Izzy, Let us help you guys find a new home

[PDXnative]

Hey Izzy,
Let us help you find a new home. Anywhere but IDAHO!!!! I really do not think that you will be happy there. Maybe 10 years ago, but not today. I have spoken to a few people who had moved to Idaho from California and hated it and moved to Oregon. Why do you think Idaho is the right fit for you guys? everytime we go over there now we comment... "Wow, what a poo hole this place is".... even my wife who loved living there 10 years ago now cannot stand it.

Tell us your requirements for a new place to live and let us offer suggestions for you and your husband to investigate. Many of us are well traveled and may have been to just the place you describe.

[isabel]

Thanks PDX,

But in the end if hubby still wants Idaho...we will still be pals?

We are looking for a property that we can put a mobile/modular home on, 3 BR, 2 BA, kinda on the outskirts of town on a little property .5 or more. For about $35,000. with road access, approval for modulars, perked for septic. Wooded. Not blazing hot in the summer, hubby works outside. Not to much humidity. Good/Safe schools. Close enough to CA to fly cheap or drive in about 10-12 hours to visit adult kids and relatives. We like kids activities, Plays, the arts, parks, the movies, and shopping within about 40 mins. of where we live.

Close enough to an area for hubby to work as a forklift mechanic. He likes the big companies. We plan to purchase property in about 4 1/2 years. Then develop property and move in 7 years. Two years after purchase of property.

That's about it.

Izzy

[PDXnative]

"Not too hot in the summer"?

Boise was over 100 degrees for a couple of weeks this last summer. I believe my family was saying it was hitting 107 everyday for awhile. Idaho is HOT during the summer and COLD during the winter with inversions that trap the bad smells and ugly sagebrush. There is also not a lot of trees unless you go north about 50+ miles.

Have you looked into Colorado? Or Southern Oregon? Southern Oregon has a nice dryer climate similar to Northern California and not at all like NW Oregon or the coast.

[isabel]

Not to hot means....high humidity and above a 105-113 most summer days. We have low humidity and most summer days are in the high 90's with several weeks being 100-113. So my hot is not everyones idea of hot.

Izzy

[PDXnative]

Our "hot" is hitting high 90's and humidity of 30%

[isabel]

Humidity makes a big difference in the tolerance of heat. I was in Tenn. one summer in June. The air was so thick you could feel the heaviness of it.

Izzy

[Panterro]

DONT MOVE TO BOISE! I lived there and it was nice then now it sucks.. try twin falls.

[Wyoming53]

Izzy, you need to move to Wyoming. Just because. hahaha I could use another neighbor. Never have enough. hahaha

Do you like to camp? Just walk outside, your there. Course, there's dangerous critters out there. Just gotta be respectful of them.

As you can see, it's 3am. Tomorrow is opening day of Elk season so sleep is not an option. hahaha Heading up on top today and set up the tents. Hell, my truck has been loaded for 3 days now. haha Can't tell I'm excited can you? There's just nothing like camping in the snow. We went up last week and cut wood. So we're ready. There's about a foot of snow up there so it's going to be prestine. Can track, don't need to call.

[PDXnative]

Yeah, Wyoming is even better than Southern Idaho.... or as I like to call it.... Ida-hell.....

[Wyody]

Originally Posted by Panterro

DONT MOVE TO BOISE! I lived there and it was nice then now it sucks.. try twin falls.

The potential Twin Falls has is amazing! Ol' "Double-Spud Falls" - has been growing by leaps and bounds. They have a racetrack (NASCAR 3/8 I think). They have a mall - with Home Depot. They have a few of the big stores. They have a very quaint and small downtown - set-up for walking. No driving. Most restaurants. Mostly, one of almost everything. And I haven't stopped in there for a few years!
Sugar-Beets suck!! OMG, they even have them here in Oregon! On the "good" side of the mountains! There's plenty around Twin, less around Boise I think. Twin is neater. Plus, you have access to Jackpot, Nevada - which won't impress you if you don't gamble but will if you like to go to the occasional show. It's also a great area if you like to 4-wheel or bike ... it's Nevada's Badlands with some weird desert-mountain formations - one of which we named "Tijuana John" 'cause it looked like a tilted Sombrero (there was already a "Mexican Hat" somewhere else). You're only about 3 1/2 or 4 hours from Salt Lake. Hasn't been overly expensive but ... Hey ... they're not stupid - prices have probably risen. Also fairly close to Sun Valley and it's access into the Sawtooth Mountains for some of the more spectacular scenery in the Rockies.
Good social-systems and organization stays behind in California when you leave. That West-Coast "Feel Good about People" attitude stays behind as well. Being able to grow a wide variety of stuff in your garden ... stays behind. Having a gigantic lake to go recreate at ... stays behind.
Rabbit hunting - jackrabbits. Risky but plentiful. Bass in the Snake River - a darn decent river in Idaho. Over at Burley, about 40 miles east of Twin, it's wide - fishing-Derbies and everything. Decent enough to swim in if you're obsessed about swimming (I am) - plenty of boating.
I wouldn't call Twin Falls an "A-1" place to live ... but it's on my list of reasonable substitutes. I found some relief from the "outback-nature" in many ways all around the area. That race-track is a pretty darned good one too - for being small.
Boise has become "The Rat Race".
Twin hopes to. I hope it doesn't.

[PDXnative]

Have not been to Twin FAlls in years, but I do not remember seeing any trees. Just a lot of UGLY sagebrush.

[Panterro]

Here are some better pictures..

http://www.twinfallschamber.com/photo1.aspx

But yeah your right.. its is kinda barren.

I have never been to IDAHO FALLS, but I have heard its like old Boise used to be.. you may look into it?

[PDXnative]

I lived in "Old Boise". I really doubt Twin Falls could compare. It is in the middle of nowhere and VERY barren.

[Wyody]

I don't have much good to say about Idaho Falls. It took all I had just to do some PR for Twin Falls!
The Good:
Spud Falls would be a little like living near Alaska. A permanent layer of 2/3 feet of frozen snow. Long, cold winters.
The Snake River runs thru Idaho Falls and the way they've built around it makes it fairly unique and in a way, pretty.
There is no shopping anywhere else around. Most folks in NW Wyoming go to Idaho Falls - this includes the money-folks from Jackson. As a result, Idaho Falls has a little of everything.
From Idaho Falls, you have access into the lower Targhee and into the lower Teton valleys. Access also to the Palisades area near the ID/WY border heading into Alpine and Star Valley.
It's not real far to Dillon, Montana. Whoop-de-Doo.
It's not real far to Pocatello, Idaho. Whoop-de-Doo.
With all of the cold weather thruout the Rockies, I think this little patch of I-15 is about the coldest overall. It's not so much the sub-zero temps that'll get you ... it's that daily melt of snow and ice from roadways that fills the air with humidity ... and that's what'll get you.
Sorry I didn't dwell on the "barren-ness" around Twin ... but within Twin itself, there are plenty of trees ... it's just, if you take one step outside the town-limit sign, you're standing in wasteland ... and hot!
I think Boise has the better weather out of anyplace in Spudville. A bit warmer, a bit lower in elevation - and we've all seen that there are plenty of folks over there who love Boise to this day.
All it ever takes me is one drive-by. YUCK!!! I can tolerate it so long as I know I'm leaving. It's almost like trying to pick a home in Ohio between Cleveland and Toledo - and that's when I would entertain notions of self-inflicted termination!!

[PDXnative]

Originally Posted by Panterro

Here are some better pictures..

http://www.twinfallschamber.com/photo1.aspx

But yeah your right.. its is kinda barren.

I have never been to IDAHO FALLS, but I have heard its like old Boise used to be.. you may look into it?

Oops, I thought you said "Twin Falls" was like old Boise. Actually, I am not sure if even Idaho Falls is any good, either. Big wasteland!!! All of southern Idaho is UGLY and where there is people....they are scary people!!!

[PDXnative]

Izzy, maybe you should check out Jackson. Nice area with TREES!!!. :)

[Panterro]

My sister lives in Spokane WA, and when I went up there I checked out Coeur D'Arlene, and thought it was very pretty. Really a bunch of small towns smacked together.. but it is some place I would consider if I was hell bent on living in IDAHO.

[isabel]

Well I checked out Jackson, Wy...I'm assuming that is the one PDX is talking about. Harsh weather...even right now chances of freezing and snow. I know Boise area gets a little snow, but it melts or freezes depending on temps. Most of the deep stuff is in the surrounding hills/mountains. The summers are not as hot as where I'm at now.

Keep in mind I was raised in the North Bay area of central CA. I now live in a small town about 30 mins. from a large city. Stockton is gang ridden and at the same time there are some very rich areas. Just depends on what side of the city and freeway you are on. North side is a lot better than South side and Hwy 99 side is gangs. I-5 side has some of the richest neighborhoods.

We don't plan on living in town. But about 20-45 mins. from Boise. Or at least on the outskirts. Star, Kuna, Eagle, Emmetts, Horseshoe Bend. But close enough to go to town and enjoy all the things we are use to. Shows, Plays, events, Parks, and lots of shopping:)

I've driven through Boise many years ago. I camped in northern Boise for a few weeks. All of which was about 20 years ago. We took a trip to Canada and came back into the states via Canada/Idaho Border. Drove down through Idaho and then back to CA. During that time much of the roads were gravel.

I have a friend that worked and lived in Boise for a while. He felt Boise was the cleanest city he had ever been in. He also said that you are about an hours drive from beautiful mountains, snow and outdoor activites. It is less than 12 hours from family in CA and it cost $200. for a round trip ticket to fly...direct no stops...the last time I checked.

Land is affordable compared to CA. Lots of colleges in Idaho for the kids later. Even a BYU in Rexburg. I really would like to know more about Moscow, Idaho. Isn't that closer to your area PDX?

Izzy

[PDXnative]

My area? I live in Portland. Idaho is a 6-8+ hour drive straight east depending on weather. The mountains between here and there can be brutal during winter.

I have not been to Moscow. I know it is a college town, but that is about it. But, I do know that the Boise area is not what is used to be and is a crappy place to live now.

Have you considered Central or Eastern Oregon? Bend, LaGrande, Pendelton, Baker City, The Dalles, Hood River, Redmond. All dry areas (compared to Western Oregon and Washington) with 4 seasons and lots of recreation. Bend is a bit pricey now as it is "trendy" for Californians to own a vacation home in the Bend area.

[Wyoming53]

Izzy????? Harsh weather? Never. It can be unkind at times but never harsh. hahaha

Like I tell everybody, it's 70 degrees in my house, it's 70 degrees in my office and I saved up my money and bought a pick em up truck that has a heater.

[MyAzi]

Izzy there are some beautiful areas in Western Idaho... but then it is all your own perspective. I find beauty in the desert but prefer the green... fo now

[isabel]

Azi, haven't seen you around much:) I too enjoy different landscapes. I have been spoiled by CA where you can get it all within a few hours drive. Ocean beach, farmland, pine tree mountains, snow.

izzy

[MyAzi]

I have been busy with work and more work... trying to spend some time with my son here and there and trying to get settled. Forums had to take a back seat for a bit. However now am able to get on here with out HAVING to only work.

CA is nice but keep in mind there are no state taxes here in WA... saves a ton of money! And here you can have all that too. With in a few hours drive.

[isabel]

My Dad lived in Spanaway and I would visit him every year. It was beautiful there but to much rain for me. Love all the green though. Not a whole lot of work for folks in that area.

Izzy

[MyAzi]

The lake Chelan area is really growing right now. More desert there but still pretty.

Personally I love the rain and overcast days. Then that is the reason I moved here!

[isabel]

I have friends that grew up in Washington and most their family lives there. They say once they lived in CA for a few years...all the overcast/rain back in Washington really brought their spirits down...they couldn't wait to get home to the sunshine.

My dad loved it in Washington. Owned five acres on the river and lived very simply. But I know my sibs. had a hard time finding decent work.

Izzy

[Wyody]

Uh, just a note since you're currently discussing Washington State.
If you may be retired or semi-retired or if you know anyone of this ilk that doesn't own their own home anymore, there's a job on/in the San Juan Islands living onsite and managing combination business/storage facility - 2BR with a simple salary. Peace.