Let’s face it; sometimes you just want to kick your feet up on the beach and enjoy the summer sun. However, other times, you long for an adventure in the forest that ends with fishing at sunset by a lake. Still, maybe you want a taste of the city every now and again to balance that all out. Lastly, it’s always important to incorporate stability and a place to raise children in any neighborhood you hope to live in.
However, it can be hard to find somewhere that encapsulates all of this and more. But what if I told you there was a city which did just that, and was located in an even more cost-effective spot than its nearby sistering city which gained the No. 2 award for best place to raise a family this year?
Although most papers don’t boast of the luxuries associated with Meridian, Idaho, locals feel as though that is one of its best qualities. In fact, Meridian is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, and for good reason. A hidden gem in the Gem State, Meridian seems to intertwine all the desires anyone could ever have when it comes to their living arrangements.
The City Meets The Country
As stated above, it’s seldom that you find a place that can tie both the city and the country together and not lose the special aspects of either in the mix. However, that’s one of Meridian’s best attributes.
Despite how many people are rushing to move to Meridian, the city never fails to keep true to its roots making it both comfy for its long-time residents as well as unique and quirky for its new ones. Truly, you’ll never find another place quite like it.
The Village: Your One-stop Shopping Hotspot
The first thing most people notice when looking into living in the glorious city of Meridian, Idaho, is The Village. For those of us who have lived here for ages, we remember when the massive stores and yummy restaurants were under construction and we also know just how much The Village has impacted our everyday lives.
With a gym, restaurants, candy shops, a playground, a movie theater, clothing stores, a beautiful outdoor lounge area, and even a seasonal ice skating rink, there really is nothing the village doesn’t have to offer.
The Food: From Burgers and Beer to Sirloin and Wine
Everyone has to eat—but who said the food you enjoy has to be boring? In Meridian, Idaho, there are countless restaurants to choose from including the ones located in The Village like The YardHouse, Casa Del Matador, and Kona Grill.
Some of the local favorites include the delicious made-to-order pizza from Blaze Pizza, the authentic and elegant entrees of Gino’s Italian Ristorante, and the truly filling meals found at Kahootz Steak and Ale House.
The Great Outdoors Await
If you love the feel of being on the water, you can enjoy all kinds of watersports at locations like Eagle Island State Park and Roaring Springs (which happen to be two great spots for the family as well).
If you’d rather take a nice hike in the surrounding wildlife, head over to Jump Creek Falls or Camel’s Back Park where you can enjoy some of the regional flowers and wildlife that make Idaho an incredible place for nature photos, adventures, and even dates.
During the winter, by renting a pair of snowshoes from Boise State or the local REI, you can head up to Cascade and enjoy some of the relaxing snowy slopes at Big Creek Summit. Then, you can heat up in style at Panther Hot Springs and enjoy some drinks (as long as they’re in plastic bottles).
Finally, if you prefer riding your bike, rest assured as the entire state has countless places to ride including a greenbelt, multiple BMX tracks, and an awesome and encouraging bike maintenance spot known as the Boise Bicycle Project.
Family-friendly Activities Galore
Most of the locations above are awesome spots to take the family but they’re certainly not the only places. In fact, Jump Time is a great spot for your young ones to let out all their energy while you and your significant other just sit and enjoy some pizza or popcorn.
Furthermore, every summer, you and your little ones can head down to the park to enjoy movies in the park and get this; they’re free. How can you beat that?
Cozy and Friendly Neighborhoods
One of the best things about Meridian, Idaho, are the many neighborhoods that all seem to welcome newcomers with open arms. No matter where you choose to live, the kindness of the city as well as the state will never fail to shine through.
On top of this, because it is close to a bustling city but still far enough to not be noticed just yet, the average cost of a home is far less than its Boise counterpart, despite the location being terrific and the amenities never falling short.
Low Crime Rate
Let’s be honest; no one wants to live in a city where the crime rate is a major concern. Although some people look past this to live in cities simply for their amenities, who said that compromiseshad to be made when finding a new city to begin with?
In Meridian, you can rest assured knowing that all of the great things about this city are also backed by a low crime rate as well. In fact, according to Neighborhood Scout, “Meridian’s crime rate is lower than approximately 35% of Idaho communities. Furthermore, compared to other communities of similar population size, Meridian has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average.”
This means that even in a state where crime is already considerably low, Meridian still finds a way to shine through as one of the safest towns in Idaho.
Incredible Schools
Whether your children simply need a high-quality daycare facility or shine in a particular field more than another, Meridian has plenty of school options for all ages. Not to mention, two of the best high schools for STEM in Idaho.
When it comes to public schools, the best you can hope for typically is a school with a high rating online but, in Meridian, a 5.0 rated public charter school known as Compass truly takes the cake.
Finally, for students that excel in the creative fields rather than the scientific and mathematical ones, Pioneer School of the Arts has everything they could possibly need to succeed, and more.
With all of these options, it won’t be finding a decent school that’s the problem but rather picking between the multitude of amazing school options instead.
Trustworthy Businesses
Lastly, when moving to a new state or a new city, it can sometimes be hard to find companies you can trust for your basic needs. However, with locally owned and trustworthy companies like Meridian Automotive, you can bet that your belongings are in great hands.
After all, Meridian is truly nothing more than one big family, and you’d be crazy not to want a family like this. So, what are you waiting for? Get down here before this hidden gem is finally found!
