The old adage ‘tough times don’t last but tough people do’ certainly pertains to the Boise real estate market and Boise real estate agents working in the Treasure Valley today.  But it also might be said that ‘tough times don’t last but great communities do’.  Boise, Idaho’s Columbia Village is a case in point for a great community that continues to adapt to the challenging market conditions.  Designed by prominent local developer Al Marsden and financed by the Simplot S-16 group the 1,000 acre Simplot property coined Columbia Village started in the early 90’s in what was considered ‘out of town’ in south east Boise.  Submitted as a planned unit development it was planned for several recreation centers, schools, parks, business centers, grocery stores and housing for 1,500 families.  Almost two decades later that concept is fully implemented and the resulting resiliency of housing sales in Columbia Village in Boise is impressive.  Commercially Columbia Village is anchored by Albertsons and features hotels, coffee shops, medical facilities and multiple eating establishments. The residential portion of this Boise real estate community is highlighted by a 160 acre sports park that is used year around for soccer, baseball and an assortment of activities including cross country skiing and kite flying.  Indoor racquet ball, work out room and several outdoor pools and tennis courts serve as a meeting place for Columbia Village residents.  An elementary school and junior high school along with a dental facility, assisted living, and several churches give residents the ability to live and walk to needed services.  Columbia Village offers a variety of housing that can be seen in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell or anywhere in the Treasure Valley.  Custom built homes on view rims or garden style homes on 4,000 square foot lots can be found in Columbia Village. Prices from $95,000-$800,000 are available in this community. Less than a 10 minute drive to the Airport, Lucky Peak reservoir or Downtown Boise, Columbia Village is a case study of a good community planning with minimal traffic congestion.    Boise, Idaho’s former single largest private employer Micron is within a mile of Columbia Village and had almost 12,000 employees at its peek.  Now due to difficulties in the computer chip markets have forced Micron to lay off 8,000 employees over the last 3 years. While many communities so close to a major employer facing mass layoffs would have been decimated by such a turn in events Columbia Village continues to defy challenging market conditions.  On pace to close approximately 100 homes in 2009 with an average sales price of $185,334.00 that is within 5 % of the Boise real estate average sold price through December 2009 of $194,000.00.  Columbia Village currently has 46 properties on the market which based off annual sales is an enviable 5 ¾ month supply of homes. 

Columbia Village is a strong example of how good planning, vision and implementing a lasting community with a variety of homes affordably priced can survive in challenging economic times.