Continuing the trend of accolades over the past several years Boise once again lands in the top 10 list for the best places to live according to Yahoo Finance and US News. See the complete listing at the following link. http://xrl.in/2fup
While Boise has not escaped unscathed in these trying economic times, it has fared better than many. Jobs and housing will be key to any recovery and despite recent layoffs at several large employers in the Treasure Valley we continue to attract new business (both large and small) to further diversify and expand our economic base. The high quality of life and affordable cost of living continue to draw individuals, families, and investors from around the country to the city of trees.
As of last Friday there has been an exciting improvement to the $8,000 ($8,000 or 10% of sales price, whichever is less) tax credit available to first time home buyers. Now, buyers using FHA approved lenders will be able to take an advance on their $8,000 credit and put it towards their down payments and or closing costs.
While the stimulus provides this credit to first time buyers (or those that have not owned a home for the past 3 years) the $8,000 previously could only be collected after the close of escrow by filing an amended 2008 return or waiting to claim the credit in 2010 on the buyers 2009 tax return.
I expect this to make a great thing even better as many first time home buyers find it difficult to come up with thousands of dollars in closing costs along with a down payment. For additional information regarding this new program consult your preferred lender. You can read the full article about this new program here.
All the more reason to move to the City of Trees! According to Yahoo Finance, Boise took the # 3 spot based on our combination of highly educated work force already in place and low cost of living/high quality of life. Over the past few years Boise has received many accolades as a fantastic place to live and work, frequently ranking in the top ten in many national publications. While not immune to the economic downturn, many employees that have taken leave of our high tech employers (Micron, HP) and remained in the Treasure Valley going into business for themselves.
For those of you that may not check out the article (it’s not that long, but I understand you may not click), we were beaten out of the top spot by Buenos Aires, Argentina & Winnipeg Canada. Check out the news for yourself, http://xrl.in/27d5.
Well, Boise’s growing up and with it comes some improvements to our trash collection and curb side recycling programs. Over the summer all Allied Waste (formerly BFI) customers will be receiving new trash and recycling bins. While some customers have already upgraded to the newer wheeled bins, they have been optional and even resulted in an additional rental cost for the convenience. Under this new program, all residents will be upgraded and there will be no additional cost associated with the use of the new cans. Yes, if you’re already using one and getting billed for it, expect to see that drop off shortly.
Along with the automated trucks that will be rolling up and grabbing our trash cans from their quiet resting places on the sidewalk, we’ll see a completely new recycling program roll out. Not only will we be parting company with the barrage of small blue bins (we have 4 here at my house) for our cardboard, cans, plastics, paper, but once the change is in place sorting recyclables will be a thing of the past. Brand new huge blue cans, similar to the new garbage bins, will be delivered to residents wishing to participate. All recycling will be deposited in the solitary recycling can and collected every other week. Sorting of the various recyclables to be handled offsite. This move alone cuts half the amount of recycling trucks roaming neighborhoods in half, add to that that the new collection trucks added to the fleet will run on compressed natural gas. A double win for those keep score on environmental impact.
Full details, ordering options and more is all available at the http://www.curbitboise.org website. Check it out, it’s worth noting that here in the lovely City of Trees, residents that do not participate in the recycling program do pay a premium on their garbage bills, so get with the program and start recycling.
Now… if only we had a real mass transit system! 
