Choosing a neighborhood is one of the most important parts of a home search. The cool thing about Boise is that there are dozens of wonderful neighborhoods to choose from, each with unique characteristics that set them apart. I grew up in Boise’s north end and currently live on the Boise bench. I’ve worked extensively in northwest Boise and southeast Boise and can offer insight into virtually any neighborhood (both the broader areas and niche “pockets”) in Boise’s core—within about a five mile radius of downtown.

To me, the wonderful thing about living in Boise is living in a neighborhood that provides access to our community’s amazing resources. I love being able to ride my bike a few blocks to the Boise Greenbelt or being able to easily access our beautiful foothills. I like walking to local parks or being five minutes from downtown. I tend to work with clients who want to live in people-friendly urban neighborhoods with easy access to shopping, dining, education, cultural events and nature.



 

Having said that, there are also some terrific planned communities in Boise (Hidden Springs), Meridian, Eagle and beyond. When buyers are looking for new construction in contemporary subdivisions, there are several great options in the surrounding area. I like to help buyers identify neighborhoods that offer charm and character and long-term investment potential. Not all subdivisions are created equally—identifying the best of the best is critical.

 

Here are some (just a few--there are many more) of my favorite little “pockets” in town:

 

Boise’s North End

The north end as an MLS area is quite large with many sub-neighborhoods within the larger area. Here are some I love:

  • The area around 24th & Ridenbaugh. I think that 24th Street between Ellis and Lemp may be the very best blocks in the entire north end. Gorgeous homes from the early 1900s grace oversize lots with huge mature trees—it’s a super-prime location. The neighboring blocks are wonderful, too. Highlights include Elm Grove Park at 23rd & Irene.

  • The area around 6th & O’Farrell. Streets to wander and explore: Thatcher, Pueblo O’Farrell, 7th, 6th, 5th. This is such a quiet part of the north end with easy access to the Boise Co-Op. Neighborhood landmarks include Hollywood Market at 8th & Resseguie.

  • The residential blocks area between 16th and 27th south of State. This area is not as in-demand as the area north of State street, however this provides an opportunity to get a home with all of the benefits of north-end living at a better price. Plus, as people will tell you who live in this area, the convenience that living south of State provides is a huge benefit. This area is closer to the Greenbelt and downtown, has easier freeway access plus is walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Highlights include the park at 23rd & Bannock plus the shopping district at 17th & State.



 

The Boise Bench

There was a time when the north end was an understated neighborhood filled with modest older homes. I remember it—it’s the neighborhood I grew up in. Over time, as the north end gained in popularity, homes were remodeled and expanded, shops and restaurants opened and property values sky-rocketed. For locals and folks in real estate, the Boise Bench is often referred to as “the next north end,” largely because of the number of affordable homes with such close proximity to downtown.


I personally live on the bench and can offer much insight into this area. Of all Boise neighborhoods, the bench is probably the most mixed. There are areas with tiny little homes built in 40’s and available today for under $100,000 and there are gorgeous view streets with homes selling for over $1,000,000. In-between are several wonderful, eclectic neighborhoods, frequently developed in Boise’s boom of the 1950’s and 1960’s.


Some favorite bench pockets:

  1. The area around Glen Haven Street. Glen Haven is a haven of a street. It is my favorite street in Boise and someday a home will come up for sale at a time that I could buy it and I will live there happily ever after. With just a handful of homes on two charming circles, Glen Haven is a sleepy, quiet little oasis in the middle of Boise. Each home was custom-designed in the 50’s and 60’s with some homes showing true mid-century modern flair. Surrounding streets—Johnson, Kootenai, Owyhee, Shoshone—are all wonderful and within walking distance to Monroe Elementary and South Jr. High, two terrific bench schools. There are some incredible values—some of the most undervalued real estate in Boise, in my opinion—in this area right now.
  2. The neighborhoods near Morris Hill Cemetery and the park at Roosevelt & Alpine. Some of the streets in this area—Alpine and Roosevelt in particular—offer lovely views of the Boise Foothills and park. The side streets between Alpine and Emerald off of Roosevelt are charming. This is a quiet little niche neighborhood with friendly neighbors and affordable homes. Pet lovers will particularly love the easy access to the dog park at Alpine & Roosevelt—the park is nearly always busy and is quite the friendly, community hub.
  3. The neighborhood north of Emerald between Houston Road and Garden Street. Houston Road would be my number one pick if I could afford a view home in Boise for over $1,000,000. Overlooking downtown Boise with Kathryn Albertson Park just below and the Boise foothills in the distance, this street is super quiet (no traffic below because of the park) and has absolutely incredible views. A quiet, dead-end street, Houston is low-traffic and peaceful. The surrounding streets—Balsam, Marshall, Pike, Irving and more are fabulous, too. Between Roosevelt and Garden, the neighborhood takes on a more “north-end” feel with modestly-sized homes built in the 30’s and 40’s. Garden Street provides access to the Boise greenbelt.
  4. The area between Crescent Rim and Latah. From the top of Americana, head south on Latah, then east on Meadow Drive. Wander around to Kipling, Tulara, Camrose, Morris Hill and the other surrounding streets in this pristine area developed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Crescent Rim features incredible $1,000,000 plus estates. The views are gorgeous, the homes throughout the neighborhood completely charming. This is another area where homes are currently, in my opinion, under-valued. There are some incredible opportunities to buy into this highly-livable location at below-market prices.

Coming soon… thoughts on neighborhoods in Northwest and Southeast Boise.