Anyone from AZ move to the Boise areas? Or vice versa? (Meridian: fit in, transplants)

[tkmaz]

We currently live in Arizona, as our parents and grandparents did as well.

We're looking to get out of the big city and to a more "hometown" feel as well as four seasons. I can deal with snow if I don't have to deal with 100 degree nights! We have children ranging from kindergarten to junior high and we're not involved in church. That about sums it up in a nutshell.

I'm wondering on comparisons from a former Arizonan or maybe even an Idaho native making AZ their home.

I've been scouring the internet for things that are important to us. Naturopathic medicine, organic food and a strong sense of community ....I've looked into the specialists, entertainment and shopping as well. It seems the Boise & surrounding areas can supply us with what we need, possibly less than we have here....but how many organic grocers do you REALLY need?

The high property taxes.....how do schools in ID rate compared to AZ? So far I haven't had any problems but I do know AZ is pretty low in this area.

We're very interested in the Eagle area and hope to visit in the fall while the kids are on Fall Break.

Thanks for any assistance or opinion anyone might have!

[enigmadsm]

I lived in Phoenix for the majority of my childhood until i was 21 with the exception of living in both Southern and Northern California for a few years.
I'm military and Idaho is where they sent me.
i have been here 8 months now, here are my opinions

When i first arrived, it was gloomy/constant overcast with little snow on the ground (early december). I personally don't mind snow, as i love enjoying the winter sports that come along with it. It seemed like it was overcast nearly everyday (although it wasn't, it was a big adjustment from over 300 days of sunshine a year) which ended around mid april i suppose. Other than the ridiculous cold front i'd say it was upper 30s/low 40s most days and in the low 20s/high 20s at night. I only had to drive to work with snow accumulated on the ground probably a half dozen times.

The spring was nice, 60s for a couple of months, and now i get to listen to everyone bicker about it being in the 90s, when i know just how nice we have it...most days Phoenix nighly low is higher than our high! HAHAHAHA, and our lows are generally in the low 60s upper 50s.

Traffic is a joke, its nothing like Phoenix, so much slower paced and not nearly the conjestion, other than eagle road (at least that i deal with in my commute occasionaly) because there is limited roads going in and out of eagle. But mostly i get held up because of someone deciding to drive 10mph under the speed limit, not conjestion.

They don't have sprouts up here for organic food, but they have TONS of fresh local foods and they have a farmers market every saturday in downtown boise. I'm sure your organic needs will be met up here.
The mall here is very similar to Arrowhead Mall in Glendale, its the only mall in Boise I believe, there are a bunch of local shops downtown worth checking out as well. Boise's downtown, while much smaller i feel is way more vibrant than Phoenix. I mean lets be honest, the only time people go to downtown phx is for sporting/or work. Most of the other activites are kind of on the outer cities of phoenix. I really miss the Kierland area and the Desert Ridge area in NE Phoenix/Scottsale, as well as Old Town scottsdale. I haven't found something that is the same up here, but i DO enjoy downtown boise

Boise also has the river and greenbelt going right through the city, there are nice parks off of it, there is ALWAYS tons of families/people there enjoying the opportunities and playing sports. You can tube the river here just like you can the Salt river in Phoenix.

Overall, i'd say it does have more of a homie/hometown feel, and i was shocked by how nice people generally are here. But after a while it kind of seemed like they were socially nice, but anything more than a chat in public and they kinda steered away. Like the locals all seem to stick with eachother, and us transplants all seem to hang out with eachother i duno it just seems harder to get new people to commit to different ideas/activies like weekend bbq's or an evening out. Don't get me wrong, i've found plenty of people to socialize with and have fun. A lot of younger families with young kids which works out great for my wife, son, and myself.

Lastly, professoinal/collegiate sports....Its aweful here, i don't care who tries to argue the opposite or advocate for BSU football, i am completely dissapointed in the sports here. I enjoyed going to Arizona cardinals, Diamonbacks, Suns games, and ASU basketball and football games.
Here you have a Single A baseball team, roller derby, semi-pro/amatuer hockey, and BSU football....this may not be important to many people, or you in general lol, but i just had to throw it out there, because i was crushed and this fall i will dearly miss the PAC-10 football games i regularly attended.

I don't have any input on the education system, my son is only 2 so we are not dealing with that quite yet, also eagle is a fantastic area. Many people who move from California or a lot of the west coast seem to move there. I also like the Northend area a TON!!! its right by downtown, at the base of the mountain, trees everywhere, little shops etc...its a lil more expensive than everywhere else though imo.

Oh yeah, even though they lack pro sports, there is a lot for children and adults to get involved in. they have a bunch of soccer, volleyball, football, basketball leagues etc. pick up games at the parks a lot, plenty of performing arts studios etc etc etc. I do miss hiking local mountain like squaw peak and camelback, they seemed to be the perfect size/difficulty. I haven't really found what i'm looking for up here yet

When I talk to family and friends back home, I tell them I miss the big city vibe, the hustle and bustle. Having access to such a variety of things, the diversity etc etc etc. But in the end i think I prefer it here, because it is FAR more safe. sure each place has its good and bad areas, but as an overall i feel much safer here. I feel like i could leave my front door wide open at night and go to bed without a worry (of course i don't, but in comparison) you aren't required to drive through grimey areas to get somewhere like some places in phoenix that just seem to be unavoidable.
The weather here is better, the scenery is a wash. I like the true desert landscape of phoenix(people will tell you this is desert too, high desert just isn't the same as dirt in your nails and cactus in your yard), if you get on the outskirts of boise its super ugly, i mean at least its not all flat, but its just sage everywhereeee. Closer to the mountain and downtown its trees/grenery gallore and i enjoy that.
I think I would prefer to live in Boise over Phoenix (this whole time i've been assuming you are from Phoenix, you just said AZ so my apologies if you are relocating from elsewhere)

[tkmaz]

Originally Posted by enigmadsm

I really miss the Kierland area and the Desert Ridge area in NE Phoenix/Scottsale, as well as Old Town scottsdale. I haven't found something that is the same up here, but i DO enjoy downtown boise

These are actually our stomping grounds, we're in Scottsdale though I grew up in the Glendale area. And yes, Kierland and Old Town WOULD be missed!

Thank you for your reply, it was really good to get your opinion as what we have here in the Phoenix areas....I'm unsure it can be replicated. The history, the big city and the desert. We just drove through Nevada & I'm sorry, but no desert is as beautiful as the Sonoran Desert, especially in the spring!

The way of life in Scottsdale can be very materialistic, and self absorbed. I would like to find a way to put some more meaning into my childrens lives, something I hope community can help with. Who got a Prada bag for their 12th birthday is NOT what I want my kids around!!! As for locals sticking together - I can see that, I don't blame them! I guess if we chose Eagle we'd be surrounded by transplants and it might be an easier transition in that area.

[enigmadsm]

I hear you on the materialistic things, I'm pretty sure when my younger sister was in elementary school all her class mates (or what seemed like that) had cell phones, coach shoes, gucci purses/sunglasses etc...It was really tough for her to try to fit in sometimes...She's a social butterfly and does great, but it was almost a necessity to "keep up with the jones's" and give in to buying her some of those outrageously priced items.

I haven't noticed it as much up here, not to say it doesn't exist. But i feel like the northwest doesn't try to flaunt what they have as much as in Scottsdale or Southern California. I don't see 03234985324 Mercedes, BMWs, Bentleys, Porsches on the road everyday now...I don't pull into Kierland seeing a Rolls Royce or back to back Lamborghini's anymore. In fact I don't think I have seen ANY ferrari/lambo's etc up here.
Theres definetly money up here, but people choose to use it in different ways i think. (not a fact, just my view thus far)
I'm sure when you visit in the Fall you will find what areas attract you guys the most, and where you feel like you may fit in!
After reading my original reply, i'd have to say i'm a bit of a rambler. I guess that's what happens when you work 12hr night shifts hahaha

[boisefan88]

Believe me, that stuff is up here just as much as anywhere else. Simply because of the population differences you might not see it as much, and as the wages up here aren't as high helps keep it down a bit, but the "keeping up with the Jones'" materialism is alive and well in the Treasure Valley, and especially Meridian and Eagle.

[enigmadsm]

I hear what you are saying, i even said it exists up here...But until you experience living in Scottsdale or Orange county, the two largest populations of exotic cars and high priced fashion there is nothing in comparison. My wife wears many of the brands mentioned in this post, they have a few stores to cater to that in Boise also, but its just not the same. And i know eagle has a ton of money, there are plenty of people driving around in their expensive cars and armani sunglasses, but again its not the same as pulling into a starbucks where 3 ferraris are parked out front, and every other car in the lot is at LEAST a BMW or Mercedes...its like to them just driving a Honda Civic its ridiculous!!!!! (controlling what jealousy i may have hahaha)

The city of Scottsdale in itself has a population 250,000 so the population differences are not much. I'd venture to say the land size of Scottsdale itself is probably similar to that of the Boise/Ada county area.

Ive seen GROUPS of $500,000+ cars driving down the road on a regular basis, or working at a store in kierland where people come in and drop 5,000 cash on clothes just because...Its really just insane! With the amount of money/celebrities/athletes that live in the region i don't think many cities in America flaunt what they have as much as Scottsdale. not even a little

[tkmaz]

I think materialism is everywhere...but there's a LOT in Scottsdale, LOL! enigmadsm is pretty right on the money with the description & I'm just not very proud to live here sometimes because of it!
My family didn't have much growing up & now we're right in the middle of something that doesn't sit well with me. A million dollar home in Scottsdale gets you a 20 yr old house on less than an acre. No fair!

My daughter is in junior high and girls are wearing $300 jeans...why? They will grow out of them & their parents will have to drop another $300. It seems so silly to me when I can get jeans at Old Navy for $20 on sale.

Turns out I'm a rambler too!

I want fresh air (which I checked and it IS fresher in Idaho!), I want room for my dog and kids, I want to garden (I don't want the heat to rob me of my tomatoes anymore!), I want to look out my window at Christmastime & see snow!

[grmi66]

Maricopa county is the county that sends the most transplants to Boise (but more overall transplants come from California).

When it comes to schools, this might just be my experience. In Phoenix all of my kids teachers were older than me, so that tells me that they have 20+ years of experience. In the Meridian district, most of my kids teachers are just 2-5 years out of college.

Boise is a great place to live and I have found that Phoenix is a great place to visit 1-2 times a year to see major league sports and go to decent restaurants. So I would rather live here and just visit Phoenix.

[mortgageboss]

Moved from Page AZ to Idaho years ago. It was a great move. I love the Treasure Valley and Idaho.

[jwest09]

Lived in Mesa AZ. for 20 years moved to Boise to be close to family.
As far as cost of living in Boise compared to Mesa AZ: Property taxes almost twice as high in Boise over Mericopa county in AZ.??? Housing and rent the same. Heating and cooling, the same, because of the price of winter gas heating. Idaho Power electricity is a lot cheaper than SRP in AZ. Food the same, car insurance cheaper, car registration a lot cheaper. Auto. gas higher.
My wages in Boise are lower than I was making in Mesa, so it is a bit harder to make ends meet, for me in Boise, than Mesa AZ.
Other differences moving to Boise, is less street lighting, LONG traffic lights, little shopping in the new housing areas. Cloudy during the winter, and cold chilly wind.
But the summers have temps. in the 90's and a few days with 100's. So I like Boise better in the summer. But I to miss the AZ. Diamondbacks and Cardinals.