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Originally Posted by Omaharocks
Great pics! I really like Boise.
Well, it's actually pretty close to Portland - so it kinda has a mountain west/pacific northwest crossover feel.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThatDarnSacramentan
I might have to do a road trip to this funky little city because it looks like a better, more Portlandian Portland.
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People often will say Boise is portlandish to an extent. I kind of agree because both cities are outdoorsy, cycling is very popular; if you don't have a bike in either city then you are a nerd. In both cities coffee and beer are staples, both have award winning wine regions in close proximity, both are hippie/grungy/ arty, and also trendy and yuppie, salmon are popular, there are the rivers, trees, mountains, etc and Portland is the nearest large city to our west. Boise may be more arid, but the evergreen forests begin above the city and spread out forever north, east and west. The Boise River water eventually ends up flowing through the Snake to the Columbia and to Portland. Salmon that swim back home to Idaho from the Pacific will pass through Portland on their way back to the Sawtooth Mountains and other areas of Idaho.
Within my circle of friends there are a fair number of young professional types who have moved from Portland to Boise for more sun and to enjoy a smaller more intimate city and I know people who have moved from Boise to Portland for a bigger city experience.
I feel that Boise is growing into its own funk and vibe although there are similarities to Portland, but at the same time Boise has its own thing going on. It is more conservative than Portland but much more liberal than say SLC. Boise has a good balance.