Nampa and crime (Boise, Meridian, Twin Falls: insurance, homes, neighborhoods)

[Nirky]

I was seriously considering Nampa area for relocation, but after reading posts about crime, illegal immigrant influx, and gang activity there, I'm reconsidering.

So I'm trying to find out from you guys who actually live or are familiar with the area to tell if it's really as bad as I've been reading on these threads recently.

I grew up in Bay Area, CA, moved in 2002, crime was low where I was, moved here in Kent, WA, crime is higher, insurance a lil costlier, etc. But I don't know how to compare those places I know to Nampa...City-data.com only lists Nampa crime up to 2002...that's old data...

edit: I'm only considering newer housing, $150-$200k, if that makes a difference.

[my3arabs]

Nampa isn't that bad. There is crime and some of it has been pretty bad but it has all been within the older parts of of the Nampa/Boise area. Here in the Twin Falls area we have had some horrible horrible crimes just this past yr but Twin is still a great growing places to live. Nampa is still considered "country" living if you get in the right places. It is beautiful over there and they have tons of things to do and keep kids out of trouble. There is a newer Equestrian Center there that just got done hosting the Sport Horse Nationals. You would also be close to different ski areas.

Property has gone sky high over there in the past few yrs and even the older homes are selling for more that what they are worth. There are some beautiful homes there in great neighborhoods that are on the high end of what you are looking at. If I was you I would call around to Century 21, Remax, Caldwell Banker etc and find an agent that you like and have them gather all the info that you need about crime and such. Try to look for a home that is on the West end of Nampa cuz that is just now starting to be developed into housing.

Traffic is another story over there. The freeway system is in the 15th century with 21st century traffic. I hope that they have plans to widen the whole interstate soon. I hate traveling on it but when we do it is always with a horse trailer or in a huge semi, not fun.

Good luck and I think that you would like it there.

[micrguy]

When I went to Boise to visit, I asked someone who works for a social services agency in Boise if there are any neighborhoods that you can't walk through at night. He said that Boise is really safe, but there are parts of Garden City and Nampa that can be a little unsafe after the sun goes down. I also talked to a guy who has a mail route in Nampa and he said that almost all of the immigrants from south of the border seemed to have settled in Nampa and there are definately parts you want to avoid.

[pinkpalace]

I lived in Nampa for two years, and it wasn't bad. Like my3arabs said, there are parts in central Nampa (the old part of Nampa) that aren't good, but the new subdivisions in Northern and Southern Nampa are fine. There are more hispanics (legal or not) in Nampa than Boise, but Caldwell is even worse than Nampa, if that matters.

That said, there are a few other considerations when looking at Nampa. Northern Nampa is close to the sugar factory, so during the late Fall and winter months, there'll be a not-so-pleasant sugar factory smell. However, Northern Nampa has easier access to I-84 and is in a much better school district (Vallivue).

Southern Nampa also has a lot of new subdivisions and doesn't have the sugar factory issue. However, it's in a bad school district (Nampa school dist.) and is probably 20-30 minutes away from I-84. If you're commuting to Boise for work, you'll be happier living in Northern Nampa and dealing with the sugar factory.

On the other hand, you could just move to Meridian. The Meridian school district isn't as good as Vallivue, but much better than the Nampa school district.

[vintage]

Nampa and the adjoining town of Caldwell is no place to raise children. The illegals from south of the border have taken over the area and the drive-by shooting occurs weekly. One just last night and three the night before. A nonstudent brought a pistol into Caldwell High School to settle a gang related score just yesterday and dropped the gun in the hallway allowing the intended murder to be stopped.
I use to live in Nampa in the 70’s when it was a safe and decent place. In laws still live there but it has become on of the armpits of Idaho.
There are very few drive by shootings in Boise.

[kmharper]

I have no idea what previous posters are talking about. I moved my family of eight to South Nampa two years ago from a beautiful Tustin, California neighborhood, and we all love it here.

The crime talk about Nampa is largely a creation of the media, as far as I can tell.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by my3arabs

Nampa is still considered "country" living if you get in the right places.

Nah, it's suburban living at its finest.

[Dangerous Dave]

Originally Posted by vintage

Nampa and the adjoining town of Caldwell is no place to raise children. The illegals from south of the border have taken over the area and the drive-by shooting occurs weekly. One just last night and three the night before. A nonstudent brought a pistol into Caldwell High School to settle a gang related score just yesterday and dropped the gun in the hallway allowing the intended murder to be stopped.
I use to live in Nampa in the 70’s when it was a safe and decent place. In laws still live there but it has become on of the armpits of Idaho.
There are very few drive by shootings in Boise.

Sounds like they're doing the jobs that Americans won't do.

[cleatis]

I think some of it is that nampa is getting bigger. Nampa doubled in population in just a few years (3 years if i'm not mistaken) so Nampa has growing pains. but also More people statistically means more crimes. so there are more crimes, but crimes per person may not have gotten worse... Does that make any sense?

Nampa absolutely has it's rough neighborhoods and there are some gangs. I know this sounds odd, but the gangs pretty much keep to themselves (they shoot and fight, but it is amongst each other) mostly.

There are good neighborhoods here, plenty of them.

One issue to keep in mind is Meth... There is plenty of meth floating around here. It's better than some places and worse than others, but it is very present to be sure.

[cleatis]

Originally Posted by vintage

Nampa and the adjoining town of Caldwell is no place to raise children. The illegals from south of the border have taken over the area and the drive-by shooting occurs weekly. One just last night and three the night before. A nonstudent brought a pistol into Caldwell High School to settle a gang related score just yesterday and dropped the gun in the hallway allowing the intended murder to be stopped.
I use to live in Nampa in the 70’s when it was a safe and decent place. In laws still live there but it has become on of the armpits of Idaho.
There are very few drive by shootings in Boise.

there are Illegals and there are gangs, But most of the gangs are made up of legal citizens.

but I do agree the area has gotten a bit of a trashy edge on it, mostly in the last 5-6 years.