Best Town to move to in Idaho? (Swan Valley, Hope: house, rent)

[Torrie]

Originally Posted by Ruby

Cuz we don't want to let the cat out of the bag!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding!! It's a very cool town - we love it here!!!

Oh Ruby, do tell! I don't know much about this area, a little help?

[boiseguy]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

???
That doesn't even make any sense. Look, here's the deal: I like Californians. I think, as well as all the woes they have brought us, they are also starting to make Idaho a better place to live. They have brought with them some socialist ideals that we could all stand to learn. If it wasn't for Sali our minimum wage would be $7.25/hr, likely because of the influence of Californians. That being said, I know that there are is some anti-Californian... let's call it tension, going on here and I am trying to explain why. I don't condone the actions of anti-Californians, but they do exist and, like it or not, they deserve to have their say. That is all I am saying.

I sincerely apologize for steering this thread off course. Eyetech and Syringaloid are right- we should get back to the topic at hand. If someone else wants to continue this discussion on another thread- build it and I will come. Meanwhile...

I think Moscow is a nice place to live. They have a lot of amenities that northern Idaho doesn't generally have, because of the college(s). They have an excellent creamery, too. Mm...

Xa'at

There are many places in idaho that are great, it really just depends on what you're looking for. there's remote towns close to larger towns and theres even a large city boise to choose from as well as small remote towns that are not close to anything. Different terrains and climates..
As for all this fuss about californians etc.. it is ridiculous.
if Californians are responsible for minimum wage going up.. then I salute them.. any business that profits from paying people below par wages has no business being in business.. I don't even care if they are illegals... America is a nation of standards.. standards for all..
And to whoever is talking about the difference between a liberal and conservative state is a total fool. Idaho does have a surplus, but we also have crappy roads, failing public transport, sub standard university and college system, and the list goes on. Oregon might be in debt, but they beat us in all of those areas sooooo... its a matter of risk and pay off when it comes to investment in our state. Investment in growth issues pays off down the road. I don't consider that liberal, but progressive and insightful.
So to each their own.. Idaho might be a republican conservative strong hold but you all know as well as I do that boise is the beacon of blue in this state and this is the area that is growing the fastest.. so hold on to your little cowboy hats and don't speak too much about other places and ideals because you just might put your boot in your mouth...
cheers

[Ruby]

Torrie, you must take a ride one weekend and come visit Weiser! Weiser is a small town of about 5,300 people and home to the National Old Time Fiddle Festival. It is at the top of the Treasure Valley and surrounded by farmland and ranches. Anyone interested in late 19th and early 20th century architecture will love touring through Weiser. For architectural extravegance it ranks among the top 4 cities in the state.

It is a cute town, some areas could use a little renovation, but that is coming along and most of all the people are very friendly.

If you're coming from Eagle we like to take the highway through Emmett, cut over to Payette and then take 95 north to Weiser.

[Torrie]

Thanks Ruby! Very helpful! I did not know that about Weiser. Does it take about an hour to get there from Boise?

[Ruby]

Weiser is about an hour and thirty minutes (give or take) from Boise. That is how long we give ourselves if we need to get to the airport.

[Syringaloid]

Ruby, do you or have you noticed if there is investment going on in Weiser to rehab some of the old homes, mansions, and buildings downtown?

[Ruby]

It seems like private parties have undertaken some of the renovations around town. It is slow going, but it is happening. Weiser has a ways to go, but over the past year I have noticed momentum picking up. New businesses are coming to town and the homes are being fixed up little by little. Things seem to be moving in the right direction - I hope it keeps going. It is nice to see some of the old store fronts being renovated and used again and whoever is fixing up the older homes is doing a nice job.

[IFgirl]

I grew up in Idaho Falls, attending elementary, jr. high and high school there. All 5 of my children were born there. Cold winters, windy a lot of time. But I loved it! I've been in Salt Lake City for the last 10 years, but still have a soft spot in my heart for IF. Here is what I love -- the greenbelt around the Snake River-feeding the geese; downtown being updated-Colonial Theatre and New Museum; small town fun at the 4th of July celebration--great parade, best of the west FREE fireworks by the river; great schools; driving to Island Park for snowmobiling & cross-country skiing; West Yellowstone Playmill theatre in the summer; Yellowstone Park/Old Faithful, Driggs, Victor, Jackson Hole in the summer; square-shaped ice cream at the Commissary in Swan Valley; snow tubing in Bone during the winter; Heise Hot Springs summer or winter or Lava Hot Springs; rappeling; Bar J Wranglers in Jackson; Smitty's Pancake House; Scotty's Hamburgers; snowmobile into Granite Hot Springs during the winter; hiking during the summer; floating the rivers at Big Springs; camping; fly fishing; of course, I have/had a lot of family in the area so that left a great impression on me too. Anytime you move to a new area you are going to experience homesickness--maybe for a little while, maybe for a long time -- best advice I have is to get involved -- in the schools, in the community, in politics, in everything! Try not to nitpick on everything that your new area does differently. Maybe it's better, maybe it's worse, maybe it's just different. Learn to love the quirks, try to help affect change for the better.

[sav]

IF girl,
I am curious how you compare the weather in IF to SLC. We are moving to IF in the spring, but lived in SLC a ways back for about 4 years. We considered moving back there (I loved it when we lived there!) but it has gotten way too big and traffic-laden for us and my husband can't handle the heat in the summer.
My impression is that IF weather is similar but always a bit colder, but maybe I am deluded and in for an awakening...

[khurley]

I am curious how you compare the weather in IF to SLC. We are moving to IF in the spring, but lived in SLC a ways back for about 4 years. We considered moving back there (I loved it when we lived there!) but it has gotten way too big and traffic-laden for us and my husband can't handle the heat in the summer.
My impression is that IF weather is similar but always a bit colder, but maybe I am deluded and in for an awakening...

The weather in Idaho Falls is similar to SLC, just a little colder. We go down to Salt Lake quite often and I generally see a 5-10 degrees difference in temperature.