Moving to Star, Idaho — Small-Town Living Without Being Far Away

If you're thinking about moving from Washington to Idaho, Star offers a different version of Treasure Valley living.

Star is growing quickly, and there's a tremendous amount of new construction happening around it.

But compared with Meridian, Nampa or Boise, it still feels like a smaller community.

That's a big part of the attraction.

You can live in a newer home, have access to the Boise River and open country, and still be within reasonable reach of Eagle, Meridian and Boise.

For buyers coming from Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, Sumner and other Western Washington communities, Star may feel familiar in another way:

You're not necessarily moving to Idaho because you want to live in the middle of a large city.

You may want some room, a quieter setting and a little more separation from the busiest parts of the metro area—without feeling completely disconnected from them.

What Could the Money From My Washington Home Actually Buy Me in Star?

Let's take a look.

What Can Your Budget Buy in Star?

Star has experienced substantial residential growth, and new construction is a major part of today's housing market.

You'll find everything from smaller new homes and townhomes to large single-level homes, RV garages, master-planned communities, foothill properties and custom homes on larger parcels.

The price point is generally higher than Caldwell or Nampa, but the housing choices can be very different.

Inventory changes constantly, so these aren't promises of what will be available on any particular day.

They're a practical guide.

If something interests you, click the search and see what's available right now.

Up to $500,000

Yes, New Construction Can Still Be Found

Even with Star's growth and higher overall pricing, buyers can still find opportunities around and below $500,000.

Depending on current inventory, you may find:

• Brand-new construction
• Townhomes and lower-maintenance homes
• 3- and 4-bedroom homes
• Single-level choices
• Two-story homes
• Modern floor plans
• Two-car garages
• Newer subdivisions
• Some active-adult community choices

For a Washington buyer who likes Star but doesn't need a huge house or acreage, you don't necessarily need a $700,000 budget to get here.

SEE STAR HOMES UP TO $500K →

$500,000–$650,000

More House and a Lot More Choice

This is where the Star market begins opening considerably.

Depending on current inventory, buyers may find:

• Larger new-construction homes
• Newer established homes
• 3–5 bedrooms
• Larger single-level homes
• Three-car garages
• Larger homesites
• Upgraded kitchens and finishes
• Bonus rooms and offices
• Planned communities
• Some RV parking and RV-garage opportunities

This is also where Star begins showing one of its biggest strengths:

There are a lot of new neighborhoods to choose from.

Some feel more traditional suburban. Others begin feeling more open as you move toward the foothills and edges of town.

SEE STAR HOMES $500K–$650K →

$650,000–$850,000

Bigger Garages, Larger Homes and More Space

This may be one of Star's most interesting ranges for a Washington relocation buyer.

Depending on inventory, you may find:

• Larger new homes
• Custom and semi-custom construction
• Large single-level floor plans
• Three- and four-car garages
• RV garages
• Larger homesites
• Premium communities
• Higher-end finishes
• Foothill settings
• More separation and open space

For someone selling a higher-priced Western Washington home, this is where the comparison can become very interesting.

Maybe you don't need a dramatically bigger house.

Maybe you want a better garage, a newer house, a larger lot and a little more room around you.

SEE STAR HOMES $650K–$850K →

$850,000 and Above

Custom Homes, River Communities and Foothill Properties

Star has developed a substantial upper-end housing market.

Depending on current inventory, buyers may find:

• Custom and luxury homes
• Large single-level homes
• Extensive garage space
• RV garages
• Larger homesites
• Acreage
• Foothill properties
• Views
• River-oriented communities
• Shops and outbuildings on some properties
• High-end outdoor living spaces
• Greater privacy

At this point, the question becomes:

What do you want your Washington home equity to buy you?

More house? More land? A serious garage? A view?

Or simply a high-quality home in a quieter part of the Treasure Valley?

SEE STAR HOMES $850K+ →

A Little of What We Like About Star

Star doesn't need ten tourist attractions to make its case.

That's almost the point.

One of the nicest things about Star is simply the scale of the community.

You have local businesses and everyday services, but you're not surrounded by the level of commercial development you'll find along Eagle Road in Meridian.

And then there's the Boise River.

Star River Walk Park gives residents public access to a shaded walking path along the river, places to fish, picnic areas and opportunities to simply sit near the water.

That's a very different neighborhood amenity from another shopping center.

The Boise River Is Part of Star

The Boise River runs immediately south of town, and I think that's one of Star's underrated advantages.

In addition to the River Walk, Freedom Park has natural areas and two large stocked ponds, along with water access for kayaks and paddleboards.

You don't have to make a major outdoor excursion out of it.

Sometimes it's simply being able to go for a walk near the river, fish for a while or put a paddleboard in the water.

That fits Star.

Star Has Been a Small Community for a Long Time

Star's history goes much farther back than its recent housing boom.

It was one of the earlier settlements in the Boise Valley.

Ben F. Swalley settled roughly 300 acres along the Boise River in 1863, and other settlers followed. Farms in the area provided food and lodging to travelers and miners heading toward the Boise Basin.

A later branch of the Oregon Trail also passed through what is now Star, just south of present-day Highway 44.

By 1880, Star had a post office, general store, blacksmith shops, churches and a schoolhouse.

And there's a great story behind the name.

The early schoolhouse reportedly had a star mounted on the front door, and that star became an important landmark for travelers and eventually helped give the community its name.

That's enough history to remind us:

This was a community long before the subdivisions arrived.

Farming Is Still Part of the Landscape

Star's early economy was heavily agricultural.

Irrigation canals helped make farming possible along the Boise River, and agriculture became an important part of the local economy.

You can still see that history in the landscape today.

As Star grows, new subdivisions sit alongside agricultural land, particularly as you move toward the edges of town and the foothills.

That's part of what makes Star visually different from the more developed portions of Meridian.

Growth is definitely here—but so is some of the landscape that was here before it.

Between Small-Town Idaho and the Rest of the Treasure Valley

This may be Star's strongest selling point.

You're not in Boise.

You're not in Meridian.

But you're also not isolated.

Highway 44 connects Star east toward Eagle and west toward Middleton, while Highway 16 provides another major north-south connection into the Treasure Valley.

Eagle and Meridian provide additional shopping, restaurants, healthcare and employment within reasonable reach.

And Boise is still accessible when you need it.

For someone coming from Western Washington, I would explain Star this way:

You can choose the smaller community without giving up the larger metro area.

There is a tradeoff.

Star is growing rapidly, and roads and infrastructure are having to keep up with that growth. Depending on where you work, your commute should absolutely be part of deciding whether Star is the right fit.

But if you don't need everything five minutes from your house, the trade can be worthwhile:

Less commercial development immediately around you in exchange for a little more small-town feel.

Moving to Idaho as a Veteran?

As a fellow veteran, I understand that moving can involve more than simply finding the right house.

If you're a veteran moving from Washington to Idaho, I can help you look at the move from both sides—from selling your Washington home to finding the right property here in Star.

Whether you're using VA financing, paying cash or another way to purchase, the goal is the same:

Find a home and community that fit the life you're moving here to create.

Maybe that's new construction. Maybe it's an RV garage. Maybe it's a larger lot. Maybe it's being close to the Boise River.

Or maybe you simply want a smaller community while remaining connected to Boise, Meridian and the rest of the Treasure Valley.

SEE STAR HOMES FOR SALE →

CONTACT JOHN ABOUT MOVING TO IDAHO →

Selling in Washington and Buying in Star?

This is where I can offer something a little different.

I'm a real estate broker working in both Washington and Idaho, so I understand both sides of a Washington-to-Idaho move.

If you're thinking about selling your Washington home and buying in Idaho, we can start with what you have now, what you may have available from the sale, and what you'd like the move to accomplish.

Maybe it's a newer home, a larger garage, an RV garage, a larger lot, more space, a quieter community, or being closer to the river and open country.

Or maybe it's simply seeing what the equity in your Washington home could make possible in Star.

You don't have to know exactly what you want yet.

Sometimes the best place to start is simply seeing the homes.

SEE ALL STAR HOMES FOR SALE →

CONTACT JOHN ABOUT MOVING TO STAR →

John Gregory
Washington & Idaho Real Estate Broker
Your Next Chapter Idaho