Idaho Falls vs. Pocatello (Boise, Rexburg: relocating, homes, rent)

[beattyk15]

Wow, thank you all for your help! What great insight - I'm so thankful for this forum.

I'm not hearing a whole lot about the commute - sounds like only the students who have to commute? My initial thought was to live in Pocatello and maybe commute into Idaho Falls for work at the Qwest center - not sure if that's worth it?

In your own opinion, would you consider commuting between the two for the right wage? - not sure what the wages are up there and if there's a big difference or willingness for people to drive between just for 50c or $1/hour??

[Mtn. States Resident]

I wouldn't commute. But, I don't really like driving 100 miles/daily to work.

For some people, driving relaxes them and I would commute.

You obviously have your reasons of why you think Pocatello would be a better place to live, be it the cheaper housing, or the College Atmosphere of ISU - both of which are correct.

I would urge you before you make a decision about housing to visit the area. There are cities and small developments between the two cities. If it were me, I would be very reluctant to live in Pocatello currently, given some major County issues.

But, you have to see what feels right for you. You'll only know when you visit.

Housing in Idaho Falls runs the entire spectrum. I have talked to several students who have opted to stay in Idaho Falls and commute to ISU in Pocatello, both because of more job availability, a greater amount of national chains and what they call, "decent" apartments. I don't know if you are hoping to rent or purchase a residence. You might want to contact a realtor or see if there are statistics somewhere on the State of Idaho various links, about the age of the houses.

There are some nicer houses being built in Pocatello now, but many were "cookie cutter" when it was still a major Railroad, Ballard Medical and FMC town. All of those businesses have left (the railroad has a presence, but not the domination like before).

Idaho Falls is stabilized by INL, one of 15 DOE labs. There are certainly as many Ph.Ds in Idaho Falls as Pocatello, despite being a satellite campus for both ISU and U of I. Most work at INL, or have started or joined spin off companies.

There are probably more bars in Pocatello.

And one thing people often ask about is Target. Idaho Falls has had Target for more than 5 years. Pocatello doesn't have one.

There are pros and cons to each city. It may depend on what shift you work as well.

If you look on KIFI TV (LocalNews8.com Idaho Falls, Pocatello - Weather, News, Sports - Home) under the weather section is a live webcam of each city. Additionally KPVI - NewsChannel6 - Home in Pocatello shows pictures of the area.

To see more of Idaho Falls, the webcam located on the Greenbelt is several places. Probably one of the easiest ways to look at it is on the web site for Idaho Falls Magazine. It's in the lower right hand corner (about 2/3 of the way down the page). It refreshes every 90 seconds and gives you different views 24/7 of the Snake River flowing through downtown Idaho Falls.

You can also see more pictures of Idaho Falls, and ask endless questions in the chatbox, at The Idaho Falls Community Discussion Site at IdahoFallz.com. Don't expect any other city to have the same level of interactive site. It's a long story of how and why the host built it. About a month ago, a person from Seattle who works with computers (shock), complimented the host on the site saying the extensive links, the quality of the graphics, and for yoursake, the hundreds of pics of the area were something you would expect to see in only the largest 20 cities in the U.S.

Just click on the pics (upper left hand corner) and follow the instructions to see many pics of Idaho Falls in different seasons and different views.

Enjoy getting to know eastern ID a little bit better through these and other websites.

[beattyk15]

Mtn. States Resident -
Wow, you are so helpful and have provided so much information! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I had just heard from friends that the commute was an option, but had a hard time understanding why people would actually do the round trip unless the pay was dramatically different, etc....Thanks for shedding so much insight - I'm looking forward to exploring the pictures and the actual town!

[pw72]

Originally Posted by beattyk15

Wow, thank you all for your help! What great insight - I'm so thankful for this forum.

I'm not hearing a whole lot about the commute - sounds like only the students who have to commute? My initial thought was to live in Pocatello and maybe commute into Idaho Falls for work at the Qwest center - not sure if that's worth it?

In your own opinion, would you consider commuting between the two for the right wage? - not sure what the wages are up there and if there's a big difference or willingness for people to drive between just for 50c or $1/hour??

Well, I do about half that commute everyday (Pocatello to Blackfoot), and while traffic is not usually a problem, it tends to be a boring drive that I don't look forward to. Positives, 75 MPH which gets you there fast. Negatives, one little accident can clog it up fast. Last winter there were only about 3-4 days where it was necessary to slow down due to weather. Not bad for this part of the country!

However, I personally would not be pleased with a Pocatello-IF drive everyday. Blackfoot is enough for me.

[TohobitPeak]

I grew up in the Idaho Falls area and people in Southeast Idaho for the most part did and still do equate Idaho Falls as being more refined, more sophisticated, etc, and better shopping than Pocatello. Pocatello has the rougher image with the railroad tracks, the nearby Indian Reservation, the Simplot smokestacks. But people would always mention that Poky was fortunate to be built next to mountains whereas in Idaho Falls the moutains are in the near distance.

Both cities have a river, both have amazing historic architecture in their downtown areas too. But Pocatello is starting to reinvent itself from what I could tell when I drove through last month. New stores, restaurants, housing areas are popping up and the University has a beautiful new Performing Arts Center.

[Mtn. States Resident]

beattyk15 -

I'm glad I, along with so many others could give you what I believe is an accurate summary. While I answered some questions based on knowledge alone, I think the views of pw72 have been right on the money as well.

When pw72 wrote, "Well, I do about half that commute everyday (Pocatello to Blackfoot), and while traffic is not usually a problem, it tends to be a boring drive that I don't look forward to. Positives, 75 MPH which gets you there fast. Negatives, one little accident can clog it up fast. Last winter there were only about 3-4 days where it was necessary to slow down due to weather. Not bad for this part of the country!

"However, I personally would not be pleased with a Pocatello-IF drive everyday. Blackfoot is enough for me," I hoped you read what someone who actually drives at least 50 miles/day round trip from Pocatello to Blackfoot and then, if I remember correctly, drives the extra 25 miles from Blackfoot to Idaho Falls to call on customers.

Mostly it is students who commute, althought I can think of some business owners who have franchises or business in both cities, along with some others who commute between Idaho Falls and Pocatello daily. However, many of those who own businesses in both cities, may be able to skip a occasionally, if needed. I'm not sure people who work set hours have the same option. Not just in eastern ID, but most anywhere.

I don't know much about the Qwest or other call centers. But, I do know there is another independent one outside of Qwest and Center Partners, if you don't have luck with a job there. Let me know and I'll PM the name to you and the web address.

TohobitPeak, in my opinion, did a nice summary of the two cities. It is true that Pocatello is starting to get some commercial growth, easily seen as one is drive to or through Poky.

Idaho Falls, being flat where I-15 goes through the city, is actually hard to tell what has been built unless one knows what to look for in the eastern bench. But, fortunately, with Taylor's Crossing, Renaissance Partners, Snake River Landing ALL being developed between the beautiful Snake River and Greenbelt and I-15, those new developments will be far more easy to see.

Let us know any other questions you have. It appears to me you've gotten some really good tips here. If you decide to move, let us know when, as you are most likely to have other questions then.

[MajorHart]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Qwest, the phone company for this region has call centers in both IF and Pocatello. I believe Convergence has one in Pocatello and I know the IF Qwest center is expanding from the last I heard. There is another one in IF whose name escapes me right now and they are pretty good size. HA! Center Partners is the name of the other one.

Do they hire older people?

Thanks
John Hansen
majorhart@sbcglobal.net

[JamesinLittleRock]

Just live in blackfoot. I did growing up and its nice to be in the middle instead of driving 10 miles one way or the other.

[LeiGul]

Originally Posted by MajorHart

Do they hire older people?

Thanks
John Hansen
majorhart@sbcglobal.net

Yes both Qwest and Center Partners hired older people. Qwest is no longer affiliated with Center Partners. Qwests pay scale did drop for new hires because people would get hired, work for the three month training and then quit. The pay was somewhere around 15$ and hour and dropped down to $10 I think. Not sure on that one. But the amount of people quitting after the three month training was high, and they dropped the hiring payscale to accomidate that. However you can more than make up for that pay cut, they get awsome incentives and third pay checks. Something to think about.

Also the Pocatello Qwest is different than the Idaho Falls Qwest. Idaho Falls pays more and gives out more incentives because they are a sales channel. The Pocatello office is a Customer Care center so they don't get as many perks. Just an FYI.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by LeiGul

Yes both Qwest and Center Partners hired older people. Qwest is no longer affiliated with Center Partners. Qwests pay scale did drop for new hires because people would get hired, work for the three month training and then quit. The pay was somewhere around 15$ and hour and dropped down to $10 I think. Not sure on that one. But the amount of people quitting after the three month training was high, and they dropped the hiring payscale to accomidate that. However you can more than make up for that pay cut, they get awsome incentives and third pay checks. Something to think about.

Also the Pocatello Qwest is different than the Idaho Falls Qwest. Idaho Falls pays more and gives out more incentives because they are a sales channel. The Pocatello office is a Customer Care center so they don't get as many perks. Just an FYI.

Interesting info, LeiGul. I didn't know that info of what made the two Qwest Centers different. I think they actually have one in CDA as well. If I understand you correctly, then the Idaho Falls Qwest call center is selling potential services to Qwest Clients? Whereas Poky is Customer Support? Does that sum it up?

I get very confused in the Center Parnters Area. Is Qwest physically located there, or are they elsewhere in town? Qwest has over 400+ employees, if I remember correctly (please correct me if I'm wrong), so when it is said Center Partners has ~800 employees, that is exclusive of Qwest.

The Call Centers really are becoming bigger employers in Idaho Falls. While this is small by comparison, which mobile phone carrier moved their Call Center to Taylor's Crossing from Bend, OR, because it was too expensive to do business in OR any longer. That center only employs about 35 people, but if you are one of them and get the pay and benefits, it matters.

Good to have your info LeiGul.