Boise Area 55+ Retirement Communities

Boise is the capital of Idaho and the state’s most populous city. Located in the western part of the state and known for its abundance of parks, trails, and outdoor recreation, Boise is also one of the most affordable cities in the United States. The metropolitan area is called Treasure Valley.

Also known as The City of Trees, Boise offers active adults plenty of entertainment, art and culture, dining and nightlife, and history and architecture. Mountains, forests, and rivers offer year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. 

Cost of Living

Boise has a cost of living that’s about average when compared with the national cost of living average, although when you compare it to other capital cities in the United States, prices are fairly low. For example, the cost of living in Boise is 28.4 percent lower than the cost of living in New York City. While housing remains one of the largest expenses for Boise residents, active adults pay less than the national average for goods and services, especially groceries, transportation, fuel, and utilities. 

According to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average salary in Boise is $68,303. State income tax is a flat 5.8 percent, and the sales tax is 6 percent. Home prices in Boise can range from the mid $200s to the mid $700s, depending on property type and neighborhood. Popular communities outside of Boise that attract active adults include Garden City, Eagle, and Meridian.

Climate and Geography

Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Boise sits in a river valley, and the Boise River runs through the center of the city. Residents in Boise experience all four seasons, with the summers staying hot and dry. Temperatures can reach 100 degrees, and in July the average high is about 93 degrees. Winters are cold, with average temperatures in December resting at around 30 degrees. There’s an average of 18 inches of snow every year and only 12 inches of rain, on average, annually.

Recreation, Culture, and Entertainment

Boise offers active adult homebuyers a wide variety of attractions and recreational opportunities. Outdoor activities are especially popular, and this is a fantastic city for:

• Golf: popular courses include The Club at Spurwing, Warm Spring Golf Course, and Crane Creek Country Club 
• Hiking: some of the best trails and trailheads are Cottonwood Creek and Three Bears, among many others 
• Boating and fishing: the Boise National Forest has more than 250 lakes and reservoirs, including Lake Cascade
• Parks and gardens: the Idaho Botanical Gardens and Julia Davis Park, which includes Zoo Boise

Boise also offers a number of historic and cultural sites, including: 

• Old Idaho Penitentiary Site: a territorial prison and historic site that was built in 1870 
• Museums: residents enjoy the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Museum of Mining, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, and the Idaho State Museum
• Shopping and dining: Boise’s Main Market Place and Boise Towne Square draw shoppers, and there’s a thriving food scene that includes food trucks, high-end restaurants, local pizzerias, and breweries

Plays, concerts, and other live performances can be enjoyed at Morrison Center, Boise Contemporary Theater, and Centennial Performing Arts Center, ensuring that active adult residents always have plenty of fun opportunities throughout the Boise, Idaho area.

Health Care

Boise has several highly rated hospitals. St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center has been listed by U.S. News and World Report as Idaho’s best hospital. Founded in 1902, St. Luke’s is the city’s largest healthcare provider.

St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center is Idaho’s only neuro, surgical, and trauma center with an intensive care unit (ICU). It’s a Level II trauma center and stroke center, with 35 beds, specializing in brain surgery and skull-based injuries.

Treasure Valley Hospital specializes in surgery and imaging. It’s a physician-owned hospital which offers in-patient care, out-patient surgery, and recovery units. All these and more help active adult homebuyers in the Boise area maintain proximity to quality healthcare options.