Filer is a rural hub just a short drive away from Twin Falls
Filer is a small town in the Magic Valley region of south-central Idaho. Founded in 1907 around the terminus of the Oregon Short Line Railroad, the community started out as an agricultural hub, but it’s now more commonly viewed as a suburb of Twin Falls, albeit a suburb with a decidedly rural feel. “It’s basically half a farm town, half a family town,” says Realtor and area native John Burg of Keller Williams-Sun Valley Southern Idaho. “You get to enjoy a small-town feel, but it’s easy to commute to Twin Falls for work.”
100-year-old cottages and modern subdivisions
Filer’s housing market is made up of a mix of early-20th century bungalows and cottages, midcentury ranch-style homes near the center of town, and more modern subdivisions around the outskirts of town, particularly to the west and south. While most properties sit on smaller city lots, it’s possible to find homes on the outskirts of the community with acreage attached. Single-family homes around town generally list for between $250,000 and $450,000 — though some larger properties on the outskirts can go for more.
Filer Community Park anchors the community
Filer Community Park is the community’s central green space. It’s home to tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground and the town pool. Just outside of town, Idaho’s Pebble Ponds is a private 9-hole golf course and driving range that also hosts live music in the summer. The Snake River is located about 6 miles north of Filer and is popular with boating and fishing enthusiasts. Just south of the river, the manmade Filer Fishing Ponds are annually stocked with native fish. There are a number of hiking and biking trails along the river, but most of these are located closer to Twin Falls.
The annual Twin Falls County Fair draws thousands of visitors
Filer’s claim to fame in the Magic Valley region is the annual Twin Falls County Fair & Magic Valley Stampede, which is held at the fairgrounds in Filer every August. The event is best known for its PRCA rodeo, but it also features live music, a monster truck rally, a carnival, a wide variety of food and craft vendors and agricultural exhibits. “It really transforms the town for a few days each year,” says Burg. “It’s one of the biggest events in the county.”
Easy access to Twin Falls shopping
Retail in Filer itself is limited to a Family Dollar, a True Value Hardware and a few small specialty shops. Locals generally head to Twin Falls to get their shopping done. It’s about 8 miles from Filer to the nearest Twin Falls Albertsons, and just a little farther to the shopping centers on Blue Lakes Boulevard. Locals are also likely to head to Twin Falls when they want a bite to eat, though Filer is home to a couple of chain restaurants. They don’t have to go that far for a night out; Ms. Mary’s Pub on Steven Street in town is known for its cheap pool and friendly atmosphere, and occasionally features live music.
Filer public schools
The Filer School District oversees the local public schools. Filer Elementary School has a C grade on Niche, while Filer Intermediate School, which serves grades 4 through 6, has a B-minus. Filer Middle School and Filer High School both have Bs. Filer High offers dual credit college courses through a partnership with the College of Southern Idaho in nearby Twin Falls.
Route 30 is the major commuting road
U.S. Route 30 passes directly through Filer and serves as its main east-west thoroughfare, connecting it to Buhl to the west and Twin Falls to the east. There’s no public transportation in the area, so owning a car is a necessity for most residents. It’s less than 10 miles to Twin Falls, and Route 30 rarely sees much traffic, so commuting is generally stress-free. The Magic Valley Regional Airport is about 12 miles away and offers direct flights to Salt Lake City. Locals often find it easier to fly out of Boise Airport, which is a little over 120 miles away by car.
