Known for incredible outdoor attractions, temperate weather and great food, Boise is the state capital of Idaho. Sitting on the banks of the Boise River, this former fur-trading outpost turned gold-rush town is now a hub of agriculture, culture and finance. With good job opportunities and a relatively low cost of living, paired with plenty of opportunities to get outside, it’s a top choice for those looking to relocate.
1. How big is Boise?
Serving as the county seat of Ada County and with an area of 85 square miles, Boise is the largest city in Idaho. Meanwhile, the larger Boise Metropolitan Area, also known as Treasure Valley, comprises five counties in total and covers an area of around 11,800 square miles. Home to around 40% of Idaho’s total population, it’s the most populated part of the state.
Boise is made up of over a hundred neighborhoods. These are distributed among 11 larger areas: Downtown Boise, Boise State University, The North End, Boise Highlands, Southwest Boise, Northwest Boise, Warm Springs and East End, East Boise and Harris Ranch, Southeast Boise, Boise Bench and West Boise.
2. What is the weather like in Boise?
With a semi-arid continental climate, Boise enjoys four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be hot and dry, while winters are generally cold to mild with a little snowfall from November through February. With just over 11 inches of rain per year, the weather in Boise is enviable.
Having said that, it’s worth renting a storage unit in Boise if you own items that are particularly sensitive to exposure to intense sunlight. Things such as photos, paintings and wooden furniture, as well as vehicles, which can suffer from faded paint and cracked rubber, can all benefit from staying out of direct sunlight. Self storage is an ideal way to keep such items protected.
3. Discovering Boise’s diverse economy
Boise has a diverse economy driven by manufacturing, services (in particular, the call center industry), and tech. The state government is among the largest employers in the city, which is also home to the headquarters of many private sector companies. Boise also boasts a friendly environment for small businesses, with many small, independent cafes, boutiques and restaurants within the city. Meanwhile, the tourism sector continues to grow, with plenty of visitors throughout the year.
Both large and small businesses can benefit from renting self storage in Boise. The service can provide an excellent solution for storing records and important documents. Tourism companies can use a storage unit to great effect for things like rental bikes, hotel laundry and spare promotional materials. Meanwhile, small businesses such as cafes and restaurants can use the additional space for outdoor furniture during the winter.
4. Universities and college life in Boise
Boise State University (BSU) is the largest university in Boise, offering over 100 graduate programs, ranging from business and economics to arts and sciences. BSU provides education for around 25,000 students, while other options include satellite campuses for the University of Idaho (UI) and Idaho State University (ISU).
Student accommodation is often in the form of school-supported housing in co-ed residence halls. Shared dorms can sometimes lack the extra space you may need for bulky belongings such as seasonal clothes and jackets, bicycles and much more. By renting a storage unit in Boise, students can gain valuable additional space for such items. Storage can also be a valuable service during the summer break. Students can put all their belongings in a storage unit over the summer and retrieve them when the fall term resumes.
5. Enjoying the great outdoors in Boise
Boise is a hub for outdoor activities, with countless options throughout the year. Skiing and other snow sports are extremely popular in winter, with many nearby resorts to choose from. As the weather warms, there are plenty of chances to try rock climbing, hiking or mountain biking. Meanwhile, the Boise River is ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, tubing and fishing.
Renting self storage in Boise is a great idea if you own the sometimes bulky equipment needed to enjoy outdoor activities. Storing your kayak, fishing gear, skis or any other equipment you can think of in a storage unit saves you valuable space at home.
6. Moving to Boise with the help of self storage
Boise has a lot going for it and is a great place for those looking to relocate. Indeed, more people from California move to Idaho than from any other U.S. state. On average, you can expect to pay a professional moving company between $3,900 and $4,300 to assist with this move. You can avoid this cost by taking care of the moving process yourself, however, this can be a stressful option.
Renting a storage unit in Boise is a great way to ease the stress of the moving process, whether you’ll be employing professionals or doing it yourself. It allows you to move your possessions into storage rather than directly into your new home. As such, you’re not tied to any specific schedule and can spend more time seeking out your ideal house.
7. Is Boise a good place to move to?
Boise is a fast-growing urban hub thanks to job opportunities, a lower cost of living and entertainment opportunities. That’s why people are moving here too. Let’s take a look at some common moving routes leading to Boise:
Moving to Boise from Los Angeles
When you’re moving here from Los Angeles, you get to spend much less on housing as real estate prices tend to be lower. Boise is also a great place to raise a family. Also, if you’re used to LA’s diverse dining options, Boise can also hold its head up, with BoDo (downtown Boise) offering plenty of options in this respect. The City of Trees is also rich in parks and trails, offering 5K acres of open green space available to the public.
Moving to Boise from Portland
When you switch Portland for Boise, you get to keep more of your paycheck. That’s because the cost of living is 13% lower in Boise, ID, compared to Portland, OR. Also, with many job opportunities in tech, energy, advanced manufacturing and more, you’re likely to easily find a well-paying job here. Boise is also an ideal relocation destination if you want to live in a mid-size city, where life is less hectic and you’re more likely to get to know your neighbors.
8. Housing options in Boise
Boise enjoys a pretty varied housing market, with something for everyone. Single-family homes dominate most neighborhoods, with a mix of modern builds and historic styles. Ranch-style homes are popular in neighborhoods on the outskirts of Boise, such as Warm Springs Mesa, ideal for those looking to enjoy both the great outdoors and the amenities of the city.
Living in a single family home can also create clutter, especially if you keep belongings that get occasional use in the home at all times. Instead, you can put some of them in storage, which helps to keep your home more organized and breezy. Put your seasonal clothing, décor and more in a storage unit and retrieve them when you’re ready to use them again. Moreover, a home improvement project is another instance when a storage unit can help. You can put belongings from the areas under construction in storage until the project is completed.
Meanwhile, apartment buildings and townhouses are dotting the city, with a larger concentration in central areas such as downtown and Southeast Boise. If you prefer proximity to these commercial and entertainment hubs, downsizing will ensure you get more bang for your buck. In this instance, you can also turn to self storage to keep furniture, appliances and other items that can’t fit into your new home. As apartments tend to be less spacious than houses, you’re better off putting seasonal items in storage, too, to keep your living space airy and organized.
9. Find the self storage options in Boise, ID
The self storage market in Boise is well-equipped to respond to the storage needs of the locals. Local inventory tallies over 3.8M square feet of storage space, which translate to 10.9 square feet per person. Therefore it should be fairly easy to find your ideal Boise storage unit to rent at a facility close to your home.
Finding the closest facility to your home is the first step to renting a storage unit in Boise. Next, you need to consider the size you need. For smaller items, such as decorations, a 5’x5’ unit would do. Turn to a 5’x10’ unit for larger outdoor gear. A 10’x10’ unit is the most common unit size, and it can house furniture and appliances. If you’re using storage when moving, you should consider a 10’x15’ unit to fit the contents of your two-bedroom apartment. A 10’x20’ or 10’x30’ unit is best suited for three-bedroom or four-bedroom home if you’re moving all belongings and need a space to keep them. To get a better idea of what each unit size can fit, you can consult this storage unit size guide.
To find Boise storage listings, you can browse the StorageCafe portal.
