Possibly Relocating to Boise Area-Need Input (Nampa, Meridian: environment, relocation, real estate)

[Molley]

I've read a lot of posts from people considering relocation to Boise area, and would appreciate any input from locals and/or transplants from CA as to what we could expect. We are socially conservative (even though we're from CA!), and are just looking for a family friendly environment, decent weather (don't mind snow as long as it doesn't stick around for the entire Winter), and a place where our special needs child will be graciously accepted. How is the special ed situation in Boise or outlying areas? Are Californians shunned on arrival? Had a bad experience in Spokane (couldn't fit in and people ran us off the road before we were able to get our plates changed). Any input on comparisons between Spokane and Boise, people-wise?

We're considering coming up this Summer to spend a week or so to scope things out. Any suggestions on where we could stay to get a good feel for the overall Boise experience?

Thanks for any help. This liberal Bay Area is driving us crazy! We just want to go to a place where we'll fit in.

[boiseguy]

boise is a mix, its not not liberal bay area, but that doesn't mean its all rush limbaugh territory either.. conservative values here are more libertarian in nature.. and it really is a good place to raise kids. Very family oriented and out doorsy. I don't know much about services for special needs kids, but I'm sure they exist and are good. Boise isn't exactly a small town anymore.. but thankfully its not a huge city either...
Come check it out, opinions and points are like you know what... everyone's got one...
best of luck with your decision

[Niners fan]

As a Californian who checked out Boise for a while here are some observations:

- Suburbs west of Boise seem to be more tolerant of people moving in from out-of-state. Maybe it's because every third person I have met there is from California. (That is probably not an exaggeration.)
- There are several towns west of Boise that each has its own feel. Visit each of them to see what you like. I am specifically thinking of Meridian, Eagle, Star and Middleton. You can find everything from the California tract house/strip mall feel to pretty rural within just a 15 mile radius. I have never visited Kuna. Even though Nampa and Caldwell are supposed to be improving we never really considered them either.
- I spoke to one parent with a special needs child who was pretty pleased with the Meridian School District (which covers Meridian, Eagle, and Star). This parent had moved to California a few years earlier.
- I have been told to get rid of my California license plates sooner rather than later. But I am also under the impression that the poor housing market in California has slowed the migration down. I assume that might lessen hostility towards incoming Californians. Someone who lives there would have to answer if that is true or not.
- Don't drive like an idiot, especially with California plates. Since you are from N. California that is probably not as big a problem for you. So Cal drivers seem to be the rudest in the state.
- Don't expect things to move along as fast as they do in California. Any real estate or business transaction will likely move at a slower pace. It takes a little getting used to but it is well worth the trade-off.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

[Molley]

Thank you both for your input-very, very helpful. We'll check out those areas this Summer. Regards.

[micrguy]

I used to work with a bunch of people that were Boise natives and it seemed like most of them tended to live in southeast and east Boise. They would brag about how they never ever went west of the mall and one seemed surprised to find out how many people live in Meridian and Eagle now.

I live in west Boise and kept my Arizona plates on for almost 6 months before changing them and I never had any problems. My kids are in the Meridian School District and so far it seems pretty decent.

[boi2socal]

Well, back in the late 80s/early 90s SE Boise is where most of the new development occurred and it seemed that is where a lot of Californians and others moved. Back in the recession of those days. I lived at the same address for the duration of my elementary school years but attended three different elementary schools while living there due to new schools being built and often on opening day being over capacity.

Seemed like early/mid-90s and on is when the West end of town and the remaining valley exploded.

[stevetogo]

Where to stay will not be the issue since the area is small enough to easily explore. Check out some of the nice parks in Boise and the downtown area to get a feel for the people.

You can find jerks everywhere so comparing is difficult. I find that people tend to stay to themselves here. Sometimes, the only contact I may have with people is when I am assertive and socially forward.

In my opinion, Spokane has a much larger feel than Boise and probably more open to people from other areas. I spent a few days there recently and felt that the people that I encountered were quite friendly. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked in Boise, "So, what brought you to Boise?". Like I was a weirdo for doing so.

Fitting in to an area is best judged by you knowing the characteristics of your family.

[Molley]

This is great feedback and quite helpful. Trying to gracefully indicate what I didn't like about Spokane, other than the weather from late September to early July, without sounding like a snob which I am not, we are middle class hard working people - our experience was that there were a lot of people on welfare, L&I (workers comp), and people doing meth even though it was about 10 years ago before it exploded, while working under the table to get cash. The people I wanted to merely associate with, just regular middle class working folk, while "friendly", were quite standoffish. One acquaintance who was a native said "if you didn't go to high school with them, there was no room in their circle for friendship with outsiders". I have a family and am not looking for others to validate me - I just want to be able to fit in and not feel like an outsider looking in which is how I felt in Spokane.

I know there are jerks everywhere - in No Ca we have the elitist intellectuals who know better than everyone else in the universe and want to dictate your lifestyle and form you into their little subjects. For example, you get flipped off by people over 50 for merely driving down the street in anything other than a Prius or a Toyota.

It's a hard call, and I guess an extended visit would be in order to get a better feel of the people.

This is a great forum and it's nice to get so many points of view. Thanks to all.

[Sage of Sagle]

Molley,

You're more gracious when describing Spokane that most of us in NID. While Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley (east side of town) are nice enough, Spokane city is just rife with drugs and crime. Auto theft and burglary rates to rival Los Angeles. While the city leaders are making valiant efforts to clean it up, it appears they have a LONG way to go before I would recommend living there.

But again, if you're just talking about "Spokane Area" there are plenty of middle class neighborhoods, some very nice. My issue is that your urban center is still a pretty rough place, which is a turn off for us. So we DO go to Spokane for some things (Scottish Festival, Airport, etc) but we do all our shopping locally or in CDA if at all possible.

When i visit Boise, and think of my friends from Morgan Hill and Gilroy or Almaden Valley (San Jose), I think they would most like Eagle and Meridian. Just has the same feel to me, with developments backing up to some farming areas, etc. We're there for soccer at the Capitols complex in Meridian sometimes, and it REALLY feels like the southern SV areas.

But since I have not been around most parts of Boise, understand that my view of Boise's best neighborhoods is very limited.

[Molley]

Thank you, Sage. I really appreciate the input.