I’m sure this has likely been asked to death over recent years but is there a reason many individuals prefer to rp in SW than Boralus? Is it just because people cba to go through the portal? Personally I find Stormwind to be bland, uninspiring and boring with it’s same 4 inns and lack of detail.
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If I had to take a guess, it’s because there’s a lack of hostile NPCs in Stormwind, and a lot of open space for players to use and gather in, without it feeling too crowded.
Boralus has a large amount of the Ashvane Docks and the nearby area become unusable for lower levels, due to the hostile NPCs there. There’s also the odd World Quest, or even the BfA Horde Invasions that can occur, which can be an immersion breaker.
That said, I do think players should branch out more to other zones than just Stormwind. There’s a Market happening in Boralus tonight (21st August, 2023 for folks reading this in the future), which should draw a nice crowd. But outside of that, people will just congregate where other people are. And, seeing as Stormwind is a pretty safe bet at most times of the day…?
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It’s probably both. Convenience plays a big part in where people congregate and Stormwind is a very convenient place to just be in. Large, easy access to transmog, tradeshop, portals, auction house and the only thing you have to do to reach is… leave what hub the xpac you’re in uses, find a spot and go IC.
Generally people don’t do extra steps unless they feel it’s really worth the effort.
Dem humies kan keep 'em Boraluz!!
Keep 'em Stormzizzy!!
Barrenz iz da best!!
Where are the Boralus events typically advertised? I feel like I can never find out when they are. 
Perhaps other people being as out of the loop like I am is a contributor to not many people visiting the zone?
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Out of habit I guess
And of course, Stormwind is basically the “Alliance Capital” while Borallus is… you need a reason to be there
“I want to go to there.”
Thats perfectly valid.
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Sure
But why?
For example, why a Drenei would want to go there?
Or a Dracthyr?
You need a reason, while you can just hang out in Stormwind for some “freestlye RP”
Simply by virtue of wanting to visit another place?
Especially dracthyr.
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In a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, I think most people stick to Stormwind because that’s where the most RP is to be found.
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‘I want to go there.’
That’s it, all the reason you really need if nothing else.
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I said that already!
And its perfectly valid. It’s why most people go anywhere.
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Yet, most people stay at stormwind
As you said, and as I said, you need a reason to go Boralus
Many don’t have a reason and don’t bother
Because having an IC reason doesn’t matter ultimately.
People go where the others are. And the bulk are in SW so they stay.
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While I understand that we don’t see a broad selection of races among the Boralus NPCs (because Kul Tiras was secluded from the Alliance at the start of BfA) it’s still very much a bustling port city. I’d say there’s a million reasons to be there, trading being the most obvious one. Anyone who travels by boat for what ever reason would likely end up in Boralus at some point - even more especially so now that they’re allied with the Alliance.
Having ‘no reason’ to be there seems a bit of a weak statement. As a non-human you need as much ‘reason’ to be there as you need ‘reason’ to be in Stormwind.
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Some people prefer Stormwind’s lore to Kul Tiras, and having to take a portal to get to it is already one step more than having to go roleplay in Stormwind. Ironforge only needs you to take the Deeprun Tram, and I can assure you that it’s only been sporadically active in RP realms as of these last eighteen years.
The thematic is just more of a catch-all generic fantasy city compared to Boralus’ clear maritime thematic. I, personally, don’t like it all that much for very much that same reason, but one cannot deny that in basically every fantasy RPG out there, vaguely medieval humans with swords are the number one picked class/race combination.
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This is pretty much corroborated by Talia Fordragon(!) when we first arrive. She assures the player that no one will point the finger due to the recent prison break, as at the market in Boralus the PC will just be another traveler.
Considering the slew of races she tells this to, I think it’s reasonable to assume that almost all walks of life can be found there on a regular basis.
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That’s a great point! I’d love for Boralus to be seen as the massive (and likely diverse) port town it is. Sure, the excessive human marine vibes might be a bit off-putting to some but I rarely see people take issue with the goblin vibes of Gadgetzan or Ratchet.
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Isn’t she a Fordragon?
The traders seem diverse along the side past the army types.
So she is!