Meridian

Northwest Meridian is a primarily residential neighborhood with master-planned subdivisions trying to accommodate an influx of people. “Meridian is growing astronomically,” Nicolette Kimmel, a broker with Windermere Boise Valley and Idaho native, says. “It’s where you can build, and land is available.” Even with the significant growth, Northwest Meridian remains a community where kids can walk to school or play outside while neighbors know each other well. Unlike other parts of Idaho, the Treasure Valley weather is mostly temperate throughout the year. “In the 17 years I’ve lived in this valley, we’ve only had two years where we had a month of snow at one time,” Kimmel says. “What we describe as winter is not what others consider winter.” Homes in Northwest Meridian range from around $390,000 for new construction, modern homes with a few bedrooms and bathrooms to more than a million for large craftsman and foursquare-style homes with a yard and attached garage. “It tends to be less expensive near Interstate 84, and the closer you get to Star and Eagle, it usually gets pricier,” Kimmel says. “There is only so much land that can be built on, so now they are pushing west.” Houses in the area sell, on average, after 55 days on the market, compared to the national average of 42. Most of the housing in the area was made in the 2000s and up. Meridian is known for its access to nature and abundance of nearby parks. “The Boise and Meridian Park infrastructure is phenomenal; there isn’t a square mile that doesn’t have a park or two,” Kimmel says. Northwest Meridian residents are right by the Boise River, where people can grab an inner tube and float downstream on a hot summer day. Locals who like to stay on land have several miles of trails along the River Walk for an afternoon stroll with scenic views. Eagle Island State Park is a community favorite that includes horse trails, paddleboarding and plenty of hiking trails. Settlers Park attracts sports enthusiasts with access to several baseball and sports fields. Northwest Meridian is a primarily residential neighborhood; however, locals still have an array of local shops and restaurants nearby. “Tons of local favorites that are truly, uniquely Boise and to the Valley have put little branches and satellite restaurants in the area,” Kimmel says. Local favorites include Stella’s Ice Cream and Reed’s Dairy, where people grab their favorite ice cream flavors. Along North Lindor Road, locals will find a handful of local eateries, including Capri/Delsa’s, a breakfast diner and Tin Roof Tacos. “Tin Roof Tacos is amazing; the Artesian Tacos are my go-to,” Kimmel says. Residents can pick up groceries in the northwest area of the neighborhood, where they will find a Costco, WinCo Foods, Fred Meyer and Walmart supercenter for all their grocery needs. They will go to the east side of North Eagle Road to find big-name retailers like Target, Albertson’s and Lowe’s. Students will start school at Paramount Elementary, an A-minus school according to Niche. The school holds various fundraisers and events, including a Toy Drive and Coin Drive ahead of Christmas. Students will then attend Heritage Middle School, an A-minus institution that is ranked the 10th best middle school in the state by Niche. Heritage students can join the student council and the National Junior Honor Society. Teenagers will head to Rocky Mountain High School, which receives a B-plus. Rocky Mountain High gets an A for sports, offering cross country, track and football, among others. The school won state titles in track from 2016-2019 and in 2021, while cross country won in 2021 and 2022 and football in 2020. Residents in Northwest Meridian are primarily car-dependent since there aren’t many public transportation options. “The subdivisions are very walkable with great sidewalks,” Kimmel says. While the subdivisions are walkable, most locals can’t walk to the grocery store or for other errands. Meridian has roads painted for bike lanes, so several bicyclists may be on the roads anytime. Downtown Boise is about 11 miles east, while the Boise Airport is about 10 miles away.

Though often overshadowed by Boise — its neighbor to the east — Downtown Meridian has an extensive history all its own. It was established over 130 years ago at the heart of a large Idaho farming community, now a sprawling suburb. “Downtown Meridian is really up and coming,” says Christina Ward, a broker with Keller Williams Realty Boise. She compares it to the Hyde Park Historic District, one of the main attractions in Boise’s North End. “[It’s] not quite as walkable, but it has older buildings and a little bit of a historic feel,” she says. Despite the neighborhood’s historicity, some of Downtown Meridian’s most prominent businesses only emerged in the last quarter century. One of the more well-established local restaurants, Epi’s Basque Restaurant, opened in 1999. While its traditional Basque cuisine satisfies the stomach, Ward says it’s the heart behind Epi’s that keeps regulars like her coming back. “Our family will leave downtown Boise and drive to Meridian just to go to that restaurant because we love it so much,” she says. “It’s the way the owner makes you feel when you come: like you’re the most important person in the world.” More recent additions nearby include Eight Thirty Common, which has served brunch and drinks in a chic, boho-meets-farmhouse dining room since 2019. On Saturdays from April to October, locals can grab fresh produce, support local food trucks and listen to live music at the Meridian Main Street Market. More foodstuffs are available at several nearby grocery stores, including an Albertsons location. A few small green spaces appear throughout Downtown Meridian’s gridded, semi-urban blocks. Generations Plaza features a small playfield and a whimsical fountain where kids can cool off. One block away, Centennial Park offers a basketball half-court, an electronic play structure and public art honoring Meridian’s agrarian roots. It sits adjacent to the Meridian Community Center, which offers indoor youth and community activities. Meridian residents visit Downtown Meridian several times annually for spirited community events. The city’s flagship festival, Meridian Dairy Days, has occurred annually since 1929. This agriculture-themed celebration supports the local 4-H and Future Farmers of America chapters through a parade, a golf tournament and carnival rides. Festivalgoers eagerly anticipate each year’s crowning of the Dary Day Princesses. Other regular events in Downtown Meridian include the Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade. During this event, locals ring in the holidays by lighting a tree in Generations Plaza, watching a festive film and downing endless cups of hot cocoa. Most homes near Downtown Meridian were built in the mid-to-late 1900s, including many ranch-style houses. However, some farmhouses, bungalows and Craftsman-style designs have stood since the early 1900s. Floor plans hover around 1,700 square feet — about 350 below the national average — while the typical lot is about 1/5 acre. Homebuyers might find a one-bedroom ranch-style cottage under 650 square feet in the low $200,000s. Price tags tend to hover around $380,000, which could buy a three-bedroom rambler over 1,200 square feet. The neighborhood’s most expensive homes include three-bedroom, nearly 2,100-square-foot farmhouses costing $600,000. Three West Ada School District schools serve all students in the area: Meridian Elementary, Meridian Middle and Meridian High. Each has served generations of Meridian residents; Meridian High’s history spans 120 years. It and Meridian Elementary have B-minus grades overall from Niche, while Meridian Middle has a B-plus. Interstate 84 is about 1 mile south of Downtown Meridian, offering about a 10-mile drive to central Boise. Valley Regional Transit services bus stops along Pine Avenue.