Why are people moving? (Boise, Coeur d'Alene: housing, rent, vacation)

[Movinin08]

I am new to this list but I have found a ton of useful info.

I am looking at moving my family to CDA in the spring or summer of 08 once my daughter graduates from high school. We have spent a couple of weeks of vacation time in CDA over the last couple of years and just love it. We would be coming from CA to leave behind all it offers (not much) to enjoy what Northern Idaho has. Don't want to change it, I want to enjoy what it has.

I have been watching the MLS and it appears house prices have been dropping a little as they are bere in CA but I was really wondering if anyone is moving in the CDA area and why? My biggest concern is finding employment in the CDA area. I am an Operations Manager for a construction supply firm here in CA and would like to find a similar job in Idaho or possibly Spokane

I have read so much, both good and bad about Idaho on this site and I am sure it depends on the area inwhich people live and thier perspectives. Heavy traffic to me is going to be much different than it is to someone in your area. And every place in the country has it's negatives but I believe Idaho has more of what I am looking for in a place to live.

I little side note, after my wife and my first visit to CDA we came home to tell my daughter we were seriuosly concidering moving and boy did she cry. The next summer we took her with us and she was ready to move that summer. Sadly, we couldn't just do it that quick, but she is looking for colleges in the area and feels as strongly about it as she did over a year ago.

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

I'm with you, but I have a little longer to wait...about 6 years. Going up at the end of the month (2 weeks from today to be exact )to check out various cities in the Panhandle. I plan to take a lot of notes and a lot of pictures.

[Movinin08]

Once you get up there you won't want to come back. I love CDA and Hayden. Lots of trees. Since you are from Norco I suspect you might want a bit more of the wide open spaces. We traveled throughout Idaho. Boise area was nice but too warm and bit more desert like. It reminded me alot of Rancho Cucamunga in CA. I loved the lakes and the more mountainous territory of Northern Idaho. I am a bit worried about the employment situation in Northern Idaho but if the good Lord wants me thier he will find me what I need.

Very interested in hearing what you think after your trip.

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Yes we want more open spaces, but that just means acreage. Love trees. Don't like the heat associated with the lower parts of the state. Of course right now it seems most of ID is hotter than we are.

[Movinin08]

Just out of curiousity, why 6 years if you don't mind me askin?

[IdahoEagle]

"Heavy traffic" in Coeur d'Alene means that you have to sit through a light on 95.
There are jobs here especially if you have construction skills. I know people that will hire heavy equipment operators on the spot. There are white collar jobs they are just harder to find. I used to drive over the border to Liberty Lake, Wa to work in a call center that did tech support for Microsoft. Washington has different business tax laws than Idaho so there are more corporate businesses there.

If your daughter wants to go to college in Idaho next year find out when she would have to establish residency here to qualify for in state tuition.

Housing prices are leveling off some. There are a lot more houses on the market than in the past. I think the prices are coming down more on the cookie cutter houses they are building on the prairie than in the more established areas. Our house is for sale and we just dropped the price on it to try to get more interest.

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by Movinin08

Just out of curiousity, why 6 years if you don't mind me askin?

I don't mind

I want to wait till my youngest is 18 and graduated HS. I have child support obligations, and I don't have the option to take him with me, so I am pretty much stuck here, unless I want to pay my ex all of my paycheck I pay her about $1400 a month now It was 1800 a month, but I just got it modified I have 50% custody, and don't want to give that up either.
Another reason, is financially we just can't afford to do it yet. I am trying to get all of the debt paid down from attorney fees because of the big D. We are doing a refi right now, and there is more debt, than equity in our house. See not all us Californinas are rich
I am hoping to be able to purchase something in about 3 years or less if all goes well. Just have to get that financial plan together, and stick to it.

IdahoEagle:

Housing prices here have leveled off significantly also. Maybe it is having an effect up there, because folks here, are waiting for the market to swing back up? Not really sure, if that has anything to do with it. I actually hope the market does start to go down a little, but I hope you get what you want for your place.