Should I Move from Washington to Meridian, ID? (Boise: apartment, condo)

[aeroz]

I currently live in Vancouver, WA, just north of Portland, OR (not in Canada), and I am considering moving to Meridian, Idaho. Does anyone here live there or know anything in particular about it?

I have been browsing through home listings and was amazed by the low prices. Are prices going to jump pretty high soon? My price range is up to $200k for a home, and it looks like you can get a pretty good home for that price in Meridian, Idaho.

Why I'm Tired of Vancouver, WA:
Here in Vancouver, WA, $200k would get you a dumpy home or a very tiny condo that is jam-packed in 3 feet away from the neighbors. The way Vancouver, WA has been going the past few years is to jam pack them in as tightly as possible. The neighbors are always around you--no escape. No privacy. And no street parking. I can only afford a jam-packed townhome with a one-car garage and a 3-foot wide driveway (slight exaggeration, but you get the point). That, or a dumpy old home thats behind on maintenance I cannot afford, or a tiny cramped apartment. And I run my business out of my home, so I need more space inside the home.

Reasons for Moving, in Order:
1) Sick and tired of the gray, gray, gray skies and the rain, rain, rain. Need more sunshine!!
2) Need less humidity. I am very sensitive to humidity.
3) Need lower-priced homes for good/decent/nice quality. This means new construction (2000 or later, 3 BDRM, 2 BATH, at least 1,300 SQ FT)
4) Need more space, inside the home and out. Specifically, we need access to a two-car garage and extra street parking.

Concerns With Moving:
My boyfriend will be moving with me. He has a job in information technology in a city south of Vancouver, WA. Jobs in information technology are plentiful around the Portland-Metro area, within 45 minutes of where we live. However, I am concerned that the Boise area will lack information-technology jobs, or pay significantly less. Currently he makes about $40k and I make $30k, but I can work anywhere; I am self employed and own my business.

Other Concerns:
My boyfriend and I are both liberal independents with Democrat leanings. We know that Idaho is Bush country. Will we be surrounded by Bush-ites and have to endure extreme conservatism?

Based on all that I have put down, is Meridian the right place to move?

[aeroz]

I should have said Treasure Valley, not Meridian. I would like to be someplace that has a lower population density and less development than Vancouver, WA. Meridian is more densely packed than Vancouver, WA.

Where in Treasure Valley are the homes more than 20 feet apart?

[mortgageboss]

I think you would find more house for your money right now, esp. new construction. Most new subdivisions have 10ft set backs on the side, so that means homes 20ft apart. If you want more, you'll end up paying for it or looking in older neighborhoods on larger lots.

The weather is great, pleanty of sunshine and not that much rain.

We have Micron, Hp, and other high tech companies. I dont know how much they are paying these days, but we tend to have lower wages due to supply and demand.

If you want to be surrounded by other liberals, then look at the north end, as they tend to concentrate there. Drawback is tiny lots, not much parking, older homes, and they're more expensive.

The rest of the valley as well as the state is very conservative. Many left more liberal states to come here. Dont try to change it, they'll just get mad and go postal. Accept it and learn to live with it and you'll be fine. That being said, there are pleanty of outlets for liberal thought and activities and they tend to get a disproportional share of the media's attention when they do something.

Regardless of political orientation, its a great place to be.

[HDL]

I think from what you've stated, that your biggest problems will be the following:

1) A lot less high paying companies to choose from then where you are currently
2) Definitely NOT as liberal as where you are now (speaking mainly of Portland, OR)
3) Culturely, a lot less going on

Home prices and lot sizes - No problemo
Weather and humidity - As close to perfect as you can get (aside from Hawaii and CA imo)
Safe and peaceful - You didn't mention , but where I live, most definitely !!!

Best thing for you two to do, is come for a 3 day visit and start networking and applying for jobs (boyfriend) and see where it leads you !!

Best wishes,

~HDL~

Originally Posted by aeroz

I currently live in Vancouver, WA, just north of Portland, OR (not in Canada), and I am considering moving to Meridian, Idaho. Does anyone here live there or know anything in particular about it?

I have been browsing through home listings and was amazed by the low prices. Are prices going to jump pretty high soon? My price range is up to $200k for a home, and it looks like you can get a pretty good home for that price in Meridian, Idaho.

Why I'm Tired of Vancouver, WA:
Here in Vancouver, WA, $200k would get you a dumpy home or a very tiny condo that is jam-packed in 3 feet away from the neighbors. The way Vancouver, WA has been going the past few years is to jam pack them in as tightly as possible. The neighbors are always around you--no escape. No privacy. And no street parking. I can only afford a jam-packed townhome with a one-car garage and a 3-foot wide driveway (slight exaggeration, but you get the point). That, or a dumpy old home thats behind on maintenance I cannot afford, or a tiny cramped apartment. And I run my business out of my home, so I need more space inside the home.

Reasons for Moving, in Order:
1) Sick and tired of the gray, gray, gray skies and the rain, rain, rain. Need more sunshine!!
2) Need less humidity. I am very sensitive to humidity.
3) Need lower-priced homes for good/decent/nice quality. This means new construction (2000 or later, 3 BDRM, 2 BATH, at least 1,300 SQ FT)
4) Need more space, inside the home and out. Specifically, we need access to a two-car garage and extra street parking.

Concerns With Moving:
My boyfriend will be moving with me. He has a job in information technology in a city south of Vancouver, WA. Jobs in information technology are plentiful around the Portland-Metro area, within 45 minutes of where we live. However, I am concerned that the Boise area will lack information-technology jobs, or pay significantly less. Currently he makes about $40k and I make $30k, but I can work anywhere; I am self employed and own my business.

Other Concerns:
My boyfriend and I are both liberal independents with Democrat leanings. We know that Idaho is Bush country. Will we be surrounded by Bush-ites and have to endure extreme conservatism?

Based on all that I have put down, is Meridian the right place to move?

[millage6]

I moved from Chicago suburbs to Meridian about 10 years ago and love it. From what you said, I think it would be a fine place. Meridian is pretty conservative, as am I, but while people are sometimes vocal about their beliefs, one of my best friends is socialist, extreme left. We have great times together even though we don't agree on politics.

Other considerations:
(1-2) LOTS of Sunshine--even in winter. Weather is hot in summer, but no humidity, which makes 90 degrees pretty comfortable and sunshine/blue skies every day in the summer. Fall is the best season by far with no rain, lots of sunshine and mild temps.

(3) Home prices have dropped and I just recently sold a Great Quality 5 year old 1750 Sq Ft home in a nice subdivision in Meridian with a large backyard and 3 car garage for $170,000.

(4) Most new neighborhoods have parks in them and Meridian is building more parks. Always remember that a 30 minute ride in almost any direction can get you to the middle of nowhere by yourself--ie mountains, fields, rivers, lakes, national forests.

While Boise is a lot smaller than Portland, moving from Chicago I have found that Boise is a 20 minute ride and has everything that we need--shows, plays, sporting events, dining options, festivals, along with all the additional outdoor recreation available. Sounds like this area might be a good fit.

Mark

[Greensleeves]

This is such a bad time to try to start over in a new place, Idaho or no. Think about it long and hard.

[kristinl5]

Hi aeroz, you can also find homes not so densely packed in Meridian, there is also star and kuna area...Meridian is great, I know firsthand as I live there and have enjoyed the last 13 years I have been here...yes you can find some really great deals right now in new construction, and you'll find lots of different people here, both democrats and republicans, and lots of things to do. If you want more information on Meridian let me know.