Boise resident seeks suggestions for smaller towns in Idaho (Pocatello: for sale, apartment)

[while parked]

I have been living in Boise since March, and my apartment lease is almost up. I like Boise. But I want to move to a smaller town for the express written purpose of being able to afford a small house or duplex. Right now I pay $650 a month for a nice, spacious 1BR apartment. Yes there are cheaper 1 BRs in the area, but this one is especially nice (it's actually a condo actually). I have pets, and I want a duplex or house. I don't want to pay more than 650 a month. 650 wouldn't get me much in Boise (for a house of duplex). Basically I don't want anyone above or below me. I am a truck driver by trade, but I am learning the skill of day trading in the stock market, and I believe I am skilled enough to support myself via this activity of day trading. Therefore finding work is not an issue. Just an cable Internet connection, and affordable house or duplex is what I need to live the life of Riley. I have many possibilities on my list. Please tell me what you think, and give me your ideas, thank you VERY much. (Mountain Home, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Moscow, Ontario, Oregon, Kennwick, WA, Missoula, MT). I am a single guy who just turned 50, and have no special requirements for where I live. Just a gym, grocery store, diner, the usual stuff.

[banjomike]

I think a lot depends on how much more truck driving you think you may have to do, and what kind of country you prefer the most.
And some of it may be the kind of trucking you prefer. If you don't like doing the long hauls, but are willing to do 1-2 day trips, Idaho Falls may be a good choice for you.

We have a lot of trucking companies here that drive ag products, mostly spuds and hay, to Salt Lake City and points west and south. I'm sure some deliver to California, Oregon and Nevada regularly, and some go all the way east to Chicago, Kansas City, and other big commodity centers.

I.F. has most of the traditional brokerages here in town, if you use any of them, and is a financial center that serves a pretty large area. I'm sure it has more trading capability than some of the towns on your list, but that's an area I don't know much about.

The housing prices here are definitely cheaper than the Boise area, and I know there are lots of modest single homes and quite a few duplexes that are available. Most of the duplexes are newer, and the houses are in all home age brackets from quite old to brand new. There was a lot of housing boom going on here just before the bust, and much of it is just outside Idaho Falls' city limits, in Bonneville County and in the small surrounding towns of Ammon, Iona, and Ucon. All are in county limits.

There is also quite a bit of housing in neighboring Jefferson County, just to the north of Bonneville, and in Rigby, a town inside Jefferson. Rexburg, further north in Madison county, is a growing town and housing is hard to find and relatively more expensive than I.F.

South of I.F. lie Shelley and Firth, both in Bingham county. They are both farm communities with relatively limited housing, but there are always a few homes for sale there that are more in the country than in town, as neither has much 'town' in them.

Idaho Falls has the most amenities by far of all of them. We have a ton of restaurants, even more fast food joints, a bunch of different gymns and indoor sports/gymn/swimming centers, and a thriving YMCA that focuses on the same stuff. We also have a great year-round indoor public pool. We get all the new movies, got the big cable stuff, wireless, etc. I.F. serves such a large area, it's a lot like Boise, but without the traffic jams and the high prices.

And the country is nicer, I think. It's typically greener here than Boise, and doesn't get as hot and humid in the summer.

[cleosmom]

One issue you will have is that if you plan on continuing to rent, it is difficult at best to find a rental that allows pets in the Idaho Falls area.

As for trucking if you're planning on being OTR then I know there are openings, not too sure there are many local/regional spots up for grabs as they go fast. Are you an o/o or company driver?

[Keim]

I like Moscow, and can highly recommend it. But $650 for rent won't get you much of a house here. Rents are high due to the UI.

[pw72]

Rents are still quite reasonable in Idaho Falls & Pocatello. I'm currently in a nice corner 1-br apartment in a newer development in I.F. for $660. It really is underpriced, but my feeling is they would prefer a long-term resident at that price than residents moving in and out every 6-9 months, ultimately making it more expensive. Find those deals and you will do well.

[elkotronics]

Anyone on the board know how the rental house situation is in Salmon, ID? Heading there tomorrow and wondering if anyone on here has any tips on the rental situation there. And yes, we have two dogs and two cats, too!

[while parked]

Thank you for your answers. I forgot i asked this question and i am on my mobile phone tonight so i will read ypur responses tonigjt and respond on my desktop tomorrow if i have any other questions.

[while parked]

One think i wanted to clarify i am learning to trade in the stock maker aka day trader. I dont plan on doing much truck driving unless there is a need for weekend work. I.F. does sound good. I would have guessed that pocatelo has more going on for places to eat, gyms, and such because of the university.

[while parked]

Is it really hard to find rental housing in I.F. that accepts pets? Boise seems fairly easy to fi.d pet friendly housing. I am surprised that a nice 1br apartment costs 660. I remember looking at pocatello 10-15 years ago and rent was relatively dirt cheap. Is rent no longer relatively dirt cheap?

[cleosmom]

Yes, it is quite hard to find places to rent with pets, especially those over 15 pounds.