Housing in and around Boise...Meridian? Or Eagle? (ski resort, for sale)

[Katera]

My wife and I have been pouring over houses for sale the last few days <thanks Torrie>. We are however a little confused.

Our price range is up to around 400k, and from the looks just on paper you get more house for the money in Meridian vs Eagle. HOWEVER, I'm all about location location location. In soft markets, the less then optimal locations sit while the good locations sell. Where would people who live there now move to or buy if they had the chance to do it again?

Also, I just watched a "foothills development video" on the city of Eagles website. Interesting, but if the hills above Eagle get built up then won't that make Eagle now on the "lesser side" of development? Wealth generally spreads north in communities. Lastly, we were stunned by the amount of new houses for sale that are sitting vacant. Is the market really that soft?

Any help is appreciated.

[idahomama]

If you are most concerned about location, location, location then I would suggest sticking to Boise proper. In softer markets, the closer to the core you can get the better.

[micrguy]

You may want to look around HP (Chinden and Cloverdale) for a house. It is right on the border with Eagle but you have a Boise address. Prices seem to range from $230,000 and up depending on the subdivision you pick. If you are thinking about future re-sale value you want an Eagle or Boise address.

[Katera]

Yes I am thinking about future resale. Although that is not in our short term plans I always take my fathers advice and keep in mind selling...when buying.

Funny, I have heard that now 2x about having a Boise address. Usually people want to live in the suburb outside of the "city". Inner city usually goes to hell while the suburban towns hold value. I guess Boise must be different.

[idahomama]

Boise does not have anything you could even begin to describe as "inner city" in the negative way. The most sought after neighborhoods are close to downtown. Downtown Boise is one of the cleanest, safest downtown cores you could possibly imagine.

Living close to the core you don't have to deal with all the traffic and the sprawling growth of the suburbs. There are great neighborhoods located all around the city core.

[Sage of Sagle]

Yup. Was visiting last weekend, stayed at the Doubletree Club across from BSU. I have to say Boise had the cleanest downtown of any city in America I have visited.

[skiboise]

I recommend considering freeway access, and work commute. This is usually why the Boise area has strong demand. Having quick access to Bogus Basin ski resort in the winter is always a plus