Topic description: Looking for the best places to stay in Boise, Idaho? The City of Trees counts 33 neighborhoods, each with its own flavor and identity. From historic to modern, pastoral to urban, you’re bound to find a residential area that suits your lifestyle and preferences. Choosing is the hard part.
Additionally, there over 35 recognized neighborhood associations that work hard to preserve the beauty and character of Boise’s communities.
In this post, we discuss the best known residential areas in the city as well as various subdivisions and developments you’ll find in those areas. This will get you started on the search for your new home in Boise, Idaho.
Looking for a home in Idaho? You’re in luck – you’ll find plenty of nice neighborhoods in Boise, Idaho.
The City of Trees is made up of roughly 33 neighborhoods. Here we’ll discuss the most popular sections of the city as well as the communities and housing types you’ll find in these residential pockets.
North End. Located north of downtown, this area has a historic charm that few places in Idaho can replicate, with Queen Anne, Craftsman, Tudor, and Modern-style homes lining its quiet and leafy streets .
Hyde Park, a vibrant commercial district, lies in the heart of the North End and offers an array of cafés, pubs, restaurants, and specialty stores. The annual Hyde Park Street Fair is among the most anticipated events in the area.
The American Planning Association (APA) ranked it among its 10 Great Neighborhoods in 2008.
Northwest Boise. The Northwest’s ideal location gives you easy access to the Boise Foothills, Boise River Greenbelt, and Downtown Boise. You’ll also find a diverse mix of older homes and new construction. Craftsman-style homes adorn the western shores of the lake, with the southwest banks are lined with waterfront homes with sandy yards.
West Boise. This residential pocket has a relaxed environment coupled with a selection of wonderful shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Places of interest include Boise Town Square Mall, Village at Meridian, West Boise YMCA & Boise City Aquatic Center, and Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park.
Best known for Ranch-style homes, some of the area’s most sought after communities include:
- Brook View
- Cay Village
- Chaucer
- Dropzone
- Hollowrose
- White Clouds
- Hyatt Park
- Lamberton’s Addition
- Spotted Dove
East Boise. As one of the more upscale sections of town, East Boise brings you an eclectic mix of historic and modern homes. There is also a large selection of luxury homes. Prevalent architectural styles include Ranch, Prairie, Italianate, Mediterranean, and Contemporary.
Some of the homes in the area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and have been updated to include modern upgrades.
Nestled among the Boise Foothills, this part of the city has a distinctly suburban feel. Some of its most notable communities include:
- Boulder Heights/El Paseo
- Candleridge
- East End
- Falling Brook
- Foothills East
- Harris Ranch
- Harris Crossing
- Morningside Heights
Local attractions include the Idaho Botanical Garden, which spans over 33 acres.
South Boise. This part of the city gives you a bit of everything – family-friendly suburbs to the west, close to the Meridian; thriving businesses and big city amenities to the east, near the airport; and pastoral farmland to the south, towards Kuna.
Southeast Boise. The southeastern portion of Boise has a suburban character. Located along the Boise River, it is home to BSU. Buyers can choose from a wide selection of single family homes and condos, with architectural styles like Ranch, Craftsman, and Traditional. There is also a good mix of post-war homes and new construction.
Southwest Boise. This portion of Boise has a suburban feel. Here you’ll find some of the city’s largest and best selling single family developments, including:
- Antler Ridge
- Dashwood
- Devonshire
- Hazelwood Village
- Hillsdale Park
- Peppertree/Peppermill
- Southcreek
- Southfork
- Sutherland Farm
Boise State University (BSU). Located in the southern section of the city, some locals consider BSU a residential pocket in and of itself. Home to BSU, this part of Boise has the highest concentration of students, professors, and researchers.
Broncos living on-campus can choose from a range of residence halls, suites, townhomes, and apartments in the following developments:
- Chafee Hall
- Driscoll Hall
- Honors College and Sawtooth Hall
- Keiser Hall
- Lincoln Townhomes
- Morrison Hall
- Taylor Hall
- Towers Hall
- University Heights
- University Manor
- University Park
- University Square
- University Suites
- University Village
Click here to view housing rates in BSU.
Those who live in BSU have access to a recreation center and a host of activities and programs throughout the year.
Boise Bench. Lovers of architecture will enjoy house hunting in Boise Bench, which has beautifully preserved post-war storybook homes, Mid Century Modern homes, and other gems. Residents have easy access to the middle of Downtown Boise.
A City of Trees
The city gets its name from the French word for “wooded” and has been called the “City of Trees” since its founding in 1863. French trappers named it as such upon crossing the Boise River, which was surrounded by willows and cottonwoods.
Today, the city boasts of green spaces like Baggley Park and the Boise River Greenbelt. Nearly every street is lined with cottonwood, willow, and poplar trees that offer shade from the sun.
It also enjoys close proximity to the mountains, hiking spots, and famous outdoor attractions like the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, which offers hundreds of acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain.
But aside from recreational opportunities, living in a green city can have benefits for your well-being. A 2016 study found a link between greenery and longevity and quality of life.
Researchers followed 108,000 women over a nine-year period and discovered a 12% lower mortality rate among participants who lived in the greenest areas, compared with participants residing in the least green areas.
Living close to nature also seemed to reduce participants’ risk of depression, cancer, and kidney and respiratory disease.
Enjoy the quality of life that Boise is known for. The First Service Group Real Estate and Property Management can help you find the right home. Contact the team here. You can get in touch with Chris Todd at 208.343.9393 and Chris(at)FirstServiceGroup(dotted)com.