An Insider's Guide to Southeast Boise, ID

One of Boise’s fastest-growing neighborhoods is Southeast Boise, a flourishing area with enviable access to the greenbelt, river, and the downtown core. One of Boise’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods, Southeast Boise is home to Boise State University and area landmarks such as Barber Park, Bown Crossing, and the Simplot Sports Complex.

The Southeast Boise vibe is one of casual comfort: close-knit neighborhoods look a bit like streets of the past with kids playing in front yards and families walking their dogs. Despite this old-fashioned community feel, the area is also experiencing a rapid renaissance with an influx of shops, restaurants, and attractions as the neighborhood grows. Trendy new brunch spots join established local haunts while coffee shops and businesses set up shop in Southeast Boise regularly.

With a slightly younger demographic than the rest of the city, Southeast Boise residents include many Boise State University students and faculty, young families, and professionals with downtown jobs. Top-rated schools and walkable neighborhoods draw new faces to this neighborhood regularly where home values have climbed by 9% over the past 12 months and are expected to rise another 6% in the next year.

Want to take a closer look at what makes this coveted neighborhood special? Read on for our insider’s guide to Southeast Boise.

Why Locals Love Southeast Boise

Southeast Boise is a beloved neighborhood, for good reason: this quiet suburban sanctuary has a relaxed, tranquil feel that belies its urban proximity. With outdoor access that’s unrivaled throughout the city, short commute times, and more shops and restaurants than just about any other neighborhood, Southeast Boise is a gem.

Outdoor and Sports Access

This area can’t be beat when it comes to access to Boise’s beautiful outdoors. With miles of the Boise River Greenbelt to travel and enjoy as well as multiple shady parks, this area is known as an outdoor playground. Southeast Boise is home to Barber Park, a waterfront park best known as an excellent starting point for floating the river during the summer months. Simplot Sports Complex is also located nearby, offering 161 acres of green space for sports, walking, recreation, and play.

Another perk? Southeast Boise is one of the closest neighborhoods in the city to our own local lake, Lucky Peak. Just 10 minutes from most Southeast Boise homes is a sandy beach and a day in the sunshine.

Short Commutes

Around a sixth of Boise’s workforce lives in the Southeast Boise area, and two of the city’s largest employers, Albertsons and Micron, are headquartered in the neighborhood. Many homeowners choose the area because it offers short commutes to work and easy access to the freeway. Residents can easily bike the greenbelt to downtown weekend attractions like the farmer's markets or catch a cheap Uber to Boise State football games rather than wrestle with grid-locked parking garages.

Southeast Boise Local Favorites: Shops, Restaurants, and Attractions

Southeast Boise is home to many Boise staples in dining, shopping, and entertainment. Residents know they’re lucky to have excellent options, both new and old right in their backyards. Check out these top-rated local spots.

• The Griddle: In the mood for a classic breakfast? Try one of the Griddle’s famous pancakes with a hot cup of diner-style coffee. This local favorite is always busy, especially on weekends, so be prepared to come early or wait your turn.
• Addie’s: Originally a downtown staple, Addie’s has been slinging no-frills American breakfast and lunch since 2001. They recently joined the Southeast Boise community at their new location on Boise Avenue, one of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares.
• Egg Mann and Earl: Joining the Southeast Boise breakfast crowd, Egg Mann and Earl is a new addition to the neighborhood. This eclectic spot has a Millennial vibe and offers treats such as their hefty “Hangover Hash” and “The Walrus” omelet.
• Zero Six Coffee Fix: Owned by the same local entrepreneur as Eggmann and Earl, Zero Six Coffee Fix is on the way to work and school for many Southeast Boise residents and has just the atmosphere you’d look for in a coffee shop to get some work done or meet up with a friend.
• Tavern at Bown Crossing: One of the best burgers in town and an excellent bar make the Tavern a local treasure at Bown Crossing.
• Locavore: Potentially one of the best patios in Southeast Boise, Locavore is a friendly spot that’s open for coffee and breakfast during the mornings and serves a hearty dinner with wine and beer in the evenings.
• Tastings Wine Bar: Southeast Boise’s premier wine market and tasting bar is a cozy spot to catch drinks with friends after work.
• Boise Fry Company: One of the five locations of this Boise mainstay is located in Bown Crossing and provides a tasty, locally-sourced meal to residents.
• Bier:Thirty: One of Boise’s best beer bars, Bier:Thirty offers an extensive on-tap menu and light pub fare.
• Library! At Bown Crossing: A branch of the Boise library is located at Bown Crossing and serves local families from its beautiful new building.
• Ivywild Pool: A classic public pool with water slides and a fabulous kid’s area, Ivywild Pool is a well-loved neighborhood attraction.

The Southeast Boise Lifestyle

Southeast Boise residents experience a best-of-all-worlds lifestyle and truly reap all the benefits the city has to offer. On the weekends, you’re likely to find SE Boise dwellers out for brunch on a patio at Bown Crossing or hitting the greenbelt for a run before meeting up with friends. They’ll likely head downtown in the evenings or catch a show at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival or a movie at Edward’s Downtown.

During the week, you’ll likely find Southeast Boise residents dropping their kids off at one of the top-rated schools in the neighborhood or making a short bike commute into work. On weeknights, they’re probably enjoying the quiet of a nearby park, decompressing at a local restaurant with friends, or chatting with their neighbors while sipping a beverage on their front porch.

The Southeast Boise lifestyle is connected and laid-back, with a true sense of neighborhood pride and community.

Southeast Boise Homes for Sale and Real Estate

Southeast Boise has an eclectic mix of new construction, established subdivisions, and older neighborhoods with many updated and remodeled homes. Since many of the properties were built between 1970-2000, there are plenty of homes with character to choose from.

Southeast Boise homes offer some of the best foothill views in the city, which adds to the picturesque beauty of the area. You will find everything in this neighborhood—from modest starter homes in the northern part, to million-dollar estates in the central portion near the Boise River and Greenbelt, to incredibly popular new construction communities in the southern section.

Best Southeast Boise Neighborhoods

Many of Southeast Boise neighborhoods could easily be described as "classically" suburban. Most of the area was developed as single-family homes; consequently, multifamily properties and apartments tend to be relatively scarce. Southeast Boise condos and townhouses are highly sought-after and typically get snapped up pretty quickly.

As you would expect from a neighborhood covering 16 square miles, homes come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and price points. The typical home is priced in the low to mid $300s. At the same time, a pre-war bungalow can still be had for under $200k while a gated riverfront estates start at $1 million.

Boise River Corridor

Considered to be three of the best neighborhoods in Southeast Boise, River Run, Wood Duck Island, and Spring Meadow collectively make up the "Boise River Corridor" neighborhoods. Located east of Parkcenter Boulevard from just south of Parkcenter Park to Barber Park, these established communities are set on private tree-lined streets along the west bank of the Boise River and Greenbelt. The homes here were built between the 80s-00s and list with prices from $500,000 to over $1 million.

Heading to the west of Parckcenter Boulevard, you will discover Pier Pointe. Home buyers get all of the benefits of the area's fabulous location at a slightly lower price point.

West Southwest

Ask a dozen locals where they would most like to live in Southeast Boise, and Lakewood will make the shortlist every time. Situated around Gekeler Lane between Linden Street and Bergeson Street, Lakewood is a large suburban subdivision offering everything from affordably priced condos to mini-estate properties.

Just south of Bergeson, you will find one of the newest neighborhoods in the area, Promontory Ridge. Built in the 2000s, these elegant homes offer modern layouts with open floor plans and low maintenance exteriors. Promontory Ridge has its own homeowners association with a community pool and clubhouse.

Columbia Mesa

Columbia Village, one of the largest and first planned communities in the state of Idaho, is incredibly popular with home buyers for its affordable prices and idyllic community setting.

Nearby Superior Ridge offers more upscale, modern floor plans with traditional styling and residents benefit being part of the Columbia Village homeowners' association and amenities.

Situated around just one street at the southwest corner of Columbia Village, Elevation Ridge features contemporary homes with designer inspired details. Each of the properties here are set on small footprint building lots, many with large private decks.

Head a little further east, and you will find Surprise Valley, a picturesque neighborhood offering stately homes and gorgeous valley views. While similar to Columbia Village, the homes here tend to be set on larger homesites and include greater square footage with prices to match.

Southeast Boise New Construction

In the southernmost part of the neighborhood, just south of the Oregon Trail and west of Lucky Peak, you will find a hot spot of popular new construction neighborhoods centered around Columbia Road.

Construction began in 2010, first with Sunny Ridge, then Painted Ridge, two modern subdivisions with modern amenities. Both feature houses and floor plans from the same builders.

Heading to the other side of Columbia Road (north), you will find the newest subdivision in the area, Bonneville Pointe. The properties here are set on larger homesites and offer more square footage than Sunny and Painted Ridge.

Southeast Boise at a Glance

• Location: Southeast Boise is tucked between the Boise River & I-84 to the north and south and the Boise City limits & Capitol Blvd/Federal Way to the east and west. Nearby Boise neighborhoods include Barber Valley, East End, and South Boise Village.
• Distance from Downtown Boise: 9 minutes
• Walk Score: 34
• Bike Score: 66
• Median Home Value: $339,900
• Average Rent: $1,415

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