Idahfornia (Boise, Sun Valley, Cascade: crime, house, camping)

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by abn

Yes, I've read a lot of threads on this forum and others that have a lot of California bashing in them. I have to say that I'm native Idahoan and I love certain things about California. It is ridiculous to me that so many people in Idaho think that the state of Idaho is so wonderful and there is nothing else like it. To me CA is packed with many beautiful diverse natural areas (Yosemite, Redwoods, Big Sur, Sierras, Joshua Tree, Lake Shasta, etc.....) plus it has some wonderful urban areas along with some beautiful agricultural areas. The state has many, many attractive things about it and that is why so many people want to be there. Yes, I UNDERSTAND it has a lot of problems now due to overcrowding, high prices and large influxes of minorities but let's be real here. CA IS and will always be a desirable place. It is aggravating to me when people from Idaho put themselves up on a pedastal talking about how "the wonderful state of Idaho" is being ruined by Calis. The only reason Calis are coming to ID is because it doesn't have the problems that overcrowdness brings. And why is that? Because until recent times, it has not been as desirable of place to live therefore the population of the state has remained relatively low.
That said, I like Idaho and want to preserve the beauty and quality of life here too but I see no reason to bash CA or Californians. It is nothing but negative and does nothing to help Idaho deal with the challenges of growth. To me, it is not where people are from that matters, but the character of the people and how they will better the community.

I don't think the reason why Idaho has had a low population until recently means that the state was a less than desirable place to live in the past. It is all economics, and Idaho has been and still is a more isolated state, but now Idaho has been discovered. Being a native of Idaho you should realize that the topography of the state has a lot to do with the economics and the total population of Idaho--the state's larger cities are separated by great mountain ranges, huge tracts of forests and canyons, deserts, more mountains, and more mountains. Nature is very in control of the land that became Idaho. Remember there is only one highway that connects North Idaho to South Idaho and that is because of the topopography. Idaho IS one of the most beautiful states in the union. It is just the way it is I don't have a problem with Californians moving here. There will always be people who bash California, just as there are people who will always bash Idaho, and I am sure there are many in California who are naieve and don't know much about Idaho and do bash this state.

[HDL]

Glad to see that some Idahoans understand "our" dilemma and I too abn would like to preserve the beauty and quality of life here in Idaho !!!

Originally Posted by boi2socal

Well, Californians are moving because people are moving into their home from other states, counties, etc. Its a nearly endless cycle that will continue for a long time. Soon enough old time Idahoans will leave Boise for Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Montana, Wyoming, etc...and people will complain about them. I've been treated poorly in Eastern Idaho when it was noticed I had "1A" plates. Its the same everywhere.

Originally Posted by abn

Yes, I've read a lot of threads on this forum and others that have a lot of California bashing in them. I have to say that I'm native Idahoan and I love certain things about California. It is ridiculous to me that so many people in Idaho think that the state of Idaho is so wonderful and there is nothing else like it.

To me CA is packed with many beautiful diverse natural areas (Yosemite, Redwoods, Big Sur, Sierras, Joshua Tree, Lake Shasta, etc.....) plus it has some wonderful urban areas along with some beautiful agricultural areas. The state has many, many attractive things about it and that is why so many people want to be there.

Yes, I UNDERSTAND it has a lot of problems now due to overcrowding, high prices and large influxes of minorities but let's be real here. CA IS and will always be a desirable place. It is aggravating to me when people from Idaho put themselves up on a pedastal talking about how "the wonderful state of Idaho" is being ruined by Calis. The only reason Calis are coming to ID is because it doesn't have the problems that overcrowdness brings. And why is that? Because until recent times, it has not been as desirable of place to live therefore the population of the state has remained relatively low.

That said, I like Idaho and want to preserve the beauty and quality of life here too but I see no reason to bash CA or Californians. It is nothing but negative and does nothing to help Idaho deal with the challenges of growth. To me, it is not where people are from that matters, but the character of the people and how they will better the community.

[_Charles_]

Boise doesn't have that many jobs? What are all of these Californians doing for work?

Some are living off the equity cash from the sale of their home in Cal.

Some have a second income due to a pension from the military or private sector early retirement.

Some are able to work via the internet at their jobs in Cal and now have that salary in Idaho where it goes much further.

Some have the resources to start their own businesses.

The rest are throwing themselves on the mercy of the local economy.

[abn]

Just wanted to make the note that I did not say "Idaho was a less than desirable" place to live. I said it was not as desirable as CA. You make some interesting points about the ruggedness of the nature in Idaho not allowing large amounts of people to inhabitant the state and develop it as much as other areas in the west. But, I still believe that Idaho was not as desirable as CA as a place to live until the last decade when many traditionally popular areas became overcrowded and people started looking at places that they probably would have passed on 10 years ago. I think that is what the phrase "Idaho has been discovered," refers to. Anyway, whatever the reason my main point is that not all native Idaho people are down on CA and what it has to offer. Some of us still see it as the "Sunshine state."

[quote=Syringaloid;2251815]I don't think the reason why Idaho has had a low population until recently means that the state was a less than desirable place to live in the past.

[boi2socal]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

There will always be people who bash California, just as there are people who will always bash Idaho, and I am sure there are many in California who are naieve and don't know much about Idaho and do bash this state.

This is very true. Although I know many Californians that are moving to Boise there are way more that think I probably lived a poverty stricken child hood on an Idaho farm when in fact I grew up in suburban homes not much different than those in California.

I recently took some friends of mine up to Boise. They worked at LAX and their coworkers asked where we were going. Most people replied, "Ewww...I'm sorry," when we told them Boise. Of course, none of those people had ever been to Boise or Idaho. My friends were pleasantly surprised by what Boise had to offer. Of course, Boiseans are very proud, so my mother actually became angered when my friends said they enjoyed Boise but it wasn't the place for them. lol

[RLangben]

I always wonders why people from smaller states complain about californians (not specifically on this thread just around the forum). Then on the contrary their happy to watch our movies filmed here, their happy to use our Mac and HP computers and other assorted products (Mp3 players etc). They use our search engines (google, yahoo etc.) on the daily. Then they turn around and say things like "no good californians, ruining our town".

[DESERTRYDER]

Of course in return The beautifull California people blame those damn Idahoians for the killer potato's that are causing their ass's to swell

[Sage of Sagle]

Look...we all know Idaho's dirty little secret..."Home of Napoleon Dynamite"....ack...

But you know...after moving here and living here my view has shifted...it's NOT about Californians...it's about urban and suburban people that move somewhere rural and then start pushing for suburban amenities which raises everyone's taxes...and they have the "me-first" attitude that's almost a requirement for city living...

Yesterday I saw two things that reinforce why I love it here;
1) Heading down the highway into town, there was a bicycle waiting to cross the highway to the other side, right at the north end of the long bridge. BOTH LANES of the highway stopped to let this guy cross on his mountain bike.
2) Heading through town, it was getting really busy at about 5PM in Sandpoint, and it was obvious the car on the side street wasn't going to get out. Cedar has 3 lanes at this point. I was in the right lane. So even though there were other cars around, I just eased down to 5mph and then waved the guy in. Didn't have to...but I will be on that side street later this week, and I want OTHER people to let ME in if there's traffic.

This "look out for your neighbors and treat people like you want to be treated" attitude is shared by probably 85-90% of the folks around here...we still have our road rage jerks...but they're the random anomaly, not the rule. On my last visit to family in San Diego, after 2 days of driving I-5, I-15, 163, 8, 52, etc...I could have SHOT someone...I've been gone too long...my blood pressure has stabilized in "Idaho mode"....

Point is, it seems like half the people here in NID are FROM CALIFORNIA at some point in their past...but they were people who moved here, assimilated, enjoy the generally libertarian/conservative stance, hunt, fish, boat, swim, bike, ski, sled, etc. And I don't care about someone's politics, as much as I'm concerned with them wanting to force theirs on me...thus the libertarian feel of small government and minimal intrusion up here...

[stingraynm]

Actually, places like those to the South and West of Boise will probably be better off with expansion. West of CdA/Post Falls and West of the Magic Valley are pretty much expected to slowly develop closer and closer to Spokane and Boise, respectively. Most of the areas where development is unwelcome are not expected to develop too much anyway, thanks to protective landowners, designated wilderness areas, or just the infeasibility of developing.

The areas where I can understand the fear of development are all those around ID-55, ID-95, ID-93, I-15, and so on, most of which (but not near enough!) are designated protected wilderness of some kind. Those areas are understandably tempting places to live or build a cabin, but for that same reason Idaho natives don't like people who encroach upon those areas. This is because they're also nice areas to visit and get away from all the urban development and fencing. There are plenty of already developed areas in those regions for your postmodern lodging convenience that Idahoans would rather you leave the rest of the land wild and untouched for the enjoyment of those of us who love Idaho for our penchants for outdoors recreation and nature conservation. If you share that balance of infatuation and respect for the wilderness, then by all means welcome to Idaho and enjoy our budding metropoli and escapes therefrom!

Finally, Idaho may get heavily populated and less safe, but it won't end up like California so long as those who move to Idaho are there to enjoy the escape instead of exploit a new region. Enjoy the reasons it's different than California, 'cause the vast majority of Idahoans (and newcomers) usually do. Californians who want to get away from the issues of their state are certainly welcome in Idaho, and there's even plenty of room for a new home in urban areas if you aren't satisfied with one that's already built.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by Sage of Sagle

Look...we all know Idaho's dirty little secret..."Home of Napoleon Dynamite"....ack...

But you know...after moving here and living here my view has shifted...it's NOT about Californians...it's about urban and suburban people that move somewhere rural and then start pushing for suburban amenities which raises everyone's taxes...and they have the "me-first" attitude that's almost a requirement for city living...

Yesterday I saw two things that reinforce why I love it here;
1) Heading down the highway into town, there was a bicycle waiting to cross the highway to the other side, right at the north end of the long bridge. BOTH LANES of the highway stopped to let this guy cross on his mountain bike.
2) Heading through town, it was getting really busy at about 5PM in Sandpoint, and it was obvious the car on the side street wasn't going to get out. Cedar has 3 lanes at this point. I was in the right lane. So even though there were other cars around, I just eased down to 5mph and then waved the guy in. Didn't have to...but I will be on that side street later this week, and I want OTHER people to let ME in if there's traffic.

This "look out for your neighbors and treat people like you want to be treated" attitude is shared by probably 85-90% of the folks around here...we still have our road rage jerks...but they're the random anomaly, not the rule. On my last visit to family in San Diego, after 2 days of driving I-5, I-15, 163, 8, 52, etc...I could have SHOT someone...I've been gone too long...my blood pressure has stabilized in "Idaho mode"....

Point is, it seems like half the people here in NID are FROM CALIFORNIA at some point in their past...but they were people who moved here, assimilated, enjoy the generally libertarian/conservative stance, hunt, fish, boat, swim, bike, ski, sled, etc. And I don't care about someone's politics, as much as I'm concerned with them wanting to force theirs on me...thus the libertarian feel of small government and minimal intrusion up here...

Couldn't have (and as you know... haven't) said it better myself.

The focus/emphasis is key. It's not by any means that newcomers are bad (or rare, for that matter); rather, that Idaho is just that GREAT as is and the majority of natives/newcomers alike appreciate those who can appreciate that. All those little niceties and leniencies in favor of good will can make a big difference.