There’s a reason Boise consistently lands on top lists in media and news outlets: we have something for everyone. Outdoor lovers will rejoice in Idaho’s mountain communities, historians will be in awe amongst downtown Boise neighborhoods, growing families will find lots of activities in Meridian, and country folk will find plenty of open space in the outskirts of town. With a booming economy and more companies moving to Boise every day, there’s opportunity abound!
When you make the move to Boise, you’ll have lots of neighborhoods and areas to choose from. The city of Boise itself is made up of 11 distinct areas. Add in the suburb cities around Boise and you’re looking at about 20 areas, all within a 45 minutes commute into downtown Boise and each offering a different vibe.
DOWNTOWN BOISE
Downtown Boise is an ever evolving city as we try to keep up with the rapid growth we’ve seen in the last 10-20 years. The city itself is great for walking or bike riding as it is relatively very safe. There’s a multitude of restaurants, from quick bites to breweries to high-end eats. You’ll also find some great activities downtown like the Boise Art Museum, Zoo Boise, Kathryn Albertson Park, and sporting events at CenturyLink Arena. Home prices within downtown can range anywhere from 300K to over a million dollars.
NORTH END
Just a quick 5 minute ride from the heart of downtown, the North End is one of Boise’s oldest and most expensive neighborhoods. It is located north of State Street between Fort & 28th streets. The North End has variety of housing from 100 year old mansions to run down bungalows. The most popular area of the North End is Hyde Park (13th Street). Hyde Park is filled with restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, the Boise co-op, and eclectic shops. It is perfect for Sunday bike rides to your favorite brunch spot or a casual walk around for shopping.
NW BOISE
As you begin to head away from the North End of Boise, you’ll find yourself in NW Boise. This area has a mix of older homes and new construction. It’s a close 15 minute drive down State Street to get into downtown Boise and you’ll be close to the foothills. There’s quick access to miles of hiking trails in the foothills and it’s a straight shot down Hill Road to get to the quaint and “fancy” town of Eagle, Idaho.
SE/NE BOISE
Take Warm Springs Avenue or Park Center Blvd. east and you’ll find yourself in southeast or northeast Boise. The only difference between the too? They are separated by the Boise River. Subdivisions like Harris Ranch, River Heights, Wood Duck Island, and River Run are all located around here. Homes aren’t as expensive as the North End, but you’ll still be paying the second highest price per square foot. This area is also home to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and plenty boasts plenty of hiking, fishing, boating, and more. And if you’re looking for a cute micro downtown to spend some time walking around and with great places to eat, Bown Crossing is where you’ll want to be.
BOISE FOOTHILLS
The Boise foothills, or highlands, sit just above the North End and homes in this area come with a hefty price tag whether you’re buying a newer or older home. In the foothills, you’ll find several homes either have beautiful views of the city, surrounding mountains, or Crane Creek Country Club’s golf course. The Boise foothills are also a curvy 40 minute drive up to one of the most popular ski resorts in the area: Bogus Basin.
HIDDEN SPRINGS & HARRIS RANCH
Hidden Springs is a master planned community located in the foothills of Boise, about 15 minutes from downtown. We mention Hidden Springs because although it is technically a subdivision within the foothills, it is really it’s own little corner of the world. Which means residents either love it or hate it. Hidden Springs has its own elementary school, fire house, preschool, market, and restaurant.
Another kind of community similar to Hidden Springs is Harris Ranch. Harris Ranch is a pedestrian-friendly 1,300-acre master-planned community in southeast Boise that embraces the concepts of Smart Growth, New Urbanism and seeks to strike a careful balance between new development and the protection of the environment, wildlife habitat and historic values in the Barber Valley. While the area of Harris Ranch is still in the development stages, the long-term plan calls for a continuation of adding mixed-use office and retail space including grocery stores and medical offices. An addition of an elementary school to be built within the community is slated to open Fall 2023.
SOUTH BOISE
South Boise runs from the airport to the Boise/Meridian line and is 10-15 outside of downtown Boise. This area was once full of nothing but farmland, but it has quickly become home to flourishing neighborhoods. It’s a great area for people who want the hustle and bustle of Boise life during the day, and quiet neighborhood life at night.
WEST BOISE
West Boise hasn’t changed much over the years, and you’ll find the majority of homes in this area are from the 80s and 90s. It is the older and more established part of Boise. People love it here though because it’s right in the middle of downtown and Meridian providing quick access to the best of what each city has to offer.
BOISE BENCH
What’s not to love about the Boise Bench? This area is a mixed bag of old world Boise and recently remodeled flips or new construction. It’s located just south of downtown and sits up on a “bench” that overlooks the city. You can find Cape Cod and mid-century modern ranch homes here amongst homes people have owned for 40+ years. Any run down area of the Boise Bench is slowly being brought back to life.
GARDEN CITY
Just west of downtown is Garden City. Sometimes Garden City gets a bad rap because it was traditionally a lower income, industrial area with small pockets of high-end river front housing. However, over the last few years several wineries, breweries, and businesses have begun to call Garden City home. This has pushed out some of the more rundown housing and we’ve seen an increase in new construction in this area. Many believe Garden City is the next best place to invest in as Boise continues to grow outward.
Still not sure which area is right for you or your family? No worries.
Gabriel Gutierrez, REALTOR® and owner of Data Driven Real Estate, has the knowledge and expertise to make sure you make the move that is right for you. Contact Gabriel today to schedule a free buyer consult or to discuss relocating to the Treasure Valley.
If you are interested in cities like Meridian or Eagle, check out our Ada County guide. If Nampa or Caldwell is more your scene, check out our Canyon County guide.
