$625,510Average Value$324Average Price per Sq Ft60Homes For Sale
From 600-acre field to trendy Boise suburb
Known as a “city within a city,” Garden City has evolved from an area of open fields to a trendy municipality with modern amenities and 360-degree access to the Boise River. “The river is the main attraction. They’re putting brand new apartments right there, and you can get food or surf,” says David Wuertz, broker at Wuertz Real Estate. At the turn of the century, Garden City was just that—a 600-acre garden. One of the founding fathers of Boise, Thomas J Davis, bought the land and leased it to Chinese immigrants, who transformed the property into fields with strawberries, onions and hogs.
The area’s up-and-coming feel is a result of its ongoing transition from an industrial and commercial area to something more modern, with restaurants, events and nightlife. Garden City’s new identity draws a wide demographic of people. “In Garden City, you’ll have young people that love to go to the [Boise River] Greenbelt and ride their bikes, and then you have retirees that want to enjoy life at a slow pace,” Wuertz adds. “It's been up and coming for the last ten years.” The current population of Garden City is around 13,000.
Iconic contemporary homes in Garden City offer spacious layouts for large families.
The hip and trendy Caffeina in Garden City serves up some of the best coffee in town.
Learn a new hobby and make some friends at Osana climbing gym in Garden City.
Garden City is home to several new breweries and wine houses near the greenbelt.
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Surfing and kayaking at Whitewater Park
The Boise River surrounds the city, so locals often take advantage of its Greenbelt. The paved pathway stretches over 25 miles along the river from Boise to Eagle; bikers, dog walkers and joggers can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and stop periodically at pocket parks. Garden City shares part of the river with Boise, including a large park with a whitewater experience at the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation Boise Whitewater Park. “You have people actually surfing on the Boise River,” Mayor John Evans says.
Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park is south of the city and is home to Quinn’s Pond, a lake area full of activity during the summer. Mystic Cove Park and Riverfront Park have playgrounds, and during colder months, locals can drive 20 miles to Bogus Basin for sledding and skiing. The Garden City Library offers year-round indoor recreation, such as preschool and elementary STEM program and fitness classes for senior citizens.
Practice your wake boarding skills at White Water Park in Garden City.
Quinns pond in Garden City offers miles of paved trails and flat water for paddle boards.
Quinns Pond in Garden City is a perfect place for an evening stroll.
Whitewater park in Garden City boasts a wave generator for surfers and wake boarders.
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Trendy breweries and Wineries on Chinden
Garden City is working to become a destination city; part of that comes from its dining scene. Along Chinden Boulevard, modern buildings house trendy spots like New American restaurants and coffee shops. “There are lots of tasting rooms here in Garden City, lots of breweries,” Wuertz says. One standout is the Stagecoach Inn, a longtime restaurant serving large steak cuts since 1959. Glenwood Street has locally-owned and chain restaurants; the intersection of Glenwood and State streets has several retail stores, such as Ross Dress for Less, Big Lots and Walmart Supercenter.
Citizens of Garden City love riding, walking, and running the Greenbelt on the Boise River.
Telaya Winery in Garden City offers up some refreshing wine tastings at 5k Wine Run.
Catch up with friends on the outdoor patio at Barbarian Brewing in Garden City.
Locals love Barbarian Brewing in Garden City for its 24 uniq
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Western Idaho Fair and vibrant music scene
In the center of Garden City is the Boise Fairgrounds, which host the Western Idaho Fair. The ten-day fair, held in August, features nostalgic rides, agriculture and competitions. Garden City has a vibrant music and dance scene. Bars and restaurants like The Sandbar Patio Grill, Heritage Social and the Farm keep locals out all night with tunes from local and national artists and country line dances.
Enter the midway for all day carnival ride fun at the Western Idaho Fair.
Visit the Idaho State Fair in Garden City every August for endless summer fun.
Patrons enjoy the live music from Honey Trail at Barbarian Brewing in Garden City.
Locals enjoy the latest brews on the patio in anticipation for Tator Patch Tuesdays.
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Waterfront condos in the Live-Work-Create District
Garden City has a mix of old and new homes along the river and in subdivisions. “There are going to be new condos and townhomes along the river,” Wuertz says. “They’re building up towards the young modern style, but most Garden City homes are older, from the 1970s to 1990s.” The Live-Work-Create District has most of the city’s most modern apartments; many are steps from the Greenbelt. Off Marigold Street are several subdivisions, including River’s Edge, which has two-story homes near the river, and off Coffey Street is the gated Willowbrook community, a 55-plus retirement village with private amenities like a community pool and pickleball courts. The median townhouse price is $629,000 and the median price for a single-family home is $555,000, although some new builds can cost up to $2 million.
Waterfront townhomes with a backyard beach can be yours at Lake harbor in Garden City.
Enjoy kayaking from your waterfront condo at Lake Harbor in Garden City.
Enjoy the sounds of a babbling brooks right outside your window at Edgewater in Garden City.
Explore dozens of breweries, wineries, and eateries along the greenbelt in Garden City.
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Zoned for Boise and West Ada school districts
Garden City students are split between two school districts. Students who live east of North Glenwood Street can attend the Boise Independent School District, which has 48 schools and an A-minus rating from Niche. Students on the west side can attend the West Ada School District, which also earns an A-minus grade. Both schools rank in the top five districts in the state. Garden City also has two charter schools, Anser Charter School and Future Public School; one serves kids until the sixth grade, while the other goes through the eighth grade.
Boise High School offers a well-rounded curriculum promoting academic excellence and growth.
Whittier Elementary School serves over 560 students in grades PK through 6th.
Some students in Garden City can attend North Junior High School.
Pierce Park Elementary School in Garden City serves students K-6.
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Main traffic on Chinden Boulevard and State Street
Chinden Boulevard and State Street are the area’s two main thoroughfares. Most people use these roads to reach work, as employers like Micron and Albertsons are headquartered in Boise. Chinden Boulevard links to Interstate 84, which goes to the suburbs of Meridian and Nampa, and Valley Regional Transit offers busing routes around Garden City. However, according to Wuertz, buses are not heavily utilized. Air travel is available through the Boise Airport, which offers nonstop flights to over 27 cities on the east and west coasts.
Garden City experiences all four seasons. “It’s a very dry climate here,” Wuertz says. July and August are some of the hottest months, with temperatures reaching more than 90 degrees. It gets cold in December and January, when temperatures dip below 25 degrees. September is usually considered fire season, which means wildfires are more likely to occur and spread. “In September, it can get smelly and smoky for two to three weeks. That’s pretty much the worst of the summertime.” Wuertz says.
Crime trending down for fifth straight year
In 2023, Garden City reported 909 offenses, a 4.3% decrease from 2022. This continues Garden City’s downward trend for crime. In 2023, the most common offenses were assault, larceny and drug violations. The city’s “One City-One Team” initiative ensures an effective community and public safety partnership. The goal is to improve the city’s quality of life, trust, community identity and safety.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Video By
Jacob McAllister
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Patrice Peterson,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Garden City, ID sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Garden City, ID over the last 12 months is $647,500, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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