Living in Boise's East End

Where is the East End in Boise?

The East End sits on the east side of Boise, between downtown and the foothills, with the Boise River to the south and Table Rock above it. Warm Springs Avenue runs through the middle of it. The neighborhood association's boundary also takes in Fort Boise and Military Reserve. See it on the neighborhood map.

What is the Warm Springs Avenue Historic District?

Warm Springs Avenue is lined with some of the oldest and grandest homes in Boise. The Warm Springs Avenue Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Its homes were built between 1870 and 1940, in styles like Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival.

In 1892, C.W. Moore built a home at Warm Springs Avenue and Walnut Street that became the first home in the United States heated by geothermal water. The Boise Warm Springs Water District, founded that same year, is the oldest geothermal district in the nation, and it still serves homes and businesses in the East End today.

How much do homes cost in the East End?

The median sale price in the East End was about $889,000 over the three months through August 2026, according to Redfin, compared with $595,000 for single-family homes across Ada County. Prices run from smaller older homes on the side streets to large historic homes on Warm Springs Avenue and newer homes up toward the foothills. Text me your budget and I'll show you what it buys here.

What's it like to live in the East End?

The East End is quiet, with mature trees and quick access to the foothills. A few local favorites:

• Table Rock: trails climb from the trailhead by the Old Idaho Penitentiary to the mesa, with views across the Treasure Valley. The mesa closes to all access at sunset.
• The Old Idaho Penitentiary: a prison from 1872 to 1973, now a historic site run by the Idaho State Historical Society, open for tours seven days a week.
• The Idaho Botanical Garden, next to the Old Pen.
• Military Reserve: about 734 acres with trails, a fenced dog park, a bike park, and an archery range.
• Warm Springs Golf Course, a City of Boise course along the Boise River.
• The Boise River Greenbelt along the river on the south side.

What are schools like in the East End?

The East End is in the Boise School District. Roosevelt Elementary on East Jefferson Street is in a brick school built in 1919 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. School boundaries depend on the exact address, so check the assigned schools for a specific home before you make an offer. I'll help you look them up.

What should you check before buying in the East End?

• Historic district rules: in Boise's historic districts, most exterior changes, like new windows, siding, or additions, need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city. Ask before you plan a remodel.
• Geothermal service: if a home is on geothermal heat, ask about the connection, the system's age, and what service costs.
• Older-home inspections: plumbing, electrical, sewer lines, and foundations on homes this age deserve a close look.
• Wildfire risk near the foothills: in 2016 the Table Rock Fire burned more than 2,600 acres and destroyed a home. Ask about defensible space and insurance on homes near the hills.

Who is the East End best for?