Thank you to Alana McCarraher for bringing us this Northeast Boise Moving Guide.
Alana McCarraher, your dedicated residential real estate specialist, focuses on selling homes in the Treasure Valley and mountain cabins. As a licensed agent with Silvercreek Realty Group, Idaho’s leading brokerage, Alana leverages her background in news reporting and public relations to ensure clear communication and seamless transactions. Detail-oriented and organized, she’ll expertly guide you through every step, prioritizing your goals and providing the personalized attention you deserve.
Alana is passionate about Boise’s community spirit, outdoor accessibility, and blend of small-town charm with big-city amenities. Beyond work, she enjoys skiing with her two daughters, yoga, hiking with her golden retriever Sugar, giving back to her community, and morning coffee dates with her husband.
Trust Alana to make your real estate journey a rewarding experience. Contact her via email or phone.
General Information
Nestled between the Boise River and the Foothills, the neighborhoods of Northeast Boise offer all of the best things people flock to the Treasure Valley for–trails for biking and hiking, fantastic city parks and green space, and a mix of historic and modern homes all within easy access to downtown.
In addition, this part of the city is home to attractions such as the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Old Penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Gardens, and Table Rock. The walking and biking ratings are pretty high for most of this area and public transportation is also accessible. If you are looking for a quintessential Boise living experience, Northeast Boise is a great place to put down roots.
» RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Southeast Boise Moving Guide «
Popular Neighborhoods
The East End
With some of the best walking and biking scores in the city, this tree-lined neighborhood is all about the ease and convenience of city living on the edge of nature. While many will know Warm Springs Avenue and its historic mansions, there are a variety of homes at different prices in Boise’s “first neighborhood.” This neighborhood was mostly developed by miners near the turn of the century. The Natatorium and the Albertson’s Foundation Bike Park are a perfect example of the old and the new coming together to make this a great place to raise a family.
Foothills East
With a mix of original homes and new construction, Foothills East stretches between the North End and Northeast Boise. The lots are larger than most you will find in the North End and the Foothills East Reserve has beautiful trails and views.
Warm Springs Mesa
Warm Springs Mesa is, you guessed it, on a mesa. It is located just below Boise’s most iconic mesa, Table Rock, with all of the beautiful views that come along with that location. Easy access to the Greenbelt and the city combine with an atmosphere of privacy in this tucked-away residential area.
Barber Valley
Named for the Barber Mill and company town Barberton which occupied this area of Boise in the late 1800’s and into the 1930’s, Barber Valley has some of the best access to the Greenbelt and Boise River that you can get. Bown Crossing and the beautiful parks add to the community feel. This residential area surrounds a large stretch of the Oregon Trail historic markers. It also has a wide variety of architectural styles and home sizes.
Harris Ranch/Harris North
Built on the ranchlands of Dallas and Alta Harris, this highly-planned development was designed to preserve the land and create community. Smart growth and new urbanism are valued here. Homes here are about twenty years old and newer with smaller lots. Green areas, plazas, community amenities, and easy access to trails and the beautiful Idaho landscapes are all incorporated into the design of the neighborhoods to foster community. The homes are beautiful and modern, and the commutes are easy.
Parks, Recreation, and Family Fun
The theme for this part of Boise is access, access, access. Trails, parks, and the Greenbelt are everywhere. There are multiple nature reserves and historical sites. Several of the city’s public pools are also in this area. Warm Springs Golf Course is a local favorite.
The city has worked hard to expand the library branches and other services as this part of Boise has grown. This has been done while trying to maintain the things that residents of Northeast Boise love about their neighborhood. Truthfully, I take my kids to this part of the city a lot, so narrowing down this list was hard.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
This might sound weird, but this is one of my favorite places to visit in Boise. There are so many historical things to see, and my kids love exploring the old jail cells. Their themed activities for Halloween and Valentine’s Day (Yes, Valentine’s Day) are a ton of fun. I love learning more about my adopted hometown and state. In the same cluster of buildings, you will also find the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology which has free admission and kid-friendly activities on their calendar throughout the year.
The Natatorium
Among the public pools of Boise, the Natatorium is a favorite with moms and kids. They have plenty of shallow areas for littles and waterslides for big kids. Insert interesting historical fact here: The Natatorium was originally a beautiful indoor pool with a waterfall that was geothermally heated as many of the homes and pools along Warm Springs Avenue still are. A storm in 1934 collapsed one of the moisture-weakened beams, and the building was eventually torn down and replaced with the current pool.
Idaho Botanical Garden
Although it is a garden and it is absolutely gorgeous in the spring and summer, many people love to visit during Winter Garden aGlow when the botanical gardens are covered in Christmas lights. Outlaw Field is a popular concert venue, and there are classes and events at the gardens year-round. My kids especially enjoy Bug Day.
Bown Crossing
This community square is the home of block parties, restaurants, shops, and a beautiful branch of the library. It gives a small-town feel and allows for access to some shopping within biking and walking distance from many of the neighborhoods in the Barber Valley. It is named for the Bown family who homesteaded over 200 acres east of Boise. Their home is a historical site, a very short walk from the library. It is a popular field trip for fourth graders in the area, and tours are open to the public on the first Saturday of each month.
Barber Park
Floating the Boise River is a summer favorite, and living this close to the river gives access without the hassle and price of parking. Fishing and other river activities are basically right outside your door.
Schools
The schools in this part of Boise are some of the top-ranked in the state and are generally well-liked among the parents. There are also amazing private and charter school options. One example is Sage International School which is one of only three private schools in the country to offer all four International Baccalaureate programs.
Another private school is Foothills School of Arts and Sciences, a progressive school with a 10-1 ratio. The public schools in the area are in the Boise School District and all have excellent scores and reviews. There are also a variety of preschool options nearby including outdoor schools.
Potential Drawbacks
Depending on which part of Northeast Boise you are in, the housing can be expensive. You are often paying for the access, views, luxury communities, or historic homes. Another drawback, though hopefully temporary, is the ongoing construction near St. Luke’s that seems to bottleneck the traffic going in and out of the Warm Springs area.
Why You Will Love Living Here
Northeast Boise neighborhoods are known for a small-town vibe close to the city. The outdoor living that makes the Treasure Valley so amazing is right at your fingertips. And you won’t lose your outdoor time in the mornings or evenings with a long commute into the city.
Like the North End, the community has a very North Western feel with a value on locally grown and farm-to-table dining. The parks and historical sites and buildings paint a beautiful picture against the backdrop of the foothills. Table Rock and the people who live there take pride in being neighborly and appreciating the nature around them.
To learn more about all the different areas of Boise, check out our Ultimate Guide to Moving to Boise.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
