Considered to be among the safest places to live, Boise sits in the Treasure Valley in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the northeast and the Owyhee Mountains in the southwest. Beautiful natural scenery and outdoor activities make this an ideal place for families and students. I-84 connects to Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah. An Army exploration party on the Oregon Trail supposedly stopped at Bonneville Point and Parma on the Boise River where it connects to the Snake River at the Oregon border. Their french guide exclaimed “Les bois, Les bois” (french for wood) seeing the Boise River Valley and the area was called Boise and the city incorporated in 1863. Many french fur trappers worked in the local areas and there is still a large Basque population and community in the city. Downtown Boise with main artery Central 8th Street, contains small shops and businesses and some mid-rises like the Aspen Condos and Lofts. Hot dry summers and snow in the winter contribute to the variety of outdoor activities. The diverse population is approximately 211,000 including students and full time residents.
I-84 becomes W. Front Street and W. Myrtle crossing S. Broadway Avenue and intersecting the neighborhood. Many parks and schools provide education and recreation for children and families. Boise State University and Zoo Boise are close to the west. The ValleyRide Bus system provides public transportation. Older homes, apartments and contemporary family homes make up the residences of varying sizes with median prices of $289,000, rents of $847 and incomes of $67,000. The Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery on W. Grove in downtown Boise is a popular and reasonably priced family option with a great menu including Gluten Free. The Fork on N. 8th Street finds local sources to provide quality meals and up the street is locally popular Bittercreek Alehouse with about 21 micro-brews and great appetizers including Poutine a Canadian favorite of gravy, fries and cheese curds. Factory outlet stores on S. Eisenmann Road and the Northgate Shopping Center on W. State street provide easy shopping choices.
North of I-84 and home to the Hulls Gulch/Camels Back Reserve with popular hiking trails and nature preserve. The neighborhood is a beautiful area of quiet tree lined streets with traditional and contemporary homes and apartments. Boise Hills Village is handy for shopping and again there are great schools and parks. You can imagine children safely playing outside and riding their bikes. Try the Dutch Goose Restaurant on W. State Street for a quiet spot for dinner and Idaho's largest Pub, Legends Pub and Grill on W. Overland for pub style menu items and good drinks and fun. Homes and apartments are available at prices in the $280,000 range. Education, social services, health and manufacturing provide employment opportunities for a median income of $52,000. Families can take advantage of many planned activities such as Spring Break Art Camps, Theater groups, sports or Science Camps.
Take W. Overland Road from US 30 to the the Hillcrest neighborhood. The Hillcrest Country Club offers, golf, tennis, swimming, formal dining and event facilities. The Vista Village Shopping Center on S. Vista is handy and there are several specialty shops and stores. The Matador, Tex-Mex on N. 8th Street is a family favorite for dinner. Leku Ona Boutique Hotel on S. 6th has a Basque restaurant and great food. Finish up at Goldy's Corner for specialty coffees and baked goods for dessert on W. Main Street. Older and contemporary homes plus apartments make up residential choices. Median prices are $180,000, rents in the high $700's and average income $51,000. The Vista Village Shopping center is here and there is also a Walmart Super Center on W. Overland Road. For a great day out take the family to the World Center for Birds of Prey to see Peregrine Falcons and other species. Cultural activities include Jazz Festivals, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Boise Philharmonic and art and history museums. This is a great American family centered town.