Iona offers a quiet, friendly community with frequent events
On the edge of one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Iona is a quiet suburban community. “They’re really close-knit and do a lot of things together. They have a lot of little events. It’s a really neighbor-oriented community,” says Kerry Howell, a Realtor and owner of Century 21 High Desert, with 26 years of real estate experience. “They’re really friendly people who go out of their way to be kind. It’s a good area.” Despite being a small community of around 3,000 people, Iona’s calendar is packed with events that get neighbors together. Whether watching youth baseball games or gathering for festivals, something is always happening. Iona also has two congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering more opportunities to gather with neighbors. The community is just outside of Idaho Falls, offering easy access to the city’s shopping, dining and job opportunities. With the region rapidly growing, Iona allows buyers to stake a claim in a quiet corner of Eastern Idaho before it gets too developed.
Established and modern homes line the community streets
Much of Iona consists of established homes from the early 1900s to the 1970s. These are often ranch-style houses or cottages on streets with tall, leafy trees. The area has a semi-rural to suburban vibe, with homes close together but no sidewalks and lots of greenery. These older houses typically cost between $220,000 and $480,000. The community also has a good mix of New Traditional homes from the 21st century. These are frequently on half-acre lots and feature attached garages and room for RV or boat storage. The larger properties allow homeowners to put in playgrounds or extensive gardens in the backyard. Prices for the newer houses range from $350,000 to $740,000.
City parks and lakefront recreation offer lots of fun in Eastern Idaho
Iona Park is in the middle of the community and has two softball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a walking trail. Howell says youth sports leagues are popular in the summertime, bringing neighbors together to watch the games and socialize. Residents can stay cool on hot summer days by visiting the splash pad at Pioneer Park. East of the community on Bone Road, Idaho Falls Snow Park has multiple runs for snow tubing and offers half-day or full-day tickets. Blacktail Day Use Area is a park on Ririe Reservoir, about 10 miles away. With multiple boat ramps and docks, this site is ideal for kayaking, motorboating, fishing or picnicking on the shore.
Neighbors gather for several annual events at Iona Park
Iona Park isn’t just the physical center of the community; it’s also at the heart of local events. Neighbors come together for several yearly celebrations and festivals, starting with an Easter egg hunt and chalk art contest in April. The park hosts family game nights on Tuesdays during the summer, featuring live music, food trucks, and multiple game options. Iona Days is an annual festival in July celebrating the community with pickleball tournaments, a 10K, a car show and fireworks.
A quick trip to Idaho Falls for shopping and dining
Besides a convenience store on Owens Avenue, Iona has very little shopping and dining. Residents can easily travel to Idaho Falls for more options. Grand Teton Mall is about 6 miles away and has stores like Dillard’s, JCPenney and Old Navy. Other big box shops in the city include Target and Walmart. Groceries are available at stores like WinCo Foods, Albertsons and Fred Meyer. For dining, Idaho Falls has several local staples. “Jaker’s and Sandpiper are popular spots. There are all kinds of pizza places, like Papa Tom’s Pizza. There are a lot of good places to dine in Idaho Falls, that’s for sure,” Howell says. Jaker’s is a regional chain with a few other locations around Idaho. This casual yet refined steakhouse is known for its prime rib and lobster bisque. Halibut and trout are the menu highlights at Sandpiper, which also has a selection of steaks and other meats.
Bonneville High School excels in AP courses and extracurricular activities
Iona Elementary School is conveniently located on Owens Avenue and gets a B-minus from Niche. Rocky Mountain Middle School earns a B-plus, while Bonneville High School receives a B-minus. Each of these schools is about 2 miles west. Bonneville High offers several Advanced Placement courses. It’s also known for its extracurricular activities, with multiple student choirs and a volleyball team that has won eight state championships.
City conveniences of Idaho Falls are a short drive away
Owens Avenue becomes Iona Road west of town and leads to nearby communities. Downtown Idaho Falls is about 7 miles away via Iona Road and U.S. Route 26. Idaho Falls Regional Airport is about 8 miles away, while the closest hospital is Idaho Falls Community Hospital, about 7 miles away.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
