Buhl combines country living and urban convenience
Located in south-central Idaho’s Magic Valley, the city of Buhl mainly encompasses rich farmland. “We’re in a high desert, but there’s a lot of green; we’ve got sagebrush and wide-open skies, where you can see all the stars and beautiful sunsets,” says Realtor Devry Nield with Fathom Realty, who has sold in the valley for 20 years. Buhl is recognized for its vineyards, trout supply and proximity to Snake River Canyon. Additionally, the city’s downtown area and U.S. Route 30, known as Highway 30, provide quick access to modern amenities. With Twin Falls about 16 miles east, Nield says, “You’d come here if you want a small country community close to a bigger town.”
City gathering spaces and nature-centric activities on the outskirts
A short drive outside the city leads to adventures in Snake River Canyon and Kanaka Rapids. About 22 miles away along the river, Shoshone Falls Park spotlights a 900-foot-wide waterfall known as the “Niagara of the West.” Niagara Springs State Park, within 14 miles, offers hiking trails and a fish hatchery. Anglers can catch a variety of species, including the rare sturgeon fish. “There are a lot in the lakes of Buhl,” Nield says. “Some of them live to be 70 years old, and they can be 7 or 8 feet long, but people don’t keep them; they catch and release.”
Numerous parks sit off Poplar Street. McClusky Park is home to the Buhl Skatepark, and Eastman Park features open fields with shaded picnic tables and a playground. Eastman also hosts the vendors during Sagebrush Days, a three-day Fourth of July event. Buhl North Park off Sawtooth Road presents the festival’s Guns vs. Hoses softball game, a charitable showdown between the police and fire departments.
A market ranging from manufactured homes to vast acreage
Buyers will find manufactured homes and single-family properties in Buhl. Common options include ranch-style houses, New Traditional builds and one-to-two-bedroom bungalows. Residential streets near town often have densely packed lots, sidewalks and driveways, while roads on the outskirts accommodate more acreage. Many of these sizeable properties allow horses and livestock and have enough space for barns and fenced-in pastures. The median single-family price is $330,000, though spacious lots may surpass $700,000. Manufactured homes start much lower and typically range from $70,000 to $200,000.
Big-box shopping and regionally sourced goods
Broadway Avenue is Buhl's commercial hub. The street features brick buildings housing small businesses, city banners pinned to lampposts and freestanding post clocks. Independently owned restaurants include Magic Valley Brewing, which serves pub fare and locally handcrafted beers. Vaquero Mexican Restaurant is another option, and Cloverleaf Creamery sells regional dairy products and ice cream. Buhl is often called the Trout Capital of America for its numerous fish farms, such as Riverence, which raises rainbow trout and steelhead, and First Ascent, known for its tilapia. These farms ship their fish throughout the country and sell them locally. The land and climate of Buhl also encourage the growth of fruit trees and grape vines. Spots like Holesinsky Vineyard produce award-winning wines. A shopping center off the highway has an Ace Hardware and Ridley’s Family Markets grocery store and pharmacy. Other big-box options, like Walmart and Albertsons, are 16 miles away in Twin Falls.
Education through the Buhl School District
Children begin at Popplewell Elementary and Buhl Middle, which both score C ratings on Niche. B-rated Buhl High offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including drama and student council. Clear Lakes Christian Academy is a private option for prekindergarten through 12th grade that Niche has not yet scored. The school week at the academy runs on a four-day Monday through Thursday schedule.
Two major highways facilitate travel
Highway 30 is the main road in Buhl and leads to Twin Falls, 16 miles east. U.S. Route 93 also cuts through town and flows from Arizona to Montana. Commuters can reach Interstate 84 in 15 miles and head to Boise, 120 miles northwest. Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls offers Delta Airlines flights into Salt Lake City, and travelers can choose from more destinations out of Boise International.
