Meridian, Idaho is a Great Option For Those Looking To Raise a Family

Published:
December 28, 2020
Last updated:
February 26, 2022
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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.

Live Meridian Mortgage Rates

Why Meridian?

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.

Low Crime Rates

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 almost 75% of cities in the U.S., and the overall crime rate is over 50% 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.

Amazing Schools

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.

Affordable Housing

Meridian’s median home price is a bit higher than the national average, coming in at $562,182. Boise prices are about $40,000 lower, and Nampa around $140,000 lower. 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 only 30% of homes in Meridian are rented out as investment properties, while the rest 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.

Great Job Opportunities

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 income is higher than the national average, and the unemployment rate is significantly lower. 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.

Cost of Living

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.

Reasonable Commute Times

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.

Plenty of Outdoor Activities

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 and even skiing at Bogus Basin, just 16 miles from downtown Boise, go hunting or enjoy camping in the untamed Idaho wilderness.

Family Homes in Meridian, Idaho

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.

Why Choose Sammamish Mortgage?

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. If you are looking for mortgage financing in Washington State, we can help. Sammamish Mortgage offers mortgage programs in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Contact us if you have any mortgage-related questions or concerns. If you are ready to move forward, you can view rates, obtain a customized instant rate quote, or apply instantly directly from our website.

Get an Instant Mortgage Rate Quote Today

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