Can you tell me about Boise?

[Jessikally]

Here is what we're looking for...can you tell me if the Boise area fits the description?

-Not necessarily a LCOL, but at least affordable housing. We can spend $200k on a home, but where we live now, it's $200k for 1100 sq ft built in the 80's in a so-so neighborhood. What I've gathered is that I can find something in the Boise area (specifically Meridian, as that's where DH would work) that is 1600+ feet, quite new, nice fenced yard, etc. Correct?

-Things to do with kids. I see there's a zoo, what about things like kids museums, nice parks, playgroups and groups for SAHMs (bonus for an AP group or active LLL), farmers markets, etc. I'm not expecting world-class entertainment or anything, just a variety of free or cheap things to do with kids.

- Opportunities for outdoor recreation, camping, hunting (for DH), hiking, etc. How far outside of Boise do you have to travel for wooded, more mountainous terrain?

- Good schools, safe neighborhoods.

- A family-oriented community. I think this is something that really draws us to consider Boise- it seems like many people are SAHMs, that many activities are tailored to families, etc. True?

Any other input would be appreciated Tell me the good, the bad, the ugly, please...

[Turquesa]

-Not necessarily a LCOL, but at least affordable housing. We can spend $200k on a home, but where we live now, it's $200k for 1100 sq ft built in the 80's in a so-so neighborhood. What I've gathered is that I can find something in the Boise area (specifically Meridian, as that's where DH would work) that is 1600+ feet, quite new, nice fenced yard, etc. Correct?

The median home price in Boise is detailed on this page.

In Meridian, houses that you're describing seem to be asking 200-220K. Meridian is basically one giant HOA subdivision, if that's OK with you. (I'm not a fan of HOAs myself!) Unless you live in an older house, it's almost impossible to find more than a patch of grass for a backyard. But they are usually fenced.

-Things to do with kids. I see there's a zoo, what about things like kids museums, nice parks, playgroups and groups for SAHMs (bonus for an AP group or active LLL), farmers markets, etc. I'm not expecting world-class entertainment or anything, just a variety of free or cheap things to do with kids.

Personally, I haven't tracked down an AP play group (I go instead to one at my church), but LLL is active and meets monthly. I don't recommend the Farmer's Market, (too few farmers, lots of big corps! but there are plenty of local produce stands.

- Opportunities for outdoor recreation, camping, hunting (for DH), hiking, etc. How far outside of Boise do you have to travel for wooded, more mountainous terrain?

Plenty, but this is a populated area, so the nearby rec spots crowd up quickly on weekends. DH and I found some lovely, not-so-popular campsites one hour North of Boise. But then, we're humble tent campers and pack lightly! The Idaho City area has a lot going for it, too, and that's (roughly!) 45 minutes from town.

If you ski, there's the popular and very crowded Bogus Basin Resort--really close to town.

- Good schools, safe neighborhoods.

Yes. Lots.

- A family-oriented community. I think this is something that really draws us to consider Boise- it seems like many people are SAHMs, that many activities are tailored to families, etc. True?

Yes, although I'm not as involved in that scene as I should be.

Any other input would be appreciated Tell me the good, the bad, the ugly, please...

West Boise/Meridian is very family-friendly, but not at all crunchy. Also, the parks are pretty sparse. If you're looking for a crunchy area, it would be the hard-to-afford North end!

Hope this helps!

[Singfourever@yahoo]

You could also look at houses in Nampa. It's only a few minutes from Meridian and close enough to Boise to enjoy the zoo, large parks, and things like the Discovery Center of Idaho.
I'm not exactly sure what the housing is in Nampa, but it's probably similar to where I am, in Caldwell.
We have a 1200 sq ft house with a huge fenced yard in a very nice neighborhood with a good elem school right down the road. Our house would probably be worth around $135,000 right now.