In addition to beautiful scenery, fresh air, open spaces, and friendly people, Idaho has the fourth-cheapest cost of living in the country. So, we have noticed our population growing. Here in Boise, we are seeing a boom. Newcomers are settling in around our capital city.

According to a Washington Post article “Why people really want to move to Idaho but are fleeing our neighbor, Wyoming” by Andrew Van Dam, the Gem State is no longer a home for coal miners, we have moved into agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, technology and services.

He says there are a few differences between Idaho and our neighbor, Wyoming. One of those differences has to do with the fact that Wyoming has a powerful coal industry and has left the state’s economy at the mercy of the boom-and-bust cycles.

Read Mr. Van Dam’s article found in the Idaho Statesman – Why people really want to move to Idaho but are fleeing our neighbor, Wyoming.

Why people really want to move to Idaho but are fleeing our neighbor, Wyoming

A Washington Post article by
John Briley answers the question: You’re going where? Boise

Briley has been writing professionally since 1993. He has published dozens of travel, health and lifestyle pieces in numerous publications. His website is johnbriley.com

John comments on Idaho’s capital city, saying:

there is so much more than potatoes, blooming with artsy and independent delights. Plus, a river runs through it.

Of course those of us who live in the beautiful city of trees are very much aware of the value of the Treasure Valley and how special it is to live in the scenic Gem State. We are happy you enjoyed your visit to Boise, John. Follow this link to John’s Washington Post Article about Boise where John writes a monthly series “You’re going where?” highlighting the best vacation destinations you’ve probably never considered.

The article includes places here in Boise you will definitely want to visit:

• The Idaho Sate Capitol building – our state’s most-treasured building.
• JUMP (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place) – J. R. (Jack) Simplot, an Idaho entrepreneur was a model of the pioneering spirit. After passing away in 2008, he left behind his legacy and astounding collection of vintage tractors. Instead of building a typical tractor museum, his family decided to build JUMP to honor Jack by giving our community opportunities to continue to inspire, grow, and innovate.
• Freak Alley Gallery – Freak Alley Gallery was born on Dec 15th of 2002. What began as a line on a door has grown to be “The largest outdoor gallery in the Northwest”.
• Boise Contemporary Theater – inspires our community to examine our perspectives and better understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us by creating thought-provoking stories of the human experience.
• Fork Restaurant – creative, farm-to-table American dishes and craft cocktails served in a vibrant, brick-and-wood space.
• Bardenay – as the nation’s first restaurant distillery, Bardenay set an industry precedent by combining a full service restaurant and bar with a distillery.
• Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro – located in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho. Goldy’s takes pride in its made to order breakfast using as many fresh local ingredients as possible to provide a variety of choices.
• The STIL (Sweetest Things in Life) – create high quality, locally based, hand-crafted artisanal ice cream.
• The Record Exchange – a family-owned independent music store.
• Basque Market – serving Spanish-style pintxos (Basque for tapas) and meat & seafood paella.
• Crazy Neighbor – retail accessory shop with an eclectic product line.
  Offering a broad mix of fashion accessories for both men and women, as well as a complete line of stage makeup, wigs and specialty products for individuals, performers and stylists.
• Dunia Marketplace – Idaho’s only nonprofit fair-trade store selling hand-made items from local and global artisan families.
• Inn at 500 Capitol – Centered in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho.
• The Modern Hotel and Bar– a re-animated Travelodge located in downtown Boise’s Linen District.
• Hyde Park – an older neighborhood with tree-lined streets is on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Boise River Greenbelt – a 25-mile path that runs along the river next to parks and the famous blue turf of Boise State University.

GeekWire reports interesting news about one of our favorite Northwest cities, Seattle, Washington. LinkedIn created a study of hiring and employment trends in 20 major U.S. cities. The LinkedIn study found that “for every 10,000 people with a LinkedIn account in the Seattle area, approximately nine people came from the San Francisco Bay Area some time in the last year. The other most frequent sources of migration are the nation’s largest cities, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.”

Maps show cities that Seattle has gained the most workers from and cities with the most migration with Seattle.

The article goes on to say: “Believe it or not, some people actually leave Seattle as well. The most popular destination for people skipping town: Boise.” Possibly people are moving to Boise for the quality of life as well as the comparatively affordable housing market.

When you are planning your move to the City of Trees, find your home in Boise by contacting Ava or Cristina. FindYourHomeinBoise.com

Where To Travel In 2015: Top Countries, Cities For Travel Across The World

Boise, Idaho is listed number 4 in an International Business Times article by Cristina Silva. She suggests that this year instead of the usual tourist destinations of Paris, London and Rome you consider visiting one of more of these seven top cities and countries.

1. Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Kanazawa, Japan,
3. Edinburgh, Scotland,
4. Boise, Idaho,
5. Cartagena, Colombia
6. Montevideo, Uruguay
7. Atacama Desert, Chile

Travel guides are encouraging people to travel to off-the-beaten path locales which offer new opportunities to taste unusual foods and try out basic foreign language skills.

” Boise, Idaho. You don’t have to travel all the way to Spain to revel in the colors and gastronomic delights of the country’s Basque region. Boise’s Jaialdi 2015 is one of the largest Basque festivals in the world, and includes jai alai and dancing, according to CNN.  Idaho is also a popular skiing destination and offers various cultural attractions, including wildlife photography workshops.  “

According to the new research by the  National Association of Realtors®, metro areas with a lower cost of living and sunnier weather are poised to see an increased number of baby boomers moving in and buying a home as some delay retirement and remain participants in the labor market.

Boise, Idaho and Raleigh, North Carolina were identified as top standouts for baby boomers for their solid job growth, share of self-employed workers and affordable home prices.

The top markets positioned to see an influx of baby boomer homebuyers are (listed alphabetically):

• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Boise, Idaho
• Denver, Colorado
• Fort Myers, Florida
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Orlando, Florida
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Sarasota, Florida
• Tucson, Arizona

Visit the NAR website to read more about the Top Metro Areas Poised for Uptick in Baby Boomer Home Sales.
Resource: NAR Identified Top Metro Areas Poised for Uptick in Baby Boomer Home Sales
Media Contact: Adam DeSanctis