Northeast Meridian

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This part of Meridian, Idaho is one of the more densely populated parts of the city. The housing in this area is largely mid-range and includes older, but generally smaller neighborhoods with houses that sit on larger lots, as well as the newer, larger subdivisions that come with amenities like pools, community centers, ball fields, walking paths, and parks. It also has several public elementary, middle and high schools as well as at least three private schools and several charter and/or magnate schools. Idaho has a lot to choose from in terms of pre-collegiate education and you don’t have to leave Meridian to get them!

The main commercial thoroughfare in Meridian is in the NE sector. Running north to south, Eagle Rd (also known as State Highway 55) is a bustling retail corridor with restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, bowling, a movie theater, and a large, new park that has become a centerpiece in the community. Nonetheless, right in the middle of all these thriving storefronts a 10 acre corn field still holds its ground. Located at the busiest intersection in the state it stands as a still-productive reminder that almost all of Meridian once looked like this.

Both local and national businesses line Eagle Road or branch off not far from it. Everything from Target, Trader Joe’s, Krispy Kreme, Chick Fil-A, Hobby Lobby, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Panera, and Cost Plus World Market are here, interspersed with our own local businesses. When the Boise Co-op, a beloved local organic food market, decided to add a second location for the first time in 40 years, it chose Northeast Meridian. And despite popular national chains that are their competition, other local businesses including Urban Fox Coffee and Boba, Lucky Perk, Zurcher’s, Craft Warehouse, The Human Bean, and Guido’s Pizza (our very own New York Pizzaria!) thrive too.

If a shopping and dining experience that doesn’t feel typical is what you crave, The Village at Meridian is for you. Built as an antithesis to the indoor mall, The Village was raised several years ago on what was once farm and dairy land. It is home to over 50 restaurants and retail establishments as well as a state of the art movie theater, and a bowling alley cum sports bar (with a 55 foot wide HD projection screen that makes watching any sport an event!). Athleta, lululemon, Anthropologie, Sur la Table, Texas de Brazil, and Grimaldi’s (truly, you feel like you have just stepped into a New York City tableau inside this restaurant!) have all made their Idaho homes here. But if you’d rather just stroll, people watch, enjoy an outdoor concert, or take in the lovely fountain as its water jets “perform” to musical classics then The Village is also for you. Even in the winter, when part of the courtyard is transformed into an ice skating rink and heating lamps and fire pits warm the patios, this outdoor shopping venue is still cozy and inviting. The occasional flash mob has even been known to burst into carols here at Christmas.

Perhaps the jewel of the more recent additions to Meridian is Julius M. Kleiner Park. Named for a local entrepreneur and philanthropist who emigrated to American from Russia in 1915, the park is located just east of The Village. Built on 60 acres, it has two ponds, basketball, volleyball and bocce ball courts, a splash pad, an amphitheater and band shell, covered picnic areas, rolling hills (great for winter sledding!), bike and pedestrian paths and not least of all an honor memorial that pays tribute to 62 fallen Idaho soldiers.

Northeast Meridian is also ALMOST home to one of the area’s largest YMCA facilities. The West Family YMCA, Boise City Aquatic Center , colloquially known as the“West Y” is on the very west edge of Boise at the toes of eastern Meridian. It features an Olympic size swimming pool that is home to statewide swim meets, a full court basketball gym, an indoor walking/running track, weight lifting, racquetball courts, 5 fitness studios that host a plethora of group fitness programs and a climbing wall. Located in this area for nearly 25 years this facility truly has a community feel with programs that suit everyone from the very young to the very old. Nonetheless, if a YMCA is not the kind of gym experience you want, northeast Meridian hosts many more options including Orange Theory, and the locally owned Idaho Fitness Factory, Axiom Gym, and Mecca Gym. In fact, most of the gyms and/or fitness facilities in Meridian are located in the northeast sector.

The northeast portion of Meridian is a hive of family friendly activity, and almost all of it is just minutes from beautiful housing developments. You can drive your children to school, go to the dentist, pick up groceries, meet a friend for lunch, shop for your next marathon, run home to let the dog out before picking the kids up at school and only put 10 miles on your car. For the rushed and frazzled transplant the Meridian “commute” is like a day at the spa.