Hurricanes, Boise Emerge as Winners in MPC Bowl Game

The MPC Computers Bowl this week drew national attention to Boise, Idaho. In the game, the University of Miami Hurricanes eked out a 21-20 win over the University of Nevada in the contest's final minute, but observers around the country remarked that the real winners of the game may have been the city of Boise and the state of Idaho. Many businesses and individuals around the U.S. had already turned their sights to the Idaho capitol even before the game, as it has emerged as a cosmopolitan yet uncrowded city surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty.

A sports columnist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper discovered the benefits of Idaho the hard way when some disparaging comments he made about the city and state were met with a torrent of critical e-mails from proud Idahoans. He quickly responded by setting the record straight, mentioning that Boise has been been experiencing a tech-drive population boom in the last decade, and that Californians frustrated by crowding and traffic have been relocating to the city.

That's far from the only good news about Boise. A major Portland, Oregon public relations firm opened an office in Boise on January 1, 2007, and the city has been the recipient of awards and attention over the last few years from national publications and organizations. Fortune rated the city number 1 on its 2005 list of "Best Places for Business And Careers," while The Wall Street Journal mentioned it in a 2004 article on places that were an "Oasis for Retirees." Boise also came in number 13 on the National Policy Research Council's 2004 Gold Guide for "Best Overall City," and sporting magazines have even remarked on its many opportunities for biking and other recreation.

Housing options in the city range from older homes to new construction to planned communities, and a guide to Boise MLS provides a one-stop source for exploring all the options.