Athens of the Sagebrush

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Idaho is a vibrant state well known for its forests
, sagebrush plains, potatoes, and great outdoor recreation. It is a hotspot for rafting, hiking, boating, snowmobiling, skiing, and mountain biking. Its cities and towns range from hardcore rural to sleek urban. Its capital city, Boise, is the largest city in the state and Idaho’s cultural center. In 1906, Clarence Darrow, a famous lawyer at the time, coined it the Athens of the Sagebrush for the abundant arts, culture, and energy of the city (
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20121120-idahos-vibrant-capital-of-culture/2). Here are a few reasons why Boise is such a vibrant place to live.

Culture

Boise is one of the most isolated urban areas in the United States, with the exception of cities in Hawaii and Alaska. The closest urban city is about 330 miles away. As a result of this, Boise’s city government has made a substantial effort to fund and encourage arts in the Treasure Valley. Their concerted efforts have provided funding for murals and sculptures throughout the city, as well as boosting the foundations of companies such as the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Idaho, and other fine arts companies. This provides Boise citizens, and performers, with access to some of history’s finest art productions and also encourages continued creativity.diversiondamboise_350

Recreation

The geography surrounding the city of Boise provides year round outdoor recreation. During the hot summer, you can ride your bike on the Boise River Greenbelt or float the Boise River. If the class 2 rapids on the Boise aren’t wild enough for you, check out the recently opened Boise River Recreation Park, where you can learn the skills to deal with Idaho’s big boy rivers. Among these is the world famous Payette River. Take an hour drive up to it for some of the most challenging kayaking in the world. If you enjoy boating, Lucky Peak Lake is a short drive up into the mountains. Extensive trails in the foothills make excellent biking and hiking. When you reach the end of the trail, you can look out on the city of trees while you catch your breath. Many homes in this area have trails that lead from your backyard. During the winter, drive up to Bogus Basin for an evening of skiing on Boise’s fresh powder. Whatever your outdoor fix is, chances are that you can find it in the city of Boise.

Sustainability

Members of the Boise community strive to use energy in a sustainable fashion. Many of Boise’s downtown structures, including the Capitol building, are heated using water that is geothermally heated. Boise sits right on top of a geologic hotspot, which provides warmth for those who choose to access it. In addition to that, many local restaurants have a menu that changes with the season, and farmers markets throughout the valley provide fresh, locally grown produce.

Boise’s rich culture, due to the efforts of the city government and local citizens, makes it a fantastic place to live. With outdoor recreation, music and entertainment, and sustainable living, the Boise life is the best life. Talk to one of our agents about finding a home in the Athens of the Sagebrush, and start your move to Idaho’s cultural crockpot.

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