Working Remotely in Boise, Idaho
This is part of my remote work travel series where I review places I visit as a digital nomad.
Check out the rest of my posts and follow me on Instagram and on TikTok for more travel content!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may make a small commission if you click through. Thanks for supporting my blog!
I grew up in a small town in Arizona, but I traded in my metaphorical cowboy boots for big city dreams as soon as I turned eighteen, a typical rite of passage.
As an adult returning to this part of the country during the last month of my remote work roadtrip, it’s been an interesting change to go from the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles to some of the smaller cities in the Western US.
When we got to Boise, I was struck by how its downtown feels like a main street in which citizens threw some magic beans around and saw high rises grow instead of bean stalks. Boise feels awkwardly quaint, like a white picket fence neighborhood got injected with growth hormones. Overall? A nice place to spend a few days and wander around the nearby parks and Boise State campus.
If you’re a digital nomad doing a roadtrip and happen to come to Idaho, here’s what you should know about Boise.
Where to Stay and What to Do in Boise for Digital Nomads
If you’re not staying in walking distance from Downtown Boise, you’re doing it wrong. And yes, I am biased as someone who can’t stand cars, but trust me on this one.
We stayed a long walk from downtown, but I enjoyed making the trek each day because it helped me get out of the house. The weather in May was perfect: some light rain, some warm days, and some cool days. A kind of timid summer if you ask me, which was a nice change of pace from the blistering heat of cities like Phoenix.
So, you’re going to want to walk downtown every day for coffee, smoothies, lunch, dinner, live music, that guy playing an electric banjo on the corner — you name it. Boise State is also nearby as well as some lush parks by the river, so you can take a walk after a meal and enjoy the outdoors.
Our Airbnb felt like a stay-at-home housewife’s paradise, beautifully decorated with a big backyard and front porch. It was cozy and had a nice little dining table/work nook and comfortable beds. Definitely one of our favorite Airbnbs we’ve stayed in so far on our trip, and the tree-lined streets were reminiscent of the rest of the city’s charm.
In terms of where to eat in Boise, The Funky Taco and Tupelo Honey for brunch are our favorites. (Tupelo is a little less vegan-friendly, but they have biscuits to die for!) The Wylder has fantastic pizza, and we ate there twice because it was so good (just be sure to get there early to get your name on the list as there’s usually a wait!)
Tips for Digital Nomads in Boise, Idaho
When it comes to workspaces in Boise, there are plenty of options when it comes to coffeeshops or places to get things done. This is in part because of the nearby college: so many places are student-friendly and equipped for long study sessions.
Overall, I think Boise is a great stop to add to your remote work roadtrip, but you probably don’t need to spend more than a week here. Boise and Salt Lake are great places with some good food, nice nature, and cheap Airbnbs. They’re clean, walkable, and friendly cities for the most part.
However, I definitely felt the pull of the big city as I look ahead to my upcoming trip to NYC, where I’ll be relocating permanently (and becoming more of a part-time digital nomad!)
So if you need a quiet place to work, pull the trigger on your remote work roadtrip. Just don’t linger for too long, or else you’ll also get homesick for a feeling you can’t quite name, the rush of being a stranger among strangers in a crowd of people surrounded by high-rises and even higher aspirations.
If you’re looking to kickstart your remote work/digital nomad journey, check out my freelancing 101 free resource guide.
Safe travels!
If you liked this post, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and check out the rest of my remote work series. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or on TikTok to join me in my journeys in real-time. I can’t wait to continue to share my travels with you!
Get Travel Medical Insurance with SafetyWing
When traveling, I use SafetyWing’s Digital Nomad Travel Medical Insurance (ad/affiliate link) to stay safe. Use the calculator below to see how much it costs:
