The Occasionally Magnificent Seven

Boise, Idaho

Posted on by Anna

Before we started our trip around the world, the number one question everyone had for us was “where will you live when you get home?” (check out #4 in the FAQ). It was sort of maddening how often we were asked this. We were so excited about planning our trip and seeing the world, planning a curriculum for the kids, figuring out how to be short-term citizens of each place on our itinerary, but all everyone wanted to know was where we would land when our delightful adventure was at an end.

Well, thanks to COVID-19, we’re all going to find out the answer to this question much sooner than expected! Since we’ve been derailed from the international portion of our trip and are now stuck in the US for the time being, we decided to do a road trip to visit our top contenders for future home and make a decision. That doesn’t necessarily mean we’re done traveling. We’re just trying to make progress on, well, something. First stop, Boise, Idaho.

Why Boise? I should start by vaguely sketching out the characteristics we are looking for in our future home. The kids and I recently did a writing assignment on this, so I can tell you for sure what they want: good nearby skiing, finished basement, active youth soccer program, access to fishing, big yard, and proximity to Mile High Stadium (Shefler). Jeremy is hoping for an environment more friendly to his political ideals. I share all these interests and would love a place where people participate in active outdoor sports and where going next door to borrow an egg is expected. Both Jeremy and I are looking forward to a real estate market where the dollar goes a bit farther than, let’s say, oh, ahem, Palo Alto.

A few years ago, while on our way home from a road trip covering some of the National Parks in the northern Rockies, we briefly drove through Boise, which Jeremy had previously identified as being a future home candidate. I was instantly charmed by the large old homes gracing one of those beautiful tree-lined residential boulevards so common in the midwest. Denver and Des Moines has these in spades. Almost like that one section of University Ave. in Palo Alto (for my California audience) except more trees and shade, lots of big front porches, and a fraction of the price tag. Thus, the dream of Boise was born, and we just finished up 4 days here.

Look past these sparkling smiles and you can read the enthusiasm with which we greet the return of the road trip.
Now here’s something fun about Boise: Idaho is in phase 2 of reopening, which means restaurants were allowed to open starting May 16. In actuality, most are still doing takeout only, but those that have outdoor seating are taking advantage of this. Here we are in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boise. Quality cinnamon rolls, check. I’m also going to put this in the category of increased political friendliness, but don’t worry; the servers were all wearing masks. Although I am proud of my cooking, we were all excited to have some meals out.
This is the Boise River, delightfully still the heart of the city though its original founding purpose as transportation may have faded somewhat. Tons of people were recreating along the banks: swimming, boating, fishing, throwing rocks, just sitting there, etc. Active outdoorsy population, check, and I’m also going to put this in the borrow-an-egg-next-door category because I feel certain the mom accompanying these boys (who gave me permission to take the picture) would have been on board with that.
Any city with a greenbelt is an automatic thumbs up for me. I can already picture myself biking to work like I did in Denver when I did a rotation there during med school.
And we found our dream house! Okay, I know it’s not the front-porch-bedecked midwestern Prairie-style farmhouse on Main Street, but there are others in the family who do not exactly share that dream. This place has to be seen to be believed and is available for about the same price as a fixer-upper small to medium size Eichler in Palo Alto. Did I mention it’s just minutes from downtown? Ridiculous. Unfortunately, it’s priced to move, and I don’t think it will still be there if we fail to fall in love with the idea of living in Coeur d’Alene, Big Sky, Bozeman, Fort Collins, Estes Park, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, or Durango.
The neon yellow fields dotting the hills as we drove out of Boise turn out to be canola. You know, the cooking oil that many of us use every day. I had never seen this growing before. Not sure that this farm is for sale or that I would embrace life as a canola farmer, but still cool.

4 thoughts on “Boise, Idaho”

  • I loved my brief visit to Boise a couple of years ago. It has a delightful vibe. I enjoy the HGTV show “Boise Boys”, which has taken me on a virtual tour of several neighborhoods over the last couple of years. I could see y’all living there.

  • I like this kids requirements but I think they forgot “close to a Pei-Pei!” Stay safe out there! RuBubba misses everyone.

  • Wow it looks great, and that house!!! I assume it does have a large grandparents suite. If Boise has a stamp club, chess club and magic club I think I could be very happy there. I guess at 80 I’m it’s a bit late to learn skiing, but as a kid I wasn’t bad at sledding.

  • Luce just got me reading your blog. This is so fun! I, too, dream of living in Big Sky or Estes Park…

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