Hi all. Transfering to Idaho after the first of the year and it was suggested we live in/near Boise. We now live in central IL and the wife likes the shopping you find in Chicago while I like the fishing/outdoors stuff. We are empty nesters so we really can live anywhere.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
If you were moving to idaho, were would you live?
Idaho is a big and varied state. Having lived in the Boise area as a kid and lived in Coeur d%26#39; Alene as an adult and worked summers in eastern Idaho here are my thoughts: Boise area - biggest urban area in Idaho, fastest growing area in Idaho, major government and corporate center, Boise State University, warm summers mild but cloudy/foggy winters, close to outdoor receation areas (National Forest, Bogus Basin Ski area, Boise and Payette River systems). Eastern Idaho - major agricultural area of Idaho, Pocatello, Idaho Falls are major cities, large LDS(Mormon) population which tends to mean a more social and political conservative area, warm summers, colder and more snow in winter, close to outdoor recreation. Coeur d%26#39; Alene area - second fasest growing area in Idaho, close to Spokane, Washington (500,000+ population in Spokane area), not as many major government and corporate employers as Boise, mainly service economy based on tourism and local services to North Idaho, mild summers, colder winters with more snow, located at the begining of the Rocky Mountains so great for both summer and winter recreation, three very large lakes provide water recreation opportunites, three ski areas within an hour drive. Bottom line to me is that if employment and income is your major concern, Boise is the area to locate, if year round receation and being in the ';mountains'; then Coeur d%26#39; Alene may be your preferrence. Housing costs are similiar in Boise and Coeur d%26#39; Alene. They are lots of other great areas such as Moscow, Twin Falls, Sandpoint which also are unique and have much to offer.
If you were moving to idaho, were would you live?Hey Baked, welcome to Idaho! I agree with everything the last poster has to say. My caution to your wife is that there is no shopping on the scale of Chicago anywhere in Idaho. There is some good shopping in Salt Lake (3.5 hours from Twin Falls, where I live) but again nothing like what she is used to. I like Boise and would live there except for elderly parents whom I don%26#39;t want to uproot. My fiance loves Coeur d%26#39;Alene.
Is your job something you can do anywhere in the state?
If you have time, you ought to come out and visit, and see what you like best.
Pug
Actually, my job is something I can do anywhere in the PNW, including Utah, NV and northern CA. Boise was recommended and so far, I like what I see.
We%26#39;ve got distant family in the Boise area. Went out for a vacation and hubby fell in love- didn%26#39;t want to go back to Jersey, so the house is up for sale here. We liked the Meridian area because you get a little more for your money and it was full of yuppie-types like us and had a very suburban feel.
A lot of people who work in Boise have homes in Meridian, because houses are less expensive there. One obvious disadvantage to that arrangement is the commuter traffic congestion. Of course if your job situation doesn%26#39;t require being part of that traffic, Meridian can be an attractive choice.
Surprisingly, although the prices of houses have been going up, apartment rents haven%26#39;t. As a renter I can afford to live about 2 miles from downtown Boise.
Ok. I am a bit biased. I have lived in the Coeur d%26#39;Alene area for most of my life. I would highly recommend the area. I have traveled to the Boise area and find the scenery a bit blah. Coeur d%26#39;Alene is a similar climate to Chicago (maybe not as windy). Spokane is 20 minutes away; Seattle 4.5 hours by car. I would disagree with the poster who stated there are more business opportunities in Boise. Coeur d%26#39;Alene is definately a suburb of Spokane, a fast growing (and one of the largest in Washington) metro area. Post Falls (where I live - between Spokane and Coeur d%26#39;Alene) has recently attracted some major businesses such as Buck Knives and Cabelas.
Like I said, I am biased. Just in case you need help with a house..we are selling ours. :)
i love the boise area, but i live in sheer paradise...its a secret!!!
My wife and I are recent transplants to the Boise area. We chose to live a couple of miles north of Star, ID. It is a 40 minute drive to the airport and 35 minutes to downtown Boise. But our environment is rural. I am a part-time teacher at Boise State and do travel as a consultant.
We came from the Seattle metro area. Nice but you can not drive there anymore. My 40 minute commute turned into 2 hours.
Portland is one of our favorite cities (other than Vancouver, BC). We also looked at Camp Sherman, OR, north of Bend in central Oregon.
Boise is great. I think your wife will enjoy it. I know you will like the fly fishing.
Merry Christmas Baked! I grew up in Coeurd%26#39;Alene and now live in Spokane WA, 25 miles from my ';home town';, because of my career choice. My sister lives in Boise close to the airport, so I visit her often. The airport there is the best thing about Boise in my opinion, very organized set up, easy in/easy out. Where would I live? Not Boise! Yes the shopping is better in Boise then in Northern Idaho but with Spokane so close to Coeurd%26#39;Alene area who needs Boise? Spokane has top notch medical facilities, a larger airport and shopping. If I didn%26#39;t have to drive to work every day I%26#39;d live near Sandpoint or Priest Lake, Idaho, beautiful area with great summer and winter recreation. Sorry Boise lovers, lots of nice people there but ';The City of Trees'; is no match for North Idaho! KJ
interesting question, positives and negatives to both. Boise is the hot spot, tremendous recreation ( sun valley, payette river, bruno river area and canyon lands and the salmon river areas) and some improving culture. Strong religous influence, which may or may not suite your taste.
North Idaho is slow and still struggling with the extractive industries, except for the escalating housing prices. Varried recreation, (decent skiing, many lakes) though not a stellar as the surrounding Boise area. Spokane provides the shopping and culture base. However, North idaho still suffers from a lack of appreciation for diversity, of all kinds.
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