In this city guide for Boise, you’ll find everything you need to know before you look for rooms for rent in the city. We’ll cover average rent in Boise, the best neighborhoods, things to do in, transit options available, and more. We’ll also provide all the information that you need to help you find rooms for rent in Boise.
The county seat of Ada County, Boise, is the capital and the most populous city in Idaho State. According to the Idaho State Historical Society – Reference Series, during the early 1800s an exploration party trekking through the dry, rough landscape, reached an overlook with a view of the Boise River. As claimed in the story, a French-speaking guide impressed by the sight of the verdurous river, yelled, “Les bois! Les bois!” (“The woods! The woods!”)—and the name stuck.
Getting to know Boise, ID
The city offers an abundance of everything, from history and culture to modern entertainment and outdoor recreational activities. The reason for its growing expansion — an influx of people.
July is the hottest month of the year with an average high temperature of 91.6°, making it one of the hottest months in Idaho. Pleasant months of the year are September, June, and May. 5-months of the year receive significant snowfall. December is the snowiest month, with 6.4 inches of snow.
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Finding rooms for rent in Boise
Let your Roomi city guide for Boise make the task of finding rooms for rent simple and entertaining. Sit back read, watch and listen. This is a city with a small-town feel, but amenities you’d find in a big city. Attractive parks, lovely restaurants, local hang-outs and bike, hike, fishing, and boating spots. The city is preparing to open up after the intense lock-down with a boom! Check out the video below to find out more.
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Top neighborhoods in Boise, ID
- Downtown Boise: is the heart and cultural center of the new energy constantly transforming the city. New apartments blocks appear every block downtown. It’s a walkable location for convenience, recreational activity, entertainment, or leisure.
- North End Boise: is 5-minutes away from downtown and a pricey, vintage area. Here homes greatly vary from condos, apartments, infill to newer homes, with historic mansions and hilltop custom homes too. Most homes are from the 1900s, yet there’s a style for everyone in NE.
- North West Boise: is farther out and takes approximately 20 to 55 minutes to travel downtown. NW has easy access to outdoor areas — the river, bike trails, and the mountains. Homes here range from apartments to older 1960s homes on large lots to homes built in the 90s, and brand new homes too. In fact, NW has the bulk of the new home communities nestled in the foothills.
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Average rent in Boise, ID
| Room For Rent In Boise, ID | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Boise | $585 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Boise | $1,170 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Boise | $1,755 |
University life in Boise, ID
Living on-campus doesn’t curtail freedom; it fosters discipline and accountability. Unless, of course, you already have these traits covered and are raring to apply them to real life. If you are, look for rooms for rent in Boise, ID near your chosen university, and live affordably off-campus.
Top universities in Boise, ID
- Boise State University
- University of Idaho, Boise
- University of Idaho – College of Law, Boise
- Idaho State University
- Stevens Henager College – Boise Campus
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How transit-friendly is Boise?
As the city expands and its popularity grows, the traffic has increased considerably. The city somewhat lacks convenient, pocket-friendly public transit options. However, it’s an exceptionally walk and bike-friendly city.
1. Walkability & bike-ability
The Downtown area has pathways and bikeways all over. With a walk score of 88 out of 100 and 99 for bike-ability, the city certainly promotes sustainable commuting options!
2. Roads/traffic
Over the years traffic has increased incredibly. Morning rush hour (7:00.am to 8:30.am) is heavy all the way through. More often than not, the traffic out-flow is pretty hectic in comparison to the return traffic in-flow. In Idaho News, the city ranked 16 in traffic congestion levels. Hear from a local Boisean in the video below to learn more.
3. Taxis
Taxis are available on call-in. Any local taxi service will have local drivers familiar with shortcuts and sidelines during rush hours. A few taxi services available noted for your ease.
- Boise City Taxi – (208) 377-3333
- Boise Airport Taxi – (208) 795-7777
- Lyft
- Uber
4. Public Transportation
The city Convention & Visitor Bureau lists all transit options available online. You can rent bikes and scooters, find bus services in your area, and source phone numbers for taxis and rental services too.
5. Airport
3-miles south of downtown Boise, the Boise Airport is a commercial and general aviation airport and the busiest in Idaho.
Shopping Centers in Boise
Boise Town Square is a one-stop shopping arcade featuring 150 stores, which opened in 1988 after 20 years of planning. With sales, events, and dining, the major shopping complex is a great place to relax from all the walking/biking around when looking for rooms for rent in Boise, ID.
Restaurants in Boise
Downtown Boise has an active, informal restaurant life with several venues featuring music and concerts. A lively, diverse food scene, with everything from local restaurants offering freshly sourced ingredients to food trucks serving quick-bites. As your city guide for Boise, we’ve handpicked some of our favorites to help you choose:
- #1 Mongolian BBQ: Rated among the top 3 best BBQ restaurants in Boise, Mongolian BBQ specialises in ethnic cuisine. They have special offers for students, military personnel, and seniors. From stir-fried to fresh vegetables; meat, fresh poultry, pork, beef, or seafood; and over 16 varied sauces on offer – you’ll want to stop, look and eat!
- 13th St. Pub & Grill: Located in the historical Hyde Park region of North End, 13th St. Pub & Grill has a relaxed feel and provides comfortable indoor and outdoor seating year-round. The Pub & Grill offers delicious menu items for brunch, lunch and dinner. Smoked brisket anyone?
- 8th St. Deli: Gastronome-styled sandwiches are prepared with local fresh ingredients that change with seasons at this local deli. Choose between sweet and spicy sandwiches and grab-and-go Burritos.
D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find rooms for rent in Boise, ID? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we’ll help you find your perfect match!
