Ahhh, Meridian - that little city outside Boise that is now all grown up. Before moving here 10 years ago I had never visited the Treasure Valley. Our family moved to Idaho from Tennessee and we had no idea what to expect. Idaho friends on Facebook said Meridian was the place to raise kids. We flew in and found ourselves in love with an incredible community.
Since then, Meridian has completely transformed. One of the most sought-after places to live, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Extraordinarily convenient, almost any business or service is offered, or you’ll probably find it in a quick drive to Boise or Nampa.
Meridian is experiencing growing pains along with the rest of our valley. This growth has sadly pushed out some of the charm of the city. Barns and historic homes have found their demise in the rise of ever-spreading neighborhoods. Current home prices are unprecedented. The issue of traffic is yet to be resolved.
However, the true pull of Meridian has stayed intact. While no community is perfect, I’ve witnessed an incredible caliber of people here. Meridian is full of genuine smiles and residents with a true “owner” mentality. People don’t usually come here with the intention of leaving. This is where people call their home. They own their relationship with Idaho. And as such, they are investing in the community here.
Amongst the swathes of homes are countless parks, walkways and places for social gatherings. During non-pandemic times, community events are plentiful, from Meridian Art Days to Free Movies in Settlers Park. We boast one of the top 10 water parks in the nation. Our libraries are nationally recognized. We have amazing and varied local food options. Kids play in the streets.
If the culture of a place is a reflection of the people who inhabit it, Meridian deserves the highest praise: I choose to raise my family here.
Editor's note: Natalie Plummer (@HelloMeridian) dedicated herself to discovering fantastic things about Meridian after moving here 10 years ago. In 2016 she launched Hello Meridian, a social media marketing company, and recently started the Boise Bubble Podcast with husband Shane. The city of Meridian named Hello Meridian a 2020 Small Business of the Year award winner, honoring Plummer’s work supporting local businesses and the police department during the pandemic.