7.3 out of 10

Boise

45.5479157184435 -122.670799537005
Great for
  • Eating Out
  • Public Transport
  • Shopping Options
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Nightlife
Not great for
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Parking
  • Pest Free
  • Childcare
  • Lack of Traffic
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Hipsters

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
2yrs+

"Popular, trendy neighborhood"

Boise is almost unrecognizable from ten years ago. Now an up and coming neighborhood, this is a diverse and popular community. Also known as “Boise-Eliot,” Boise is centrally located on the east side of the Willamette River and close to downtown Portland. Public transportation is excellent here which makes this an ideal place for many to reside.

Homes in this area are older and many have historic character. Younger, first time homebuyers are flocking to this area because of it’s trendy, hip vibe. The shopping along Mississippi Street is booming. Once rundown and downright scary, you can now walk along and visit the terrific shops, great restaurants and unique coffee houses. There are several pubs, live music and Portland Community College is right here as well. Because of the huge popularity of this neighborhood, you won’t find cheap rents in Boise. Those days are over.
Pros
  • Mississippi Street
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Hip and Constantly Offering Something New!"

Boise has developed quite an impressive amount over the years. This area used to be quite poor, but it has been undergoing a steady revitalization. One of the noteworthy things about this neighborhood is that it is close to the Mississippi Avenue district and also the Alberta Arts district. Both of these regions have tons of interesting restaurants, quirky stores and retail spaces. In fact, some of the best restaurants and most interesting stores in all of Portland are located on Mississippi Avenue!

Boise is a very popular area as many people are interested in benefiting from the low prices and also the diverse array of entertainment options. Some people are irritated at the gentrification that has taken place, complaining that the neighborhood's rising prices and new condos have driven out prior residents and that the new additions to the area have ruined the original spirit of the area. However, no matter what your opinion might be, there is no denying that the Boise area is still quite interesting!

Due to the fact that Portland community college is in this part of town, you will see many students. Quite a few hipsters live in Boise too, but you will also see seniors and families living in this neighborhood. In general, there is a lot of diversity.
Pros
  • Diverse
  • Easy commute via bike, bus, MAX, or car
  • Many local restaurants, bars, shops
Cons
  • Can be noisy
  • Rising rents
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Hip, Up-And-Coming Neighborhood"

Not to be confused with the capital of Idaho, Boise is a Portland neighborhood just off Interstate 5 in North Portland. Also known as Boise-Eliot, it offers a mix of residential and commercial areas. One of the best parts of Boise is its convenient location for those who frequently travel to downtown Portland or other major neighborhoods within the city. With easy access to both I5 and I84, and a nearby MAX light rail stop, it's convenient no matter how you commute.

Although Boise has historically been one of the poorer neighborhoods in the city, it seems to be improving in recent years, with many new developments springing up. Increasingly hip and popular, it is home to a number of local shops, restaurants, and bars. The neighborhood welcomes diversity, and it always seems like the residents are busy doing something unique.

The retail core of Boise is located along Mississippi Avenue. The other main area of Boise is Williams Avenue. Some of the residents of this area actually consider the two to be separate neighborhoods, with their own unique personalities. In particular, Mississippi Ave has changed a lot in the past decade. It used to be home to boarded-up houses and rundown businesses. Now, the area is young and bustling. It feels much livelier and safer with a new core of commercial developments. Some of the old-timers complain that the local flavor has been lost to gentrification, and rents are rising due to new condo developments.
Pros
  • Easy commute via bike, bus, MAX, or car
  • Diverse
  • Many local restaurants, bars, shops
Cons
  • Rising rents
  • Can be noisy
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish

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