Meridian Idaho is gaining popularity for its comfort, natural beauty, and growing opportunities. Located just a short drive from Boise, this is a perfect city where you can enjoy wide-open spaces, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a lifestyle that’s a bit slower and less crowded than noisy urban centers. But like any place, Meridian has its unique advantages and a few drawbacks. So if you are planning a move and want to know what living in Meridian Idaho feels like, this blog will give you all the important information you need to make an informed decision.
Pros of Living in Meridian Idaho
Outdoor Activities and Natural Beauty
One of the main benefits of living in Meridian is that you’re always surrounded by natural beauty. Along with beautiful landscapes, it offers plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Whether you’re into hiking, biking, fishing, or simply spending time in the fresh air, there are many options in and around Meridian. Here are some of them:
- Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park – It is a popular spot where you can find walking and biking trails, and picnic areas to spend quality time. It’s also home to a splash pad and playgrounds, making it an ideal spot for families.
- Boise River Greenbelt – If you love riverside activities, you must visit Boise River Greenbelt. This 25-mile trail runs along the Boise River and offers beautiful views and scenery, which makes it perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, and even fishing. In warmer months, you’ll often see locals tubing or kayaking down the river.
- Settlers Park – This is another great spot for sports and outdoor family activities. If you have kids, you can take them here as it features baseball fields, a fishing pond an interactive water feature to splash around.
Great Quality of Life and Community Vibe
Meridian is known for its low crime rates, which makes it a perfect place to retire and raise a family. It gives you access to all the necessary amenities and the safe community makes it feel like home. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, community involvement, or simply a place that feels welcoming, Meridian offers an exceptional living experience.
Along with this, all the neighborhoods are friendly and peaceful, which makes it easier to find your perfect place. Some of the most popular names are Meridian Heights, Kingsbridge, and Lakewood.
Growing Job Market and Economy
Meridian has consistently maintained a low unemployment rate, which makes it a perfect place for people looking for stable job opportunities. According to recent data, the unemployment rate in the Boise metropolitan area, which includes Meridian, was around 2.5% in 2023. Along with this, it features companies from top sectors including healthcare, technology, retail, and construction.
There are many major employers like St. Luke’s Health System and Primary Health Medical Group, which creates a wide range of job opportunities for medical professionals, administrative staff, and healthcare support roles. The tech and retail industries are also growing with companies like Albertsons and WinCo Foods generating many jobs in customer service, sales, and management.
Cost of Living
If you’re wondering why move to Meridian, you should consider the cost of living in this city. As compared to the other growing cities in the US, Meridian is affordable with reasonable housing, utility, and transportation expenses. Here is the breakdown of the major expenses:
- Housing Costs – Housing is the main expense when you’re moving to a different place. The median home price in Meridian is around $480,000. This is higher than the national median but still more affordable than home prices in major cities like Seattle or San Francisco.
- Utilities – To live a comfortable life, you need all the basic utilities like electricity, gas, internet, etc. The good thing is that utilities in Meridian tend to be close to the national average. As per a recent survey, monthly utility costs, which include electricity, heating, water, and garbage, typically run around $160 to $180 for a standard apartment or small home. If you need Internet services, they are about $60 to $80 per month, depending on the provider and speed.
- Healthcare Costs – Healthcare is another important expense you should consider. For a single adult, the average monthly health insurance premium is roughly $350 to $400 without subsidies. Along with this, medical services and procedures are also reasonably priced as compared to other cities.
Education and Schools
Meridian is served primarily by the West Ada School District, which is the largest district in Idaho. Whether you want public or private schools for your kids, it offers you quality education and a range of programs. You have options like Pioneer School of the Arts and Spalding STEM Academy which are known for giving children the chance to explore the arts, science, and technology from a young age. You can also choose private and charter schools like Cole Valley Christian Schools where your kids will get access to K-12 programs that integrate faith-based education with academic excellence.
Cons of Living in Meridian Idaho
Increasing Population and Growing Traffic
In the last few years, Meridian has seen exponential growth. While this population boom brings economic benefits and new amenities, it also comes with its downsides. Since more people are moving here, the number of vehicles is also rising, which is causing noticeable traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
A report from The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) indicated that traffic in the Boise metropolitan area, including Meridian, increased by nearly 40% over the past decade. This has resulted in longer commute times and more delays. So if your work involves frequent traveling, you should be ready for increased traffic and congestion on highways.
Limited Nightlife and Entertainment Options
One of the downsides of living in Meridian Idaho is its relatively limited nightlife and entertainment scene. The city has everything you need to live a comfortable life, from modern amenities to a peaceful environment but it doesn’t have a lot of venues, bars, or concert halls. This can be a problem for people who enjoy a vibrant nightlife or frequent social outings.
The city has a handful of local bars, such as The Curb Bar and Grill and Twisted District Brew Co, which offer a friendly, laid-back environment. However, these are primarily designed for casual evenings and close earlier than venues in larger cities. Apart from this, most venues close by 10 pm, which means you can’t have night parties with your friends and family.
Higher Housing Demand
Meridian offers a safe, welcoming environment, which has increased the housing demand in this city. Since more new residents are moving here, the housing market is becoming competitive and expensive. As of the latest data in 2024, the city has a population of approximately 130,000 residents, up from just around 75,000 in 2010. In 2024, the home price in Meridian reached around $520,000, which is substantially higher than the national median of approximately $430,000. While it’s good for the economy, this increase has made it challenging for first-time buyers or those on a budget to find affordable options.
Harsh Winters
Winters in Meridian can be long, cold, and snowy, which can be challenging for people who come from warm places. The average high in this city is around 37°F (3°C), while nighttime lows can fall to about 24°F (-4°C). So you should expect snow from late November through early March, with the city receiving an average of 20 inches of snowfall per year. This is notably higher than cities in warmer regions but lower than some colder U.S. cities. However, the combination of cold temperatures and snowfall often leads to icy roads, which can make winter driving difficult.
Limited Diversity in Food and Culture
While Meridian has a range of restaurants, the diversity in international cuisine that you’d find in larger cities is limited. According to a local survey, 65% of Meridian’s restaurants offer American cuisine with around 15% offering Mexican food, and less than 10% covering Asian and other international cuisines. This can be a disadvantage for people from different cultures. The good thing is that new restaurants are opening to fulfill the demand for multi-cuisine places.
Conclusion
When you’re moving to meridian, there are many things you need to consider like the neighborhood, safety, etc. Meridian is known for offering a safe, welcoming community, beautiful natural surroundings, and a comfortable lifestyle, which makes it perfect for people of all ages. While some may love the peace and access to nature, others might miss the excitement and amenities of a bigger city. So if you are still asking ‘ Is Meridian Idaho a good place to live’, you should visit the place and talk to the locals to get a better idea. If you want to move, it’s best to hire professional movers to execute everything safely.