Whether you live in Boise proper or somewhere else in the Treasure Valley, we all commute around for all the things we love. But, which city is the best? That’s a tough question to answer, so we asked our team to share why their city reigns supreme.
The Case for Boise
Campaigning for the City of Trees is Boise resident and Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter, who says the biggest perk of the city is the amount of greenspaces — there’s the Greenbelt, the Ribbon of Jewels, and countless parks, all of which set Boise apart from other cities.
Here are some other things Blake loves about Boise:
- 🚶 Walkability — from tree-lined neighborhoods to hikes in the foothills, Boise is a great place to slow down and walk.
- 🛍️ Local shops — escape the soulless consumerism of retail chains and opt for local staples, from coffee to merch and trinkets. Blake also has a great guide for how to support local Boise businesses.
- 🍸 Bars and restaurants — as a metro area, there are just more options for culinary adventure.
The Case for Meridian
City Cast Boise host and Meridian resident Lindsay Van Allen has a deep appreciation for her community’s ability to organize around important causes. Lindsay has joined her neighbors to protest book bans and fight to keep the Meridian Library from dissolving. Meridianites really show up when it matters.
Here are Lindsay’s other Meridian perks:
- 😊 The Goldilocks of Treasure Valley — it’s just the right size and centrally located, so you can get just about everywhere easily.
- 🏡 Space — Meridian gets a lot of flack for its urban sprawl, but the amount of space can be a perk for some growing families. Plus, you’re probably getting more house for your money.
- 🛍️The Village — on the subject of families, easy access to big stores and nice playgrounds can be clutch during a family outing.
This beautiful heifer loves the rural vibes in Caldwell. (whitenoisey / Getty Images)
The Case for Caldwell
On the Caldwell corner we have City Cast Boise producer Evelyn Avitia, who wants to remind you that the Treasure of the Valley is home to the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. Sure, you can drink wine in Boise and Meridian, but there’s nothing like watching the sunset with a glass of grape juice right from the source.
Here are Evelyn’s other Caldwell top picks:
- 🐴 Rural landscape views — in just a short drive, you can watch the growing construction disappear in the rearview mirror and find yourself at an orchard or a farm. Where else can you pet horses on your walk?
- 🅿️ Free parking — remember when Caldwell installed a bunch of parking meters and residents were not happy? You have them to thank for the abundance of free parking.
- 🌮 Mexican food — Boise might have more cuisine options, but everyone knows that when you’re craving Mexican food, you go to Caldwell.
I think the lesson from all this debating is that Boise, Meridian, and Caldwell all have great things to offer, so “the best city in Treasure Valley” depends on what you’re looking for.
And to make things more interesting, the team also talked about some of the things they dislike about their cities, including the tired cop-out of “Boise kind.”
