in metro Boise. It wouldn't be the first company to do that.
I do agree that Boise has had some retailers and restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory earliery than SLC did. One issue with SLC is Salt Lake City proper is only about 27 blocks south and probably about 30 blocks north. SO one gets into all of the other towns/cities/other in SL County very rapidly. It's hard to think that being on 3900 South is NOT technically Salt Lake City.
The Cheesecake Factory was explained to me a little differently than I think has been portrayed to this point, for SLC. They wanted to put one at the Triad Center. The Demographics the company ran were absolutely nuts. Of course the income and education level in Boise, where the Cheesecake Factory is, was higher than the 5 mile radius around the Triad Center. DUH!
RosePark, Glendale, the area leading to the freeway that is industrial and the fact that the Triad was a redevelopment area tell one who is looking that isn't going to be the mecca of $. So I don't feel quite as comfortable making blanket statements, given some of the details I know.
The Cheesecake Factory did build right by the new Nordstroms in Murray and I, for one, won't be surprised if they do something like that around the multi-billiong dollar City Center in downtown SLC. They seem to like Nordstroms clientele.
I've been in Anchorage, AK where there is a small Nordstrom. I, too, wonder why there isn't one in Boise. However, it may go back to the model described in the March, 2007 Idaho Business Review that a retailer really needs to have at least two locations in the state to make it worth their while.
Who knows, maybe Nordstrom will end up at Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls and also commit to a location in metro Boise. It wouldn't be the first company to do that.
Hope that insight helps-
MSR
I would see a nordstrom in Cda before idaho falls...
but you might be right.. it would be a big draw for people in resort area's around...
Nordstrom usually doesn't enter a market unless it can draw upon 1 million people.. Boise's trade area is definately past 1 million now.. and has been for a while, But, I think you're right in that locating here has a lot to do with a single location being isolated...
who knows though.. Mervins has went out of business, so there is a location in boise town square, Coach is opening a store in Boise Towne square as well, and Salt lake doesn't have a Coach store...
Different demographics pull different retailers...
Salt lake and boise's demographics are similar.. yet different at the same time..
Wages and household incomes in boise are much higher than salt lake..
I would imagine that will change as more high end condo's enter the market in salt lake.. because some of the neighborhoods in and around their city center are pretty ghetto...
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Cheesecake Factory in UT is More Complicated
