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I am looking into a position at Boise State. If offered, we would be moving from a nice little neighborhood in Ashland, Oregon. A school and park are down the block, nice places to play with the dogs, and good hiking nearby.
We are slightly liberal, bookish, outdoorsy family of three. Don't have a lot of cash, and the U will not pay a huge amount, so looking for a nice, safe, affordable 4/2 cottage style home, neighborhood with walkable, tree-lined streets near the bike path for under $200k, if possible.
I am looking into a position at Boise State. If offered, we would be moving from a nice little neighborhood in Ashland, Oregon. A school and park are down the block, nice places to play with the dogs, and good hiking nearby.
We are slightly liberal, bookish, outdoorsy family of three. Don't have a lot of cash, and the U will not pay a huge amount, so looking for a nice, safe, affordable 4/2 cottage style home, neighborhood with walkable, tree-lined streets near the bike path for under $200k, if possible.
Any tips? Is this doable? Thanks
Totally! We were there about a month ago and drove all over looking at neighborhoods and housing. With all of the short sales and bank owned properties it's definately a buyers market. We didn't go much further west then 5-mile(north and south). There were some lovely neighborhoods, old and new. Lots of trees and most had sidewalks(although we found it strange that they put their mailboxes in the middle of them). Houses in 'The Bench' area were cute, maybe a little small. They get a little swankier and more expensive going into the foothills. You shouldn't have any problems finding something suitable around $200K, especially if you can have a little time to be able to work with a distressed property--many $70-85 a square foot, or less. Although I will say that it does seem that the majority of those are in the Meridian and Eagle areas. :~) D
Good Luck!
Totally! We were there about a month ago and drove all over looking at neighborhoods and housing. With all of the short sales and bank owned properties it's definately a buyers market. We didn't go much further west then 5-mile(north and south). There were some lovely neighborhoods, old and new. Lots of trees and most had sidewalks(although we found it strange that they put their mailboxes in the middle of them). Houses in 'The Bench' area were cute, maybe a little small. They get a little swankier and more expensive going into the foothills. You shouldn't have any problems finding something suitable around $200K, especially if you can have a little time to be able to work with a distressed property--many $70-85 a square foot, or less. Although I will say that it does seem that the majority of those are in the Meridian and Eagle areas. :~) D
Good Luck!
Great info. Thanks Deena! I think we prefer the feel of the older neighborhoods, but might consider a newer one at the right price,location,etc. What are the best parts of town for access to hiking and outdoor stuff?
Great info. Thanks Deena! I think we prefer the feel of the older neighborhoods, but might consider a newer one at the right price,location,etc. What are the best parts of town for access to hiking and outdoor stuff?
I like older homes, too, but we've renovated four of them in the last 20 years and a newer home is looking very tempting. Still, the older ones have that feel about them and quality of construction.
Hiking? Well, I haven't really looked into that(having a child in a wheelchair we tend to stick to the pavement), but the Boise National Forest is about an hour's drive east/northeast from Boise proper I think. I've heard there's good skiing to be had not far away, too. People on the forum have said good things about the outdoor activities available in Boise. There's also a lovely set of parks that runs through the city.
:~) D
For access to the Greenbelt, think about southeast Boise and east Boise. This is where I would buy if I wasn't so broke because these areas will the first to recover when Boise's housing market turns around. The North End is nice, but it's quite a distance away from the Greenbelt and you get less for your money in that area. There are some nice parts of town near BSU (considered east Boise) and right off downtown, as well. If you do your homework, there are some steals to be had.
I like older homes, too, but we've renovated four of them in the last 20 years and a newer home is looking very tempting. Still, the older ones have that feel about them and quality of construction.
Hiking? Well, I haven't really looked into that(having a child in a wheelchair we tend to stick to the pavement), but the Boise National Forest is about an hour's drive east/northeast from Boise proper I think. I've heard there's good skiing to be had not far away, too. People on the forum have said good things about the outdoor activities available in Boise. There's also a lovely set of parks that runs through the city.
:~) D
Old historic homes are interesting. I own a 1930's Tudor in the Northend and love the home and the neighborhood.
The Boise National Forest is more like a 20 minute drive up Bogus Basin Road from the Northend or a half hour up Highway 21 from Boise city limits. You're correct about the outdoors because our outdoors, and the diverse things to do in the great outdoors in and near Boise are among some of the best in the states.
The Northend is similar to Ashland, however I am partial to North East Boise. It's walking distance to downtown, near BSU, and the Greenbelt. There is a dog park, a couple of neighborhood markets and beautiful tree lined streets. And hey, you can count on your nieghbors to take in your rogue pet, if your loved pet just so happens to take the opportunity of an opened gate.
The Northend is similar to Ashland, however I am partial to North East Boise. It's walking distance to downtown, near BSU, and the Greenbelt. There is a dog park, a couple of neighborhood markets and beautiful tree lined streets. And hey, you can count on your nieghbors to take in your rogue pet, if your loved pet just so happens to take the opportunity of an opened gate.
That is great news. We have a border collie who heads for the hills during thunderstorms. We always get a call a few hours later and go and pick him up. My heeler is crazy about chasing deer in the woods, but yawns through thunderstorms and stays on the back porch if he gets out...
I would love to live in a nice neighborhood, but not at Ashland prices! A couple years ago, the mean home price passed $500k, while mean wages were $40k! Insane!!! Now the mean is closer to $350, but still...We bought a 900sf home in 2003, hoping to eventually trade up, but up never came...And thank goodness for that! Just looking for a fair deal on a 3-4 Br 1500-2000sf home we would like to pay off. Not easy to come by here, and jobs are even scarcer.
An area you might consider in Boise is Columbia Village and Oregon Trail Heights in south-east. Both are between Highway 21 and East Amity Road, no more than 10 minutes from BSU. There are several grocery stores and a number of restaurants etc nearby, it's close to the freeway for access to the rest of town, and you'd be on the eastern edge of the city with easy foothills access and access to the greenbelt pathway at nearby Barber Park. The home sizes are in the ballpark you're looking for, as are (I'm guesstimating) the prices in the current market. Good luck!
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We have a border collie who heads for the hills during thunderstorms. We always get a call a few hours later and go and pick him up. My heeler is crazy about chasing deer in the woods, but yawns through thunderstorms and stays on the back porch if he gets out...
