BSu nursing student-to-be with questions

Hey everybody!
I've just gotten my acceptance letter to BSU's Fall 2009 Bachelor's Program and I'm pretty darned stoked!
However, I've never even been to Boise; and I've been hearing GOOD and BAD things about the place. It's a bit confusing.
I'd be grateful to any info you could share regarding housing, life-style, dating, the program, things-to-do/not-do, etc.
A little background: I've been in CA for the last 15yrs, am pretty progressive, straight, 39yr male, a non-boozer, healthy, single, and sane.

What sort of cost of living am I looking at? $$$ for rent and day-to-day expenses.
Ideally, I'd live alone. But is it advisable that I get a nursing student as a roommate?
I'd want to live close to campus. Anybody know cute & safe & affordable apartment near-by?
What's it like dating in Boise? (I dont drink, am not looking to get married for a while, and think it'd be a bad idea to date a classmate, assuming one would want to date a guy my age.)
With clinicals I'd have to have a car, yes?
I dont mean to come off as smug/snobby, but I've gotten spoiled by the life-style and cuisine options here in SF. Are there good/cheap/tasty ethnic (non-burrito joints) in town and cheap yoga studios?

Again, thanks for any info you guys can give!
(and for some reason, I'm not allowed to private message on here)

-Russ