Luxury Living in Boise: Explore These Popular Luxury Neighborhoods

Photo Credit: Lysi Bishop Real Estate Boise has been a hotspot for quality lifestyle and a popular choice for relocation for many years. Those seeking cleaner air, friendlier neighborhoods, and world-class outdoor recreation find Boise to be the goldilocks of luxury residential locations… not too big, not too small. Previous to the pandemic, Boise’s luxury market was primarily long-time residents and their legacy estates. As Boise topped list after list of “best places to…” demand surged and so did our luxury real estate market. Home values skyrocketed as folks from all around the nation looked to find reprieve and a fresh start in the west’s hidden gem. Boise’s luxury market remains strong as the post-pandemic dust has settled. Continue reading if you’ve been considering a move to Boise and looking for a luxury lifestyle amongst the backdrop of rolling mountains, verdant tree cover, and brilliant blue skies. Let us be your guide as we explore Boise’s premier locations and neighborhoods for luxury living.   Luxury Areas by feature: Views: Nestled in the Boise foothills, these neighborhoods offer stunning vistas of Idaho’s rustic beauty and downtown Boise, plus close access to outdoor recreation such as hiking/biking trails and easy access to Bogus Basin Ski Resort. Somerset. This custom-home neighborhood features a range of amenities including a community pool, a five-acre private park, and tennis courts while having ample open space and close access to the foothills trail system. Families are drawn to Somerset for its excellent schools and family-oriented environment. Highlands. With panoramic views, closeby schools, Crane Creek Country Club and golf course (private - membership required for access) all less than 10 minutes from downtown, Highlands has it all. Many homes boast expansive views and/or treehouse settings from their perch on the hillside, and the neighborhood does not follow a traditional grid structure, instead featuring winding roads and low traffic cul-de-sacs.  Quail Ridge. As one of North Boise's most established foothills neighborhoods, Quail Ridge offers a well-planned community full of amenities including neighborhood parks, a swimming pool, pickleball and tennis courts, and community spaces. This neighborhood also has stunning views, abundant wildlife, and is within the Boise school district. Arrowhead Ridge. Perched on a canyon ridge and surrounded by preserved natural areas, this neighborhood provides a tranquil escape while being within the Boise school district and close to Quail Hollow Golf Course! Arrowhead Ridge homes are characterized by custom-built spacious homes, large lots, and a peaceful ambiance.  Harris North. This recently established neighborhood perches at the heights of east Boise. Newly built luxury residences line these streets, featuring close access to Harris Ranch dining/services, the Boise River, foothills trails, Lucky Peak Reservoir, and the Boise Greenbelt.  Table Rock. Located just northeast of downtown Boise, the Table Rock neighborhood features a stunning view of the foothills, Boise River, and downtown. Plenty of hiking trails allow residents to enjoy its scenic beauty and natural landscape. Some of Boise’s most prestigious legacy estates line Table Rock Road. Waterfront: With prime placement near the Boise River, these neighborhoods offer a tranquil escape with everyday opportunities to cast a line and indulge in the endless sightings of wildlife. River Run, The Island, and Spring Meadow. Built on an 120-acre bend of protected wilderness, these adjacent neighborhoods offer serene streets and abundant natural beauty with incredible riverfront sites. River Run and The Island each feature their own community pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts as well as walking paths and direct access to the Greenbelt (including the Bethine Church Trail). Spring Meadow does not have community amenities, however, still enjoys the remarkable tree cover and river access as the former neighborhoods and is within walking distance to southeast Boise’s dining and social hub in Bown Crossing.                                                                                                                               Riverside Village. Located on the banks of the Boise River in Garden City, this community features a tranquil and private setting with mature trees and neighborhood walking paths. Homes feature spacious lots and unique architecture, and the neighborhood enjoys a clubhouse, pool, spa, play area, and tennis courts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Eagle. A luxury hotspot, Eagle waterfront homes feature sprawling lots, enviable square footage, and a peaceful setting. Neighborhoods along the Boise River corridor like Mace River Ranch, Two Rivers, Banbury, Island Woods, and Lakemoor are well-planned developments with pristine entrances, community amenities, plentiful water features, and nearby access to the Greenbelt/Boise River. Eagle offers top-notch dining, entertainment, and recreation, making these residences the complete package.   Urban Living:  North End. Perhaps the most iconic Boise neighborhood, the North End is a historic and eclectic neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and vibrant local culture. This neighborhood also features incredible walkability/bikeability to downtown Boise and is a part of the highly rated Boise school district. Downtown. Urban living at its finest, downtown Boise offers a wide range of luxury penthouses, condominiums, and apartments. With a lively scene of restaurants, bars, and events right out your front door, downtown Boise is the place to be. Harris Ranch. This master-planned community in east Boise offers a family-friendly, relaxed lifestyle with neighborhood schools (including private Riverstone International School), city parks, hiking and biking trails, and proximity to the Greenbelt and Boise River. Amenities include several pools, clubhouse, fitness center, and this community prides itself on its safety and walkability. East End. With a priceless central location right next to downtown, the East End is a prized neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Containing a mix of historic and newly built homes on streets lined with mature trees, there is something for every homeowner. Warm Springs Avenue, the crown jewel street of this neighborhood, features luxury living in stunning historic homes and is on the National Register of Historic Places.   Work with a knowledgeable expert specializing in luxury: When navigating the luxury market in Boise, it is crucial to have a knowledgeable, experienced real estate agent by your side who knows the luxury market. A specialized agent brings a wealth of experience and an insider's perspective on the exclusive neighborhoods and hidden gems that align with your needs. From identifying properties that fit your parameters to negotiating the best possible deal, a dedicated luxury real estate agent will make this exciting process as smooth as possible. Select your agent thoughtfully when making this substantial investment for an ideal outcome.   A sampling of Boise luxury listings: 2265 S Riverbirch Place. A legacy estate, proudly poised on ~3.5 acres of premium water frontage on the Boise River within Eagle's most treasured residential corridor. This grand custom home embodies the robust longevity of a Mediterranean villa, with sturdy materials softened by a lightened elegance and modern twist.   1560 E Nines Point Lane. This phenomenal foothills home exemplifies ultra luxury in Boise's premier gated community, The Nines. Elevated above the city among rolling foothills, the residence provides expansive views from Crane Creek Golf Course & rolling foothills, to the downtown, sparkling city lights and the Owyhees. The resort-style oasis includes a luxurious swimming pool, separate hot tub, and an infinity edge reflection pool. ~3000sf of outdoor patios are complemented by built-in fire tables & fireplace.   1305 N Harrison Boulevard.  A landmark Queen Anne with a storied history, proudly displayed among the treasure trove of residential architectural heritage on The Boulevard. This exquisitely rare property envelopes five city lots on the corner of Harrison Blvd and Eastman St, making an unmistakable mark in Boise's historic fabric.   605 E Highland View Drive. Established in 1968 as the first house on the city-side of the Highland View ridge, this characteristic Mid-Century Modern residence is defined by its incredible setting and striking interior. The home has been in the care of only three stewards in its lifetime, and has undergone a remarkable transformation from its swinging 60's roots to a sophisticated and refined rendering of modern living.   1 Mesa Vista Drive. This premier rim-front homesite is tucked away at the end of one of Boise's most treasured locations. Legacy properties line this rarely available street, known for its private sprawling homesites, cinematic city views, and unrivaled proximity to downtown.

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Best Hikes for Fall Foliage

Credit: Unsplash The air is getting colder and trees are beginning to change colors into gorgeous oranges, reds, and yellows. Boise is known as the City of Trees and it sure lives up to the name in the fall time. There is no better way to experience the beauty of the fall season in Boise than to get out into the outdoors and try some of these hikes that show off the fall foliage!    Mores Mountain Interpretive Trail: Credit: Unsplash This trail is located 21 miles north of Boise, past Bogus Basin, and within the Shafer Butte Recreation Area. It is a 4.25-mile loop with a vertical gain of 1,000 feet, making it a moderate to difficult hike. This trail overlooks the Boise National Forest from every direction and even has views of the Sawtooths. Fall foliage on this hike includes shrubbery and deciduous trees turning stunning red and gold!   Eagle Island State Park Loop: Credit: Unsplash This trail is a 4.7-mile loop inside Eagle Island State Park that is mostly flat and considered an easy to moderate hike. It follows along the Boise River, offering top-notch birding with species including belted kingfisher, black-crowned night heron, and a variety of warblers. This trail is surrounded by trees that showcase bright red leaves come fall and is the perfect place for a fall foliage hike!   Dry Creek Trail: Credit: Unsplash This hike is a 14.1-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 2,342 feet. It connects Lower Bogus Basin Road and Boise Ridge Road and is considered a moderate to difficult trail. This trail is popular for birding and wildlife watching and goes along a drainage in the Foothills. The shrubbery surrounding the creek turns lovely fall colors as the air gets colder. Do as many miles of this trail as you want and enjoy the fall scenery and wildlife!   Boise Greenbelt: Credit: Unsplash The Boise Greenbelt follows the Boise River and is surrounded by trees full of leaves changing colors. This is a paved path that features almost no elevation gain, making it a very easy walk or bike ride. You can follow this path for as long as you want along the river either east or west of downtown, with a total of 25 paved miles. This classic Boise path is the perfect spot to see some fall foliage without having to go far!

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Hiking with Kids in Boise

Credit: Cottonbro Studio Your guide to Boise’s best hiking trails for kiddos and best practices to make hiking a fun and enjoyable experience for the whole family.    What to Bring: Preparation is key to having a successful hike with kids, especially younger children. Here are a few essentials to keep everyone happy and moving! Snacks - hiking can work up an appetite and little ones tend to have a lot of energy. Having plentiful and nourishing snacks is helpful to keep their hunger at bay and motivate them to keep moving along. Easy to store options include: granola bars, bananas, fruit strips, trail mix, and fruit/veggie pouches. Appropriate Clothing/Gear - the majority of hiking trails in the Boise foothills are exposed, meaning there is little shade cover. During the summer months, it's important to understand the impact of the sun (even on cloudy days). Plan to hike early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid high temperatures, and dress everyone in appropriate clothing. This includes sunhats, long-sleeve shirts, closed-toe shoes, and backpacks to carry snacks, water, sunscreen. Light rain shells or packable ponchos are good to have in case there is scattered rainstorms. Sunscreen Water - most trailheads don’t provide water so plan to bring plenty of it with you. A couple Nalgenes is enough to stay hydrated without carrying a lot of weight. The Hillside to Hollow Reserve trailhead does have a water fountain as well as Camel’s Back Park. First-Aid Kit - scrapes and other injuries can happen on the trail. Having a portable first-aid kit equipped with antiseptic wipes/spray, bandaids, and bandage wrap is a good idea to take care of minor injuries on the spot. For emergencies, most foothill trails will be within cell service to call 9-1-1. Hiking Carrier and/or Pack - if you are hiking with infants and toddlers, a hiking carrier is a gamechanger to give you proper support and a comfortable ride to your child. Some packs have additional pockets to store snacks and water bottles. A small backpack is perfect for carrying items, and older kids can wear their own to carry their own water bottles and snacks. Change of Diapers/Clothes - accidents happen so it’s best to have a change of clothes and a couple spare diapers/wipes. Bring a small blanket for a makeshift changing table on the go. Toys - this can be counterintuitive to the experience of being out in nature, but kids may not always appreciate nature’s beauty. Having a couple of their favorite small and non-electronic toys will keep them entertained and outdoors longer.    What not to bring: Expectations. If it’s your first time hiking with children, you’ll find that the pace is much slower than what you’d expect. If you have walking children, let them wander and stop to observe things. It may take a lot of patience, but this is where the magic of hiking with kiddos happens!   Best Trails for Little Kids: Deciding which trails to take depends on your family's ability and expertise. We’ve compiled a few options for younger kids. These trails are great for beginner hikers, with low elevation gains, ample tree cover, and plenty of things to see. Due to the flat terrain of these, they are relatively stroller friendly, but still graveled or dirt covered. Cottonwood Creek in the Military Reserve Pedestrian-Only Greenbelt between Barber Park and Bown Crossing in SE Boise Bethine Church Nature Trail in SE Boise Hulls Gulch Nature Trail Hulls Pond and Gold Finch behind Camel’s Back Park Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Trail in NE Boise Other Trails   Hiking Best Practices: Credit: Ekaterina BolovtsovaBoise provides great quality of life with access to these and dozens of other trails for all to use. Here are a few key reminders to do your part in keeping them protected and clean, as well as proper trail etiquette. Plan Ahead -  download a map of the trail you’re taking so you know where it leads and can gauge the terrain ahead of time. Most trails in the Ridge-to-Rivers system are easy to navigate, but range  in length, shade cover, water availability, and usage between hikers and mountain bikers. Also important, check the forecast as unexpected weather can happen anytime and affect whether a trail is usable.  Leave No Trace - there are 7 standard principles for recreating outdoors that should be applied locally in the foothills. Pack out all trash with you. If anyone needs to use the bathroom, practice digging a hole or utilize a waste bag and pack it out with you. Avoid contaminating water sources with waste. Check Trail Conditions Before You Go - the longevity and condition of the trails rely on users to responsibly recreate. This means not using wet trails and staying on trail to avoid erosion and creating ruts/imprints in the paths. Ridge-to-Rivers has daily updates on their Facebook page and website. Right of Way - the trails are heavily used by both hikers and mountain bikers alike. It’s important to follow the separation and use schedules for certain trails as they help ease congestion. Here are basic guidelines for right of way on the trails: Bikers yield to hikers and horseback riders Hikers yield to horseback riders Uphill traffic has right of way to downhill traffic Do Not Block the Trail - if you need to stop, find a good place to step off. Be mindful of where you’re stepping so you aren’t harming vegetation and stay on the trail as much as possible. Dogs on Leash, Unless Otherwise Posted - to be respectful of other trail users and wildlife, most trails are designated as dog on-leash. For designated off-leash trails, you should have voice command over your dog for quick recall. Animals, like coyotes and mountain lions, have been spotted in our area. It’s a good idea to keep your pets and kids closeby for their safety.   We hope this guide was helpful! Share your comments below with additional tips. Happy hiking!   

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