Relocating to Meridian or Eagle what are the differences? (Boise: fit in, transplants)

[aujusali]

Hi!
We are planning to relocate from CA to ID next year and I just can't seem to understand what the differences are between Meridian and Eagle. I know Eagle is smaller but in terms of housing it seems somewhat similar? We have 3 little kids so schools are our most important priority. I can see that the schools in Eagle are all good and that a lot of the schools in Meridian are good. What are the best schools in Meridian and what are all of these Charter schools? We want new construction, close to trails, schools and shops. Please help me find the best location for my family. We are looking in the $300-$400k range and a lot of sq ft would be nice since we don't have much in CA as well as a big backyard.

[HDL]

Just out of curiousity, have you even been to the Boise area or are you just trying to figure out what city to move to from over the internet? Because when you come here, you'll be able to see many of the differences and more easily decide ! Probably best not to count out either city until you come for a visit or two !

That said, here is MY opinion of some of the differences between Eagle and Meridian:

1a) Eagle has some rolling areas and foothills as well as flat areas.
1b) Meridian has mainly flat farmland from what I've seen.
(I personally prefer rolling vs flat, next to the Boise foothills )

2a) Eagle has the status as 'higher end' and tons of Californians moved there.
2b) Meridian really doesn't have high end status (though that is not to say that there are not very nice homes and subs there), had the most speculative home builds (imho) and quite a bit of investment monies in the subs which equals more chances of foreclosures and rentals in the numerous subs that Realtors pushed on their out of state investor clients !

3a) Eagle is NOT close to the highway (84)
3b) Parts of Meridian are next to the highway and/or closer than Eagle is.

4a) Eagle has more mom and pop type stores versus large retailers, but it is not far to get to the large retailers.
4b) Meridian got the majority of large retailers and restaurants.

5a) Eagle used to have lower property taxes than most of the other cities, though in the current economy, that could be changing soon.
5b) Meridian has higher property taxes than Eagle, though I cannot say if the different is big enough to choose one city over the other.

6a) Eagle has the Boise River running through it.
6b) Meridian does not.

I didn't choose Meridian back in 2005 because there were too many 2 lane roads to get in and out of the subs (which equaled traffic backups), it was too flat, too many farms next door, too much ongoing construction and too many investors buying up 5-10 homes which I knew would make it even more difficult to sell than it already is !!!

Both areas have great homes in the $300 to $400K range ! I can't speak on the quality of schools in either of these areas, though almost everyone in my culdesac is a teacher , I've noticed they all are doing something different for their children (charter, public, Catholic and home schooling ).

I'm old school ! I believe in location, location, location. I found the area/sub that I wanted to live in here and waited till a home came on the market and bought it site unseen. I love the house, neighbors and ease of access to everything important to me. The downsize to this area (jmho) is the employment situation .

Best of luck in your RELO search!

Originally Posted by aujusali

Hi!
We are planning to relocate from CA to ID next year and I just can't seem to understand what the differences are between Meridian and Eagle. I know Eagle is smaller but in terms of housing it seems somewhat similar? We have 3 little kids so schools are our most important priority. I can see that the schools in Eagle are all good and that a lot of the schools in Meridian are good. What are the best schools in Meridian and what are all of these Charter schools? We want new construction, close to trails, schools and shops. Please help me find the best location for my family. We are looking in the $300-$400k range and a lot of sq ft would be nice since we don't have much in CA as well as a big backyard.

[aujusali]

Thank you, that was great! We are visiting in August and just wanted to narrow down the search if possible.

[javalvr]

Hi there, I would choose Eagle all the way. You are going to LOVE Idaho. I was born and raised in San Diego, but I feel as though I am finally home.

I looked in both places, Meridian and Eagle, and I feel Eagle is the better choice. It is nestled close to the foothills, great scenery, great schools, it isn't all built up like Meridian, not as busy out here, still lots of open spaces, trails, close to Eagle Island State Park, where they have a beach, picnic areas, a water slide, biking trails, horse back riding trails, and the Boise River runs through it.

Downtown is quaint, community oriented, (although Meridian is as well) but Meridian is just too frantically busy for me. Eagle gives us the best of all worlds, great schools, wide open spaces, but needed amenities close by without having to go far. Yes, Highway 84 isn't right at your doorstep but it is easier to get out to Highway 84 from Eagle than it is from many of the sub-divisions in Meridian, because of the 2 lane traffic in and out of Meridian, it takes forever to get out of there during commuter times.

By the way my realtor was absolutely wonderful, I highly recommend him, I have dealt with many realtors and he is by far the best one I have ever had. [MOD CUT]

You are going to Love living here. The people are fantastic, there are tons of things to do, and this is the best place to raise your kids. Good luck, we may be neighbors...............

[HDL]

FYI - The article also quotes the Realtor mentioned in the post above this (#4).

Meridian growth pinched by recession | Eyepiece | Idaho Statesman

Brief excerpt from above article

The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) estimates almost 25,000 people streamed into Meridian between 2004 and 2007, making it the fastest-growing city in the state. The city's northwest region was the hottest real estate market in Idaho.

But that was before the economy began its downward spiral in 2007. COMPASS estimates Meridian's population will grow by only 2,200 in 2009.

Lochsa Falls also has changed. Almost every street now has at least one for-sale sign on display, sometimes more. Job losses have forced several families in the subdivision into foreclosure or short sales, Tourville said.

"Half of these homes are sitting vacant. The grass has overtaken the gardens, and they just look forlorn," she said.
A depressed housing market is not the only sign of hard economic times in Meridian.

Jason Mayfield is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Boise and lives in Lochsa Falls. His home has lost $75,000 of its value, and he said he expects the value to fall even further because of all the short sales in the subdivision.

[aujusali]

Thanks for the link. Found it interesting, but I also find it very interesting that most people on this board do not care for Californians. I am new here and I just don't understand this mean-spiritedness. If I shuned every new person who moved to Cali there would be no one left. I was always taught not to judge, isn't this true everywhere? People are people who cares where you are from or what religion you are as long as you are nice and we get along that's all I care about. There is no one truly from California just as I believe there is no one truly from Idaho. We are all transplants from somewhere whether it be now or 30 years ago. You usually go away to college find a job and go where that job takes you. At 21 years old I can not be defined as the person living in that particular state for that particular job. Sorry, so now at 30 if I decide I want to provide a good life for my family and choose to do it in Idaho so be it. California just happens to have a lot of jobs that pay well, but not well enough to afford a 3bd/2 ba fixer for $1 million. If the shoe was on the other foot you would see what I'm talking about. Why kill ourselves here and not make ends meet? We have really, really good jobs here but still can not make it every month. I don't understand why Idaho people or Colorado or Washington or wherever don't understand this. If I could afford to live here I would, but I can't so I need to find a new place to call home.

[shades_of_idaho]

Originally Posted by aujusali

Thanks for the link. Found it interesting, but I also find it very interesting that most people on this board do not care for Californians. I am new here and I just don't understand this mean-spiritedness. If I shuned every new person who moved to Cali there would be no one left. I was always taught not to judge, isn't this true everywhere? People are people who cares where you are from or what religion you are as long as you are nice and we get along that's all I care about. There is no one truly from California just as I believe there is no one truly from Idaho. We are all transplants from somewhere whether it be now or 30 years ago. You usually go away to college find a job and go where that job takes you. At 21 years old I can not be defined as the person living in that particular state for that particular job. Sorry, so now at 30 if I decide I want to provide a good life for my family and choose to do it in Idaho so be it. California just happens to have a lot of jobs that pay well, but not well enough to afford a 3bd/2 ba fixer for $1 million. If the shoe was on the other foot you would see what I'm talking about. Why kill ourselves here and not make ends meet? We have really, really good jobs here but still can not make it every month. I don't understand why Idaho people or Colorado or Washington or wherever don't understand this. If I could afford to live here I would, but I can't so I need to find a new place to call home.

Ouch. So sorry you have the feeling this board is shunning Californians. I read back through the posts to you and many others for several years and I am not seeing this at all. There are many on the board from California trying ,like you, to get out of California. I left it too 20+ years ago. And we thought it was bad then. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Chris

[Miborn]

Originally Posted by aujusali

Thanks for the link. Found it interesting, but I also find it very interesting that most people on this board do not care for Californians. I am new here and I just don't understand this mean-spiritedness. If I shuned every new person who moved to Cali there would be no one left. I was always taught not to judge, isn't this true everywhere? People are people who cares where you are from or what religion you are as long as you are nice and we get along that's all I care about. There is no one truly from California just as I believe there is no one truly from Idaho. We are all transplants from somewhere whether it be now or 30 years ago. You usually go away to college find a job and go where that job takes you. At 21 years old I can not be defined as the person living in that particular state for that particular job. Sorry, so now at 30 if I decide I want to provide a good life for my family and choose to do it in Idaho so be it. California just happens to have a lot of jobs that pay well, but not well enough to afford a 3bd/2 ba fixer for $1 million. If the shoe was on the other foot you would see what I'm talking about. Why kill ourselves here and not make ends meet? We have really, really good jobs here but still can not make it every month. I don't understand why Idaho people or Colorado or Washington or wherever don't understand this. If I could afford to live here I would, but I can't so I need to find a new place to call home.

I'll tell you.

Most of those from CA mostly the southern area I'd say. Come here with their high and mighty attitudes look down on the Idaho residents treat them like they are less than them and since they are from CA they know better and are going to save the backwards Idahoans.
They move to rural areas than commence to complaining about their neighbors cows, sheep, horses because they just dont think they sh*t when they are looking to buy only after they purchase.
Or maybe they think they can intimidate the backwards Idaho resident. Alot of the kids that move here have major problems many with drug issues as well.
They have road rage, are rude and uppity. They do not want to mesh or blend in with the lifestyle here they want to change it and when they find resistance they dont like it.

Now if you can come here enjoy our lifestyle, its wonderful people, the smells/sounds of rural life than welcome to our state. If you cannot stay out we dont want anymore like you here.

[DESERTRYDER]

I believe Miborn pretty well sums it up.
Either get to Idaho and live like Idahoians or stay where your at.

I am from Calif and have not yet been able to move to Idaho due to house not sold yet.
I have met the most wonderful people on this web site that I ever will meet.
I have never been treated so well even though I am from Calif.
Aujusali , all I can say is LOOSE the " Their picking on me attitude " and enjoy Idaho for what it is.
Leave the fancy cars and the fancy lifestyles in California and come on up.
If you think Idaho is full of mean spirited people then you already missed the boat.
I have read every reply written to you and just didn't see any meaness.
Either give this web site another try { with a smile on your face } or hit the road. Your call.
If you have something positive to contribute to Idaho then by all means get up there and stake your claim.
If you don't feel welcome you won't be welcome. It's that simple.
Good luck. Hope to see you around this web site.

[aujusali]

Everyone has been very nice to me on my post but as I look around the board is where I get the bit of the don't come here attitude, unless they are just trying to warn us. I don't plan to change anyone, I am not uppity. I am who I am. Live and let live. But this board does scare me a bit. I could care less where you're from, you are who you are, do people really care where I might come from? Does it really come up in conversation often? If I drive down the street with my CA plates why should I get the finger, just for being from somewhere you are not? Why would someone want to come to a place and change it? That is why I am trying to get a feel if I would fit in with those who are already there. I just don't understand, are you saying that Southern Calif people move there, and do what? Buy a house, get a job, and complain about cow manure, the weather? Didn't they know there was cow manure and snow to begin with before they moved? And if they complain to you why do you care, can't you just chalk them up as crazy people and not associate? People are always talking about how expensive it is to live here and I am like then move end of story.