I Went To Boise, Idaho To See What The Hype Was All About

[@A_Legal_Immigrant_1776]

Come on people if you leave a place, don't try to change it. Embrace it!

[@bob51502001]

The mayor allows bums to stay inside the library and govt bldgs as long as they don't sleep. They like the park across from library

[@Tanaka1943]

@@kingtrance307 very well said

[@abigailpmm1182]

Exactly

[@KatyYau-nq5hq]

Exactly.

[@KatyYau-nq5hq]

@DomicanosRepublicanos: Agree. As a former New Yorkers, sick of that place, everything expensive, now move to SC with my love, way more better. Have stable normal job, and a normal home live. And I never wanna change that place, cuz I like SC freedom and guns more than NYC that Robbery, Thief, and Not safe over there.

[@Idahoguy10157]

Idaho local folks are very concerned those who move here will vote in the same policies and politics they moved away from

[@wayneroberts6642]

Well if the business community could just pay their workers properly, they probably wouldn't have so many Democrats..

[@cinnamongirl5410]

They always do.

[@OtisFlint]

@@wayneroberts6642 That's the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger. I'm a remote worker now but hate this job, so if i end up back in office the employment prospects in Idaho are rough. Jobs pay 2005 wages but COL is very much 2023.

[@cristianomarinelli3252]

People who move to Idaho are likely coming to leave the politics of their state. All the people who are leaving because of the cost are going to places like Colorado and Nevada, not rose red Idaho

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@wayneroberts6642 … housing prices and availability are an issue. But if you can’t pass a drug test you won’t be hired. The common barriers are drugs, alcohol, serious crimes, and untreated mental illness.

[@ritchardmaynard7617]

I lived in Boise for 32 years. As a professional musician I gigged every weekend downtown til 2 A.M. No problem. Grab a hotdog from a street vendor and go home. I live in Louisiana now and you couldn't pay me to go to downtown Shreveport after dark. Talk about a Tale of Two Cities!

[@proxywar99]

demographics !

[@Landonmoto39]

@@proxywar99exactly

[@FirstnameLastname-bp5cm]

@@proxywar99 do you live here? What do you mean by demographics?

[@proxywar99]

do you really not know what I mean by demographics? Also, why do you want to know where I live?@@FirstnameLastname-bp5cm

[@robertb7643]

@@proxywar99that’s not logical the average African city has a safer downtown than average American city

[@Idahoguy10157]

Residents of SW are not heartless about the homeless. We do not want to have the issues of Portland and Seattle. There are homeless shelters here. But staying there requires following rules. Like no fighting. No drugs. No drinking…

[@petermclaughlin3292]

People doing drugs don't want to be in Shelters that's what Tents and Tarps are for.

[@shasmi93]

Yeah that’s what happens. I was born in Denver and we had lots of shelters like that too. But eventually too many homeless make it there or the housing market gets insane and citizens become homeless. They overrun the shelters and eventually there are so many with no room in shelter and so many of them that refuse to stay sober to use the shelter and would rather be on the street. 100% your city in 15 years will be denver. Have fun!

[@maxmurray2997]

Your mayor is turning the place into Portland

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@maxmurray2997 ….,I’ve made multiple visits to Portland. San Francisco too. Boise is a long way from being a Portland. Boise and Ada County enforce laws. Boise has a ordinance about public camping. Unfortunately judges keep trying to keep it from being enforced.

[@JohnBowl14690]

Trust me. I hate the liberal policies as much as anyone. If I get there, you can bet that I will do whatever I have to keep Boise the way it is.

[@thequintanashow5058]

We have a home in Boise. From California. I can tell u this: EVERYONE we have met from California is like us - do NOT bring CA with you!!!. We have yet to meet other Californians that pine for CA - we are willing to fight to preserve the lifestyle we found in ID We came here to escape not change.

[@robertcoggins8545]

B.S. Liberal Californians are Everywhere in Boise!

[@randomexploring541]

Ok, but you’re still making the home prices and prices of food, etc. go up?! So how are you fighting to keep the home and food prices low enough to be genuinely affordable?

[@angelaarmie5789]

😂

[@glennbeadshaw727]

You should have stayed at home and fought to make California right instead of running away hoping that other people do your job for you like the good people of Idaho

[@scottbenke7182]

@@randomexploring541 Name me a place that this hasn't happened, that is worth moving to. Increased prices of food, etc are a Nation wide problem post pandemic.

[@jasonkhan854]

Nick, when I watch your videos like this I feel like I am taking a road trip with you on these traveling adventures. I really enjoy your work. Thank you for bringing up such quality content.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Jason!

[@idsawtooth]

I have lived in Boise for 45 years and while I have seen a lot of change that's not always positive, it's still a great place to live. I really can't think of another place in America that checks so many of the boxes for me...

[@ninjashogun]

Idaho and utah are the top 2 best states to live in america

[@stefistefi6069]

what about texas?@@ninjashogun

[@ELITE_INCA_KENNELS]

@@stefistefi6069Texas is so bad with all the ex convict ex cartel members and ex pedophiles and child kid nappers coming from Mexico there flooding Texas

[@IQscan51]

@@ninjashogun North Carolina is nice too.

[@trinity7776]

Meridian resident here since 2006. The one thing rarely ever mentioned is that greater Boise, ID is the most isolated large metropolitan area in the lower 48. Drive west and it's a long haul to Portland or Seattle drive east and it takes almost a day to get to Salt Lake City. Drive south and it's a long drive to Vegas drive north and you may end up in Canada. In between those places is desert or forests and not much else. Despite the growth I like our chances because of that isolation especially in these times.

[@rockycock7631]

You Got Bend, Oregon that's almost 100,000 people, somewhat close to a city that's only a 5 hour drive through some featureless desert.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

Yep about 5 hrs northwest of SLC

[@fattone166]

Spokane is 400 miles north.

[@shasmi93]

There is no such thing as isolation in 2023. People out everything online and there are TONS of wealthy people that will fly everywhere anyway. Your city will be destroyed. Mark my words.

[@anthonyparenti1928]

In 20 years Nick will be making a what happened to Boise video.

[@NickJohnson]

I know

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

Try 5 years@@NickJohnson

[@manager4409]

more like 10. we're taking in 3 million third world immigrants a year, they're flooding into every last functional white area until they're wiped out too.

[@End0fst0ry]

​@@NickJohnson It's sad, but inevitable. I hope Boise doesn't get hurt too much.

[@Rootiga]

it wont happen

[@ryansilva8854]

I love my state thanks for all the kind words. I'm so happy you had a great time here.

[@loulopez554]

It's happening everywhere in the country now and most of the world

[@billya3628]

NWO, the great reset, Agenda 2030. All by design.

[@Woketard]

No one wants to address the elephant in the room: too many people. The myth of us "spreading out of cities" clearly isn't working. 2 million legal immigrants get dumped every single year with no breaks. We also have millions from the third world storming our borders in endless numbers. More people = less housing.

[@angelaarmie5789]

not "everywhere" but I get what you're trying to say

[@Jimmyjackfunk433]

Nice liberal generalization!

[@AmberMata]

No, Boise is literally the fastest and biggest growing city in the country! It isn't just local folk making it up. It's statistics.

[@erikamonterroso7743]

I moved from crime ridden Cali 2 years ago. Love everything about IDAHO. BEST MOVE EVER!

[@micahmelodyplays]

We love it here in Meridian (which does not have higher crime than Nampa btw). Our quality of life improved since the day we left Central Ca in the rearview. All of our neighbors have come from not only west coast areas like California, Portland and Seattle but Texas and Wisconsin and even NY. I've seen license plates from about 25 out of the 50 states on the road here. Lots of us have young children and want better for them. They can play outside and it feels safe...for now at least. Just grateful to be living in a place that feels like a page out of my 90s childhood.

[@greasesicle]

You are full of it.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

I live in Nampa since 2004 and I don't think the crime is bad at all. I can go to grocery store and leave my sliding glass door open and garage open no problems at all

[@skurinski]

get rid of the democrat Mayor, she's going to ruin it

[@greasesicle]

Dirty kkkops retiring in ID ruin it.

[@tracyshannon1795]

can you please speak more to this? without thinking about it, I realize I subconsciously assumed Boise's mayor was republican or independent. I know nothing about your political history. To others, I'm not looking to initiate any kind of debate around this. not interested, would just like to know the history and the mindset of Boise folks. thanks@@skurinski

[@FlintIronstag23]

12 Eastern Oregon counties have approved ballot measures to become part of Idaho. Not just people, but entire regions want to move to Idaho.

[@AshleeWilliams-di4xn]

No thanks! We don't need to support them--there won't be any revenue of any kind coming in from Eastern Oregon, just the need for services and support.

[@angelaarmie5789]

that's probably never gonna happen unless Idaho and all traitor East Oregon counties literally pays a ridiculous amount of money to Oregon Prime.

[@torekristoffersen176]

They don’t necessarily want to be part of Idaho… but don’t want to be part of all the crap and craziness that the west coast of Oregon has become…

[@FlintIronstag23]

@@torekristoffersen176 I live in Salem, on Western side of Oregon, and I can tell you it can be more Red or Purple than Blue in a lot of areas over here. Marion County, where I am, is in the heart of Willamette Valley that people think is all ultraliberal, but we voted for the Republican candidate in the 2022 Governor's race. The problem is that Multnomah County (Portland) is so overwhelmingly Blue, that it skews statewide elections.

[@MegaBait1616]

yeah to get away from the liberals...nut jobs.....

[@markuscg1]

Reminds me of the Colorado Front Range (Fort Collins, Loveland, down to Denver) with all the growth and construction...and sky rocketing home prices.

[@CorbinEliason82]

Front range 20 years ago.

[@Kev1234-d4j]

That's what I was going to say 😆

[@Rootiga]

I spent the first 20 years of my life in the front range (Broomfield 2000-2020) before moving to Idaho. I have met many other Coloradans in Idaho, all of us moved here for the same reason. It is the way Colorado used to be

[@Burke396]

I live in a little town called homedale just 20 minutes from caldwell. Been here my whole life and even it's growing. Glad you gave us a visit!

[@strongbad666]

Not a state I would ever want to live in, but I do appreciate how clean they keep their streets. Hell, the fact that not every road has a bunch of potholes on them is mind blowing for a bigger-city-dweller like me.

[@maryjogreen1706]

Ummmmm it’s a garbage can sides of the roads are littered it’s disgusting! Wasn’t like this until people started moving here

[@strongbad666]

@@maryjogreen1706 Well, that is the fable everyone tells themselves. You talk to anyone in every state and territory and it was always better when they were a kid. Every area changes all of the time due to the economic environment and political issues both in your state and other states. Every place is turning into every other place and is more due to demographic issues than political ones (although the political issues certainly do not help.) The smartest option now is simply not to move.

[@Whoyouwishyouwere]

What's the problems with Idaho in your view?

[@strongbad666]

@@Whoyouwishyouwere The problem with Idaho is its employment laws which overwhelmingly favor the employer in almost every situation and if you get into trouble in your job-in-industry, you get unofficially blacklisted in that industry and cannot find a replacement job later in Idaho. This is unique to Idaho, and I cannot find a corollary in another state. So, that's problem number one. I could go on about other problems but since I actually have to work to gain a fiscal position in society, this is most important to me.

[@Whoyouwishyouwere]

@@strongbad666 Yeah, that sucks. I heard of similar things of the Japanese economy. I've been thinking about moving into a more naturalistic part of the country, but I'm not really a social person and from the looks of it, Idahoans seem to be kinda nosy to my taste. But Idaho does has the scenery that is ideal for me, I love the mountains and hiking trails, but I also love my hermit lifestyle aswell.

[@urbanmusicgal9075]

I can already see that problems in Boise are just beginning. If the citizens don’t take action - sooner than later the homeless population will multiply bringing their crime with them. Camping in the city and surrounding areas should be made illegal with zero tolerance.

[@man2842]

Jesus Christ man. Making camping illegal doesn’t stop homelessness, it just gives the cops the right to harass them

[@americafirst9144]

It doesn't make the problem just disappear.

[@dawson0610]

The fact that they even have a few is proof that they do not intend to not allow homelessness. Yes it is illegal to loiter which is what they are doing. Those that hate this statement then invite them to live in your home and not in the streets.

[@Fear58]

Won't ever happen. ID isn't a fair-weather state like CA.

[@dawson0610]

@@Fear58 So you think because Boise has harsh winter the bums won't stay?

[@geo8rge]

What's it like in winter? I think you need to return to these places during their worst weather season.

[@3DEditor]

It snows there for sure

[@angelaarmie5789]

it has 4 season weather and can snow for a few weeks but it stuck about 4 times out of 12 years winters I lived there.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

It gets gray and cold but only about 12 inches of snow per year. Hot and dry in the summer. It'll hit 100 degrees 20+ times per year too

[@kristatraumavictor]

Snow started in mid November and snowed consistently until late March early April. It wasn’t great.

[@twytch97]

Boise is super mild, that's why all the Californians come and stay

[@tericampbell570]

Dejavu of when I came to Portland Oregon 20 or so years ago. Yeah, there were just a few homeless people, parks and city sparkling clean and the city was safe and happy. Progress doesn't always make things better.

[@yelapa999]

Downtown Portland in the 90's sparkled. I can't even go down there it's so sad-at least for the time being.

[@Jimmyjackfunk433]

Spot on!

[@F82F8]

Truth!!

[@BasedRanger]

EXACTLY this. I've seen this very thing happen to several cities. Mark my words: In 10-15 years, Boise will be at least as bad as Spokane is now. In no more than 30 years, it'll be indistinguishable from Portland.

[@startagain127]

That's the cleanest Rite Aid I've ever seen in my entire life

[@NickJohnson]

A virgin

[@DiegoFroning]

I went to Boise on March this year and I Loved it. Very clean, very quiet small city and kind people, you feel very safe

[@manager4409]

because it's one of the last white-majority cities in America

[@Unteragen-rg1so]

congratulations you win dumbest comment of 2023 award@@manager4409

[@roguecode2354]

I visited Boise about 4 years ago, it seemed like going back in time to Colorado in the early 90s, stores were fully stocked and everything seemed to be what you would expect. We have some family there but I feel like its only a short time until it looks like the rest of the over populates states like California and Colorado.

[@IndigoStargazer]

Stay away from blue states

[@trailblazeratv6306]

Yeah I moved to Denver from back east in 1994 then to Boise in 2001. Denver was still a lot bigger than Boise even back then in '93 than it is now

[@pdxmtngoat]

Another good video Nick. Boise is just an extension of Northern California. Go to Boise. Nothing but California plates absolutely everywhere you go. Everywhere. It is what it is.

[@robertcoggins8545]

Yep the California Plague is going on Full Force in Boise.

[@marystorer]

@@robertcoggins8545SE Idaho is now being plagued with the washatonians!

[@jasonjason9866]

You have to take into account the number of Californian's that attend BSU.

[@mikehocking4836]

CaliBozee there's no Idaho natives anymore

[@wjcj1234]

Great job, as always, Nick. I'd love to see you visit places like this in the dead of winter, when the temperature hits -20f. Lol. The locals would appreciate your help at keeping the growth controlled. 😊

[@elliekusa65]

We don’t get -20 in Boise. It does in the mountains but not here.

[@carriekay5987]

Wow, this has to be the BEST video on KZbin about Boise! It wasn't hypey, and it showed a lot of territory without doing the cherry-picking that most city videos do -- especially when done by a Realtor. GREAT COVERAGE! I watched the entire thing and it held my interest for the duration. 👍👍👍

[@NickJohnson]

Welcome to my channel Carrie ❤️

[@marge3477]

​@@NickJohnsonyou needed to go to The Village and Fort Boise

[@unclem4626]

Boise is completely unique compared to the rest of the state. It's the only really big city Idaho has.

[@mikehocking4836]

It's CaliBozee😂

[@briandrake9467]

I grew up riding my bike in those parks, no other city has a friendlier greenbelt system..

[@Captain0Tylor]

I moved to ID in 2010 from western WA. Lived in Nampa, Meridian, and Boise. Its been great living here, and I would say still is even with the amount of people moving in. Idaho has some big problems though. The wages in Idaho are some of the lowest in the US comparatively. And thats not just looking at the minimum wage, but the pay of professional jobs. Totally agree that the home prices are crazy and that sucks because I'd like to stay in this state and own a home. I look around at other states where the housing is still 50%-60% less than here, and I could make $15-$20 more an hour for my line of work. Its tempting to move on, like the guy you spoke to. I know a lot of people in their 20s graduating, looking at the same things and thinking about leaving. In fact there was an interesting article I had read earlier this year that used DMV data from all over the US. Seems to show that for roughly every 450 people coming into ID, there are around 379 leaving the state. Probably how the population has stayed under 2M even with the influx of people. Not too get too political but another big issue for ID is the amount of health practitioners leaving the state due to recent decisions. Last but not least for big problems facing ID is the huge amount of teachers leaving as well.

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

Very informative , thank you

[@fattone166]

...because the r-wing politicians want to micromanage teachers and healthcare providers.

[@curtbergeron703]

I like how nice and clean Boise looks, but I will never live there due to the recent laws passed there. It appears if you aren’t straight, white and Christian it might be a tough life there. If you’re a woman and need reproductive health care, good luck. It’s not happening.

[@blukas76]

​@@curtbergeron703sounds like paradise.

[@D3r3k2323]

​@@curtbergeron703We don't want people like you here. That's why it's so nice

[@zipninja8499]

One thing that wasn't mentioned much that brings more perspective to the Boise area is Winter. It's cold here! That may keep crime and homelessness down. Some of the transplants may not like it after a few seasons and they might move on also. I do see the housing market falling more than it has so it will be interesting to see how it all balances out.

[@TheGodfather1955]

Was in Boise in the early 90's when it was -20 degrees one night. Never been that cold in my life.

[@ifeanyiosuji7174]

I wanna be there

[@hellannthefirst5529]

I'm in Alaska. The cold does not keep enough people out. Hoping for a few years of -55 again. The extra heating would be worth it.

[@helloimnotabothelloimnotab1950]

I don't know why people keep saying its "SO COLD " here. Is very mild in Boise in the middle of winter. With very little snow fall ever. You want cold, go to the upper Midwest in the middle winter, that's cold. Quit being a bunch of pussies.

[@shasmi93]

Ahahahah keep dreaming. Your city is slowly on its way to hell. No avoiding it once Instagram gets ahold of it. You can already see the signs of gentrification. Strap in! Alaska has massive homeless problem and they are WAY colder up there.

[@David-nx2vm]

We live in Texas but have a second home in Meridian. Our daughter moved there in 2010 to go to BSU and never left. Safe, clean, great sense of civic pride. Law enforcement is proactive, and the citizenry is very armed. We stay very connected with our realtor on the migration, and everybody she deals with who is moving there wants to get away from the craziness and the politics, not bring it with them. They are building more affordable housing but like most places it’s a game of catch-up. The western suburbs you saw (Meridian, Nampo, Eagle, Star, Kuna, etc) are the only places where home construction can go. Mountains to the north and east, and most of the land to the south cannot be built on. Traffic has gotten worse over the last 15 years but it’s nothing compared to where we are in Texas and other larger metro areas. You can always flee for a less expensive area, but when do you quit fleeing?

[@peggypasson8794]

It's absolutely beautiful so it's very sad .

[@tigerpunch3402]

So many invasive citizens say they don't want to change the politics, but everyone has a drum to beat, everyone.

[@murphman76]

We moved to Boise, Idaho in 1979 the year after we were married. It was beautiful, peaceful, and safe. I took a promotion and had to move to - yep - San Francisco! Another promotion took us away from San Francisco in 1987. Amazingly, I do not recall a single homeless person in San Francisco at the time...though I am sure there were some. Friends and relatives came and we always went Downtown and to Fisherman's Wharf...it was clean, fun, and safe. Now - decades later - it's sad to see San Francisco unlivable. At least Boise is still looking good for the most part.

[@BasedRanger]

Even in the late 00's, San Francisco still had such incredible charm. I last visited several years back, and I couldn't get out of there quickly enough - literally! The traffic there made me want to lose my top, and I'm a native Angelino. Revisiting the wharf felt like I had stepped into a nightmare. Overcrowded, filthy, and felt like everything was irreversibly ruined. Just a shell of its former self. Truly sad.

[@Bakerism01]

Love your videos Nick. I was born and raised in the area and still have family there though I moved away. One of the major issues of Boise and the Treasure Valley is the lack of foresight. They didn’t invest in the proper planning, especially transportation 25 years ago when it would have been cheap and much easier. The area has grown so much so quickly that it will be prohibitively expensive and difficult to build a belt freeway. Traffic gets bad because people all end up on I84 and Eagle Road.

[@patjones5723]

Spot on 👍👌😊

[@prepareyourself6728]

For all those fleeing thinking things are going to be different, remember the adage: Wherever you go there you are! LOL!

[@pdxmtngoat]

The California to Idaho Diaspora is just getting started. It's never ever going to stop. It might slow down in about 20 years from now. Boise will be pretty unrecognizable by then. It's a done deal. It is what it is. Maybe Nick could do a before and after video in the future.

[@NickJohnson]

If KZbin is still around then

[@andrewfreeman88]

Diaspora or Distopia?

[@NoamGonen]

Thanks Nick, your videos are true gems, not to mention the entertaining narration, embedding really useful information.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok! ❤️

[@elfpuncher]

The real reason why Idaho doesn't have the homeless issue is that they don't tolerate drugs like the West Coast does. If homeless people can't easily get drugs they're not going to live there. They going to head west. Night and day when you go to Spokane

[@HairyPixels]

wait until the Liberals start voting. They can't help themselves, believe me.

[@abigailpmm1182]

It's too cold for bums.

[@elfpuncher]

@@abigailpmm1182 there are bums in Spokane, roughly the same temp. Low enough to freeze at least

[@F82F8]

This is truth. Think camp dope.

[@cinnamongirl5410]

It's very sad to see another place infected with the California virus. This looks like I remember Portland area in 1990.

[@VloneKid25]

It’s not a California virus

[@peggypasson8794]

One person?

[@Magnetic1908]

You must feel how the Indians felt when people came to their land and brought diseases that that were never in America before.

[@katiemccormick8846]

Exactly! Moved from Poop Street Portland and passed straight through Boise cause I could see what’s coming.

[@lordhumongus8669]

Portland infected itself 😂

[@mytbread108]

I moved to the Treasure Valley when I was five years old in the late 80s from Omaha (yeah, I am old). I have seen a lot of changes over the decades such as the population in Nampa, where I have primarily lived, going from 20-25k to over 100k. Sure, I complain about the increased traffic and the insane housing market I cannot think of anywhere else I would want to live. The weather is great. The people are typically friendly. If you want to escape the city to visit the desert, camp in the forest, go whitewater rafting, or flyfishing it is all within a few hours drive. When I have mentioned to people online where I live I usually get mocked as there are some negative stereotypes about the state. Those comments are almost always from people that have never been here or even the west coast. Anyway, thanks for coming. Hopefully you will come again and explore aspects of the area you did not cover this time around.

[@elizabethcarrington5819]

The high interest rates are killing the housing market right now all over the country. the FED is doing what it’s supposed to do, drive down prices and stave off inflation to a certain extent. Btw, I love your show. Your narration is sarcastically funny. Keep up the great work!❤

[@hollyloomer7667]

Pure honesty ~ 52+ OG Native Boisean born and raised and I can be VERY grumpy about all the growth. I remember where farms used to be. I remember being able to go out in the mountains and never run into anyone. I remember going skiing at Bogus Basin without having to make a damn reservation. I remember when traffic was "normal". I think the traffic is my biggest gripe. However, I completely understand why people move here. I've raised both my children here and they are outstanding individuals. I don't hate the people who move here, not at all, but I do get frustrated and grumpy. I don't recognize my city and thankfully, I have property up in the Central mountains with a cabin so I can retreat when there is too much frustrating traffic.

[@Dillzallin]

Best part of my day is watching a new Nick Johnson video 😌

[@NickJohnson]

Aww mine too! ❤️❤️

[@jesssands5349]

I really enjoy your commentaries and humor. You are the first channel I check when I’m curious or want to learn about a city or state.

[@ejgrant5191]

My Ex and I bought our "Retirement Home" in Meridian in 2009....Had some issues with some tennants who became long distance "dead beats" and finally got them out of the home, sadly sold it before Real Estate really "Took OFF!" My friend's son became tired of Kommiefornia and my Idaho house was vacant. I told him to take himself up there in 2013 and stay in my house and to look around. He ended up moving there with his wife & daughters. They very much enjoy living there. My friend a 3rd generation "Californio" like me was compaining about the 9+ hour drive to see his grandchildren in Boise. I said aren't you happy for them to be able to grow up in an enviroment like we had when we were children. In Boise you were able to "turn your clock back 10-15 years" a few years back, not so much anymore. My best friend also moved there. Me? I picked the "Panhandle area" to live and I'm happy about that. I joke Boise is a suburb of California these days.

[@mikehocking4836]

No doubt I call it CaliBozee

[@FOPAudits]

Love your commentary. Cleaver, a bit humorous and humble with a small side of sarcasm. Great mix. Good to listen to. Thanks

[@GTMarmot]

The litmus test of whether you're free is whether you can go out at midnight and buy an ice cream without being harassed by either cops or robbers. No curfews and no a-holes. As per Death Wish 3. A lot of truth in that movie.

[@CeeCee-pz6lp]

@ Nick Johnson. I want to thank you for Liking my City of Nebraska ❤. I’m pretty proud of how it changed through out the years. Thx again ❤

[@patrickfuchs3859]

Boise was a million times better before the influx. It's turning into a traffic nightmare with subdivisions everywhere the eye can see. It was much nicer prior to 2000.

[@danmur2797]

Sounds like the more rural areas of Southern California before 1990. Around 2000, there was a massive construction boom that began then, and culminated in 2007. Turned former rural areas into exurban subdivisions. And former suburban areas more urban. That was the housing bubble that eventually burst. Led to depressed housing scenario from 2008-2014.

[@QualityQman]

I disagree. We have far more entertainment, resources, parks, dining, etc. That being said, I can definitely see it changing for the worse in a decade or so but for now, the type of people here are pretty similar to the people in 2000. It's just bigger with more things to do!

[@patrickfuchs3859]

@@QualityQman I've lived in the area as an adult 45 years. The charm of the area was its small town feel. Boise in 1980 had 125k, Meridian 6k, Eagle 1.2k, etc. and there was plenty of open spaces and no traffic. A drive from Eagle to Lucky peak used to take 1/2 hr and it was peaceful when you arrived. Now it takes at least an hour and it's jam packed. Boise is horrible now. Too many people, too many cars, too much development.

[@jimmix436]

I’ve lived here 31 years. I miss the Boise of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Now it’s non stop road and home construction, and property crimes are out of control. We’re also slowly turning purple. Miss the solid red days. If you want a conservative area in Idaho head to the panhandle.

[@patriciaanzelc5386]

Boise is totally blue

[@rockycock7631]

​@@patriciaanzelc5386Downtown is but everywhere else is solidly red.

[@stevesyverson8625]

I grew up in the America of the 1950s and traveled with family extensively in the west and south. Idaho has always had a special place in my heart . I returned several times in the 1960s and 70s because it was untouched and unspoiled. How things have changed.

[@michaeledwards6890]

The actual reality of it is that population of the world and this country has completely skyrocketed since the 50s. Its still a great place

[@ddub8811]

Moved to Boise area in 2019, was surprised at the amount of people, but loved that pulling up to a stop sign, people would give you a go ahead and often random folks in cars would just say hello if you looked at them. By 2023 the culture changed and even more people moved in. I couldn't believe the transformation. So to summarize, can't imagine what the change would feel like after 31 years. Still a great state, I moved again because of work, but miss the nature and skiing. Wishing all the best to Idaho.

[@chrisheller8305]

I already live in a blob of sprawl and wouldn't want to move to an emerging blob of sprawl. I'm glad I got to see Boise before all this and those that are going there now are...welcome to it.

[@manager4409]

once traffic increases its just not even worth it. That's how denver and dallas/fw area are. nonstop traffic and you just live in your own little semi-gated neighborhood with a strip mall of chain stores and restaurants near by. its hell.

[@torquetrain8963]

Ever heard of passenger trains, walkable cities and doing away with zoning laws? How much space is wasted with parking that could be used for apartments? Ever heard of trains and public transportation?

[@minnesotasomething]

Idaho looks like the closest thing to perfection that the USA has left.. I'm freaking sold on this place

[@NickJohnson]

Me too

[@manager4409]

once whites are a minority America will be a third world shithole. the few remaining white places (utah/idaho/montana/wyoming/vermont) are becoming extremely valuable now because they're some of the last safe places for white people.

[@F82F8]

Think again.

[@AmberMata]

Change your plates as soon as you move here lol

[@mikehocking4836]

​@@AmberMataya like the Calis do to the Elk plates funny as hell

[@Starfish2145]

Home prices have more than doubled in Boise since the pandemic. It’s crazy $$$$

[@Hschlick84]

I find the weather much nicer in Boise than Coeur d' Alene for Idaho standards.

[@sharicewantspeace]

I live in the Idaho panhandle near Spokane and Spokane has a horrible homeless problem and from what I see in Post Falls quarterlane area is a lot of people living in their cars living in their vehicles and move it around not so much homeless on the ground

[@tonya4249]

Like happened in San Francisco, as soon as the social media companies move in, property prices go up, no neighborhood assimilation by the tech nerds, big commuter buses start clogging up the roadways. So sorry for the people of Boise knowing Meta and others are on the way.

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

Yes, high tech companies bring jobs but they inflate housing costs and force so many People into Homelessness. Regular working class People get pushed aside. I was in San Francisco about 30 years ago, now it is a place to be avoided.

[@havable]

We've been a tech town for decades. Micron is based here.

[@MirzaAhmed89]

You have a problem with well-paying jobs, or is it just jealousy that you cannot get one?

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

@@MirzaAhmed89 Tech Jobs are good well paying Jobs, but anywhere a lot of Hi tech Workers move, nearly all of the Rents go up, so all the regular working People, like minimum wage Workers and People on fixed incomes can't afford to rent anymore, and a lot of them end up Homeless!

[@juan-ko5hz]

​@@MirzaAhmed89problem is with nerd jobs. No issue with say oil workers and doctors

[@tyb3938]

Love Boise, no longer affordable, but still a gem. We live on the greenbelt and can walk or bike anywhere with ease and safely along the river. Mayor sucks, hopefully she will be voted out soon. The mayor before her was a Democrat but not a liberal, he believed in enforcing the rule of law where she doesn’t. Let the homeless start and they will quickly take over your parks

[@Idahoguy10157]

This is the best video on the current Treasure Valley. As in Ada and Canyon counties. Growing as it is

[@NickJohnson]

They're always the best videos

[@timaha83]

We are seeing a lot of foreign immigration these days, and I don't mean from coastal states! Boise has a liberal mayor who is importing sub-saharans to the area and they are taxing the public safety by their inability to assimilate... it's a bummer, hopefully they vote her out next go.

[@phyrr2]

A lot of other northern states are getting Somalis literally flown in. Obama started this during his first term. We already have Sharia law popping up in certain areas and even no-go zones where these people have taken over certain rural areas. Look at Michigan to see how things are going there. Granted the southern border is a big issue but I am THANKFUL it's not the border "refugee" crisis that Europe is still dealing with (let's face it, Europe is DONE - 3 million Germans have already moved to Hungary while 'refugees' yell at Germans on the street to leave and that they now own Germany). People need to be vigilant and ALWAYS ready to fight for what's theirs. Problem is, everyone only fights for a bit then sits back to be "comfortable", which is what allows more problems to flourish while they sit on their butts.

[@HiDesert004]

You’ll be seeing a pro-Hamas demonstration in 3…2…1…

[@peggypasson8794]

Idk about Boise however cortalane is one of the places for child brides to be legal ?

[@manager4409]

unless white people separate and balkanize into their own zone, every last white town in america will be ruined and be a third world shithole just like is happening elsewhere.

[@ruralangwin]

What's a sub Saharan?

[@ивангареев-и5ю]

CA is a unique place on Earth with a soft climate and beautiful nature. Apparently, it is the most expensive place on our planet.🤭 I'm living in Sibiria, which is a unique place too.😊 Hellow from Russia! 🖐😃

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

A cowboy never says goodbye. Mappy has the best quotes and happiest life philosophy!

[@NickJohnson]

He's crazy

[@eviefriend3976]

I live in an outlying small town but work all over the Treasure Valley. I love our small town. I feel fairly safe. Our next door neighbors on both sides are conservative and religious. The traffic in Boise is crazy! I literally pray every morning when I get in my car for the Lord to keep me safe. Nice video, I enjoyed it, thank you.

[@HairyPixels]

"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people"

[@LowWaterLandscapes]

Awesome tour Nick! Perfect timing, haven't seen Idaho since 2005 and going in 1 month to visit some ex-pat's that departed their from San Jose years ago. Definitely not planning any move but will still be fun to visit... I hope.

[@lisanbradshaw]

I live in Nampa, but paint newly built houses all over the Treasure Valley, and man the construction seems like it's never going to end. Moved here just 3 years ago from San Diego when gas was only $2.10, and housing was affordable. Everything is changing so fast!!

[@iam_donnab]

I've gone to Boise the past two summers to visit my brother. He fled SoCal seven years ago. We go up north. The first 45 minutes, the mountains look like SoCal, then you get to the green mountain pines, the rapids, the waterfalls. Insanely beautiful. We left Red Fish Lake one night after midnight and counted 27 deer on the road. It was like a deer party or a deer mall. A baby walked slowly in front of us for the longest. It was magical. I adore the place.

[@NickJohnson]

🦌

[@BustyIndian5000]

The weather in Boise is treacherous. The homeless wouldn't survive. And keep in mind, these are all 30 year homes. They fall apart as soon as you step in them. The wages there are still garbage. The companies might be hiring, but they still want to live in the Boise from 20 years ago.

[@whenpigsfly-tb28]

Yep. I like a lot of things about Idaho, but worker's wages and rights aren't part of that, it's big business all the way.

[@thefeels9086]

Same work rules that was created by Robert Owen, and Henry Ford, that we have been living by for ever now. There is more options now, like creating your business,or task rabbit, door dash, exc. Jobs that allow you to create your own hours, but alot of companies are still stuck in the past, and they want full control of your schedule, and it's ridiculous, because there's enough work to go around, and most companies are still living by 9to5, 5 days a week rules. I think it would be more productive, and people would be a lot more happier, if they were able to choose their own hours, also having the ability to change your work location every week, so it's something new, and you can help any local store/ma pa shop. I just extremely hate the old 8hour, 5 day a week

[@whenpigsfly-tb28]

@@thefeels9086 I agree 100%. I’m glad that there are people like you in the world, it gives me hope.

[@thefeels9086]

@@whenpigsfly-tb28 yes my brother, I really hope this changes soon, because I feel like a lot more people would benefit. I wanna create something like this locally, I just don't know how I would start.

[@snowflake15sicesculpture]

Exactly, especially that Snowmageddon back in 2016

[@aeanderson8491]

I have family in Boise. Here's the good and the bad. Good: Downtown is clean and vibrant. Property taxes are low. Outdoor recreation is abundant and nearby. Bad: Low wages. Few social services when you need them. Very few OB/GYN doctors because they are afraid to practice. Horrific, photo-worthy traffic accidents everywhere. Road rage. Extremely hot summers, many days well over 100 degrees. Extremely low humidity, down to 15% which can make your skin crack and bleed, your wooden furniture will crack, etc. Traffic is very heavy, all day long. Urban sprawl, never-ending concrete and asphalt. Winter inversions. Homes are not cheap anymore, unless you want to live in the worst areas.

[@NickJohnson]

Nice try

[@doriemckay6935]

Winter inversion I'd be concerned about.

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

It sucks@@doriemckay6935

[@automnejoy5308]

It just looks like a bunch of strip malls and cookie cutter developments. It doesn't look that scenic, either. I mean, those "mountains" don't hold a candle to say, SLC's. Since it's not even affordable anymore, I really don't see the appeal.

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

SLC's mountains are breataking@@automnejoy5308

[@NewHaven203]

I’ve noticed the houses in the suburbs of the rockies and the west coast all look the same. Same color, brand new, clean streets, and green grass. Here in Connecticut there’s no suburb with houses like that. Homes are alot older here so they show their age, even in nice areas.

[@benabshire5200]

Yeah man my girlfriend and I say the same thing. Boise is full of those kinds of neighborhoods and we describe them as having “no character and no soul”. Is this how we would describe Boise since it has tons of those neighborhoods?

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

Its called cookie cutter.

[@George-jm4rn]

When we moved out west, we rented and traveled for the first year, assessing where we'd most like to live. Boise came in second to northern Colorado (Boulder-Longmont-Loveland-Ft. Collins). We haven't been there for nearly 10 years. It's changed a lot since then, for better or for worse.

[@brendawhisenhunt8444]

Keep voting Red and keep your state clean!

[@FirstnameLastname-bp5cm]

Gross. No thanks.

[@feikschteizman5025]

Drugs and lgbt shit keeps away from red color😂😂😂

[@MonsieurZemuya]

Yeah, Red is the reason I got attacked. Blue is the main reason I have a job and feel safe. Red States = Poverty Blue States = Diversity. So, yeah you can keep your Homophobic, Xenophobic and your misogyny Elsewhere!

[@patjones5723]

​@@FirstnameLastname-bp5cmDid you bump your head 😮

[@coldchickenwings9437]

​@FirstnameLastname-bp5cm sorry your dad wasn't a man-

[@randolphwilliams2365]

I loved how clean it was. I love the parks along the river.

[@richie7201]

Nick, you are an American treasure! Your videos are 🔥! 🙏🙏🙏

[@NickJohnson]

🔥

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Great to get such a preview of the area, always wondered what Boise, Idaho was like!

[@NickJohnson]

I wonder if I'll ever get an A-

[@VictoryGardenPreserve]

The only liberals I know in Idaho are Idaho natives. The most conservative Idahoans come from places where socialism was already in place and they know how bad it is.

[@joshvanassche6061]

I live in Star and it feels like it’s doubled in size in three short years. Awesome place to live; skiing 30 mins away, fishing in town, great motorcycle riding, river rafting, etc. getting crazy crowded very quickly though.

[@maryjogreen1706]

Rich people/ out of state mostly 😢

[@frances3424]

I don't know anything about Idaho, but one thing I do know is they have the best potatoes hands down. LOL I have eaten them all my life and I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mts in Tennessee, close to Gatlinburg. When I get away from my mountains I can't wait to get back.

[@mrskwrl]

You should checkout Gainesville Florida some time. It's my home town and each time I visit it is more and more developed. But still safe, mostly quiet, and also nothing behind glass in stores.

[@sleepingcat3983]

Apreciate the presentation, had been curious about Boise, I also lived a long time in SoCal . . . now in Phoenix 😒

[@goal23lv]

Just moved here from Las Vegas in Aug! We love it so far! Let’s see how this winter goes 😂 great video and spot on!

[@Silvangreen]

You keep running. The people who hate you keep following. They just want your stuff and have to put up with you to get it some of it.

[@andrewduncan6587]

Thank you for showing all sides of the United States from your perspective. Finishing up our house in Colorado so we can move to Norway. Don't see a comeback for the US so gonna sell while prices are still relatively high

[@NickJohnson]

Wow Andy that's extreme! Email me I'd love to hear more! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail

[@dale6349]

Wonderful caustic delivery!

[@deanhawk7260]

Man you nailed it. This is Portland 15 years ago with all the construction and popularity, but the subdivisions in Boise remind me of the Sacramento metro, flat sprawling ugly suburbs. Sad to see this happening to such a nice wholesome place. The future looks bleak.

[@thequintanashow5058]

From Sacramento. Yes. I see the beginnings of what has happened there happening here. Local governments who approve any and all housing construction as long as there is flat land to build on …. Erasing absolutely all character, and history.

[@MirzaAhmed89]

You think population and economic growth makes a place less wholesome? LOL.

[@ElTrokeroLokochon]

@@MirzaAhmed89its not that, it's the way Boise implements it's growth.

[@TheJeffShadowShow]

Well, at least the Pontiac Bonneville SLE at 17:27 has a "car cover"!

[@patriciaanzelc5386]

I lived in the Bay Area all my life. We decided to retire in Boise. We starting looking for a home in 2012. It was amazing. Airport not crowded. The restaurants were great and could actually get in on Friday and Saturday nights. Nice people etc. Bought our dream new home in Boise foothill development for $407k in 2014. Boise still had not recovered from the crash of 2008. Boise is an isolated metro area, so when there is a crash it takes a long time to recover because all the construction workers leave and it takes them a long time for them to come back. Boise is a mixed bag. It has wonderful natural beauty and lots of outdoor activities. However, I don’t think they are keeping up with road construction, schools and medical facilities. We moved back to California in 2020 to the Folsom area for family reasons. We had two snowy freezing winters , too normal winter and two warm winters while we were in Boise. Temps do get below zero some winters. The summers are hot and dry. The sprint and fall seasons are fairly short. Boise is nice but I see problems looming. Buyer beware it is not nirvana. We did enjoy the 6 years there but it was just too isolated for me. The airport is not an international airport, so traveling is not easy.

[@kchididdy]

People can knock it all they want but there are some great things about the Bay Area. It's easy to take for granted when you live here. Beside high COL, I'm pretty satisfied with where I live.

[@sethroberts634]

​@@kchididdyI lived in San Diego 20 years ago and it's beautiful and that's literally where the positives end. I'd never even think of vacationing there. That's the biggest slap in the face right there. 😂

[@nateb9768]

​@kchididdy as a young person in the Bay Area if you aren't in the tech world you're screwed. We either have to LEAVE or live with our parents well into our 20s. You can praise the Bay all you want, it's changed for the worse.

[@timward3116]

Last time I was to Boise was exactly 40 years ago (October, 1983). The air was cool and fresh. It was like breathing a Tic-Tac. And so clean and peaceful! I always thought it would be a great place to live and, 40 years later, it seems that I probably missed the boat on that one.

[@michaeledwards6890]

theres still Wyoming if you wanna pretend to be a cowboy in the 1800s, the world has around 8 billion people now so

[@michaeledwards6890]

in face i looked it up. 4.6 billion in 1983, 8 billion now!

[@timward3116]

@@michaeledwards6890 Looks like its time for me to fire up the Starship Enterprise and find another planet.

[@BANDIT2DAY]

I live in the Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene area in the northern part of Idaho. The growth has been insane up here as well.

[@BasementBerean]

It was the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Martin v. City of Boise in 2018 that made it de facto legal for homeless to camp on city property if the city does not provide housing for them.

[@robertcoggins8545]

Yep and I know the Homeless POS Drug Addict who Was Involved in that Court Case! She's still an Addict and in and out of Jail every week

[@sunnyday7843]

So how come not many homeless there ?

[@robertcoggins8545]

@@sunnyday7843 they are here! Hidden in shelters and Hotels.

[@joliepop1661]

Revolting

[@SAMeyer-hh7cv]

No homeless allowed to camp in the streets or parks!

[@Godscreation12930]

Nick, you have created a great resource and fun entertainment channel. I've been watching your great videos for 2yrs. 1990 my mother, 7yo daughter, and me took a 4 month road trip in a Chevy Cavalier. Half way between Moscow and Caldwell on a narrow 2 way mountain road, 2 guys in a pick up truck with a riffle in the rack in the back cab window were in front of us.. They began by blocking us each time I tried to pass on the left. 20 minutes later I decided to hang back. They moved into the oncoming lane motioning us to pass on the right. I didn't make that move. They got agitated and pulled the rifle out of the rack. It got stuck in between the front and back window. The passenger really struggled trying to get the rifle loose 😂. The driver tried to help and began to swerve and had to slow down. I told mom and daughter to hit the f,oor. Punched the Cavalier and it TOOK OFF! Our lights were off. After about 10 minutes I decided to turn them on. Just in time! It was dark and we were headed for a drop off in a hairpin turn in the road. Mountain on one side, revene and stream on the other. As we straightened out from the curve I looked back. A sedan was now behind us. We had been the only car on the road for over an hr driving south from Moscow. Eventually we got stuck behind an ambulance in Caldwell. Finally we found our turn for the KOA campground in Boise. We had just turned in as I looked back at the stop. Tbey were there! They didn't see us! I believe an angel was with us that day!! Must have been the California plates!!

[@KCFromTheIE]

Such a wonderful look at Boise! No one does it like you Nick ❤❤

[@NickJohnson]

You are 50% of it!

[@ifeanyiosuji7174]

Hi KC

[@amypeterson5354]

This is the best video I've seen on Boise! Great job!

[@VietNguyen-vj4su]

Southern Idaho is nice, especially in July, the whole area along I-15N, from Utah border to Idaho Falls, is like a movie set. it's quite pretty. hills covered with green grasses on both sides of the interstate. it's wide open and long valley, and the interstate runs thru it. You'd drive for miles in open space, and green hills, cool fresh air. I was surprised that southern ID has a lot of farm land and pine forests (along the snake river), and along the road that leads to Yellow Stone. the Devil Creek Reservoir area is also very nice. I could sit by the lake to enjoy the view for hours (the lake is surrounded by hills covered with green grass, cool breeze in a sunny afternoon.

[@recasheu]

Im from Arizona, and a lot of this reminds me of how much of Arizona started looking around 2014ish.

[@westho7314]

i left Arizona in 1997 & moved back to rural eastern California.

[@carinarilk89]

Oh my God! It's a shame. I think people must help to each other. We are all humans, that happened Worldwide Nick. ❤I' m sad to see that. God bless you all. Be careful Please don't take drugs or alcohol.

[@elevatormusicirelia9043]

Been Living in Nampa/Boise area for over 25 years, it's every bit as beautiful and safe as you are saying.

[@MattTaylor-xx7gs]

Good interviewee, he probably has a good idea about checking out Omaha or Des Moines. I visited Boise and liked it, but I personally preferred Omaha , which I have lived in for 15 years, before moving to the Tucson AZ area about a decade ago. But definitely, when you are young and starting out, you want to avoid extremely expensive housing markets. Soon after graduating college, I left NJ, due to the high cost of virtually everything, not to mention, that horrible recession in 1991.

[@angelaarmie5789]

Most people will turn their noses up to the midwest and by the time they get that's not bad at all it will be too late

[@danmur2797]

​​​@@angelaarmie5789I've been considering Columbus. Like that it's close to the Appalachian mountains, but still a proper city. Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Des Moines sound nice too. I briefly considered Minneapolis but sounds like they have issues there. Also I've met Minnesotans. They have very selectively nice personalities. Wisconsin seems the same, but a more rural version. Plus Wisconsin seems to have a strange mix of urban cities with big city problems, but rural mentality. At least that's the impression I've gotten. Everyone says Michigan is nice, but seems to get too cold to me being next to the Great Lakes.

[@maryclebeau]

Yes! Very excited to see it!😊

[@NickJohnson]

Yay Mary!

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

My son and his family lived in Boise for 20 years. They all moved out because it got too expensive. His adult daughter tried to move back there with her husband. With two incomes they still couldn't afford a place to rent. They even tried living in an RV in a long term campground but despite the high RV lot rent they had no vacancy. Believe it or not they ended up in Denver. Can you believe Denver was lower cost of living than Boise?

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

wow ,yes I do believe that !

[@deon-l8p]

shessh how old r u?

[@mtnwalkingdogwoman]

old enough to know better!@@deon-l8p

[@cherrybb3888]

@@deon-l8pAn age you’ll be one day.

[@aribasmajian18]

Good video I drove through Boise years ago with a friend we were on a road trip on our way back to coeurd'alene we stayed the night in Boise and drove back the next day it seemed nice in Boise we didn't stick around long enough to know. I remember someone asking me when i got gas where i was headed i said coeurd'alene he said that's a long way Boise reminds me of colorado springs where I live now just not as big there are more homeless people here in the springs I was hiking one of the city trails in downtown colorado springs in America the beautiful park homeless people were everywhere. I guess as far as Idaho is concerned you have to go towards Wyoming to get away from it all or very far north. Idaho has lots of open land like all western states do including California. A lot of it can't be built for that reason Idaho is pretty environmentally friendly.

[@christineritchey6967]

I just stayed in Boise a couple weeks ago… I was not impressed. Maybe I was just super tired from driving for so long! I do miss going up int Saint Mary’s, the Big Eddy, Coeur d’Alene. Lots of my mother’s relatives, not sure how many are left. 😊 I did enjoy a small town called, Susanville, CA., on my trip back from AZ. Thanks for sharing.

[@hiiij9638]

You’re probably from cali

[@robertcoggins8545]

Nick after watching this video again you drove right in front of my Townhouse on the Boise Bench Neighborhood.