A conservative Idaho city is bracing for an influx of hipsters after being named one of America’s “coolest” cities.
Boise is attracting attention for its revival in recent years, largely due to the expansion of jobs in the technology sector.
The city of 237,000 inhabitants is increasingly attracting cosmopolitan people who want to enjoy the charm of a small town, but also like to drink a matcha latte.
As a college town, Idaho’s capital has always attracted a young crowd. But between 2020 and 2023, its population exploded by 54,000 people.
The resulting abundance of bars and restaurants has led to the city now being known as the Wall Street Journal.
Boise, Idaho is bracing for an influx of hipsters after being named one of America’s ‘coolest’ cities
In a review of Boise, the outlet highlighted the recently opened Avery hotel and restaurant, founded by chef Cal Elliott, who moved back to his home state after his success in Manhattan.
Several eateries have won prestigious culinary awards, including Kin, which won a James Beard Award last year for its vision of fine dining.
A popular craft beer scene, a selection of wineries and regular farmers markets are drawing more and more people from the metropolis as the city shakes off its reputation as a bar-hopping town.
Growth has been so rapid that the city recently became one of America’s top ten growth cities.
In addition to its urban delights, Boise also boasts breathtaking natural beauty, which residents can enjoy via the hundreds of miles of hiking trails that are just a short drive from downtown.
The 25-mile Greenbelt, a paved road along the Boise River, also offers beautiful waterfront hiking trails.
The city’s parks and walkable layout make it ideal for those with an active lifestyle.
The city has seen its population increase by 54,000 between 2020 and 2023
Residents praise the walkability, low crime rate and abundance of jobs
Research from Wallethub shows that the city is the third best-run city in the US.
The study also found that crime rates are relatively low and that there is potential for growth in this area.
Boise had the third-lowest outstanding public debt per capita, at $1,062. Forecasts for business and home price growth were also positive.
Additionally, it is a very safe city, with the fourth lowest property crime rate and the tenth lowest violent crime rate in the country.
It has the lowest number of traffic fatalities per capita and a highly regarded public hospital system.
Traffic is rarely a problem and the city has a low employment rate.
However, home prices are now starting to reflect increased demand, rising 3.2 percent in the year through August, Redfin said.
A thriving food and drink culture, coupled with easy access to beautiful natural surroundings, draws urban crowds
In August, homes sold for an average price of $490,000, about $60,000 more than the national average.
Although the city is blue and has Democrats on the council, it is located in the deep red state of Idaho.
The state’s reputation as Republican is so strong that conservatives in neighboring Oregon have started a movement to secede from the state and join Idaho.