2019 RELOCATION GUIDE Published by TERRITORY Magazine
B O I S E
WHY BOISE? By the Numbers Opportunity Education Health Care Lifestyle
HISTORY OF BOISE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
Our
Relocation Services Windermere Powerhouse Group is here to help with your relocation to the Treasure Valley. We are part of Windermere Real Estate, a premier brand with 300+ offices in the West. Located in the historic Powerhouse building in downtown Boise, we continue Windermere’s tradition of relationships before sales. As experts in the Boise area market we look forward to working with you. When you are ready to begin the journey, contact us to help you relocate. Here is what you can expect when working with us.
Prior to Your Visit • Explain the home buying process, contracts and documents.
• Determine the market value of homes you’re interested in.
• Refer you to a reputable lender who will help you assess your financial situation and pre-approve you for a loan.
• Assist you in writing and negotiating a mutually accepted purchase and sale agreement.
• Help you determine the type of home and neighborhood that best fits your needs. • Provide you with detailed information about homes you’re interested in prior to your arrival.
During Your Stay • Connect you with one of our hotel partners, preferably in close proximity to your home search. • Make restaurant reservations upon request. • Offer a list of local attractions that are conducive to your interests, for example, outdoor activities, family friendly venues or downtown hotspots. • Offer information on public, charter and private school options. • Narrow down your search criteria, set up home tours and coordinate any other real estate related activities during your stay.
After Your Offer is Accepted • Facilitate remote electronic signing of documents as necessary. • Coordinate and accompany you to the home inspection or attend on your behalf. • Prepare post-inspection contract documents. • Verify all required repairs are made according to contractual agreements. • Work with the escrow company to ensure all needed documents are in order and completed prior to closing. • Facilitate final walk through of the home prior to closing. • Coordinate a remote closing if it occurs prior to your arrival.
621 S. 17th Street | Boise, ID 83702 | 208-920-5966 PowerhouseGroup@Windermere.com | WindermerePowerhouseGroup.com
Windermere P OW E R H O U S E G R O U P
Photo: Courtesy of Idaho Tourism
why boise?
Idaho is having a moment…
and Boise is at the epicenter of all the attention. Boise has been named the “#1 Top Performing Economy” by Bloomberg, “Top 20 Best Cities for Young Professionals” by Forbes, the “Top 10 Most Outdoorsy State” by Men’s Journal, and “#1 Best Place to Live” by Livability.com in 2019. It seems the secret is out of the bag, and Boise is cementing itself as one of the hottest, hippest, and most desirable up-and-coming cities in the country. Blessed by a moderate climate, with four seasons and abundant sunshine in a high desert environment (over 220 days of sunshine annually), Boise offers a high quality of life, lower than average cost of living, and a thriving mix of business and tech in complete harmony with the great outdoors. Hiking, biking, cycling, fishing, hunting, camping, watersports and rafting are top pursuits. Dive into these pages to learn more about the business climate of this thriving metro area, the abundant educational opportunities and programs available, as well as the rich and vibrant lifestyle Boiseans enjoy: the fine arts, a lively music and a craft brewery scene, family fun, outdoor adventures, and sporting events. Learn about the strong farm-to-table movement in a state founded on agriculture, and explore the unique characteristics of each Boise neighborhood in our Neighborhood Guide, which includes the surrounding cities of the Treasure Valley and beyond. Welcome to Boise—where people are friendly and the outdoors are literally outside your back door.
— Laurie C. Sammis Publisher, Mandala Media and Territory Magazine
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WHY BOISE?
by t he nu m be rs
OUTDOOR RECREATION Idaho Land Area: 83,557 sq. miles Parks: Over 2,000 acres Trails Near Downtown: 190 miles
The Boise Whitewater Park.
River Greenbelt Trails: 25 miles connecting 850 acres of city parks. Skiable Terrain: 2,600 acres just 16 miles north of town at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort. Idaho River Miles: 107,651 miles Whitewater Miles: Over 3,000
why boise? … by the numbers Ask 10 Boiseans "Why Boise?" and you’ll likely get 10 answers: everything from economic opportunity to excellent health care to easy access to cultural events and outdoor recreation. That’s really the mission of this relocation guide: to share in some detail what others have found so compelling about this city by the “wooded river.” But for those inclined to numbers, start with the basics—Boise by the numbers. From there, read in more detail about why locals love where they live and why visitors want to stay longer.
Skate Parks: Rhodes Skate Park, a 1.28 acre special use park that is the site of the Boise X Games. Whitewater Parks: The Boise Whitewater Park, a whitewater playground providing surf for kayakers and paddle boarders is a world-class play spot.
THE BASICS Elevation: 2,840 ft. Population: 710,000 Median Age: 36.2 Time Zone: Mountain
JUST THE FACTS Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (July 2018) Sales & Use Tax: 6% Corporate Income Tax: 6.925% Cost of Living: 8% less than national average Cost of housing: 12% less than the national average Property Tax: 1.5% (first $100,000 of property value is exempt)
Boise's backyard. There are 34.1 million acres of public lands in Idaho.
Idaho: Right-to-Work State Major industries: Agriculture, Food Processing, Health Care, High Tech, Tourism and Government Average tech job wage: $110,000 10-year tech jobs growth rate: 20%
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The historic Egyptian Theatre.
CLIMATE Sun: 220 days Rain: 11” per year average Snow: 30” per year average (Valley floor)
WELL EDUCATED 65% of the population has some college training or above — which is 8% above the national average. And 40% of the Boise workforce has earned college degrees. More patents are generated per capita in the Boise Metro than any other region in the country. Boise's public art project, Rod Kagan, Boise Totems, 1993.
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CULTURE Over 90 different languages are spoken in the Boise School District.
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Museums and Art Centers
10,000 Basque live in Boise, the largest Basque population in North America. 400, the number of bands playing at the annual Treefort Music Festival. Over 50 wineries in the state. The Boise Valley is also home a growing AVA designated region, located 40-minutes from downtown. #7 in the top 10 beer cities in the U.S. (Livability.com). Idaho is the 3rd largest hop producer in the U.S. and northern Idaho has the largest contiguous hop farm in the region. The Boise Valley is an up-and-coming location for great microbreweries.
Miles of Trails along the Boise River
95+
Restaurants
WITHIN 1 MILE OF DOWNTOWN BOISE
2000
Acres of Parks
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Live Performance Venus
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Colleges and Universities
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35
Fashion Retail Stores and Boutiques
Miles of Trails along the Foothills
A thriving fine arts scene includes the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Philharmonic, Boise Art Museum, Opera Idaho, Ballet Idaho, Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, among others.
.info Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) 635-5240 boise.org Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce (208) 472-5205 boisechamber.org
Boise Parks & Recreation (208) 384-4240 parks.cityofboise.org Boise Valley Economic Partnership (208) 472-5229 bvep.org
Downtown Boise Association (208) 385-7300 downtownboise.org
Idaho State Parks & Recreation (208) 334-4199 parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Idaho Department of Commerce (208) 334-2470 commerce.idaho.gov
Visitor Information Center (208) 810-7324 boisecentre.com
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WHY BOISE?
oppo r t u ni t y
opportunity
boise is booming with a broad-based economy
1
# City for Small Business Friendliness Business Wire
3
#
Best-Run Cities in America WalletHub
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#
US News & World Report
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Over $ billion invested in downtown Jan 2014 – Jun 2015
+ 3,000 High-tech
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK “Boise has cemented itself as an affordable launch pad for tech careers, attracting major industry employers like Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft along with a burgeoning startup ecosystem.” Fast Company
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BOISE
With 710,000 residents and the secondfastest growing population in the United States, the Boise metro area is large and diverse and has the jobs to support it. The Boise metro area—comprising the cities of Boise, Garden City, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Star, Kuna and Caldwell—is the state and regional nucleus for medical care, government services, education and agriculture, but it’s also a fast-growing hub for large and upcoming technology companies—to name only a few major employment sectors. Major recognizable employers include Micron Technology, Helwett-Packard, WinCo Foods, Albertson’s/SuperValu, US Bank, St. Luke’s Health Systems, Saint Alphonsus Health System, Bodybuilding.com, Boise State University and Scentsy. The list goes on. Major public sector employers include the State of Idaho, Ada County, City of Boise, Boise State University and numerous others. The region’s largest public sector employer is the West Ada School District.
2019 Relocation Guide
The reasons employers find Boise attractive are many. It’s got an affordable cost of living, good airline and highway access, and high quality of life. The city has also been praised for its unique combination of economic prosperity and quality of life by numerous publications. “We have three big things we sell to prospective employers when we’re talking with them,” said Charity Nelson, director of economic development at the Boise Valley Economic Partnership. “One, we really are a small state, and there’s a willingness to help businesses succeed. The city, state, and county are willing to meet with businesses and hear what they need to be successful. You can get in front of the governor, for example, and permitting tends to be easier than other places. Second, we have a lower cost of living, especially compared with coastal cities. Third, it’s really just about quality of life for employees where commute time is 22 minutes rather than an hour and 22 minutes and all the other
employers in Boise Source: Brookings
21 Non-stop destinations to and from BOI Airport Source: Boise Airport
Photo: Charles Knowles
Best Places to Live
esiconstruction.com | 208.362.3040
WHY BOISE?
oppo r t u ni t y
great things Idaho has to offer.” The Boise Valley Economic Partnership breaks Idaho employers into a variety of categories. Among them, Education and Health Services is the region’s largest, followed by Trade, Transportation and Utilities and, third, Professional and Business Services. Average wages across all industries in the region increased from $37,212 in 2007 to $43,653 in 2017. Median household income is $55,162, and the median age is 36.2. Boise also has access to a deep and growing talent pool. A full 40 percent of the greater metro area’s workforce comprises college graduates, and the city is home to more than 14 institutions of higher education with a cumulative enrollment of 50,000. Collectively, the area’s workforce is three years younger
MAJOR PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS S EC T O R
OWNE R S HI P
Health Care & Social Assistance
than the national average. In its annual roundup of America’s Best Towns, a list Boise has landed on repeatedly in the past decade, Outside Magazine wrote in 2010 that “Government, education, and health care remain core industries, but dozens of high-tech startups have moved to town, joining behemoths like Hewlett-Packard and Micron Technology. And while its population has more than doubled in the past 30 years and jaded locals bemoan the sprawl, Boise has managed its growth impressively well: The city is home to nearly 2,000 acres of parks and a 25-mile greenbelt.” In the words of the city’s boosters, Boise has a “Big city feel and small town friendliness,” and it’s difficult to argue with that.
— Greg Stahl
*Source, Boise Valley Economic Partnership E MPLOYER
EMPLOY EE RANGE
COMPANY FACTS Albertsons
Rekluse
Founded 1939 250,000+ Employees Operates over 2,200 grocery stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants across the U.S.
Founded 2002 76 Employees Motorcycle industry leader in clutch performance technology and innovation.
Micron Founded 1978 30,000+ Worldwide Employees 20,000+ patents and the number 1 employer in electronic design in 2015.
St. Luke’s Reg. Med. Ctr.
7,000 – 7,999
Micron Technology, Inc.
6,000 – 6,999
St. Alphonsus Health System
4,000 – 4,999
West Ada School District
4,000 – 4,999
Simplot
Boise City School District
3,000 – 3,999
Boise State University
3,000 – 3,999
Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.
3,000 – 3,999
Albertsons LLC
2,000 – 2,999
City of Boise
2,000 – 2,999
Founded 1923 10,000 Employees Created the first commercially-viable frozen French fries.
Ada County
1,000 – 1,999
Educational Services
Nampa School District
1,000 – 1,999
Manufacturing
HP Inc.
1,000 – 1,999
Administration & Support Services
Sykes
1,000 – 1,999
Manufacturing
J. R. Simplot Co.
1,000 – 1,999
Fred Meyer
1,000 – 1,999
Utilities
Idaho Power Co.
1,000 – 1,999
Finance and Insurance
Wells Fargo Bank NA
1,000 – 1,999
Administration & Support Services
Citicorp
1,000 – 1,999
Retail Trade
WinCo
1,000 – 1,999
Veterans Admin./Fiscal
1,000 – 1,999
Corrections Department
1,000 – 1,999
Dept. of Health & Welfare
1,000 – 1,999
McDonalds
1,000 – 1,999
Vallivue School District
1,000 – 1,999
National Guard
1,000 – 1,999
USPS
1,000 – 1,999
Manufacturing
Private
Health Care & Social Assistance Educational Services
Local Government
Educational Services
State Government
Retail Trade
Private
Public Administration
Retail Trade
Local Government
Private
Health Care & Social Assistance Public Administration Accommodation & Food Services Educational Services Public Administration Transportation & Warehousing
Federal Government State Government Private Local Government Federal Government
Admin. & Support Services Finance and Insurance
Private
Administration & Support Services Educational Services
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Local Government
Ataraxis Inc.
500 – 999
Blue Cross of Idaho
500 – 999
DIRECTV
500 – 999
College of Western Idaho
500 – 999
Saint Alphonsus Founded 1894 5,000+ Employees Four-hospital system, dedicated to serving 700,000 in Idaho and Oregon.
St. Luke’s Founded 1902 13,900+ Employees 8 hospitals and 200 clinics throughout the state, and Idaho’s only children’s hospital. Serving over 780,000 (including over 90,000 children annually).
WhiteCloud Analytics Founded 2009 46 Employees Provides healthcare performance management solutions to help transition to valuebased care.
The Caprock Group Founded 2005 15 Boise Employees Multi-family wealth advisory B-Corporation that customizes financial solutions for individuals and families.
Proskriptive Founded 2014 8 Employees Data science company that connects healthcare organizations with a market of rich analytic content.
International School. Idaho Roots. Visit us to learn more about Idaho’s top private school that delivers an internationally-recognized academic program, while celebrating Idaho’s outdoors and communities. Preschool through high school Small classes and experienced faculty Outstanding college placement Idaho’s top performing International Baccalaureate® World School Idaho’s Best Private School (Niche.com) Idaho’s Most Challenging High School (The Washington Post) Residential and day programs Scholarships and tuition assistance available
Contact us to schedule your personal tour and start your application. 5521 WARM SPRINGS AVE BOISE | 208.424.5000 | WWW.RIVERSTONESCHOOL.ORG
WHY BOISE?
ed u ca t i o n
education
boise offers a rich mix of public, private, and higher education
college education
% of Boise 38 residents have a B.A. or higher Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 5-Year American Community Survey, Table S1501
% of Boise 45 in-migration have a B.A. or higher Source: UCounty-to-County Migrations Flows: 2007-2011 ACS
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Top U.S. City for net domestic in-migration Source: U.S. Census Bureau
4Ranked NationallyHigh Schools Number of nationallyranked high schools in Boise out of 22,000 schools across the country—including Boise High and Timberline, which are in the top 2% nationally. Source: The Washington Post, "America’s Most Challenging High Schools," by Jay Mathews
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7-8-9th-grade junior highs that feed to five high schools. Open enrollment allows parents to apply for their child to attend a school other than the one assigned by neighborhood boundaries.
Public High Schools Each of Boise’s five high schools has its own culture. An environmental science and engineering vibe can be found at Timberline, which is #3 in the state academically and listed in U.S. News & World Reports’ Top 1,000 American public high schools. High-achieving math and social studies departments and a downtown-savvy and politically aware student body partially characterize Boise High, ranked #2 in Idaho and also in the top 1,000. (Longtime U.S. Senator Frank Church graduated from Boise High) Capital High’s student body is a bit more socially conservative than the other four schools, very math, music, and computer-oriented. Borah High, the most diverse of the five, has a healthy arts and dual-languages culture. Four of the five high schools, which includes Frank Church High School for kids who have academic and social struggles, have strong sports programs for both girls and boys.
Private High Schools A strong Catholic school system thrives in Boise. Bishop Kelly High, with a nearly 100 percent go-on-tocollege rate, has a new technology wing and a philosophy strong on social justice. Riverstone International School has a brand-new campus and dormitories, a 100 percent go-on rate, and uses innovative, selfdirected teaching styles. One Stone School, partially funded by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation,
uses a student-designed curriculum plan with an emphasis on service, empathy, and problem solving. Sage International School also offers an International Baccalaureate diploma and owns its campus just steps from the Boise River.
Higher Education The heart of the city is Boise State University (BSU), which in the past 30 years has grown from a sleepy junior college into a powerhouse traditional and research school offering 200 majors, 11 doctoral programs and an internationally-recognized technology exploration wing, funded partly by Micron Technology. BSU loves to boast of the nation's only master's degree in Raptor Biology and that a NASA astronaut teaches on campus, and locals are very proud of their once-obscure institution having grown into a respected Western college which draws its about 26,000 students from across the U.S. and around the globe. Of course, BSU's nationally-recognized football team, the Broncos, is a source of pride and community social life. "Game Day" in Boise will find thousands of fans pouring into Albertsons Stadium for tailgating before kickoff. West of Boise in Canyon County are two colleges of note: the private liberal arts College of Idaho, with about 1,000 students, offers 26 majors and an impressive 9:1 student-faculty ratio. Its traditional-looking campus with older buildings is in the middle of the city of Nampa. Public funding supports the College of Western Idaho (CWI), a two-year school in Caldwell with an enrollment of more than 30,000. CWI focuses on career and technical education, workforce development, and basic skills.
— Jill Kuraitis
Photo: Charles Knowles
% of Boise’s 75 workforce has some
The education scene, both public and private, in Boise is more than alive—it’s kicking. New education models as well as traditional schools fit into a district with specialty programs galore. In the new world of education, schoolroom desks in straight rows are no longer the standard, kids and teachers are tech-savvy, and there are more hands-on, independent learning styles practiced. In a town known for robust living, the abundance of public and private schools contribute to its solid reputation as a great place to raise kids. And Boise is a high-tech town, with tech job listings up over 30 percent statewide from just 18 months ago, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. The importance—even urgency—of educating students to step into highly skilled technical jobs is one motivator for Boise parents to carefully seek the right school for their kids, and also the motivation behind big-dog tech employers such as Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard contributing money, materials, and expertise to the schools. Thriving medium-sized companies like Metageek and Clearwater Analytics are just as eager for a long-term commitment to a modern education for local students. Students and parents prize music and the arts as well. The Boise School District, with nearly 30,000 students, has a commitment to its bands, orchestras, and choir programs beginning in elementary grades. In 2011, The National Association of Music Manufacturers recognized Boise as one of the top U.S. communities for music education, and two Boise high school choirs have sung at Carnegie Hall. Boise School District’s 33 elementary schools feed to eight
Idaho’s metropolitan research university, Boise State University offers over 200 graduate and undergraduate degrees in the state’s political, business and cultural center.
U.S. News & World Report has twice listed Boise State as one of the top up-and-coming schools in the nation for regional universities.
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h e a l t h ca re
Air St. Luke's Membership provides emergency medical transport to the closest, most appropriate care facility. St. Luke’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where nurses provide 24/7 care to the smallest, most fragile patients.
health care
healthy living in the city of trees With six hospitals and more than 700 doctors to serve the Treasure Valley health needs, Boise residents have a lot of choices when it comes to their health. U.S. News ranks Idaho #6 in the country for Health Care Quality and the United Health Foundation the high per capita public health funding and lack of air pollution as top factors affecting a positive score. Add to this the fact that Boise’s Ada County is ranked #3 in the state for health factors (#1 for clinical care), with more than 92% of residents having frequent and adequate access to physical activity. We are a healthy city, but if you do need care, Boise delivers with an enviable ratio of primary care physicians, dentists and specialty care clinics per population that put it at the top of the state for overall care.
St. Luke’s Boise Founded in 1902, St. Luke’s Boise is Idaho’s largest health care provider and the flagship hospital of the St. Luke’s Health System. Known for clinical excellence, St. Luke’s Boise is nationally recognized for quality and patient safety, and proud to be designated a Magnet hospital, the gold standard for nursing care. The Boise Medical center offers an emergency department, advanced inpatient and outpatient surgery, mother-baby services, diagnostics from x-ray to MRI, state-of-the-art cancer treatment,
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critical care, a chest pain center, and a wide range of primary and specialty physician clinics. With eight St. Luke’s Medical Centers throughout Idaho, patients have access to quality health care no matter where you travel in Idaho. In fact, St. Luke’s serves 17 communities throughout Idaho directly through medical centers or through St. Luke’s clinics and service centers. Boise’s St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, the only children’s hospital in Idaho, and the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Twin Falls are recognized for superior specialty care throughout the region.
Saint Alphonsus Health System Saint Alphonsus Health System houses the only Level II Trauma Center in the state of Idaho and the region's most advanced, which recognizes their dedication to providing the highest quality, most optimal care for all critically ill and injured patients. For more than 120 years, Saint Alphonsus Health System has provided high-quality, compassionate care to the southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada communities we serve. A variety of inpatient, outpatient and community wellness services work to meet all patient needs, with specialties that include cardiovascular specialists, including the region's only sterotaxis robotic treatment for heart rhythm disorders; emergency
and trauma; neuroscience; orthopedics and women’s services that includes specialized care for women of all ages. Saint Alphonsus also provides advanced cancer care, including Idaho’s only Brachytherapy Center of Excellence, thereby reducing radiation treatment from six weeks to five days for partial breast cancer. Four locations through the region include Boise, Nampa and Ontario, Oregon.
Boise VA Medical Center Boise VA Medical Center is a standout within the nationwide system. It practices green environmental standards in its day-today operations and infrastructure and the Boise VAMC GEMS is a 2016 and 2017 Practice Green Health Emerald Award winner, and also the recipient of the 2017 Making Medicine Mercury Free and Climate Circle of Excellence Awards! The Boise VA Medical Center’s primary service area has a radius of approximately 160 miles with an estimated veteran population of 100,000. The Boise VAMC, within VISN 20, provides highly sophisticated primary, secondary, and specialty care to roughly 28,000 veterans each year. The Boise VA Medical Center delivers care in its main facility in Boise and also operates Outpatient Clinics in Twin Falls, Caldwell, Mountain Home, and Salmon; as well as in Burns, Oregon.
— Laurie Sammis
Photos: Left to right – Courtesy of St. Luke’s Health System, Courtesy of Lombard Conrad Architects
WHY BOISE?
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Nampa includes a 8,228-square-foot emergency room allowing the hospital to offer a 24/7 full-service emergency department to better treat all patients, specifically those needing cardiac, stroke, or orthopedic care.
.info B O I SE Boise VA Medical Center 500 Fort St., Boise (208) 422-1000 www.boise.va.gov Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center 1055 N. Curtis Rd., Boise (208) 367-2121 www.saintalphonsus.org St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center 190 E. Bannock St., Boise (208) 381-2222 www.stlukesonline.org St. Luke’s Center for Breast Imaging 100 E. Bannock St., Boise (208) 381-2222 www.stlukesonline.org
St. Luke’s Parkcenter Draw Station 701 E. Parkcenter Blvd., Boise (208) 381-8829 www.stlukesonline.org
E M M E TT Emmett Medical Center 1202 E Locust St., Emmett (208) 365-3561 www.valorhealth.org
St. Luke’s Nampa Medical Center 9850 W. St. Luke’s Dr., Nampa (208) 505-2000 www.stlukesonline.org
CALDW E LL
NAM PA
M ER I DI A N
St. Luke’s Rehabilitation and Children’s Rehabilitation 1906 Fairview Ave., Suite 330, Caldwell (208) 385-3680 www.stlukesonline.org
E AG LE St. Luke’s Eagle Medical Plaza 3101 E. State St., Eagle (208) 473-3000 www.stlukesonline.org
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center 1512 12th Ave., Nampa (208) 463-5000 www.saintalphonsus.org
St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center 520 S. Eagle Rd., Meridian (208) 706-5000 www.stlukesonline.org
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center 4300 E. Flamingo Ave., Nampa (208) 205-1000 www.saintalphonsus.org
St. Luke’s Meridian Portico West Lab 3277 E. Louise Dr., Meridian (208) 381-8829 www.stlukesonline.org
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life st yl e
Located in the historic Basque Block of downtown Boise, the Basque Museum traces the heritage of the people who came from the Basque region of Spain and helped settle Idaho.
While the economic opportunities in Boise are often first to catch people’s attention, what often convinces them to come and then stay is the lifestyle. From the music scene to the fine arts, recreation to family fun, there are an almost endless number of ways to enjoy Boise life.
fine arts
Boise Art Museum, Art in the Park.
At BAM’s Art in the Park event more than 200 artists offer their work for sale during a three-day festival held each year during Labor Day weekend. Enjoy entertainment, food vendors, and hands-on activities for kids.
Inner Strength: Portraits of Basque Women, Current Exhibit Basque Museum.
The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is an edu-
cational park inspired by Anne Frank’s faith in humanity. At this lovely outdoor setting, visitors can learn what happened to Anne Frank and how they can start changing the world.
Deborah Butterfield, Democrat, 1995, found steel, 91" x 109" x 30", part of the Boise Art Museum Permanent Collection.
When people from other states arrive in Boise, they are often pleasantly surprised by the quality and vibrancy of the cultural scene here. First Thursday, a downtown event on the first Thursday of every month, year round, is a great way to visit the galleries downtown and get a feel for the diverse cultural attractions of Boise. One place not to miss is the Boise Art Museum (BAM), which is accredited by the American Association of Art Museums. BAM features a regular rotation of exhibitions. Curious about art? Every Thursday at 2 p.m. docents lead a tour through the current exhibition.
The Great Seal of Idaho by Emma Edwards Green, Idaho State History Museum.
Newly expanded, the Idaho State History Museum features over 800 photographs and numerous interactive and multimedia exhibits that recount the history of Idaho.
Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, Marilyn Shuler Classroom.
.info Alive After Five The Grove Hotel, 245 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise 208.472.5251 downtownboise.org Alley Repertory Theatre 3638 Osage St., Garden City 208.424.8297 alleyrep.org
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Aquarium of Boise 64 N. Cole Rd., Boise 208.375.1932 aquariumboise.net
Ballet Idaho 501 S 8th St., Boise 208.343.0556 balletidaho.org
Bittercreek Alehouse 246 N. 8th St., Boise 208.429.6340 bittercreekalehouse.com
Boise Contemporary Theater 854 W. Fulton St., Boise 208.331.9224 bctheater.org
Ann Morrison Park 1000 S Americana Blvd., Boise 208.608.7600 parks.cityofboise.org
Bar Gernika 6202 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise 208.344.217 bargernika.com
Boise Art Museum 670 Julia Davis Dr., Boise 208.345.8330 boiseartmuseum.org
Boise Farmers' Market Americana Blvd., River Street, and Shoreline Drive 208.345.9287 theboisefarmersmarket.com
2019 Relocation Guide
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of the Boise Art Museum, Courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Courtesy of The Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Courtesy of Erstad Architects
WHY BOISE?
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – @boisephil, @Opera Idaho, Courtesy of Ballet Idaho, Courtesy of Idaho Dance Theatre, Courtesy of Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Courtesy of Boise Contemporary Theater, Courtesy of Alley Repertory Theater, Courtesy of Preservation Idaho
The Alley Repertory Theater’s mission is “to connect pro-
From Balanchine to cuttingedge contemporary choreographers, Ballet Idaho also offers youth classes and education outreach. Performances are held at the Morrison Center and Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy.
The Boise Philharmonic performing at the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts.
fessional artists and local talent with thinking audiences.”
The Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater & Reserve.
The Boise Philharmonic presents classical, contemporary and pops music under the baton of Music Director Eric Garcia. Concerts are held in the lovely Morrison Center. "The Nutcracker," Ballet Idaho.
The Idaho Dance Theatre is professional contemporary dance company known for its’ innovative choreography and collaborations.
An evening at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival outdoor amphitheater by the Boise River is a summer experience beloved by Boiseans. Besides the Bard, this professional acting company performs musicals, classic and contemporary plays. Bring a picnic and watch the sun set on the golden hills behind the stage.
"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," performance at Alley Repertory Theater.
The Cabin, situated in a restored log cabin on the banks of the Boise River, is a literary center that connects readers and writers. Nationally known authors come to read their works for the “Reading and Conversations” series. The Writers in Residence program brings outreach to schools. Classes and camps teach all aspects of writing to both children and adults.
Opera Idaho performing "Aida" at The Egyptian Theatre.
Opera Idaho stages classic and contemporary operas with a live orchestra. The Young Artists program attracts rising stars from all over the country. Performances are held the Egyptian Theatre and the Morrison Center.
"Rabbit/Moon" performed at the Boise Contemporary Theater.
The Boise Contemporary Theater is an intimate, proIdaho Dance Theatre.
fessional theater devoted to presenting contemporary and original works.
The actual cabin was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp. in 1940.
.info Boise Hawks Baseball 5600 N. Glenwood St., Boise (208) 322-5000 milb.com
Bosie State University 1910 W. University Dr., Boise 208.426.1000 boisestate.edu
Camel's Back Park 1200 Heron St., Boise 208.384.4240 parks.cityofboise.org
Boise Philharmonic 516 S 9th St., Boise 208.344.7849 boisephil.org
Boise Whitewater Park 3400 W. Pleasanton Ave. 208.336.4844 boisewhitewaterpark.com
Capital City Public Market Idaho and 8th St., Boise 208.345.3499 capitalcitypublicmarket.com
Castle Hills Park 5350 Eugene St., Boise 208.608.7600 Chandler’s Hotel 43, 981 W. Grove St., Boise 208.383.4300 chandlersboise.com
Cinder Winery 107 E. 44th St., Garden City 208.376.4023 cinderwines.com Cypress Park 4382 S. Tableridge Way, Boise 208.608.7600
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music scene Boise is most definitely on the musical map—for national tours as well as regional musicians. There’s every kind of music one could want, from old-time fiddle and guitar to trending indie acts to cool jazz.
Alive After Five on The Grove Plaza.
For those looking for a little after work music and dancing, there is the Alive After Five events held on the Grove every Wednesday night, June to September. Food vendors, beer vendors and entertainers abound. When you need to chill, join the kids and run through the fountain.
Kerry Moosman, Alley History, 1992, Freak Alley.
Freak Alley is a joyous mix of graffiti, murals and public art from local artists. Freak Alley art changes with the seasons. (In the alleys between 8th and 9th streets and Bannock and Idaho streets.)
Shadi Ismail, RUN, Story Story Night, presented at JUMP, Boise.
Story Story Night, held the last Tuesday of the month at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (Jump), is stand-up storytelling that bares the vulnerability of the human condition. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be glad you came.
— Cheryl Haas
Idaho Botanical Garden Outlaw Field summer concert.
Nestled in the Warm Springs area, the Idaho Botanical Garden (IBG) is not only a spectacular garden. It is the site of high quality music events all summer long. At Great Garden Escapes music lovers enjoy live music in a shady grove on select Thursdays, June-September. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine for these! In addition, higher profile national acts hold concerts at IBG’s Outlaw Field throughout the summer.
An annual event, Treefort Music Fest.
Most even remotely interested in music have heard of Treefort. This “SXSW of the
.info Discovery Center of Idaho 131 W. Myrtle St., Boise 208.343.9895 dcidaho.org Esther Simplot Park 3206 W. Pleasanton Ave., Boise 208.608.7600 parks.cityofboise.org
16 B O I S E
Ford Center 16200 Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa 208.468.1000 fordidahocenter.com
Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial 777 S. 8th St., Boise 208.345.0304 annefrankmemorial.org
Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 N. Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise 208.343.8649 idahobotanicalgarden.org
Idaho Shakespeare Festival 5657 E. Warms Springs Rd., Boise 208.336.9221 idahoshakespeare.org
High Note Café 225 N. 5th St., Boise 208.429.1911 thehighnotecafe.com
Idaho Black History Museum 508 Julia Davis Dr., Boise 208.789.2164 Ibhm.org
Idaho Dance Theatre 1800 University Dr., Boise 208.331.9592 idahodancetheatre.org
Idaho State History Museum 610 Julia Davis Dr., Boise 208.334.2120
2019 Relocation Guide
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of Boise City Department of Arts & History, @storystoryboise, @outlawfieldsummerconcertseries, Courtesy of Downtown Boise Association, Courtesy of Treefort Music Fest
WHY BOISE?
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Northwest” music festival has its roots in Boise. Held in late March, this week long festival with multiple, citywide venues has a wide array of new, exciting musicians performing. What’s more, Treefort has expanded its offerings to include all sorts of the sub-festivals, including Yogafort, Alefort, Storyfort, Kidfort, Filmfort, Foodfort and more.
The many club-like venues are numerous. Here are a few highlights not to miss…
Sold out crowd for Tech N9ne at the Knitting Factory Boise. Taking it all in at the Sapphire Room.
On the small venue scene, there is the remodeled Riverside Hotel, on the banks of the Boise River, which has become a music magnet for local musicians as well as those with a national name. It’s offerings include The Sapphire Room, an intimate venue where you can dine, drink and hear the best of soul, folk, jazz and more.
The Knitting Factory Concert House, national bands book
here. If you’re over 40, bring your earplugs! Local band Frim Fram 4, performing at Pengilly Saloon.
Pengilly Saloon, named by
Esquire Magazine as one of the top 100 bars in the U.S. A local favorite with old-time music, open mic night, and a 113-year-old bar.
Chandlers, a martini bar, fine dining, and live jazz seven nights a week.
On stage at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest.
For a little old-fashion fun, visit the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest in nearby Weiser. This fiddle contest draws the best musicians of all ages from all over the country; it’s well worth the hour-long drive. It’s a citywide jam of fiddlers and pickers on every corner, with official contest finals on Saturday night. The carnival in the park features local bands, arts and crafts, workshops and food vendors.
Ben Burdock & Amy Rose, Chandlers.
Popular spot, #sandbarseason. Dueling Pianos, The BrickYard.
Or take it outside to the Sandbar Patio where you’ll find
live music outdoors, draft beer, and bicycle parking. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Neurolux, performing Big Thief.
Neurolux, a trendy late-night venue with live indie bands in a chill atmosphere.
The Brickyard offers dueling pianos every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m.
— Cheryl Haas
.info Idaho Steelheads Hockey 251 S Capitol Blvd., Boise (208) 331-8497 Idahosteelheads.com
Kathryn Albertson Park 1001 N Americana Blvd., Boise 208.608.7644 parks.cityofboise.org
Julia Davis Park 700 S Capitol Blvd., Boise 208.608.7600 parks.cityofboise.org
Kibrom's 3506 W. State St., Boise 208.917.8005 kibromsfood.com
18 B O I S E
2019 Relocation Guide
Kin 102 S. 16th St., Boise kinboise.com Kristin Armstrong Park 500 S Walnut St, Boise 208.608.7600 parks.cityofboise.org
Liquid Laughs 405 S. 8th St., Boise 208.941.2459 liquidboise.com
Manitou Park 2001 S. Manitou Ave., Boise 208.608.7600 cityofboise.org
Lucky Peak State Park 9725 ID-21, Boise 208.334.2432 parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Morris Hill Park 10 Roosevelt St., Boise 208.608.7600
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of National Oldtime Fiddlers, Inc., Todd Meier, @riversidehotelboise , @boisetalo, @neurolux, fadewoodlive.com, Courtesy of Chandlers Prime Steaks Fine Seafood, Courtesy of The BrickYard Steakhouse
WHY BOISE?
UNIQUE
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family fun
In summer, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a flora feast of
dappled shade and vibrant colors. In winter, it’s a festival of light with Winter Garden aGlow from November to January. Enjoy kids’ classes, camps and tai chi on Saturday mornings in the summer.
One of Boise’s many attractions is that it’s a great place to raise kids. Besides exploring the great outdoors, there’s plenty to do in town, everything from the Discovery Center to a trip to the zoo and the new Gorongosa exhibit.
Zoo Boise, where you can feed the giraffes.
At Zoo Boise, the kids can get up close and personal with the giraffes, sloth bears and more. It is a little piece of the wild in the middle of Julia Davis Park. Idaho Botanical Garden, providing an educational environment.
Bubble Window (Fluid Dynamics), permanent exhibit collection at the Discovery Center of Idaho.
Wahooz Family Fun Zone, open year round and admission is free.
At the Wahooz and Pinz Family Fun center, kids can enjoy miniature golf, go-karts, laser tag, a climbing wall and more, next to the Roaring Springs Water Park.
The Discovery Center of Idaho is a kid-focused science museum that will delight adults too. Interactive and imaginative displays explain complex ideas in a way that’s fun and easy to understand.
Located at the base of Table Rock, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is old prison from the Territorial days. The prison, built in 1871, was made from rock quarried from the nearby hills. It once housed cattle rustlers, bank robbers, horse thieves and other desperadoes of the frontier.
Old Idaho Penitentiary.
.info Morrison Center 2201 W. Cesar Chavez Ln., Boise 208.426.1609 morrisoncenter.com Nampa Civic Center 311 Third St. S, Nampa 208.468.5500 nampaciviccenter.com
20 B O I S E
National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest Weiser, Idaho 208.414.0255 fiddlecontest.com Neurolux 111 N. 11th St., Boise 208.343.0886 neurolux.com
2019 Relocation Guide
Old Idaho Penitentiary 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise 208.334.2844 Opera Idaho 513 South 8th St., Boise 208.345.3531 operaidaho.org
Optimist Youth Sports Complex 9889 W. Hill Rd. Pkwy., Boise Outlaw Field 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise 208.343.8649 idahobotanicalgarden.org
Payette Brewing Co. 733 S. Pioneer St., Boise 208.344.0011 payettebrewing.com Pengilly’s 513 S. Main St., Boise 208.345.6344
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of Wahooz Family Fun Zone, Chad Case, Courtesy of Discovery Center of Idaho, Courtesy of Idaho Botanical Garden, Ray J. Gadd
WHY BOISE?
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Tal Roberts, Courtesy of Shore Lodge and Whitetail Club, Charles Knowles, Courtesy of Idaho Sports, Courtesy of Quail Hollow Golf Course
sports and play Whether you are a spectator or want to get out and participate, Boise offers plenty of sports and recreational opportunities. From skateboarding to golf, Bronco football to Steelhead hockey, there is always something fun to do in the City of Trees.
Beyond Boise, the recreational world opens up even more. The Payette Rivers are an easy drive away, as is Payette Lake and the beautiful mountain lake town of McCall. There one will find a wonderland of mountain biking, waterskiing, sailing, and hiking in summer, as well as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, iceskating on the lake, and Nordic and downhill skiing in winter.
Weekend get away, Payette Lake.
Steelheads season October to April.
The Idaho Steelheads are a minor league hockey team affiliated with the NHL’s Dallas Stars. The action at CenturyLink Arena is fast and furious. For those needing a baseball fix, check out the Boise Hawks, a minor league farm team of the Colorado Rockies. They play in the fan-friendly outdoor park, Memorial Stadium, in Garden City, a short drive from downtown.
On the sports scene, Boise State University provides numer-
Rhodes Park, where thousands attended the Element 304 Americana grand opening and demo in Boise.
Rhodes Park is 1.28 acres with 40,000 sq ft of skateable space making it a contender for largest skatepark in the region. Built with progression features, the park offers everything from the first-timer to experienced professionals, including one of the most well-planned and extensive hybrid flow bowls ever built. It was the site of the 2018 Road to X Games Park Qualifier.
ous opportunities to watch top level sporting events. Both the basketball and football teams are national contenders. Saturday football games on the “blue turf” are always festive affairs replete with tailgate parties galore.
Albertsons Stadium, home to the Boise State Broncos.
Quail Hollow Golf Course, nestled in the Boise Foothills.
And last, but not least, golf. There is an abundance of great golf in the Boise area. There are literally dozens of private and public courses dotting Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Caldwell, and Nampa. Of particular note is Quail Hollow Golf Course, a public course that Golf Digest rated with four stars.
.info Petite 4 4 N. Latah St., Boise 208.345.1055 eatatpetite4.com
Quail Hollow Golf Course 4720 36th St, Boise 208.344.7807 quailhollowboise.com
Pine Grove Park 750 S. Maple Grove Rd., Boise
Redwood Park 2675 N. Shamrock St., Boise 208.608.7600
Revolution Concert House 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City 208.938.2933 cttouringid.com
Sandbar Patio 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City 208.343.1871 riversideboise.com
Split Rail Winery 4338 W Chinden Blvd., Garden City 208.490.0681 splitrailwines.com
Rhodes Skate Park 1555 W. Front St., Boise xgames.cityofboise.org
Sapphire Room 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City 208.343.1871 riversideboise.com
Ridge to Rivers 3188 Sunset Peak Rd., Boise 208.493.2531 ridgetorivers.org
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WHY BOISE?
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parks Many of those who relocate to Boise do so for the almost unlimited access to the outdoors and recreational opportunities. The hiking and biking is close to town and expansive. Boise has reserved over 10,750 acres of open space, primarily in the foothills. The Ridge to Rivers Trail system traversing much of the foothills is enjoyed by bikers, hikers, and equestrians alike. There is also The Greenbelt for those looking for a more modest hike or bike. Comprising 25 miles along the Boise River, the tree-lined
Julia Davis Park – The city’s oldest park, Julia Davis Park opened in 1897. This 89.4-acre park is home to Zoo Boise, the Idaho State Historical Museum, Boise Art Museum, Idaho Black History Museum, Discovery Center of Idaho and an expansive Rose Garden. Amenities include four tennis courts, horseshoe pits, two reservable pavilions, a playground, bocce courts and restrooms. A seasonal boathouse rents paddle boats for use on the pond. Kathryn Albertson Park – Kathryn Albertson Park is a 41-acre special use park located near downtown Boise. A haven for wildlife and quiet contemplation,
Greenbelt is a not only a peaceful place to walk or bike and enjoy wildlife, but it serves as an alternative transportation route for biking commuters. For those looking for a great park, Boise will not disappoint. There are literally dozens of parks in Boise, some small pocket parks, others grander. Some of the bigger, notable ones include Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, Camel’s Back Park, and Fort Boise Park. For those interested in water sports, the Boise Whitewater Park offers man-made surf holes for those with kayaks, and Lucky Peak State Park and Reservoir is nearby with excellent waterskiing opportunities.
the park features wide, paved footpaths and reservable outdoor gazebos in a beautiful natural setting. It is one of the riverside parks in the "Ribbon of Jewels" named for prominent local women. Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park – Located on the Boise River Greenbelt, this popular and shady 28-acre park along the banks of the Boise River is adjacent to the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center, a free open-air education center with underwater fish displays, native plants and wildlife habitat improvements. Leashed dogs are now permitted at the park.
Esther Simplot Park – Water features are the focus of this 55-acre park. Paved and gravel pathways weave through grassy areas, picnic shelters and along streams, across bridges and around islands. Ponds offer swimming and fishing access. Ann Morrison Park – One of the cities largest, this 153-acre urban park located on the Boise River features a distinctive spray fountain, bocce courts, disc golf course, horseshoe pits, outdoor gym, sand volleyball court, Candy Cane Playground, tennis courts, lighted softball diamonds, soccer, cricket and football fields, and a picnic pavilion.
.info Roaring Springs Water Park 400 W. Overland Rd., Meridian 208.884.8842 roaringsprings.com Story Story Night Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise 208-639-6610 jumpboise.org
22 B O I S E
Sterling Park Site 9851 W. Irving St., Boise telayawine.com Sunset Park 2625 N. 32nd St., Boise 208.384.4422
2019 Relocation Guide
The Basque Museum & Cultural Center 611 W. Grove St., Boise 208.343.2671 basquemuseum.eus The Brickyard 601 Main St., Boise 208.287.2122 brickyardboise.com
The Cabin 801 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise 208.331.8000 thecabinidaho.org
The Egyptian Theatre 700 W. Main St., Boise 208-387-1273 egyptiantheatre.net
The District Coffee House 219 N 10th St., Boise 208.343.1089 districtcoffeehouse.com
The Hyde House 1607 N. 13th St., Boise 208.387.4933 hydehouseboise.com
Idahome AWAY FROM HOME • 250 spacious rooms and suites overlooking downtown Boise • steps from shopping, dining and entertainment • 12,000 square foot on-site health club, indoor pool and spa • Dine in Trillium Restaurant or unwind in our new lobby bar
GROVEHOTELBOISE.COM | 208.333.8000
WHY BOISE?
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dog friendly
Coffee and puppacinos morning at The District Coffee House downtown Boise.
BOISE OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS
BOISE SEASONAL OFF-LEASH AREAS
Military Reserve Flood Basin The unfenced park is a large undeveloped area off of Reserve Street.
( check cityofboise.org for hours)
Ann Morrison Park
Morris Hill Park The 1-acre enclosed park features a shelter and benches, trash cans, fire hydrants and other play features.
Cypress Park
Pine Grove Park A 1-acre enclosed dog park with benches, trees and trash cans. Sterling Park Site A .75-acre enclosed dog park with trees, benches and trash cans.
Castle Hills Park Manitou Park Optimist Youth Sports Complex Redwood Park Sunset Park Williams Park Winstead Park Boise River Greenbelt 25 miles of trail along the Boise River. Foothills Trails Dogs can run off-leash in designated areas of the Boise Foothills.
.info The Knitting Factory Concert House 416 S. 9th St., Boise 208.367.1212 knittingfactory.com The Modern 1314 W. Grove St., Boise 208.424.8244 themodernhotel.com
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The Olympic 1009 Main St., Boise 208.342.0176 theolympicboise.com
Uncorked Wine Bar 804 W. Fort St., Boise 208.472.4546 boise.coop
Wahooz and Pinz Family Fun 1385 Blue Marlin Ln., Meridian 208.898.0900 Wahoozfunzone.com
The Riverside Hotel 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise 208.343.1871 riversideboise.com
Treefort Downtown Boise, Idaho treefortmusicfest.com
Williams Park 201 W. Williams St., Boise 208.608.7600
2019 Relocation Guide
Winstead Park 6150 Northview St., Boise 208.384.4240 Zoo Boise 355 Julia Davis Dr., Boise 208.608.7760 Zooboise.org
Photo: @tri_ghosts
In a state where there are still more cattle than people, it’s no surprise that Idahoans love their pets and welcome them with open arms. Idaho topped the American Veterinary Medical Association’s top 10 list of pet-owning states—with an astounding 70% of Idahoan households owning a pet—and was ranked as the #1 dog-owning state (May 2019). And Boise was named to Wallet Hub’s list of “Most Pet Friendly Cities,” so expect to find a lot of options for all our favorite four-legged, tailwagging friends in the City of Trees. According to BringFido.com there are 82 pet-friendly restaurants in Boise that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables (sorry, it is against health regulations to dine inside, but dogs are welcomed in designated areas at places like 10 Barrell Brewing, Prost!, Big City Coffee, Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, Hyde Park Pub & Grill, The District Coffee House, Cloud 9 Brewery, and about 75 other eateries, especially during the spring and summer months (it seems that dogs like coffee and beer!). Boise also features dozens of dog-friendly hotels (nearly 40 at last count) and a plethora of exciting events, swimming holes, and hikes to keep you and your pup busy for days. Boise can’t claim the most dog parks in the nation, but it does boast the highest number of dog parks per capita (6.7 dog parks per 100,000 residents) and the dizzying range of foothills trails and 25 miles of Boise River Greenbelt trail (dogs on leash) add even more acreage to your room to roam with your pooch. Four dedicated dog off-leash parks and designated trails in the foothills trail system are available every day from sunrise to sunset. An additional nine dog off-leash areas are available seasonally during designated hours at Ann Morrison Park, Manitou Park, and several others; and future dog parks are planned at Borah, Bowler, Magnolia, and Molenaar Parks. So, grab your leash and head out with your favorite friend to enjoy the grass, rivers, trees and trails!
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PrimeLending and Territory Magazine are not affiliated. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. ©2019 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. (NMLS: 13649) Equal Housing Lender. PrimeLending is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in ID. v010918
WHY BOISE?
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food and drink Clockwise, from top left – The Hyde House – Chinese New Year Special. Bar Gernika – a traditional Basque eatery, famous for their croquetas and kalimotxo. Petite 4 – A special heirloom tomato tartine. Kibrom’s – Where your choice of beef, lamb, poultry, lentils, rice, and vegetables are served on Injera.
WINERIES / WINE IMPACT
52 Wineries 156,686 Cases
Equal to 372,601 gallons produced and 2,942 tons harvested.
$169.3 Million
Economic impact of Idaho Wine.
26 B O I S E
Boise is often defined by its famous potatoes. While we highly recommend the fries at almost any establishment, Boise is much more than a spud town. With two spectacular farmers’ markets, and an open range of restaurants, good food is everywhere. These are the restaurants that have become neighborhood favorites: The Hyde House – While this little yellow North End house serves up more expensive fare than the restaurants around it in Hyde Park, the menu changes with the seasons and the food is constantly fresh and worth the price. Bar Gernika – A favorite on Basque Block, this is the spot for spicy grinder sandwiches, croquetas and kalimotxos.
2019 Relocation Guide
Petite 4 – Sarah and David Kelly brought their restaurants skills to The Bench for a French-inspired menu that is seasonal and elevated enough for date night, while the bar is cozy enough for a weeknight meal. The international community in Boise is often defined by the Basques, but for flavors outside the norm, there are options: Kibrom’s – Serving Ethiopian and Eritrean food in a casual atmosphere, the people who run this restaurant are kind and welcoming. Ask for a recommendation, and you won’t be disappointed. Bittercreek Alehouse – For farm-to-table food with a beer list longer than both arms in a pub-style atmosphere, Bittercreek takes the lead for downtown.
Bittercreek Alehouse – Clam Chowder every Friday, sometimes red, sometimes white.
Photos: Clockwise, from top left – @the_hyde_house, @jkristoferbarber, Todd Meier, @kristen.pound, bottom, @bittercreekalehouse
boise’s food scene booms
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WHY BOISE?
life st yl e
WINERIES / WINE IMPACT cont.
3 AVA Regions
Idaho’s leading varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
$39.7 Million
175,000 Visits
To wineries (2013), with $3.6 million in wine-related tourism expenditures annually. Source: Idaho Wine Commission, 2017
BREWERIES / BEER IMPACT
58 Breweries (and expanding) Source: USDA Small Grains Summary, 2017
71,334 Barrels of Beer Produced Source: www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/by-state
$366 Million Economic impact of Idaho breweries. 2,784 indirect jobs and 1,111 direct jobs. Source: www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/ economic-impact-data
48,450,000 Bushels of Barley Produced
Clockwise, from top left – KIN – A tasting-menu restaurant and bar. The Modern – Every weekend, brunch. Barbarian Brewing – A unique collaboration of traditional and experimental barrel aged and sour beer. Payette Brewing – Summer, perfect choice for beer. Telaya Wine Co. – Thirsty Thursday, a summer event—enjoy music and wine by the glass or bottle. Uncorked! Wine Bar – fine meals with suggested wines.
28 B O I S E
The players in Boise’s haute cuisine scene are constantly evolving, but follow these groups to get a sense of where the food scene is headed: KIN – Chef Kris Komori, a three-time James Beard Award nominee, and Remi McManus, the charismatic front of house, are working to revamp their restaurant concept in the space formerly occupied by Angell’s downtown. The Modern – Operating out of a renovated Travelodge, The Modern Hotel & Bar boasts an elevated menu, high class cocktails and a James Beard Award nomination of their own. They’ve also opened a Basqueinspired wine bar down the street, Txikiteo. Beer in Boise is everywhere, but with some direction, you can experience it all: Barbarian Brewing – Anchors downtown with an industrial feel. Payette Brewing – Offers an atmosphere on the riverside that can turn one beer into an afternoon full. Most of Boise’s wine scene lies just across the river in Garden City. These tasting rooms are ones not to miss: Telaya Wine Co. – The riverside location and Greenbelt access make Telaya’s patio a destination for outdoor wine drinking. Uncorked! Wine Bar – Just north of downtown, the Boise Co-Op’s wine shop opened a bar to learn about and taste wines from around the Valley and the world.
2019 Relocation Guide
— Jamie Hausman
Idaho is the largest barley producer in the U.S., harvesting 510,000 acres and producing 48,450,000 bushels in 2017. Source: USDA.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/ CropProdSu/CropProdSu-01-12-208.pdf
13,759,000 Pounds of Hops Grown Idaho is the second largest hops producer in the U.S., harvesting 6,993 acres. Source: USDA.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/ CropProdSu/CropProdSu-01-12-208.pdf
Hops Grown Zeus Cascade Amarillo Moaic Citra Chinook 0
5
10
15
20
Photos: Clockwise, from top left – @kin_boise, @modernhotel, @barbarianbrewingidaho, @boisecoopuncorked, Chad Case, @payettebrewing
Wages paid related to Idaho Wine.
Downtown Views. Uptown Service.
• Seven minutes from Boise airport • Over 20 direct flights • Nine hotels within walking distance • Downtown Location • Close to outdoor recreation
Centrally located in vibrant downtown Boise, the newly expanded Boise Centre has a variety of customizable meeting spaces, modern amenities, exceptional culinary services and a warm and hospitable staff ready to make your next meeting an unforgettable experience.
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H I STO R Y O F B O I S E
‘the wooded river’ boise’s birth and growth as a western city
For thousands of years, up until Lewis and Clark made their crossing of the northern reaches of Idaho in 1805, the Boise River Valley, looked much like the rest of Southern Idaho: arid, vast, and inhabited by sparse bands of roaming Shoshone and Bannock Native Americans. It was forbidding country, to say the least. But soon after the Corps of Discovery’s successful journey, fur trappers began making their way west, forging the Oregon Trail into the Oregon Country: lands held jointly by the U.S. and Britain that would later become the Oregon Territory, then the Idaho Territory, and finally the state of Idaho. One such explorer in search of fur riches was Capt. Benjamin Bonneville. In 1833, his expedition traveled west from present-day Wyoming. On a ridge, now known as Bonneville Point, the explorers gazed down on the Boise River Valley to see a ribbon of river and lush cottonwood trees slicing through a sea of sagebrush. The French-Canadian trappers in the group deemed it “la rivière boisée,” the wooded river. The name would come to stick. However, were it not for two subsequent and seemingly disparate events—the discovery of gold in the Boise Basin 24 miles north of the current city and the Civil War—Boise, as a moniker and a settlement, might never have survived. The first gold strike in Idaho was in 1860 in the Clearwater drainage, but gold fever quickly spread, with miners fanning out to other drainages looking for the next great lode. In 1862, strikes in the Boise Basin drew thousands of miners to the area. With that influx of people, there was inevitable conflict with the Native Americans living in the area. Ostensibly to hold the peace, the Union Army built Fort Boise in 1863 at the crossroads of the Oregon Trail, the road north to the Boise Basin, and the road south to the silver mines in the Owyhee Mountains. But there was also the matter of the Civil War. The founding of Fort Boise happened to coincide with the establishment of the Idaho Territory, which President Lincoln signed into law March 3, 1863. With the large amounts of gold and silver coming out of the area, no doubt the Union forces felt it prudent to have a presence at Fort Boise for fear all that wealth would end up in Confederate hands. Establishing the entire area as a U.S. Territory further protected the riches. While settlements in support of gold rushes often fizzled once the gold was gone, the early, entrepreneurial, and non-military residents at Fort Boise saw potential in the wooded river area. Soon the city was platted, and a year after the Fort was opened, 1,600 people lived in “Boise City.” By the end of 1864, the Idaho Territory legislature moved the territorial capital from Lewiston to Boise, giving more momentum to the burgeoning city. The city still might have died were it not for a substance even more precious than gold: water. While private entrepreneurs in the late 19th century tried to develop a series of diversion canals to enable agricultural expansion, the effort floundered. It was the passing of the Reclamation Act in 1902 that brought federal funds and
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manpower to giant water projects in the West, one of which was the Boise Project. Some of the early fruits of the Boise Project were the Deer Flat Dam, the Boise River Diversion Dam, and Arrowrock Dam. In addition, miles of canals were added to serve the new city. Not only did all of the workers involved contribute to the growth of the city, but abundant electricity and water for irrigation helped broaden the economic base of Boise. Yet another key milestone in the early history of Boise was the railroad. In 1925, the Boise Main Line was added to the Union Pacific’s Oregon Short Line, bringing Eastern passengers to the Boise Bench. While the depot was a good mile from downtown, it nonetheless spurred business growth on the Bench and towards downtown, including the construction of Capital Boulevard. By 1948, six passenger trains a day stopped in Boise. Still, gold, water, and rail service don’t tell the whole story. Over the past century, with mining slowing down, highways supplanting railways, and agriculture on a solid but constant trajectory, entrepreneurs and businesses have stepped in to drive the city’s growth and development. First among them were Harry Morrison and Morris Knudsen who met working on the New York Canal as part of the Boise Project. The two formed a partnership in 1912 to build whatever projects came their way. They started out with pump houses and diversion dams. Before long they had created a construction behemoth, Morrison-Knudsen, that helped build iconic structures such as the Hoover Dam, the TransAlaska Pipeline, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Then there was J.R. Simplot, who, as a 14-year-old in 1923, won a potato sorter with the toss of a coin. The enterprising young man traveled around rural Idaho sorting potatoes and building a business. Today, his name signifies a $6 billion food and agribusiness corporation that employs 10,000 people, many of whom live and work in Boise. Another Boise business, Boise Cascade (originally Boise Payette Lumber Company), formed in 1957, has also been a key force in the city’s growth through its wholesale and retail lumber products. Now trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Boise Cascade generates over $5 billion in revenues each year. Two forces in the modern era, Micron Technology and HewlettPackard, exemplify the tech revolution Boise has undergone of late. Both companies, entering the Boise business scene in the 1970s, have been instrumental in attracting young, educated workers to the City of Trees. While the first settlers in Boise were lured by the glimmer of gold, others soon saw that the basin bisected by a wooded and meandering river just might offer more than quick riches. There was land that could provide food, river systems from which to harness water and power, beauty in the hills, and industry in those who chose to stay. What else could they need?
— Adam Tanous
On a ridge, now known as Bonneville Point, the explorers gazed down on the Boise River Valley to see a ribbon of river and lush cottonwood trees slicing through a sea of sagebrush. The French-Canadian trappers in the group deemed it “la rivière boisée,” the wooded river.
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core
l u sk d i str i c t
Bounded on the southwest by the Boise Bench, on the southeast by Broadway Avenue, by Fort Street on the northeast, and by State Street and 19th streets on the northwest, Downtown Boise makes up the cultural heart and civic and economic center of the city. Home to three of the cities eight historic districts—Old Boise District, Hays Street District, and South 8th Street Warehouse District—downtown features a mix of both historic buildings and modern innovation. As if to prove the point, the historic Linen District buildings are just a few blocks from both JUMP (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place) and Rhodes Skate Park, a 1.28-acre special use park just west of downtown near the Linen District. Even though downtown Boise is the city’s smallest planning area, it offers the most intensive and varied mix of land uses in the city, with high rise office buildings, hotels and condominiums, penthouses, a thriving commercial district with numerous shops, restaurants and service businesses, local, state and federal government offices, several schools and St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center. The Capitol Building rests like a jewel in the heart of downtown, while the main campus of Boise State University anchors the southesast corner, also home to the Velma M. Morrison Center for Performing Arts. The state of Idaho owns 30 acres in Downtown Boise, including the State Capitol complex, and 28% of Downtown Boise consists of parks and open space. The Boise River and Greenbelt meanders through the southern edge, just below the Boise Bench, connecting several parks within the “Ribbon of Jewels”network—a
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Casual and upscale dining choices abound along N. 8th Street (between Main and W. Bannock) in the downtown core.
series of public parks connected through the Boise Greenbelt. Three of the city’s largest parks are located downtown, acting as a reminder of the regal and civic-minded matriarchs of Boise’s early founding families and forever memorialized through the sprawling 145-acre Ann Morrison Park, the 90-acre Julia Davis Park, and the 41-acre Kathryn Albertson Park, which has become an attractive home for resident and migrating wildlife. Friendly and walkable, the downtown area features numerous restaurants, bars, brew pubs, public plazas, retail shops, urban housing and cultural and entertainment venues. The 8th Street walking corridor is a veritable restaurant row, with some of the cities hottest and hippest eateries and lounges, and also the site of the city’s famous Captial City Public Market, an open-air local foods and fresh produce market. Featuring more than 150 vendors each Saturday during the peak season, the Capital City Public Market draws thousands of shoppers every week from all over Boise. Downtown residents can literally fish the river during their lunch hour, and then hit a hip new foodie hangout, take in some live music, or enjoy a performance at the Morrison Center after hours.
JUST THE NUMBERS Percentage of Boise:
2.0%
Area
16.0%
Population
22.0% Jobs
Median Home Value: $335,000 Median Age: 36
SCHOOLS Downtown is home to eight schools, including two K-12 schools, Boise Senior High School, the Foothills School of Arts and Science, as well as the main campus of Boise State University, a branch of the University of Idaho, and Concordia University Law School.
Photo: Courtesy of Idaho Tourism
downtown/core
Photo: Courtesy of Boise State University
downtown/lusk district Wrapping down South 9th Street, parallel to Capitol Boulevard, and looping along the side of Ann Morrison Park is an oblong block of Boise that was once upon a time a hub for auto repair shops. But today, it’s flowering into its longtime up-and-coming potential. The Lusk District. It’s the spot for sustainable evolution. With the Boise River flowing to the north and the Spanish-inspired Boise Train Depot to the south, a new Shoreline Project has emerged to revitalize buildings and embrace a new mixture of old cultures. In the heart of the Lusk District is a quiet block of entrepreneurial-spirited businesses. Take a stroll from South La Pointe Street to South Lusk Street and you’ll see and feel the energy of the area. The theme is clear in the business owners there: grit with a burning-bright-can’t-escape-it passion for what they do. A husband and wife duo kick-started an elevated taco experience at Madre Boutique Taqueria —pineapple al pastor, anyone? A local coffee roaster, Dawson Taylor, daily encourages customers to “wake up and crush it!” Lost Grove Brewing, with a taproom and brewery separated by little but large glass windows, holds a special philosophy for reducing waste and investing in locals. And, of course, there’s Downtown Hound, an indoor doggie play park where Spot can socialize. The Lusk District is also the hot spot to be if you’re a college student. With Boise State University hailing to the east, a lofty apartment complex experience has formed with more to offer than just a place to sleep, including tanning beds, swimming pools, outdoor courtyards, hot tubs, gated communities, and bike storage.
Downtown
PARKS & REC Just under 28% (208 acres) of the Downtown area consists of parks, recreation and open space uses. Half of this is encompassed within the gardens, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic pavilion, softball diamonds, and sports fields of Ann Morrison Park (145 acres); followed by the rose garden, museums and Zoo Boise at Julia Davis Regional Park (90 acres); and the paved footpaths and open space of Kathryn Albertson Park (41 acres). Downtown also provides easy access to Fort Boise Park and to the 25 miles of the Boise River Greenbelt Pathway. Other parks include world renowned Rhodes Skate Park, Capitol Park, C.W. Moore Park, Noble Park, and the Pioneer Community Center, and Pioneer Tot Lot in the River Street neighborhood.
GROWTH PROJECTION Expected to double by 2025. Jobs are expected to grow by 63.5% by 2030.
ALSO OF NOTE
Boise River and Boise State University campus, looking southeast.
There are three historic districts located Downtown— Old Boise District, Hays Street District, and South 8th Street Warehouse District, which house many of the city’s arts and cultural organizations, including Ballet Idaho, Boise Philharmonic, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Opera Idaho, and many more.
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Photo: Ray J. Gadd
north boise/hyde park
The Clarence H. Waymire building (1909) was designed by John E. Tourtellotte and is part of the Hyde Park Historic District.
Tucked away in the heart of the North End of Boise, the Hyde Park Historic District evokes the charm and friendliness of a European village. Its mixture of residential and locally owned businesses exist in vibrant harmony, making Hyde Park one of Boise’s most popular destinations—for an evening or a lifetime! The area was Boise’s first suburban commercial center in the late 1800s, providing a central locus of shopping for the residential additions that were platted nearby as the city grew northwards. Architecturally, the neighborhood—which borders both sides of N. 13th Street between Alturas and Brumback streets—is a blend of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes and commercial buildings of brick, wood and cast stone construction. The celebrated Boise architects Tourtellotte and Hummel are credited with designing the neighborhood. Check out the beautifully restored Oddfellows and Waymire buildings! Today, the many open-air patios and roll-back windows of the restaurants are full in Boise’s long summer season, with visitors and neighborhood regulars leaning their bikes—or leashing their dogs— against the low railings that define the outdoor seating. (All of the restaurants and coffee bars have a generous supply of water and dog treats for Fido!)
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JUST THE NUMBERS Percentage of Boise:
4.1% Population
4.6% Jobs Median Home Value: $410,550 Median Age: 38.6
You’ll find chilled wine, cold microbrews, an old-fashioned barbershop, a cobbler who repairs shoes and can also make you a pair of boots, gift stores where you’ll want to buy one of everything you see, a fair-trade emporium, a high-end bicycle shop, to-die-for handmade ice cream, a toy store—and a lot of laid-back fun. Hyde Park is a popular gathering place for cyclists. Camel’s Back Park and Hull’s Gulch, both access points for the network of Foothills trails, are just a few blocks away. Add baby strollers, dog walkers and joggers to the mix and you start to get an idea of the diversity of the neighborhood. A few blocks up 13th Street, the wide swaths of cool grass, shady trees and playground sets of Camel’s Back—so called because of the shape of the hills’ ridgeline—attract families with children and summer shade-seekers. Each September, Camels’ Back is the site of the fabled Hyde Park Street Fair. It’s a fun weekend of live music, community entertainers, food booths, artisans and crafts people and crowds!
Photo: Chad Case
north boise/highlands Boiseans know that Bogus Basin Road is the gateway that takes skiers and boarders, cyclists, and summer recreation enthusiasts all the way up the mountain to the Bogus Basin Ski Recreation Area 19 miles away. But many people don’t think much about the small, well-tended mid-century neighborhood area that they must pass through on their way out of town. The Highlands neighborhood spreads primarily east of Bogus Basin Road into lush curvy side streets bearing street names that pay homage to Scotland, the original home of The Highlands: Wyndemere, Braemere, Hearthstone, Keldoon, Argyll, Afton, Pashcal, Selkirk, Heather and Tartan. Back in the 1800s, the arid area had a small smattering of farms, but in 1888 Boise pioneer schoolteacher and farmer Franklin B. Smith patented 160 acres of the land, which, 67 years later, would be developed into The Highlands by Franklin’s grandson Richard B. Smith. As an additional incentive for potential home buyers, Smith facilitated the development of the Crane Creek Country Club by selling the land to the club for $1. Additional country club land was gained in a land swap with J.R. Sim-
plot, through which the late potato tycoon acquired the parcel on which he built his hilltop house. The Simplot mansion was demolished in 2016, but its immense 30-by 50-foot American flag that waved 200 feet above it still stands as one of the most prominent landmarks in The Highlands area and is visible for miles. With its classic mid-century architecture, The Highlands neighborhood is still a sought after location for home buyers. Many homes are more than 60 years old, and although it’s not designated as a historic district, The Highlands neighborhood holds an important place in Boise’s history. Today, both residents of The Highlands and neighboring Boiseans enjoy the many businesses, restaurants and services located near the neighborhood’s entryway at the convergence of Bogus Basin, Harrison, and Hill roads. These include sporting stores such as McCu Sports, Alpenglow Mountainsport and Greenwood’s Ski Haus; food, drinks and more at Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, O’Michaels Pub and Grill, Hawkins Pac-Out and Lulu’s Pizza; services such as Healthwise, Bogus Basin Ticket Office, Car Tub Car Wash; and many others. Camel’s
North Boise
Back Park and Hyde Park are a short walk or bike ride away; the lovely Hull’s Gulch Reserve is right over the hill, and Another popular open space nearby is Harrison Hollow, an easy hike that welcomes off leash dogs and offers wanderers great views of the foothills and the city below, desert flowers, creeks and diverse terrain. And finally, what’s not to love about a place that is a 15-minute jaunt by bike or car to downtown, close enough to be up skiing at the Bogus Basin Ski Recreation Area within 30 minutes and then be back to the neighborhood in time to play a round of golf in the afternoon.
The Highlands, along with the Boise Bench area, is known for its mid-century home designs.
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East End / Warm Spring
JUST THE NUMBERS Percentage of Boise:
3.0%
Population
1.6% Jobs
Median Home Value: $482,700 Median Age: 36
Driving down Warm Springs Avenue in Boise is almost an activity in itself, simply for the feeling it evokes in the visitor. There is plenty of shade under towering, mature trees, and every house dotted along the block is uniquely structured but carries familiar, nostalgic qualities from a bygone era, like roomy porches flanked by powder-white Tuscan columns, red brick and lattice shutters. The homes are somehow aged but well cared for, humble but grand, haunting yet comforting. Early settlers were drawn to this area of town for its flat ground, rich soil, and because the Boise River is close by. Along with private residences, early public buildings were also constructed during the 1870s, including a quartermaster’s building, an assay office to test the purity of minerals that were being mined in Idaho City and other nearby areas, and the Idaho State Penitentiary. The Assay Office is now used for the Idaho State Historic Preservation agency and the Archaeological Survey of Idaho. The street’s namesake stemmed from a hot springs on the far side of Table Rock, the mountainside visible from the street. Most of the historic homes
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in the Warm Springs neighborhood were built between 1870 and 1940 and span many decades of architectural styles, including Old Colonial, Mission Revival, Queen Anne, Tudor, ranch and bungalow styles. It’s true, horses and carriages once filled the streets of Boise, especially before the advent of paved roads in the 1890s.
Some homes still have hitching posts, which are concrete pillars along the sidewalk that were once used to tether wagons and horses to an iron ring at the top of the pillar. There is also at least one mounting block that remains in the neighborhood if you keep your eyes peeled. The Old Idaho Penitentiary housed inmates from 1872 until 1974, and it is now only used for historical tours and various events. Throughout September and October, paranormal investigations and haunted house events are held, complete with beer and wine on the Frightened Felons adult night. A stone’s throw away from the Penitentiary is The Idaho Botanical Garden established on 42 acres of old prison grounds. The outer edges of the garden extend into the Boise foothills, and
the sprawling grounds feature 15 acres of roses, irises, native plants and other collections of flowers and bushes. It is accessible to the community year-round and is host to many concerts throughout the summer. Every fall, a harvest festival takes place at the garden, with live music, pumpkin painting, and more. If you’re planning far ahead, check out the garden when it lights up in spectacular fashion for the Christmas season Winter Garden aGlow event. And for those looking for recreation close to home, The Warm Springs Golf Course is a popular 18-hole championship course on the banks of the Boise River. It is shaded by large trees and sits right at the bottom of the foothills, so it has some spectacular views. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, every day, year-round.
Warm Springs' Roosevelt Market is a popular neighborhood hangout with a history that stretches all the way back to 1900.
Photo: Ray J. Gadd
east end/warm springs
Photo: Courtesy of Harris Ranch
southeast boise South of the river at the easternmost edge of Boise is a large suburban district locals call simply "Southeast." With Timberline High School as a central point, its riverbank amenities, an abundance of well-planned neighborhoods and convenient, walk-to shopping make Southeast a draw for newcomers. An old unnamed village along the Oregon Trail was the beginning of Southeast nearly 100 years ago, and on its outskirts you can still see the wagon tracks of the trail heading in on shallow foothills from the east. Reportedly, this is where exploring fur trappers first spotted the Boise River Valley, exclaiming, “la rivière boisée,” the wooded river. Until the mid-1970s, Southeast was a sprawl of unplanned suburban areas, small horse properties and tiny farms. (There was a working dairy, which still delivered milk to one’s front door right up until 1995.) Development took off in the late 1970s when the population surged and global corporation Micron Technology built its huge headquarters in Southeast. Harris Ranch, a large masterplanned neighborhood in Barber Valley, is the easternmost suburb within Boise city limits. Its small commercial area, the Mill District, centers on its hangout Coffee Mill, a small market, and a popular cafe. Harris Ranch's walkability means steps-awayaccess to The Greenbelt, Boise River, and several parks and nature preserves. The put-in launch area for rafting the river, Barber Park, also has a public soccer field, an event center and marked wildlife refuge areas. Families with children explore nature in the nooks and crannies along the
East East End End / Warm / Warm Spring Spring
Harris Ranch is a pedestrian-friendly 1,300-acre master-planned community in southeast Boise.
park, and birders watch birds of prey soaring over one of the most beautiful sections of the river. A more recent addition to Southeast is a small district called Bown Crossing, named for its proximity to The Bown House, one of the oldest 19th century stone structures still standing in Boise. Bown Crossing, which quickly became the heart of the neighborhood, is carefully looked after and loved by locals for its "hangout" feel, with central cafe Locavore offering three locally sourced meals a day and a coffee fix, plus a patio where you can chill with your dog over lunch. You will also find sushi, Idaho potato delights, gourmet pizza, beer and wine tasting, and an abundance of dentists, doctors, and small locally-owned shops and businesses, including a bike
shop—crucial for a city obsessed with cycling—and an old-fashioned candy and ice cream store. The neighborhoods along Parkcenter Boulevard have walking access to the Boise River and Greenbelt, and Bagley Park, a family-friendly green-spot between the river and Parkcenter
Boulevard, is a central jumpingoff point for summer activities. From there, you can picnic, set off on a serious dog walk or bike ride, play tennis, or head to a local wine experience. Life in Southeast is outdoorsy, convenient, and friendly. Take a walk and you'll find your niche!
JUST THE NUMBERS Southeast Boise
Median Home Value: $305,500 Median Age: 32.4
SCHOOLS There are seven public K-12 schools in the Southeast. Several schools in the Southeast are historically significant, such as Riverside School, which was originally and Garfield Elementary School.
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bench
The Boise Depot, a Spanish-style building built in 1925, is on the edge of the Bench neighborhood.
Quite literally located in the heart of the city, the Boise Bench is an area encircled by South Federal Way from the Boise Depot all the way to Interstate 84 and south to the Boise airport. Rising up above the city, the Bench is so named because it sits on an elevation approximately 60 feet higher than downtown Boise giving it the appearance of a step-like plateau. In fact, there is actually a series of benches in Boise, each overlooking an area of town stretching from one end of Boise to the other. These benches served as ancient river banks to the Boise River before it trickled down to its current flow, and, today, comprise an eclectic collection of neighborhoods, office buildings, shopping centers, and more. Within the main Boise Bench area is the Depot Bench neighborhood, located near the historic Boise Depot and beautiful Platt Gardens at the top of Vista Avenue just south of downtown Boise, the Boise River, and Boise State University. This area features older, unique properties situated on Crescent Rim Drive and overlooks the sprawling Ann Morrison Park and has panoramic views of Boise and the distant foothills and mountains. According to the Depot Bench Neighborhood Association, some of the homes in this area were moved from downtown to the Bench, including structures that date to the 19th century. The neighborhood was pretty much sagebrush until 1910 to 1930, when the area along Crescent Rim Drive began to be developed with some of the city’s finer houses.
JUST THE NUMBERS Percentage of Boise:
7.8% Area
16.0% Population
14.0% Jobs Median Home Value: $234,800 Median Age: 33
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Development of the area was further spurred on by the completion of the new Union Pacific railroad depot in 1925. Further west within the Boise Bench is the Central Bench, which lies less than four miles from downtown Boise and offers easy access to all ends of the city and beyond via main roads and the freeway. As the name implies, the central bench is situated in the heart of Boise’s bench community and is bordered by Alpine Street to the north, South Roosevelt Street to the east, West Overland Road to the south and South Curtis Road to the west. The neighborhood sits just south of the historic Morris Hill Cemetery and east of Boise Towne Square Mall. As in many areas of Boise, the Bench encompasses a wide variety of neighborhoods, from newer developments with more modern design to older sections shaded by towering trees and lush, mature landscaping. This area is also known for its culturally diverse residents and array of ethnic shops and restaurants, including Cuban, Bosnian, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, German, Korean and more. Two of the most well known landmarks within the Boise Bench area include the Boise LDS Temple and The Hillcrest Country Club and golf course. Homes located near the golf course were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are excellent examples of mid-century modern architecture. The Bench is also home to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, numerous city parks, and the popular Aquarium of Boise. Today’s Bench is a vibrant section of town that encompasses the old and new, both in its homes and buildings as well as the people who make the area their home. In many neighborhoods the original homeowners from the 1950s live next to new neighbors who have settled here from other states or even other countries.
Photo: Charles Knowles
Bench
northwest boise/foothills
Photo: Courtesy of Idaho Tourism
Just a few miles west of the bustle of downtown Boise, Northwest Boise offers its residents many of the amenities that draw people to Idaho in the first place. With the lush, tree-lined Boise River and Greenbelt to its south and the vast Boise Foothills to the north, Northwest Boise is within close reach of miles of hiking and biking trails, river recreation, spectacular views of the city, downtown dining, and nationally recognized arts and entertainment.
The foothillls area is home to an expansive trail network.
Once an orchard and farming area in the 1880s, Northwest Boise is today a charming and eclectic mix of older historic homes mingling with newer construction; towering trees and mature landscaping; quiet cul-de-sacs; and larger lots, many of which are still used to pasture horses, goats, and maybe even a cow or two. Many of the streets and neighborhoods bear the names of early landowners who settled in the area in the late 1880s, bought up acres of land and turned them into peach orchards, farms, and even an amusement park with a half-mile long lake and a dance pavilion. They built homes, schools, and churches, and many of these structures from the early 1900s have been renovated and are still in use. The boundaries of Northwest Boise—give or take—are State Street on the south, Hill Road on the north, 36th Street to the east and Highway 55 to the west. Although it is a large area, every part of Northwest Boise is within a few minutes of some of Boise’s most beautiful outdoor amenities.
Just south of State Street is the Boise River and several nearby ponds where summer water lovers enjoy swimming, tubing, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, and canoeing, as well as world-class surfing, kayaking and wakeboarding at the Boise Whitewater Park. There are a number of large city parks dotting the area, including Veteran’s, Hillside, Optimist and the meandering 55-acre Esther Simplot Park, featuring playgrounds, picnic sites, boardwalks and a series of interconnected ponds. There are many other smaller parks tucked away within the Northwest neighborhoods. To the north, just above Hill Road, the Boise Foothills are a virtual playground for runners, hikers, bikers, and dog walkers, with miles of open space to breathe deep, take in the views and recreate. Deer, hawks, and other wildlife abound in the open spaces. There are also several newer developments in the nearby foothills. For the golfers, the public Quail Hollow Golf Course off of Hill Road and 36th Street is considered to be one of the most challenging in town, due to its location in the foothills. Other golf courses in the Northwest area include Plantation and Pierce Park. All along State Street there are several commercial hubs that offer convenient shopping and dining, as well as family entertainment and services. In the Collister Center there is a Boise City Library, an indoor roller-skating rink, numerous restaurants and pubs; down the road there are fitness facilities, veterinarians, garden centers, a hospital,
grocery stores, and large retailers like Home Depot and Walmart. Away from the major traffic area of State Street, the 36th Street Garden Center and Bistro at Hill Road and 36th Street is a lovely complex of small townhomes, single story businesses, and professional offices that encircle a garden center and a conservatory or sunroom-style bistro and garden-oriented gift shop. There are dozens of little neighborhoods throughout Northwest Boise. From the city view homes in the foothills to the rural-like acreage in the lower flat land neighborhoods, Northwest Boise is filled with character, history, beauty and a great location.
Northwest Boise
JUST THE NUMBERS Median Home Value: $298,550 Median Age: 35.7
SCHOOLS There are five schools in the Northwest. River Glen Junior High is located at the base of the foothills and four Elementary Schools round out the offering in this area.
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g a rd e n c i t y
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Garden City has over 1,200 businesses. Here are just a few... TASTE – 1. Telaya Wine Co., 2. Coiled Wines, 3. The Western Collective Brewery, 4. Wildflour Bakery, 5. Cinder Winery, 6. Split Rail Winery, 7. Bella Brewing, 8. The Gulch, 9. Meriwether Cider, 10. Bararian Brewing, 11. Potter Wines, 12. Crooked Fence Brewing, 13. County Line Brewing, 14. Parterre Winery, 15. Powderhaus Brewing PLAY – 1. Whitewater Park, 2. Esther Simplot Park, 3. Waterfront Park, 4. Heron Park, 5. Riverfront Park, 6. Mystic Cove Park, Westmoreland Park, 8. Library, 9. River Pointe Park, 10. Riverside Park, 11. Garden City Pollinator Habitat CREATIVE – 1. Surel's Place, 2. Spaceport; Studio 1212, Julia Ballenger, Gravitas, el waves, Lala's Fresh Pots, Suzanne Flyty Design, Betsie Richardson, 3. Zion Arne Glass, 4. Samuel Paden, 5. Audio Lab Recording Studio, 6. Visual Arts Collective, 7. Madacsi Studios, 8. Torched Glass works, 9. Stover Glass, 10. Firefly Garden Art
Garden City is sowing seeds for a renaissance of sorts, once again becoming an arts and entertainment destination. Surrounded almost entirely by the City of Boise, Garden City is more than a neighborhood. It is a city within a city, with its own municipal government. The long sliver of land just 1.6 miles northwest of Downtown Boise is barely over 4 square miles, but it has 6.7 miles of Boise Riverfront, earning the motto “Nestled by the River.” In the late 1800s, Chinese immigrants drawn to Idaho during the gold rush, stayed long after the gold played out, settling along that 6-mile stretch of the Boise River as tenant farmers. The beautiful row gardens of fruits and vegetables tended by the Chinese parlayed into the name “Garden City.” The main thoroughfare, Chinden Boulevard, is an amalgamation of “China” and Garden.” Garden City has always embraced an independent streak, and the current rebirth is no different. In the mid-1990s, Garden City began an urban renewal period, intent on revitalizing and fostering growth of the town. In the mid-aughts, the city completed improvements to the Greenbelt, including paving a stretch on the south side of the river between 44th and 49th Streets. Soon, artists from Boise began trickling into Garden City, attracted by low real estate prices and proximity to the lush Boise River Greenbelt. In 2012, the City Council renamed the late artist Surel Mitchell’s neighborhood on 33rd Street “The Surel Mitchell Live/Work/Create District.” Surel’s Place, the artist’s former home, is
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now a nonprofit live/work space juried to national artists for one-month residencies. In return for free rent and support, the artists hold public workshops, and donate work to the organization. Artists weren’t the only ones to take notice of Garden City’s spunk. The area’s industrial feel began to draw a niche group of entrepreneurs: microbrewers and winemakers. Today, six urban wineries, one cider house and five microbreweries call Garden City home. Between the outdoor recreational activities on the Garden City stretch of the Boise River, the urban wineries and micro-breweries, and a 14-acre, recently remodeled resort-like hotel with three live music venues, Garden City is a vibrant area that manages to maintain lovely and peaceful residential areas.
Garden City
JUST THE NUMBERS Median Home Value: $236,350 Median Age: 45.9
SCHOOLS Garden City is home to two charter schools: Answer Charter School and Future Public School.
Map: Courtesy of Garden City, City Hall, illustration by Julia Green
garden city
Photo: Courtesy of Boise Towne Square
west boise Straddling the line between Boise and the neighboring city of Meridian, West Boise covers a large geographic area that runs from the I-84 freeway west to Eagle Road. The proximity to these main thoroughfares that link Boise to Meridian and the town of Eagle, makes West Boise ideal for people who want to be close to a variety of amenities. West Boise experienced quite a bit of growth during the 1970s and many of the older homes in this area reflect the architecture of that time in their ranch style design. However, with the population growing and new homes being built, West Boise features several contemporary developments dotting the areas closer to Eagle. The central location of West Boise and proximity to major thoroughfares offers easy access to Downtown Boise, and a short commute for shopping and dining in Eagle and Meridian. This area of town is home to the Boise Towne Square Mall, the largest mall in Idaho, which features over 140 retailers and dining choices. The areas surrounding the mall are primarily commercial, with neighborhoods tucked back away from the hustle and bustle. Prominent commercial residents of West Boise include Hewlett Packard’s HP Customer Welcome Center, which HP calls “The center of our printing universe,” and where customers can see future HP printing products in development and testing. Also located in the west end is the
West Boise YMCA and Boise City Aquatic Center near Chinden Boulevard and Cloverdale Road. West Boise provides easy access to large retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, Walmart and the Village at Meridian, an upscale open air mall designed with European style architecture, tree-lined village streets, and a park and fountain choreographed to lights and music. West Boise is also the site for the unique Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) on Five Mile Road just south of Ustick Road. Located in a barn like classroom, BUGS teaches youth and adults the fundamentals of culinary arts and gardening though science, health and environmental lesson plans. Toward the north end of West Boise is the Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve, a 54-acre sanctuary for birds and wildlife
located on the edge of Boise's West Bench. The park features trailheads, pathways, and pond overlook areas, and is a lovely place for quiet reflection with its winding paths, waterways, natural vegetation, and a multitude of bird life. As West Boise has grown, the city parks and recreation department has continued to sprinkle a number of public parks throughout the area, with more planned in the future. From large parks and athletic facilities like the Charles F. McDevitt Youth Sports Complex to small neighborhood parks like Redwood, West Boise has a variety of places to recreate. West Boise’s proximity to shopping and dining, the Eagle Road corridor and the city of Meridian, plus a short commute to Downtown Boise via the freeway, gives this area a great central location.
West Boise
JUST THE NUMBERS Median Home Value: $271,700 Median Age: 34.6
SCHOOLS West Boise is home to 21 schools including ITT Technical Institute, as well as two high schools, two K-8 schools, one K-6 school, and 13 elementary schools.
Boise Towne Square, the largest retail complex in the state, opened in 1988 after more than 20 years of planning.
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Southwest Boise
JUST THE NUMBERS Percentage of Boise:
16.0%
13.5%
Area
Population
7.5% Jobs
Median Home Value: $285,200 Median Age: 36.5
Just 10 or 15 minutes from downtown Boise is the developing Southwest Boise area, which has traditionally been known for its more rural and pastoral feel, but has seen a construction boom over the past several years. From the 1960s to the early 1980s, Southwest neighborhoods were sparsely populated, and many included acre-sized plots and the occasional farmhouse and pasture. In the 1980s the area’s growth was curtailed after a moratorium was placed on new construction to prevent urban sprawl. Since the moratorium was lifted, development of new homes and neighborhoods has increased. However, even with this growth and newer construction popping up, the area still enjoys pockets of open land, farms and a country feel. Southwest Boise area is in close proximity to theatres, shopping, Interstate 84, and the airport. It is also minutes away from the Boise Ranch Golf Course, an 18-hole championship style course with eight lakes and ponds, and a 6,611-yard, par 71 layout that
includes one of the longest par fives in the state of Idaho. The FC Nova Soccer Complex, a youth and adult recreational and competitive soccer club, is also located nearby. Further south into the desert is the internationally known World Center for Birds of Prey, which serves as the headquarters for The Peregrine Fund, a global nonprofit organization founded in 1970 that conserves endangered raptors around the world. The facility is open to the public to observe raptor demonstrations, learn more about the birds and also the work of the Peregrine Fund and it’s success in saving birds of prey from extinction. There are several parks in the Southwest area, some of which are undeveloped. The largest is the 158-acre Murgoitio site, which is planned to be developed with ball fields, equestrian areas, water features, and picnic areas as funds become available upon annexation into the city limits. There are also several elementary, junior high and high schools, making Southwest Boise a great family area.
SCHOOLS Southwest is home to 10 schools, including Frank Church High School, West Junior High School, Lake Hazel Middle School, and seven elementary schools. Christine Donnell School of Arts is the first magnet school and first art-based elementary school in the State of Idaho.
PARKS & REC There are six parks in the Southwest area of the city, The largest is the 158-acre Murgoitio site, which is planned to be developed with ball fields, equestrian areas, water features, and picnic areas. Peppermint Park, a seven-acre park adjacent to Pepper Ridge Elementary School has open fields and play structures.
Boise Ranch Golf Course in southwest Boise features a 6,611-yard, par-71 layout that includes one of the longest par 5s in the state.
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Photo: Courtesy of Boise Ranch Golf Course
southwest boise
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g re a te r bo i s e a re a
greater boise area If you follow State Street (Hwy 44) west from Boise, you immediately come to the city of Eagle, followed by Star a little further to the west, and Middleton, further to the west still. Head due south from Eagle on Eagle Road and you will pass through Meridian, which currently holds the distinction of being the fastest growing city in Idaho and is located west of Boise between Chinden Blvd. (U.S. 26/Hwy 20) and Interstate-84. Continue west along I-84 past Meridian and you will pass through Nampa before making a slight north turn and arriving at Caldwell, which butts up against the final leg of a wide, rhomboid-shaped loop of surrounding towns and cities that make up the Treasure Valley, all of which are booming in one way or another, and each of which has something unique to offer. Here is a quick rundown of the larger cities of the Treasure Valley:
At Eagle Sports Complex and Bike Park, there is something for everyone: runners, kids, learners, and experts.
EAGLE
County: Ada Year Incorporated: 1971 Population: 29,910 Median Age: 41 Median Household Income: $81,909 Median Property Value: $467,300 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 10.4% Homeownership Rate: 82.3% Average Commute Time: 18.9 minutes Drive 8 miles west on State Street from downtown Boise and you will find yourself in the heart of Eagle, an upscale community with a small town feel that has become one of Boise’s most sought-after areas to live. Eagle has grown over 80% since 2000, but still maintains a family-friendly feel, with a quaint historical downtown with shops and restaurants, mature tree-lined streets, homes on large lots, several mature golf courses, and beautiful neighborhoods and parks.
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Amenities have grown, too. The 200-acre Eagle Sports Complex and Bike Park (one of the largest in the country) offers a BMX track, world-class mountain bike trails, a skate park, basketball courts and an inline hockey rink; and Eagle Island State Park (site of the original homesteader Truman C. Catlin’s farming claim) features zip-lines, a water slide, sandy beaches, and five miles of walking and horseback riding trails. In fact, Eagle’s vast array of outdoor activities, easy access to McCall, the Eagle Foothills and the Boise River Greenbelt, and close proximity to downtown are what have earned it the ranking as “One of the Best Places to Live in Idaho” by Livability.com (2018). Eagle is also ranked as “#8 Places with the Best Public Schools in Idaho” by Niche (2018) and the “Most Successful City in Idaho” by Zippia (2018).
MERIDIAN
County: Ada Year Incorporated: 1903 Population: 106,410 (31% growth) Median Age: 35.7 Median Household Income: $64,375 Median Property Value: $321,100 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 16.9% Homeownership Rate: 76.2% Average Commute Time: 22.2 minutes It’s about 12-14 miles from the Idaho State Capitol Building to downtown Meridian, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Idaho (posting a population growth rate of 31% in 2018 over the previous year). Despite that growth, Meridian still maintains the countrylike setting it was originally founded on and remains one of the safest cities in Idaho Originally founded as a village in 1903 with a population of approximately 200, Meridian was an agricultural area based around the dairy farms surrounding the creamery and a large fruit growing, packing and shipping industry from area fruit orchards. It is now the second largest city in Idaho and a great place to live, with more than 284 acres of developed park land, 15 miles of maintained pathways, an additional 124 acres of as-yet undeveloped park land, and a brand new event and conference center in the downtown, which is undergoing a revitalization.
The Village at Meridian features upscale apparel and specialty retail, fine restaurants, and cafes.
Meridian also recently developed a collaborative campus called The Hill, which opened in May 2018. It provides a place for education, recreation, wellness and literary pursuits, combined with the 10-acre agricultural-themed Hillsdale Park. Also in 2018, the city welcomed the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Idaho’s first medical school.
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of Idaho Mountain Bike Trails, Courtesy of The Village at Meridian
NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
STAR
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of Intermountain MLS, Courtesy of Ford Idaho Center
County: Ada / Canyon Year Incorporated: 1905, 1997 Population: 10,310 Median Age: 32.1 Median Household Income: $58,906 Median Property Value: $327,000 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 11.1% Homeownership Rate: 77.1% Average Commute Time: 26.3 minutes Just 16 miles west of the downtown will bring you to Star, Idaho, a small town with big heart that is poised to be the Treasure Valley’s next boom town. Nestled between the Boise River and the foothills, Star was named for the carved wooden star on the original schoolhouse built in the center of town in 1870s and used as a landmark for travelers headed west toward Middleton. Star is hailed as the “brightest jewel in the gem state” and
Star, Idaho.
Wholesome, friendly, and founded on agricultural roots, Star is a working community with strong ties to the land and agriculture. Star is currently experiencing the fastest growth rate of any city in Idaho, adding 51.4% more people from 2010-2018 (HomeSnacks/ U.S. Census, Dec. 2018).
MIDDLETON
County: Canyon Year Incorporated: 1910 Population: 9,190 Median Age: 32.3 Median Household Income: $45,549 Median Property Value: $268,500 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 7.8% / Zillow 20.7% Homeownership Rate: 71.2% Average Commute Time: 32.6 minutes
Middleton with a motto, "Life is Better Here."
Just 7 miles west of the star on State Street/Hwy 44 (28 miles west of downtown Boise) will put you in Middleton, Idaho, the oldest town in Canyon County and former stop along the Oregon Trail. While Star had its creamery, Middleton was famous for its wheat mill, drawing farmers throughout the region. Originally a stage coach station named for its location at the mid point between the old Fort Boise and Snake River ferries, Middleton was recently named the “#1 Best Places to Raise a Family in Idaho” (HomeSnacks.com, 2018). More than 44% of households are families with kids, and Middleton offers the quiet and peace of country living but with all the amenities of a modern town, including the Trolley Station museum, a new event center, and 22.4 acres of improved parks and 129.5 acres of unimproved parks such as the multi-user nature park and wildlife habitat along the Boise River within River Street Park (98 acres).
from a silver mining past, a former Carnegie Library and a grand hotel: the former Dewey Palace Hotel. Explore historic downtown, a walkable, preserved historic district that features Library Square, Lloyd’s Square Park, Wall Street Plaza, the Train Depot Museum and a plethora of restaurants, retail shops, and art galleries. Nampa is also home to several institutions of higher learning, including the College of Western Idaho, and Northwest Nazarene University. Nampa as well has a newer 62,000-square-foot public library and the Ford Idaho Center, a city-owned complex and entertainment venue. One of the city’s premier events remain the Snake River Stampede Rodeo, one of the nation’s top rodeos, which is hosted in late July every year and traces its root to 1937. WalletHub named Nampa the “#1 Best Run City in America” (July 2017). Nampa offers an enviable list of amenities—31 schools (elementary, middle, and high schools), several colleges, the Nampa Depot Museum, the Warhawk Air Museum, several event centers and the first indoor shopping mall in the Treasure Valley. Combined with easy access to Interstate 84 and the recreational amenities of the stunning and less well-known Owyhee mountains to the south, Nampa offers culture, recreational opportunities, friendly down-toearth people and an affordable cost of living within the Treasure Valley.
NAMPA
County: Canyon Year Incorporated: 1890 Population: 89,576 Median Age: 31.4 Median Household Income: $43,058 Median Property Value: $229,683 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 10.8% / Zillow 19.1% Homeownership Rate: 61.0% Average Commute Time: 23.8 minutes Nampa, just 20 miles west of downtown Boise along Interstate 84, is the third most populous city in Idaho. Nampa is a Western town with a long history, including a boom
The Ford Idaho Center, a complex of sports and entertainment venues in Nampa.
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Caldwell's Ste. Chapelle Winery is Idaho's largest winery. It is in one of the oldest wine-growing regions in America west of the Mississippi River.
CALDWELL
County: Canyon Year Incorporated: 1883 Population: 56,860 Median Age: 29.7 Median Household Income: $43,269 Median Property Value: $121,400 / Zillow $218,500 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 7.43% / Zillow 21.1% Homeownership Rate: 64.4% Average Commute Time: 23.5 minutes Just northwest of Nampa and another eight miles west on I-84 (28 miles west of downtown Boise) is Caldwell, Idaho. Located at the western mouth of the Treasure Valley along the Boise River and near the Owyhee mountains, Caldwell provides access to river rafting, climbing, hiking, trail riding and other recreational pursuits. It is also home to the state’s oldest private liberal arts college, the College of Idaho, which was founded in 1891. Culture and history abound, and Caldwell is known for the Indian Creek Festival, a twoday community event with activities such as a Wagons Ho Chuck Wagon experience and food events that celebrate the traditional trading fairs of the Inland and Pacific Northwest Indians. Caldwell also lies along the path of the historic Oregon Trail and is recognized as the “heart of the Idaho wine country,” boasting immediate access to the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, a scenic trail with 15 wineries and vineyards serving award-wining wines in an intimate setting within the Snake River Valley AVA. The premier event in Caldwell rolls into town every August, with the Caldwell Night
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Rodeo, “Where the cowboys are the stars.” Rolling farmland, vineyards, and farm-to-table is the norm in Caldwell, where everybody acts like your neighbor and the hottest new Locavore restaurant downtown welcomes you with open arms.
being just 10 miles south of Meridian (currently the area’s fastest growing city). It is inevitable that some of that growth will spill into the acres of farmland stretching south into Kuna. A new city hall and a multi-screen theater Idaho’s Initial Point is in Kuna, a volcanic butte that surveyors used to map the entire state starting in 1867. The Kuna Caves are another natural phenomenon that some believe ancient nomadic Indian tribes used to get to the Snake River underground from Kuna. With the #1 Best Average Summer Temperatures in Idaho (Movoto.com) and a mild topography, Kuna offers a warmer oasis than much of the rest of Idaho. And with a cost of living 18% below the national average (81.7% of the National Average for Cost of Living), Kuna is an affordable and convenient area of rolling hills and open farmland that is close to natural wonders such as the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. NOTE: All population and demographic information, 2018.
KUNA
County: Ada Year Incorporated: 1864 Population: 19,700 Median Age: 30.6 Median Household Income: $65,734 Median Property Value: $245,700 Property Value Growth (prev. year): 12.9% Homeownership Rate: 76% Average Commute Time: 21 minutes
W. Main Street, Kuna, Idaho.
Kuna, just 19 miles southwest of Boise, is rapidly changing and might just be another Treasure Valley boomtown—the number of people moving to Kuna has more than tripled since 2000, and Kuna still has the lowest average price of housing in Ada County. But this rural town still maintains its small-town feel, despite
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M AG A Z I N E Online: www.territory-mag.com email: info@territory-mag.com
BOISE 2019 Relocation Guide®, TERRITORY Magazine®, ©Mandala Media, LLC 2019 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. Published by Mandala Media, LLC P.O. Box 272 Boise, ID 83701, USA For more information or to purchase copies: www.mandala-media.com BOISE 2019 Relocation Guide design by Mandala Media, a group of artists and editors who collaborate on book and magazine projects. Publisher/Editor in Chief: Laurie Sammis Managing Editor: Adam C. Tanous Creative Director: Roberta Morcone Advertising Sales: A licia Cachuela, Kelly Mitchell Marketing and Distribution: Julia Larsen Cover: Boise aerial skyline by Charles Knowles Printed in the U.S.A.
Photos: Left to right, top to bottom – Courtesy of Ste. Chapelle Winery, Kuna City Hall
NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
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Choose from six exclusive lots in the Barber Junction Subdivision Nestled between the Boise River and the foothills; each offering panoramic views of Harris Ranch
e TO MARIANNE WILLIAMS PARK
COURTESY TO BROKERS 1
17,158 Sq Ft
$450,000
2
12,932 Sq Ft
$450,000
3
14,224 Sq Ft
$450,000
4
16,195 Sq Ft
$465,000
5
17,858 Sq Ft
$475,000
6
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$465,000 ALTA HARRIS PARK
Currently scheduled for completion in 2021
Visit our website at harris-ranch.com or call 208-344-1131