Yeah if you're in IT, definitely have a job before you move up here. Either that or be willing to work a call center while you look. That said, as a former Fort Worth native, Boise's nicely affordable on a more standard hourly wage.
If hiking and outdoors is more your style, I highly recommend downtown at the least and more the Warm Springs end of town at best. You'll need to look in person for good rentals in those areas though. Most of the ones advertised online are more expensive than the average for that area.
There are a number of unique stores and restaurants in Boise, you just have to look for them and ask people. We have one of the largest per capita ratios of chain restaurants so it can mistakenly seem like that's all there are. (Still can't find chips comparable to a Mexican Inn though. My uncle has to bring them up in his suitcase on visits
![Big Grin](https://pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
) Healthwise, during all seasons the Boise Coop is great for pretty much every option you can think of. Its a little spendier but that seems to be the case for healthier options. A few fruit/veggie stands operate year round and from April until October the farmer's markets are open too.
Hope that helps!