As a former city girl, I'm amazed daily at the beauty of this Valley and all that it has to offer.
I'm sure that many of you have heard the phrase "Boise is the best kept secret in the West". If you haven't, this won't be the last time you hear it. When I first moved here about 6 years ago, people used to tell me not to admit where I was from, because the general population will wish you had stayed there. I completely disagree! Here it goes...born in Virginia, lived 10 years in, oh, don't admit it, yes, California...educated in Washington State and then moved to an even bigger city, Washington, D.C. I think I have two strikes against me with California and D.C. - here's what I found though...
The Treasure Valley is made up of the nicest, most welcoming people I've ever met! No one cared that I was from California, they welcomed me with open arms and shared all of the insights of their secret valley. This is the easiest place to make friends and get involved. I was afraid to come here...in fact, I told my native Boisean husband, "you can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl" - not kidding...it was my motto. But, in only a matter of months, this city girl fell in love with the best little city in the West.
Here's why I love this town:
1. It's friendly
2. It's SOOOO EASY TO GET AROUND!! (even with the growing traffic, commuting is a piece of cake compared to the places I've lived)
3. Homeownership is completely within reach. Our home prices are affordable, within FHA and IHFA guidelines and for nice homes, many that are new. Just to give you an idea, we almost bought a $400,000, 700 sq. ft., 100+ year old, townhome (that needed $50,000 worth of work) outside of DC, and it was considered a steal! Would've had to put it on a 40 year loan and put down a sizeable chunk, and this was 8 years ago. And, it still would have required an hour commute to work each way.
4. We have a fantastic downtown area. Great restaurants, shopping, farmer's market, the arts and more!
5. Our airport is the easiest, most hassle free airport I've ever been to. I even had a woman offer to hold my 3 month old last year while I loaded everything on to the conveyor belt at security. She said, "I'm a mom, I know how hard it is, would you like an extra set of hands?" I almost cried I was so relieved (let's just say that the place I landed was a completely different experience)
6. Recreation is at our doorstep.
7. Ann Taylor Loft finally arrived.
8. We can have it all. A great job, a great home, a family, affordable daycare, modern conveniences, wonderful friends, friendly strangers, and everyone always says "hello" when they pass you on the street.
So, if you're thinking of moving here, we'll welcome you with open arms. If you live here now, shout it from the rooftops - I live in the BEST CITY IN THE WEST!
And please share it...why do you love it here?
If for some crazy reason you don't love it here, please don't ruin my blissfully happy impression of the Treasure Valley. I like to live my life in a "the glass is half full" way, so if yours is half empty...I'm sorry to hear it.
As Jake would say... LIFE IS GOOD.
Kit Fitzgerald
Red Barn Real Estate