researching Idaho (Boise, Pocatello, Kootenai: crime, home, to live in)

[wolfspirit49]

Hello out there !

I'm new to this forum, but see how it is a good thing for reaching out, sharing, and receiving.

My wife and I are going to be traveling up to Northern Idaho and then traveling down through to Pocatello area and then back home to California. We both would like to live in a more friendly and self-responsible state, with lots of good people. I am an Electrician (20+ years) and my wife manages a major pet store chain store.

We were wondering what is available as far as work in the northern part of the state or the southern. I love to garden and grow veggies year-round, so I'll probably have to build a greenhouse for wintertime. I've been reading that northern Idaho is best for growing stuff, but where we live now is sandy and I have learned some tricks to working with dead soil.

I'm here to offer what I have to offer as well as asking for any info possible. I also love to fish and hike, and we have horses, cats, and dogs...

Dave

[Big Larry]

In my opinion Idaho has 3 very distinct regions in terms of culture and climate:

-Southwestern Idaho (the Treasure Valley): is the largest population base in Idaho (400-650k), and as such, it has more of a "big city" feel (for Idaho anyways). This area is generally conservative with a liberal flare. This region is a desert, but the valley has enough vegetation to mask a "true desert" feel. Summers can get hot with many 100+ degree days, and winters can be cold, but nothing like the midwest or northeastern United States. I know many people in the Boise area that successfully garden from April to September (not in the winters that I'm aware of though).

-Eastern Idaho (IF/Pocatello): is extremely conservative with a large Mormon presence (I feel like I'm in small town Utah whenever I'm in eastern Idaho). This area has a small town, blue collar feel, and the people are extremely friendly here. This climate is desert-like, but winters are more severe and summers are more mild than in southwestern Idaho. It is possible to garden here, but to what extent, I'm not sure (not as conducive as in Boise due to the severe winters). The weather is also windy here, and you are a short drive to Yellowstone National Park.

-Northern/Central Idaho: is the most liberal region in Idaho (but I wouldn't say that it is anywhere near the level of liberalism that is present in SF, Austin, or Eugene). I think that this area has the most natural beauty in the state of Idaho. There is much more vegetation (giving this region a greener feel), and some large lakes in the northern part of the state. I am not sure how conducive this area is to gardening. (I don't have much first-hand experience from this part of the state).

As for fishing, there are many opportunities throughout all of Idaho. I have heard that eastern Idaho has some of the best fly-fishing in the world (near Henry's fork of the Snake river), for what it's worth.

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by Big Larry

-Northern/Central Idaho: is the most liberal region in Idaho (but I wouldn't say that it is anywhere near the level of liberalism that is present in SF, Austin, or Eugene). I think that this area has the most natural beauty in the state of Idaho. There is much more vegetation (giving this region a greener feel), and some large lakes in the northern part of the state. I am not sure how conducive this area is to gardening. (I don't have much first-hand experience from this part of the state).

Not to correct you...just adding my $.02 on NID...

North Idaho tends to be very conservative in general, but in more of a libertarian way. Small government (distrust of intrusive government) and fiscally conservative, but socially laissez-faire, so compared to SE Idaho I guess you'd say we're "liberal" but that just means "center right to right" versus 'far right" on some issues, but ALL THE WAY to the right on gun rights, crime and punishment, etc.

[boisefan88]

Aren't Latah and Kootenai the most liberal counties in Idaho?

That's what we always here down here... that those two counties are even more lib/Dem than Blaine and Ada counties.

[Syringaloid]

Madison County is the most liberal