Best Neighborhoods in Boise for Singles & Young Professionals

Thinking about moving to Boise? Idaho’s capital city is a great place to live for singles and young professionals because it offers a low cost of living, exciting nightlife, and one of the hottest job markets in the state. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Boise for young adults!

Central Bench
Downtown Boise
East End
North End
Southeast Boise

Central Bench

Photo via @cityoftreesrealestate

Home Price: $145,975 median purchase price; $830 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of Boise neighborhoods

Located in the heart of the larger Boise Bench is one of the best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals: Central Bench. This historic community combines scenic residential areas with mature trees, affordable real estate, and a thriving business district with plenty of shops, restaurants, and things to do. Commuting young professionals living in this Boise neighborhood will also enjoy being just a quick ten-minute drive from Downtown Boise.

Things to Do in Central Bench

Test your wits and solve puzzles with friends in one of the exciting escape rooms at Escape This Boise. Take dance lessons or show off your skills during the weekly social dancing events at Idaho DanceSport. Shop adorable antiques, charming furniture pieces, and vintage decor at Antique World Mall. Take on tabletop tournaments for games like Magic the Gathering and the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game, or shop for more to play at home at Deadly Seven Games. Sample a huge selection of on-tap beers and ciders like Broad St. Blonde or Redlight Irish Red Ale, or fill up on hearty entrees like a Hand Pulled Baby Back Rib Sandwich or a French Dip at CopenRoss Growlers. Savor Middle Eastern dishes like Lamb Shawarma and Falafel or shop the grocery selection at Ishtar Market and Restaurant. Find fresh, authentic Mexican favorites from Carne Asada to Birria at Andrade’s Restaurante Mexicano. Or visit local landmark Big Bun Drive-In for classic American eats like a Pastrami Burger combo or Grilled Ham & Cheese.

Downtown Boise

Photo via @thefowlerboise

Home Price: $284,600 median purchase price; $672 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Boise neighborhoods

Downtown Boise is a major hub for activity in the city, featuring an active nightlife scene, plenty of green space along the Boise River Greenbelt, and many of Boise’s top employers, including The J.R. Simplot Company and St. Luke’s Health System. With its budget-friendly apartments and condos, as well as a number of shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance, this is a top neighborhood for singles and young professionals in Boise!

Things to Do in Downtown Boise

Peruse fresh produce, handicrafts, baked goods, and other artisanal items at the Boise Farmers Market. Cheer on the Idaho Steelheads hockey team or catch a mixed martial arts match from Front Street Fights at Idaho Central Arena. Bring your dog to the beer garden, play some bocce ball, and try house brews like North Fork Lager or a Recoil IPA at Payette Brewing. See larger-than-life street art in the largest open-air, multi-artist mural gallery in the Northwestern US: Freak Alley Gallery. Experience five days’ worth of unique music sets during the Treefort Music Festival. Listen to live jazz and order upscale fare like a Tomahawk Ribeye or Alaskan Halibut from Chandlers Prime Steak and Fine Seafood. Check out the all-day brunch at Bacon, featuring plates like the Bacon & Brie Panini or Papa’s Poutine. Order Steamed BBQ Pork Buns or Turnip Cakes from Yen Ching. Or have Huevos Rancheros or a Wild Skillet for lunch with Idaho Kombucha to drink on the patio at Wild Root Cafe.

East End

Photo via @boise_buyandsell

Home Price: $315,950 median purchase price; $1,041 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 15% of Boise neighborhoods

There are few better places to live for singles and young professionals in Boise than East End, one of the nicest and first neighborhoods in the city. Its central location—with scenic foothills to the north, the Boise River to the south, and Downtown Boise to the west—makes it ideal for people moving to Idaho’s capital city. Here, you’ll find Queen Anne and Tudor Revival-style houses, a business district full of historic architecture, excellent walkability, and several public parks and green spaces for residents to enjoy.

Things to Do in East End

Marvel at more than 300 species of plants, meditate at the tranquil koi pond, or explore garden art in the outdoor gallery at Idaho Botanical Garden. Rock out to live music every summer at the Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series, which has previously featured top acts like Santana, Tears for Fears, and John Mellencamp. Hike or take a mountain bike up to Table Rock for a bird’s-eye view of Boise and the Treasure Valley. Go on a self-guided tour of the gallows, solitary confinement, real former cell blocks, and other fascinating historic sites at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Try unique Tex-Mex food like BBQ Brisket Tacos or get a Fried Fruit Taco for dessert from Tin Roof Tacos. Enjoy generously portioned American fare from Chicken Strips or Cod Fingers to Chicken Avocado Salad and more at Trolley House. Grab lunch at Deli George, where they serve Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Boise Cheesesteaks, and other deli classics. Or order a Fruit and Granola Waffle or Dad’s Pancakes for Breakfast at The Griddle.

North End

Photo via @barkesrealestateboise

Home Price: $288,917 median purchase price; $782 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Boise neighborhoods

With its historic roots, community focus on altruism, and a wealth of amenities and things to do, North End is not only one of the coolest places to live in Boise, but it’s also one of the hottest neighborhoods in the U.S. overall. This hip, eclectic neighborhood is nestled against the Boise Foothills and serves as an entry point to a variety of local hiking and biking trails in the neighboring Hulls Gulch Reserve. North End also has plenty of shops, restaurants, jobs, and housing styles to offer within its borders!

Things to Do in North End

Go for a mountain bike ride or bring your dogs along for a hike at the beautiful 11-acre Camel’s Back Park. Check out the First Friday Sale, get weekly recipe recommendations, and shop groceries, wellness, wine, and more at the popular Boise Co-op. Find your balance with a yoga class or unwind with a massage at Hollywood Market Yoga and Spa. Buy local arts and crafts, try samples from area restaurants, listen to live music, and enjoy a variety of other activities at the annual Hyde Park Street Fair. Hit up Happy Hour every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hyde Park Pub & Grill, which serves delicious drinks like Guinness Stout and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and hearty pub food like Jumbo Finger Steaks and Coconut Shrimp. Get your vegan fix with dishes like Bun Chay or Stir-Fried Mixed Veggies & Tofu from 208 Pho & Vegan. Wake up with a Havana Latte and French Style Pancakes, or grab a Roast Turkey Sandwich for lunch from Certified Kitchen and Bakery. Or experience one-of-a-kind fusion entrees like Jambalaya Nachos or a Bombay Bomburrito from Parilla Grill.

Southeast Boise

Photo via @mohoffman

Home Price: $202,405 median purchase price; $825 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 45% of Boise neighborhoods

Large, diverse, and just eight minutes from the Boise Airport, Southeast Boise has a lot to offer singles and young professionals moving to the City of Trees. Albertsons and Micron, two of Boise’s largest employers, have headquarters in this thriving neighborhood, and the area even has its own miniature “downtown” called Bown Crossing, where you can find some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Students of Boise University will also love living here since the neighborhood is about five minutes away from the campus!

Things to Do in Southeast Boise

Get tickets to classic plays like Much Ado About Nothing, musical showcases like Ain’t Misbehavin’, and other live performances at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater. Play kickball with friends, practice batting in the softball field, or just enjoy the weather at the Simplot Sports Complex. Sample wine by the bottle or the glass on tasting nights at the classy, yet casual, Tastings Wine Bar. Satisfy your sweet tooth with some Premium Chocolate, Salt Water Taffy, or any of the other treats for sale at Cravin’s Candy Emporium, a massive candy store and gelato shop in Bown Crossing. Have Pork Belly Benny or Millennial Avocado Toast for brunch at Locavore. Fill up on seafood with a Sashimi Combo or Ahi Poki from The Tavern. Try the outstanding homemade fries and The Classic Burger for a low-key lunch at Boise Fry Company. Or gather for lunch at The Griddle and enjoy a BLT or a Grilled Cobb Salad.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

Downtown Boise Skyline at Night with the Moon in the Sky