Boise Apartments and Rentals

Boise, Idaho, may be known as the "City of Trees," but its arboreal charms are just the tip of the iceberg. It's a city of rivers, mountains and fresh air, as well as museums, restaurants and festivals. As the state's capital and the seat of Ada County, Boise is big enough to constitute as a major city - indeed, it's the largest metropolitan center between Portland and Salt Lake City - but it's not so expansive that its size is overwhelming.

Those looking for Boise apartments for rent will find a city that strikes a pleasant balance between the arts and culture expected of an urban setting and the opportunities for outdoor adventure typically associated with a more rural locale.

Boise was founded in 1863, and some of the first buildings in the Old Boise area are still around today. Former city mayor Cyrus Jacobs's 1864 home remains on Grove Street, while the 1865 dwelling of another mayor, Thomas Logan, was moved from its original location at 6th and Grove to a new site closer to the Idaho Historic Museum.

The city's crest offers a good snapshot of its history, from the beaver that represents the territory designated by the early trappers of the Hudson Bay Company to the miner depicting the Gold Rush to the Boise Basin in the early 1860s. The crest also includes a representation of the view of the Boise Valley that would have been seen by travelers on the Oregon Trail.

The downtown area's diverse range of shops, restaurants, music venues and nightspots make it a notable neighborhood in its own right - particularly the Basque Block sector, which is home to an estimated 15,000 Basque residents, two restaurants, a market and the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Today, Boise is home to more than 210,000 people, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Tourism is a huge industry in Boise, with more than 1,500 area residents employed in the Ada County hotel business alone. The call center industry, technology investment and the high-tech field, mining, farming and timber constitute other major employment sectors. The city's largest publicly traded and headquartered company is Micron Technology, and some of its other major employers include AT&T, ConAgra, Microsoft and Wal-Mart.

You don't have to be a football fan to have heard of the blue football field at Boise State University, but you may not be familiar with the educational institution's other major claim to fame - the fact that it's the largest university in the state. BSU's more than 19,600 students enjoy a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1 and can take their pick of 168 academic programs and nearly 200 degrees and certificates.

According to City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index, Boise's cost of living is below the national average (92.1, compared to 100). The city's median gross rent of $718 reflects this. The Good Neighbor Program is in place to strengthen ties between those living in houses and apartments in Boise, and hosts regular block parties, nights out and workshops for local residents.

If you're a museum-goer, Boise's Museum Pass program is your ticket to the city's museums and the local zoo. Culture mavens also have a lot to choose from, as Boise is home to Ballet Idaho, the Boise Contemporary Theater, the Idaho Dance Theatre and the prestigious Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts.

Those who enjoy the outdoors might find the 25-mile long riverside Greenbelt path more to their liking. The Ridge to Rivers trailhead, which leads to scenic mountain foothills, is another option - and it starts just five minutes from the center of town. There are many opportunities for hiking, biking and skiing in the area, thanks largely to the city's numerous interconnected parks.

Boise also has plenty of festivals. The Gene Harris Jazz Festival heralds the beginning of spring, while the Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees ushers in the city's winter celebrations. The summer is an especially busy time for festival-goers, who can choose from the Western Idaho State Fair, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Art in the Park, to name but a few.

To find a Boise apartment or rental, check out our apartment listings. Rent.com® is happy to help you find your next home.