If you’re considering moving to Eagle, ID, you owe it to yourself to read this deep dive on Valnova — my top pick for foothills living in the Boise area. I’m Curtis Chism from Living in Boise Idaho & Treasure Valley, and in this article I’ll walk you through everything I covered on my full Valnova tour: the master plan, the trail systems, the amenities, how the homes are built, commute times, pricing expectations, and practical tips if you’re seriously thinking of moving to Eagle, ID.
Table of Contents
- Why Valnova? A Quick Overview
- The Big Picture: Master Plan Details
- Homes and Builders: What’s Being Built and Who’s Building It
- Model Home Tour: A Brookstone Spec I Walked Through
- Phases and Lot Choices: Glen View, Mir Haven, Lindale
- Education, Services, and Public Amenities
- Practical Considerations Before You Commit
- Pricing Snapshot and Value Expectations
- How I Help Buyers Who Are Moving to Eagle, ID
- Timeline: When Will Valnova Feel “Complete”?
- FAQs About Moving to Eagle, ID: Valnova-specific Questions
- Final Thoughts — is Valnova Right for You if You’re Moving to Eagle, ID?
Why Valnova? A Quick Overview
Valnova is a 6,000-acre master planned community inside the City of Eagle that aims to deliver exactly what many people move to Idaho for: foothills access, miles of trails, and wide-open views — combined with modern neighborhood amenities. Over the next 10–20 years Valnova is expected to bring roughly 7,000 homes online, a large mixed-use village, parks, pools, and even a championship golf course. If moving to Eagle, ID for foothills access and an active outdoor lifestyle is your priority, Valnova is built with you in mind.
The Big Picture: Master Plan Details
Here are the headline numbers and features you should know about Valnova:
- Size: 6,000 acres total.
- Homes planned:~7,000 over multiple decades.
- Open space: 40% preserved as green space and trail corridors.
- Commercial space:~240 acres for mixed-use development (shops, restaurants, services).
- Recreation: An 18-hole championship golf course, pools, ice rink, amphitheater, numerous parks and miles of trails.
Forty percent open space is massive — it’s a major differentiator compared with many other Treasure Valley neighborhoods. That means long, connected greenways and preserved hillsides rather than squeezing houses into every inch of a parcel.
Location and commute: Where is Valnova relative to the Treasure Valley?
Valnova sits in the foothills north-west of central Eagle. Right now the main vehicle access is Highway 16. At present:
- About 30 minutes to downtown Eagle.
- Roughly 40–45 minutes to downtown Boise depending on traffic.
- About 45 minutes to the airport today, though future road connections should shorten that.
Once Linder Road connects down to Beacon Light and the planned overpass and additional access points are built, expect commute times to drop — possibly shaving 10 minutes or more from trips into the valley. If you’re planning on moving to Eagle, ID and commuting daily, factor in the current access but keep an eye on the Linder connection progress.
Amenity highlights: What you can expect to enjoy
Valnova is being built as a full-service, amenity-forward community. Here are the features that stood out to me personally when I toured the site and model home:
- Glencara Greenway — a paved, multi-use greenway connecting neighborhoods and linking to the greater Eagle trail network. Expect paved portions as well as singletrack into the foothills for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
- Village Town Center — 240 acres of commercial mixed-use space designed to host coffee shops, restaurants, services, retail, and community events. It’s envisioned like Meridian’s Village but more tailored for Valnova residents.
- Recreation Center & Pools — a 2½ acre recreational pool and a clubhouse are planned; the developer plans to install these early so amenities are available as residents move in.
- Seasonal action: Summer bike lift to take riders up the hill, and in winter a “magic carpet” tubing hill.
- Sports courts: Pickleball and tennis courts planned across the community.
- Amphitheater: Village Park amphitheater for concerts, movie nights and community gatherings.
- Golf: An 18-hole championship golf course for residents and guests.
That combination of daily conveniences (coffee, dining, shops) with outdoor recreation right outside your door is what makes Valnova attractive for families, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts. I told my wife about the amphitheater and ice rink — her immediate response was “when are we moving there?” — and I see why.
Trails, wildlife, and outdoor access
If you moved to Eagle, ID for outdoor life, Valnova delivers. The Glencara Greenway is just one paved multi-use corridor — connected trails run into the foothills and tie into the Eagle trail system. Expect:
- Miles of hiking and biking trails (paved + natural tread)
- Equestrian-friendly routes in certain sections
- Wildlife sightings — deer, antelope, raptors, and yes, even badgers. Coyotes exist in the foothills so secure fencing and vigilance with small pets is important.
Homes and Builders: What’s Being Built and Who’s Building It
Valnova intentionally includes a broad mix of housing types and builders so the neighborhood can serve a wide range of buyers. Highlights:
- 13 hand-selected builders — mostly local builders, with one national builder included.
- Seven custom-home builders among that group; several builders will build both custom and spec homes.
- Home types: Townhomes, twin homes (single-family with a shared wall), midsize single-family homes, and large custom estate homes up to 3,000–4,000+ sq ft.
- Lot sizes: From fairly compact lots up to one-acre lots in certain phases (Glen View is where you’ll find the larger 1-acre options initially).
- Pricing expectations: Townhomes roughly $400k–$500k, twin homes around $600k, single-family starting near $800k and up, and custom estate homes stretching into the millions for large acreage lots with long views.
An important buyer-friendly note: at least for now, the developer has no separate lot premiums on top of the published home price — which means fewer surprise add-ons when you’re comparing new-home pricing. That could change over time, so be sure to ask your agent for the current pricing policy if you’re moving to Eagle, ID and considering Valnova.
Model Home Tour: A Brookstone Spec I Walked Through
I toured a completed Brookstone home in Valnova to get a real sense of finishes, layout, and build quality. Here are the key takeaways from that walkthrough — useful whether you’re looking at a spec or planning a custom build:
Exterior and garage
The Brookstone home presented a modern farmhouse exterior with white stone, vertical siding details, and a welcoming double French door entry. Notably, the garage layout here is a functional four-car arrangement made of two two-car garages meeting at a right angle, creating a large central storage area — ceilings step from 10' to 12' with a 10' tall garage door on one side capable of housing a Sprinter or Class C van.
Entry, mudroom, and laundry
Entry is thoughtfully designed: laundry immediately inside the entry (space-saving), a mudroom/owner’s entry with built-in bench and storage, and a linen closet. Electric dryers are standard here — Idaho’s electricity is inexpensive, so electric appliances are common and cheap to run.
Open living, kitchen, and dining
The main living area is open and bright with roughly 11-foot ceilings in the living room, faux beams, and a fireplace clad in the same white stone as the exterior. The kitchen island was a show-stopper: an island near 6' wide and roughly 11–12' long with abundant storage underneath. Full-height cabinets, black hardware and fixtures, and a full quartz backsplash extending to the ceiling give a clean, cohesive look. Brookstone included a double-oven setup and durable luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring throughout main living spaces.
Office / flexible room
One of the features I loved was the oversized “office” — roughly 14x16'. These rooms are being used in so many different ways by buyers: a formal office, media room, pool table/gaming space, or even a primary living TV room — some buyers move the TV here and turn the main living space into a conversation area. A sliding barn door is used for space-saving and style.
Pantry and practical features
Small but user-friendly details caught my eye: the pantry included a full shelf with eight GFCI-protected outlets — perfect for an appliance garage with a microwave, air fryer, or mixer. The home also includes a “smurf tube” (cable conduit) from behind the TV to the entertainment cabinet to hide HDMI and AV cables — little conveniences that save annoying wiring clutter.
Master suite, bathroom, and closet
The master suite was thoughtfully sized — comfortable for a king bed with coffered ceilings stepping up to ~11'. The bathroom included dual vanities with full quartz, driftwood cabinetry, black fixtures, and a fully tiled, walkthrough shower/bathtub area that intentionally avoids glass for easier cleaning. The walk-in closet was generous. The builder used Pella windows in this model — a step up from the more common economical window choices you see in many spec homes.
Conditioned crawl space
Unlike slab-on-grade construction common in many coastal markets, this home uses a conditioned crawl space — no vents, and conditioned air pulled from the home into the crawl space. Benefits include:
- Warmer floors in winter
- Improved moisture and pest control
- Better energy performance for HVAC
Backyard and views
The backyard was fully landscaped and offered a pleasant view of maintained green space and nearby hills. Keep in mind lot depths vary widely in Valnova — some spec homes sit on modest lots with retaining walls and small backyards, while other lots offer expansive valley or foothill views. Examine plat maps and walk lots in person; a plot can look generous on paper but feel much smaller when you’re standing in the yard next to a concrete terrace wall.
Phases and Lot Choices: Glen View, Mir Haven, Lindale
Initial buildout focuses on three named phases:
- Glen View — larger lots for semi-custom and custom homes (1-acre opportunities here).
- Mir Haven — more midsize single-family homes and potential townhome pockets.
- Lindale — smaller single-family lots, duplexes, and townhome-style products.
As additional phases open you’ll likely see more large-lot custom opportunities come online. If you’re moving to Eagle, ID and want acreage with long views, Glen View and future phases are where to focus.
Education, Services, and Public Amenities
The plan includes:
- Four elementary schools planned within the community.
- Two fire stations and a police presence for public safety.
- A community library and multiple parks: one regional park, five community parks, and 13 neighborhood parks.
Developers are installing many of the larger amenities (pool, clubhouse, some parks) early in the build to ensure a quality resident experience from the start rather than waiting until large HOA bases are established.
Practical Considerations Before You Commit
If you’re seriously thinking about moving to Eagle, ID and Valnova in particular, here are some practical things to keep in mind:
- Access today vs. access tomorrow: Right now access is primarily via Highway 16. Road expansions and an eventual overpass and Linder Road connection will improve commute times, but expect current travel times until those are completed.
- Lot variance: Be careful when buying from plat maps alone — homes can have dramatically different lot depths and views even within the same street.
- Wildlife & pets: Wildlife is part of the foothills lifestyle. Coyotes are present, so small pets need supervision. Chickens are not allowed per HOA rules.
- HOA & timing: Amenities are being built early but HOA structure and dues will factor into long-term ownership costs — ask for the governing documents and Amenity funding plan.
- Builder selection: With 13 builders and several product types, you’ll want an agent who knows which builders offer the warranties and upgrade paths you value. I have experience helping buyers navigate those choices and negotiate options/credits.
Pricing Snapshot and Value Expectations
Here’s a ballpark guide for Valnova product lines as I reported them during the tour. These are market-direction estimates — exact pricing will depend on builder, lot, finishes, and timeframe:
- Townhomes: $400,000–$500,000
- Twin homes (single-family with one shared wall): ~ $600,000
- Single-family spec homes: starting around $800,000 and up
- Large custom homes on acreage: $1.5M–$2M+ depending on size, finish, and views
Remember: some spec homes are already nearing availability, but a substantial number of inventory homes will come online through 2026 and beyond. If you’re moving to Eagle, ID and plan to buy new construction in Valnova, early engagement with builders and buyer representation can help you secure incentives, appliance packages, and favorable upgrades.
How I Help Buyers Who Are Moving to Eagle, ID
As someone with a master’s degree in construction management and a background helping buyers in California and the Treasure Valley, I work with clients to:
- Identify which phase and product best match goals (lot size, commute, views).
- Compare builders objectively — warranties, energy packages, included upgrades, and Pella or other premium windows.
- Negotiate the best price, incentives, and appliance/upgrade packages for spec or custom builds.
- Walk through the construction and punch-list process if you build custom — I can help you avoid costly oversights.
Timeline: When Will Valnova Feel “Complete”?
This is a long-term, generational development. Fully built out, Valnova will likely take close to two decades. However, major community amenities like the village core, pools, and several parks will be phased in earlier — the recreational pool and associated amenities aim for the 2026 summer season in many packages. If you’re moving to Eagle, ID in the next year or two, you’ll see an increasingly usable community feel as homes come online and shared spaces open.
FAQs About Moving to Eagle, ID: Valnova-specific Questions
Is Valnova a good choice for families with school-age children?
Yes. The plan includes four elementary schools and substantial park space. As neighborhoods develop, school assignments and capacity will evolve, so check current school boundaries and projected openings before buying.
How long is the commute to Boise and the airport from Valnova?
Currently expect 40–45 minutes to downtown Boise and about 45 minutes to the airport. Commute times will improve once Linder Road connects and the planned overpass and access improvements are complete.
Are there townhomes and affordable options in Valnova?
Yes. The product mix includes townhomes (entry-level product around $400k–$500k) and twin homes roughly in the $600k range. There’s breadth of options for varying budgets.
Can I custom build on an acreage lot in Valnova?
Absolutely. Glen View and other phases include one-acre lot opportunities and semi-custom/custom builders are part of the community. Contact builders early if acreage is your priority.
Will amenities like the pool and village be open before many homes are built?
The developer has prioritized early amenity build-out. Many shared facilities are planned to be installed ahead of large home counts so residents can use them when they move in.
Are chickens or farm animals allowed?
Chickens are not allowed under current neighborhood rules. Pets like dogs and cats are permitted, but be cautious with small pets because of local wildlife.
Is there an HOA fee, and what does it cover?
Yes, HOA structure exists to cover common area maintenance, trails, parks, and shared amenities. Fee levels vary by product and will be provided in governing documents; expect HOA dues to grow when facilities open.
Final Thoughts — is Valnova Right for You if You’re Moving to Eagle, ID?
If your move to Eagle, ID is driven by a desire for foothills access, miles of trails, a walkable village, and a range of home types from townhomes to multi-acre estates, Valnova stands out. It blends the outdoor lifestyle so many people move here for with modern conveniences and a community-first design.
On the flip side, understand that it’s a multi-decade buildout and access improvements are still under construction, so plan your commute expectations accordingly and check phases carefully for lot sizes and views before you buy.
If you’re seriously moving to Eagle, ID and would like help navigating Valnova — whether you’re looking for a spec home, a twin home, a townhome, or a custom build on acreage — reach out to me at (208)-510-0427. I help buyers compare builders, negotiate incentives, and manage the build or purchase process so you get the right home at the right terms. I’d love to help you find your foothills home in Valnova.
