Let’s be honest: when people talk about renting in eastern Idaho, they’re almost always bragging about how much square footage you can get for your dollar. Three-bedroom townhomes, two-bedroom garden units, luxury apartments with granite counters and stainless steel-those are the stories you hear. But what if you don’t want all that space? What if you just want a cozy, efficient little apartment that’s easy to clean, cheap to heat, and close to everything?
That’s the real hidden story in Ammon and Idaho Falls. Finding a genuinely small apartment-a studio under 500 square feet or a one-bedroom under 600-is harder than it should be. Developers have ignored this niche for years. But if you know where to look, there are gems out there. Here’s how to find them.
Why Small Apartments Are So Hard to Find
Most new construction in Idaho Falls and Ammon leans heavily toward two-bedroom floor plans. Walk into any new complex-places like The Reserve at Snake River Landing or The Falls at 17th-and you’ll see spacious layouts meant for families or roommates. Studios and efficient one-bedrooms are often an afterthought, tacked on at the end of a design phase. That means if you’re hunting for a small place, you’re almost always looking at older buildings from the 1970s and 1980s. Those are the ones with the real “micro” units.
The catch? Those older buildings don’t show up on the first page of Zillow or Apartments.com. They’re usually managed by small landlords who rely on word-of-mouth or a simple “For Rent” sign in the yard.
Where the Hidden Small Apartments Actually Live
Two neighborhoods are your best bet: downtown Idaho Falls (83401) and central Ammon near Hillcrest High School (83406). In both areas, you’ll find older apartment buildings, duplexes, and converted single-family homes that have been split into small units. In Ammon, especially along Lincoln Drive and the side streets off Ammon Road, you’ll spot garages that have been turned into tiny apartments. In Idaho Falls, look near the 10th Street corridor south of Broadway-there are small walk-ups within walking distance of the river and restaurants.
Here’s a tip that’s rarely shared: drive through these neighborhoods slowly. Look for separate mailboxes, separate front doors, or a second driveway. If a house has a fenced-off patio with a gate, it’s often a sign of a hidden rental unit in the back or basement.
The Travel-Nurse Factor
Eastern Idaho’s hospitals-EIRMC, Mountain View, and the VA clinic-draw a steady stream of travel nurses. These folks want furnished studios on short leases, and they’re willing to pay a premium. That demand pushes up the rent on any small apartment within a mile of the medical centers. I’ve seen a clean, updated studio near EIRMC go for $850, while a similar unfurnished unit a mile away sat at $650. If you’re a local looking for a long-term rental, you want to avoid competing with nurses. Mention “long-term lease” or “quiet renter” in your inquiries to signal you’re not going to move every three months.
One Landlord to Know
The most consistent source of small apartments I’ve found is Fall River Realty. They manage a few older complexes near the Greenbelt along the Snake River-Parkwood and Riverview come to mind. These buildings have actual one-bedroom units that clock in around 500 square feet, with decent natural light. They don’t call them “micro” because that’s not a term people use here. You have to ask specifically for their “efficiency models.” Trust me, it’s worth that extra phone call.
Winter Is Your Friend
Nobody wants to move in January. Snow, ice, cold-it’s miserable. That works in your favor. Small apartments are hardest to rent in the winter because people don’t want the hassle. Landlords get nervous when a unit sits empty for two months. I’ve seen landlords of older small units offer $50-75 off monthly rent just to avoid a vacancy through February. Offer to sign a 14-month lease in January, and you often get a deal. Plus, you get to inspect the apartment’s heating during the coldest month-a major advantage.
What to Watch Out For
Small apartments come with small-pocalypse traps. Here’s a quick checklist before you sign anything:
- Check for a real bedroom. Idaho law requires a bedroom to have both a window (for egress) and a closet. If a unit has a big alcove with neither, it’s legally a studio. Some landlords try to call it a one-bedroom to justify a higher rent-don’t fall for it.
- Test the water pressure. In older buildings, small units sometimes share plumbing with the larger apartment next door. Turn on the shower and flush the toilet at the same time to see if the temperature changes.
- Look at the heating system. Baseboard electric heat is common in older small apartments. It works fine, but it can get expensive in January. Ask about average utility bills before you move in.
Rent Realities
What should you expect to pay? Based on my research across the past year:
- A studio under 500 sq. ft. in Ammon: $550-$700
- A one-bedroom under 600 sq. ft. in Idaho Falls (downtown): $700-$900
- A similar unit in a quieter neighborhood (Sunnyside, south Ammon): $600-$800
If you see a small apartment listed for more than $950, it better come with utilities included, updated appliances, and a parking spot that’s shoveled all winter.
Making the Most of Small-Space Living
Once you’ve found your tiny place, you’ll want to use every inch wisely. Idaho Falls and Ammon have a few great resources for that. The Idaho Falls Public Library has a free shelf of home improvement and organizing books. The ReStore off South Boulevard sometimes carries small shelving units and compact furniture. And if you’re looking for a short-term storage solution while you downsize, the U-Haul on West Broadway rents small lockers by the month.
The key is to embrace the efficiency. A small apartment means less cleaning, less heating cost, and more freedom to spend your time exploring the Greenbelt trails or grabbing coffee at The Celt. And honestly, that’s the whole point of living small-it’s not about the square footage, it’s about what you do with the space you have.
So get out there. Drive those side streets. Ask the old landlords about their “efficiency” units. And remember: in a market obsessed with size, the best small apartment is often the one nobody’s talking about.