Info on SE Idaho (Pocatello, Idaho Falls: high schools, living in, gangs)

[jbear182]

Are gangs really a problem there? What is the weather and schools like? What is the overall "feel" of the area? Looking to uproot family (wife two small girls) and would like more info.

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by jbear182

Are gangs really a problem there? What is the weather and schools like? What is the overall "feel" of the area? Looking to uproot family (wife two small girls) and would like more info.

What areas are you looking for? I've lived in Montpelier, Soda Springs, and Idaho Falls.

BTW--if you're not LDS, you might want to avoid the REALLY small towns.

[jbear182]

Im not LDS. I had read on the city data forum that gangs were a problem in falls. Not sure why gangs would gravitate there - meth problems? Looking for a bigger city (for idaho) with good schools, job opps. and some perspective on weather.

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by jbear182

Im not LDS. I had read on the city data forum that gangs were a problem in falls. Not sure why gangs would gravitate there - meth problems? Looking for a bigger city (for idaho) with good schools, job opps. and some perspective on weather.

Meth is getting to be a problem EVERYWHERE, even in the small towns, sadly.

Back when I was living in ID (Montpelier) there was a lot of pot and cocaine, but not much in the way of gangs. Even Idaho Falls doesn't have much in the way of gangs compared to where I live now (OC). I suppose if I saw one of those wannabees in IF, I'd probably laugh my rear off.

But the smaller towns like Montpelier, Soda Springs, etc, are HEAVILY LDS, and have relatively few outsiders. Don't expect to make a whole lot of friends unless you play by their rules. Idaho Falls and Pocatello are better.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by jbear182

Are gangs really a problem there? What is the weather and schools like? What is the overall "feel" of the area? Looking to uproot family (wife two small girls) and would like more info.

Gangs are everywhere but I think the problem is way overblown in the case of IF. What few of them that live there are Mexican and spend a majority of the time taking each other out. My advice, don't spend any time in the number/letter streets near the highway downtown or in the Bel Air area (round about Pinecrest Golf Course) -- just use the grafitti as a guide.

If you err toward the East side near the Hillcrest catchment area you should do fine. IF High is OK too. Skyline and Bonneville HS are where you'll find a soup of hicks and gangbangers.

Magpies

[pinkpalace]

Originally Posted by MagpiesMagpiesMagpies

If you err toward the East side near the Hillcrest catchment area you should do fine. IF High is OK too. Skyline and Bonneville HS are where you'll find a soup of hicks and gangbangers.

Magpies

Really?? I graduated from Skyline 16 yrs ago. Back then, it was IF HS that was the "scary" high school, and Skyline and Bonneville were the "good" high schools. Hicks are everywhere (it is SE Idaho, after all), but gang bangers?? I'd have to see it to believe it.

[pinkpalace]

Originally Posted by jbear182

What is the weather and schools like?

I spent ~10 years living in Idaho Falls. There are a lot of good things about Idaho Falls, but... IMO the winter is pretty harsh. And, that coming from someone who currently lives in central Maine.

The summer, spring, and fall are great. It doesn't get that hot -- maybe just the 90's during the peak of summer. Most of the summer will be in the high 80's. We never had AC in Idaho Falls, and I don't remember ever being uncomfortable during the summer.

The winters are bad. You don't get a ton of snow, but you do get enough to make the roads icy. The wind blows a lot in IF, so the snow does drift across your driveway and across the roads. It will stay bitterly cold in January and February. The road crews in Idaho do a pretty poor job of keeping the roads dry. They come by with a snow plow every so often, but they don't treat the roads with any chemicals, so the roads stay icy for days after a big snow storm. If you've never driven on icy roads, you'll want to take it very easy for a while until you get the hang of it.

I don't want to sound negative -- there are a lot of positive things about living in SE Idaho. The winter weather was always the thing I hated most about living in Idaho Falls!

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by pinkpalace

Really?? I graduated from Skyline 16 yrs ago. Back then, it was IF HS that was the "scary" high school, and Skyline and Bonneville were the "good" high schools. Hicks are everywhere (it is SE Idaho, after all), but gang bangers?? I'd have to see it to believe it.

A lot's changed. You graduated pre-Hillcrest.

Bonneville "good"?! I went there and it was super-hayseed then. It got even worse when Hillcrest sucked all the posh kids from off the foothills.

Magpies

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by pinkpalace

I spent ~10 years living in Idaho Falls. There are a lot of good things about Idaho Falls, but... IMO the winter is pretty harsh. And, that coming from someone who currently lives in central Maine.

The summer, spring, and fall are great. It doesn't get that hot -- maybe just the 90's during the peak of summer. Most of the summer will be in the high 80's. We never had AC in Idaho Falls, and I don't remember ever being uncomfortable during the summer.

The winters are bad. You don't get a ton of snow, but you do get enough to make the roads icy. The wind blows a lot in IF, so the snow does drift across your driveway and across the roads. It will stay bitterly cold in January and February. The road crews in Idaho do a pretty poor job of keeping the roads dry. They come by with a snow plow every so often, but they don't treat the roads with any chemicals, so the roads stay icy for days after a big snow storm. If you've never driven on icy roads, you'll want to take it very easy for a while until you get the hang of it.

I don't want to sound negative -- there are a lot of positive things about living in SE Idaho. The winter weather was always the thing I hated most about living in Idaho Falls!

In the city limits the roads aren't too bad in the winter. 17th (a nightmare anytime of year), Woodruff, Broadway, other main roads are well groomed and usually melted off faster than out here in the county. Hitt Road AKA 25th East, is still the ever loving icy mess when the winds blow.

As for summer temps, you're basically right however we've finally caved this summer when the 90 degree temps hit and our one dog was panting at 5 in the morning even aftter having all windows open all night!

[pinkpalace]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

In the city limits the roads aren't too bad in the winter. 17th (a nightmare anytime of year), Woodruff, Broadway, other main roads are well groomed and usually melted off faster than out here in the county. Hitt Road AKA 25th East, is still the ever loving icy mess when the winds blow.

Aaah, see -- I lived 5 miles west of Bellin road, off hwy 20. Even with the constant site traffic, hwy 20 seemed like it was ALWAYS icy in the winter. Driving to school and work in the winter was a major chore.