There's at least one city in Idaho that's moving along faster than a hot potato. That little Midwestern gem is Nampa, an old railroad town located 20 miles west of big sister town Boise. In fact, the city is broken up into sections based on the railroad tracks.
The name of this vastly growing and recreationally fun-filled city comes from the Shoshone word for footprint. With an ever changing landscape and a rich American history, there is no reason to doubt that Nampa lives up to its name, forever leaving an impression on those who choose live here.
With a range (pun intended) of activities to choose from, life in Nampa is anything but flat (okay, we reached for that one). Head north for skiing, head west for football games or head a few blocks over for shopping, hiking, dining and a ton of entertainment. Whatever you do, just head to Nampa.
Idahome: Figuring out the Neighborhoods:
The cost of living in Nampa is relatively cheaper than most places in the U.S. and about equal to living in the neighboring city of Boise. Of course, rental fees will fluctuate depending on which part of the city you choose and knowing which one to choose is all about knowing your own preferences. We’ve got ya covered. Read on to find out where you belong in this small city with a big heart.
Downtown: Downtown Nampa is full of history, as well as shopping, dining and year round city events. This part of Nampa has everything you could need from florists to hardware stores. The area has a new library and public art. The homes here tend to be older and the apartments can be described as quaint, some even featuring park benches and gardens. Apartments in downtown Nampa put you in close proximity to all amenities and complexes feature private patios, garages and 24 hour maintenance.
West Nampa: Close to Mercy Hospital, the Nampa Rec Center and the freeway (I-84), the west side of Nampa has plenty of parks (and a greenbelt) for outdoor activities. Renters here enjoy apartment living in a suburban area. Many apartments here feature pools, playgrounds, washer/dryer in the unit, walking distance to shopping (grocery and even a Target!) and laid-back communities.
North Nampa: This end of town is located on the other side of the tracks…but here, that's simply a form of speech. There are many apartments in the area that are spacious (think vaulted ceilings and garden tubs). Homes here tend to be spacious as well (most about 3 bedrooms) with large front yards . The area is also prime for shopping, close to I-84, downtown and entertainment. North Nampa is a few minutes outside of downtown Nampa or neighboring Boise.
Getting to Know Nampa:
Surviving here is fairly easy. The people are friendly and the landscape is beautiful. However, there are a few things to know about life in Nampa:
Nampa is small but it gets down. The Idaho Center is located here, as is the aptly named Nampa Center. Both of these venues host a solid handful of concerts & festivals and they're the best places to see a show in the city.
Nampa may give off sleepy town vibes but it's anything but. Minutes from skiing, rafting, climbing, hiking and any other outdoor activity you can think of (seriously, you can’t stump them), Nampa is THE place to be for the outdoorsy type. There’s also something called the Snake River Stampede…intrigued yet?
It gets nippy in Nampa! The weather here is extreme. Summers can be HOT and winters are chilly, snow has happened. Be prepared and make sure your new home has a fully functional air conditioning and heating unit.
Alright, those are the basics. This is Nampa in a nutshell. It’s small town but it’s a mover and a shaker. A small fry but a hot potato. Grab your gear and jump into the fryer. Welcome to life in Nampa!