If you’ve recently gotten a job in Boise, Idaho, you may be looking for the perfect town to live in to raise a family and commute from. Meridian, Idaho is the perfect place for family living and just a short commute to the bigger city of Boise.
Need to know more about why Meridian may be the ideal Idaho city in which to raise a family? Read on to find out why so many choose Meridian over Boise, Idaho, and calculate your potential mortgage payment on a Meridian, Idaho, home.
Meridian is widely considered the best family city in Idaho, thanks to the educational and employment opportunities, affordable living, and easy access to Boise, Idaho.
Meridian has an extremely low crime rate, possibly in part due to the fact that there’s a heavy law enforcement presence in the city; Meridian is home to both the Idaho State Police Academy and the Idaho State Police headquarters.
The city is deemed safer than 97% of major U.S. cities, and the overall crime rate is 51% lower than the national average. The absence of violent crime makes meridian a top pick for couples with children.
Idaho overall has the ninth lowest murder rate in the country, with an average of under 40 deaths by homicide every year. This can make families feel very safe when moving to the Gem State.
The West Ada School District has the best test scores in the entire state of Idaho (which has scores overall 13% better than the national average), and is ranked one of the top five in the nation with an “A” grade and a high school completion rate of 90.7%.
Starting in kindergarten, parents have the option to send their children to many different private, charter, magnet, and public schools. High schoolers can often enjoy dual enrollment in local colleges, and can earn an Associate’s Degree by the same time they graduate high school.
Since Meridian is conveniently located between Boise and Nampa/Caldwell, graduating seniors with or without an Associate’s can continue their education at a number of colleges within 30 minutes drive, maintaining family structure.
Meridian’s median home price is a bit higher than the national average, coming in at $535,000. Down payments can be 20% or lower depending on your mortgage choice and credit.
Most people living in Meridian have the income to offset the higher mortgage payment, and this is borne out by the fact that 25% of households in Meridian are renter-occupied, while 76% are owner-occupied.
One and two story ranches and split levels abound, and Craftsman homes are in plentiful supply. Families looking to grow can choose from homes with as few as three or as many as seven bedrooms and enjoy large yards perfect for kids and pets.
Most stable employment prospects in Meridian, Idaho, are in education, healthcare, tech, or manufacturing. With plenty of jobs to go around, families can feel confident moving into the area, even with older kids who may be hitting the job market in the coming years.
The median household income in Meridian is around $110,000, compared with the national median of $82,000. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, lower than the national average of 4.3%. Meridian residents often work in Boise where there are even more job opportunities with large companies. You can possibly get a better deal on a home in Meridian than in Boise, however.
The cost of living in Meridian is slightly higher than the national average, but with everything, this town has to go for it. That’s not surprising. Compared to similarly sized cities with similar things to offer for family living, it’s not bad at all.
It’s affordable to live in Meridian compared to Boise. The property taxes are still high but manageable with the right mortgage home loan. Utilities are a little cheaper than Boise, and owning a car can be less expensive as well if you live in a walkable part of the city.
Parents can work in the city and raise a family in the suburbs with ease when choosing meridian. It’s less than 12 miles from downtown Boise, and several routes lead directly to the heart of the larger city.
On average, the trip from Meridian to Boise is 18 to 35 minutes, depending on the route chosen, time of day, and traffic as well as the final destination. Meridian is known as the Center of the Treasure Valley, with easy access to other surrounding cities such as Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, and Middleton.
On weekends and holidays, family time can take place in any of the following local areas or attractions: Meridian Speedway, Roaring Springs, shopping, parks, and fishing ponds.
A few more minutes in the car and you can sweep your family off to enjoy the wonders of the surrounding areas, including hiking the Boise Foothills, hitting the links at golf courses in Nampa-Caldwell, fishing or boating on the Boise River, or any of the many lakes in Eagle for water-related fun.
The more adventurous can even go skiing at Bogus Basin, just 16 miles from downtown Boise, go hunting or enjoy camping in the untamed Idaho wilderness.
You’ll love raising your family in Meridian in one of the many homes available. If you’re planning your family’s future, and want to live and work in the Boise area, Meridian offers more of a small town feel even though it’s still the 3rd biggest city in the state.
The mix of older and newer family homes means it will be easy for you to choose and buy a house in Meridian, Idaho. Check mortgage rates today and apply for preapproval before you start your house-hunting fun.
Our loan officers can help you explore your options when it comes to buying a home in Meridian, Idaho to raise your family. We can also help you get preapproved for a loan and walk you through the process. Sammamish Mortgage has been in business since 1992 and has assisted many home buyers in the Pacific Northwest. We serve clients across Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California and offer multiple mortgage programs with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers, including our Diamond Homebuyer Program, Cash Buyer Program, and Bridge Loans. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator.
Many families choose Meridian for its suburban feel, strong schools, low crime, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient commute to Boise.
Meridian is widely seen as a strong choice for families because it offers good schools, safe neighborhoods, housing options for different household sizes, and access to jobs and recreation.
Meridian is known for low crime rates and is often considered one of the safer cities in the region, which appeals to families looking for a secure place to live.
Meridian is served by the West Ada School District, which is known for strong academic performance and a range of public, charter, magnet, and private school options.
The article notes that Meridian home prices can be higher than Boise in some cases, but many buyers still choose Meridian for its family-oriented neighborhoods, housing variety, and value relative to lifestyle benefits.
Meridian offers a mix of older and newer homes, including ranch-style houses, split-level homes, and Craftsman designs, with options ranging from smaller family homes to larger properties with multiple bedrooms.
Meridian is less than 12 miles from downtown Boise, and the commute typically takes about 18 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, route, and destination.
Job opportunities in and around Meridian are commonly found in education, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, and many residents also commute to Boise for work.
Families in Meridian can enjoy local parks, shopping, fishing ponds, Meridian Speedway, and Roaring Springs, with easy access to nearby cities and outdoor attractions.
Meridian offers convenient access to hiking in the Boise Foothills, fishing and boating on the Boise River, golf, camping, hunting, and skiing at Bogus Basin.
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