Boise vs. Reno

**lameduck** · 12-03-2009, 12:45 PM

So I'm thinking about a longish term move. I moved to Hailey, ID a few months ago after working as a raft guide on the Salmon. I love Idaho, its super nice here. Everyone says boise is a great town, and I get a very good vibe from all the folks ive met from there. very entrepreneurial business culture. I'm trying to start a career in land use/urban planning/development related stuff. Right now I'm an intern at a land trust.

I also hear great things about Reno and heard theres a lot of similarities between the two cities. sounds like a dirty little paradise. i think the economy may be harder hit than boise, though. I dont know much about it, although its real close to tahoe, i think there is some rad mountain biking. but im very interested in the feel of the place, and boise as well.

as far as skiing goes, thats not my top priority any more. i recently moved from mt baker, and i will keep going back when i can. i could see myself owning a snowmobile down the line, so maybe resorts arent necessary. i dont have a pass this year (sun valley, give me a break). i still really like recreating outdoors- whitewater, mtn biking are lots of fun. but ill probably be working full time, so not necessarily getting out all the time.

so anyone have any sage advice? i dont really know much about either town.

**Braap** · 12-03-2009, 12:53 PM

Tacos, Tacos, Tacos...

**slide_for_life** · 12-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Lived in Boise for a few years and loved it. Your assessments are right on. Land use is a pretty hot topic in that town, although I think that it got pretty overbuilt during the boom so working on private real estate might be tough. Still, there's probably some opportunity with the various Federal agencies based there. The economy in general is still reeling and Micron (the single biggest employer) is not in good shape. The area would be hard hit if they pulled out, although the federal jobs would remain. The skiing in Bosie can't hold a candle to Reno, but the sled access a little north of town is supposedly epic. If you like whitewater, Boise is the place. Reno has some goods nearby, but it's hard to beat the Payettes, plus Boise will eventually build a whitewater park downtown.

Can't say much about living or the economy in Reno, but Mt. Rose and Tahoe are obviously better than Bogus. Mountain biking in both places is pretty comparable.

**El Chupacabra** · 12-03-2009, 01:03 PM

I live in Reno. I think Boise is a prettier town.

Reno has a kayak park on the Truckee River downtown, and there's apparently another one built (or being built) in Sparks, which is a neighboring suburb. I have some friends who are very into river kayaking, and they say it's good around here. (I don't kayak.)

Tahoe has more ski areas around it vs. Boise. There's endless mountain biking/ hiking in the Sierra. No income tax in Nevada.

Have you visited both towns?

**lameduck** · 12-03-2009, 01:04 PM

by federal agencies, do you mean BLM and forest service?

**LightRanger** · 12-03-2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by slide_for_life

Reno has some goods nearby

Yep.

**lameduck** · 12-03-2009, 01:20 PM

I've spent some time walking and driving around both, but haven't gotten the tour from a local in either.

**gageyk** · 12-03-2009, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by lameduck

. I'm trying to start a career in land use/urban planning/development related stuff. Right now I'm an intern at a land trust.
.

Your career choice is not too promising in the Reno area. My wife has been a land use planner for the past 23 years for various local govt. agencies. She doesn't know if she'll have a job on July 1, 2010 due to our lovely local economy. Most of the private sector planning jobs are gone, there simply is no new development occurring.

That being said when the economy does turn around I still don't see Reno returning to the previous building craze for a while. I'd do a job search to see what area has the best opportunities. Unfortunately job prospects in your chosen career are not to bright for the immediate future, if you've got a job you may want to find a new one before moving.

I would say though that the Reno/Carson City, Lake Tahoe area probably has more opportunities for someone with your career aspirations. There is lots of federal govt, BLM, USFS, Navy, Army nearby. Lots of small municipalities close by as well that will eventually have job opportunities.

Good luck at whatever area you choose. Lots do to within 2 hours of Reno and you are never going with the traffic flow to enjoy it.

**Irish Yoga** · 12-03-2009, 03:59 PM

I lived in Boise for over ten years and can verify that the mountain biking and whitewater available both in town and nearby are epic. Decent little downtown that is trying to develop some character. As far as the skiing goes, obviously the Reno/Tahoe area has Boise beat hands down. We used to road trip to ski around Tahoe both for the skiing and nightlife that Boise is lacking. As for the Micron reference, they have already laid off over 5000 people so finding jobs may be an issue, but finding a cheap house probably not so bad.

**pogs4ever** · 12-03-2009, 06:47 PM

I live in boise at the moment, lived in northern cal the last few years...as others have said:

(1) skiing no comparison - reno
(2) biking is about the same (different kinds of mountain biking, more gnar around tahoe, N* etc) but same amount of epicness
(3) white water - boise

in response to others:
-downtown has picked up a lot since i last lived here several years ago. i love downtown boise, very chill, very bike friendly, very safe, cheap beers and decent food and venues (if you arent snobby of course)
-the micron situation is stable and they for sure wont be pulling out any time soon, although they did just lay off 5k people, so the housing market is depressed for sure, but on the whole, the population of boise jumped something like 12% this year and we are now in the top 100 most populous city, largely in part to the dire situations hitting cali/ore/wash and people immigrating.

if skiing is truly secondary, i'd say Boise for sure.

**Subluxation** · 12-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Boise, unless you can afford to live up at the lake, Tahoe that is. Boise has access opportunities w/in striking (riding) distance from your backdoor whereas Reno is always a drive. I've lived in both, currently residing in the TV, and save for the lure of the Sierras and the good water of the big blue..Boise is pretty hard to beat. Reno has crazy numbers besides.

**Steepdeepnlong** · 12-04-2009, 12:44 AM

Mtn biking in Boise after work is not a problem. Trails are accessible from almost anywhere in town and there are miles of them. In summer, decent daylight until 9:30. World class whitewater is close. Cultural scene is improving. Skiing is probably average, but it's close and it's lit up at night. Plus, in Boise you will never lose rent to a casino.

G · 12-04-2009, 01:26 AM

Reno has more cheap hookers.

But the quality is slightly higher in Idaho.

Hugh Conway · 12-04-2009, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by G

But the quality is slightly higher in Idaho.

Why pay in Idaho with all the Mormon swingers?

**RaccoonFace** · 12-04-2009, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Reno has a kayak park on the Truckee River downtown, and there's apparently another one built (or being built) in Sparks, which is a neighboring suburb. I have some friends who are very into river kayaking, and they say it's good around here. (I don't kayak.)

Don't count on the Reno kayak park. It is almost impossible to get through it in a boat when the weather gets into the 80s. There are MILLIONS of people in the water there which wouldn't be an issue if they would stop hanging off your boat... Think Cuban Boat People. I've literally had to hit people because they were holding me under or turning me over.

With that said there is plenty of boating in the area.

okbye

loJack · 12-04-2009, 09:59 AM

1 gnar point awarded for your token bag on Sun Valley.
1 gnar point awarded for mentioning the possibility of owning a snowmobile.
Grand total=2 gnar points, not bad you are well on your way to becoming rad.

**lameduck** · 12-04-2009, 11:32 AM

I dont get points for dropping the mt baker reference?

**lameduck** · 12-04-2009, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by RaccoonFace

Don't count on the Reno kayak park. It is almost impossible to get through it in a boat when the weather gets into the 80s. There are MILLIONS of people in the water there which wouldn't be an issue if they would stop hanging off your boat... Think Cuban Boat People. I've literally had to hit people because they were holding me under or turning me over.

With that said there is plenty of boating in the area.

okbye

wow, sounds like a scene. sort of like the fish ladder in horseshoe bend. i think the boise park is pretty much a go, and on a side note, ketchum might be getting one as well, with the help of the local land trust.

**lameduck** · 12-04-2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Subluxation

Boise, unless you can afford to live up at the lake, Tahoe that is. Boise has access opportunities w/in striking (riding) distance from your backdoor whereas Reno is always a drive. I've lived in both, currently residing in the TV, and save for the lure of the Sierras and the good water of the big blue..Boise is pretty hard to beat. Reno has crazy numbers besides.

yeah it seems to me tahoe would be more than ski town living just because of how much stuff is up there. would probably make that move if there was an opportunity. but im not holding my breath.

thanks for the help all.

**neckdeep** · 12-04-2009, 12:02 PM

Well, one thing that noone mentioned is that Boise has the BSU influence, which gives its economy a bit of a stable and yet diverse base. It's downright progressive there compared to eastern Idaho. With your interests, I'd think you'd find more people with common interests/networking opportunities etc. in Boise. Nevada residents have a long tradition of, ummmm, hostility towards people regulating their land. Boise is really hot as hell for 7-8 weeks a year, too warm for my tastes.

loJack · 12-04-2009, 12:08 PM

Gnar points are given out with the understanding that everyone on the internet lives in Chamonix so a Mt. Baker claim is irrelevant.

**lameduck** · 12-04-2009, 01:22 PM

I deserve the call out for bagging on sun valley. i can't help it. i've never even skied here. i do get the feeling backcountry's going to be rad, so maybe i should stop talking shit and start looking for partners. wood river valley folks hit me up if you want to go tour.

loJack · 12-04-2009, 02:10 PM

Did you work for white otter

**Sponge McBragg** · 12-06-2009, 04:13 AM

+1 gnar point Tamarack closed until further notice .
+1 gnar point Brundage pass is $300 (first timer ) and getting tracked out quicker than ever
+1 gnar point Bogus passes being $200
- 1 gnar point sled accesed skiing north of Boise absolutely sucking ass . Except Mores Creek/Idaho City heard it rules there .
+1 gnar point Boise MTB year round .
+1 gnar point Sun Valley is just as close as Brundage .

So you can have a urban enviro without having to deal with hwy 55 and if it goes off just drive 2 hours to Sun Valley or 6 hours to Utah .

Most hardcore Boise skiers only ski Utah anyways .

I dont anything bout Reno but if your not into skiing Boise the way to go .

If your thinking about a sled. You have to drive a ways to get to anything decent and its still pretty wack , just a bunch of chiselers(slowass snowboarders) wanking it on bunk ass terrain .
Anytime I see anyone in the BC they would rather be at Alta . They have the stickers to say as much .

So get a pass to Utah and just go when its good .

They are spose to be putting a white H2o park in Cascade this winter (rocks stacked ) as I speak but it will be wack and the extreme will still be on the North Fork. Most extreme kayakers will stay away because its not the North Fork, its Cascade ya know with chiselers and hicks . Its not the North Fork until the county line . Before that its a wack ass tail water that doesnt flow at 1200 CFS all summer until its it hits the Boise County line, then its extreme. Its close to the North end then and its acceptable.

Most Boise peeps dont spend much time up here because it sucks and Sun Valley is where they go with the cheap passes and the like . Much better snow too over there in 5B.

I think it snows like twice as much on Baldy as Brundage.

So ditch the sled idea and just ski Utah. If you want to ski weird fall lines and wack snow go to Brundage and suffer like all the rest . The best skiers dont come near here .If they do they just bitch, they would rather be at Alta or Mammoth.

Just an observation, I suck at everything so these shit mountains do me just fine. If I could find a place to snowmobile . It sucks trailering 3 hours to get to the trailhead . ha ha .

/jaded depression era blog. (you aint in a depression until the unemployment is 20% , got that covered )