Relocating, ID, MT or WY? (Boise, Pocatello: to rent, movie theater, to live in)

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by NWbyNW

I Heck, I'd look at Newport, WA if you want a small town that is nice and secluded, but still close to shopping in Spokane, about 50 minutes though countryside and forest.

Or if you want to stay in Idaho, Oldtown and Priest river are right next to Newport. Blanchard is a very easy commute as well.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by offandaway

When you say college towns, does that mean that there's a lot of "young energy" and thing geared towards their ages? Or do the kids keep to themselves and the college?
Where I live, college town means you better get out of town by 7pm or your stuck in a crowd of wasted inconsiderate kids (not generalizing, just what our college town here is like)

I forgot to respond to your Q: My impression of CdA, from just visiting, is that the college (community college) is a nice, vibrant addition to a nice town, but in no way dominating the scene. Also remember there are several schools in Spokane, so that should take some pressure off the college party scene in CdA. Again guessing .

But here's another aspect of the CdA area you may want to add to your list of "pros": It is fabulous as a home base for all kinds of weekend and vacation activities. You can get to Glacier in 3 hours or less, and Seattle in 5, if you really want to go shopping.... All of scenic Western Montana is just across the Bitterroots. The Panhandle itself is good for endless weekend trips--put Sandpoint on the map for your favorite weekend getaway. Of course Bozeman has easy access to Yellowstone and the cool little Western towns of Ennis, Virginia City etc., and (as you've read in Banjomike's posts) IF is also a hub for great outings. But the Panhandle has the lakes! And mountains, too, of course. Take a look at our picture thread, and also visit our North Idaho Front Porch thread (not just for NID'ers!)--there are pictures posted of great scenic places to visit.

Besides, Spokane is a cheaper airport than Bozeman or Missoula. Haven't figured out why, but tickets are less expensive. When you plan your trip, you may want to consider flying in and out of Spokane instead of Bozeman.

[NWbyNW]

Originally Posted by offandaway

What are some "outskirt" towns in Bozeman and IF that are worthwhile checking out that are still commutable in the winter?? we want to check out both "in town" and out of town

There are none. There is really nothing that would compare with the CDA region for housing. Idaho Falls has some small farming towns around the city, but in terms of beauty and greenery, nothing compared to the CDA and Spokane area.

Bozeman doesn't really have much outside of town.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by NWbyNW

There are none. There is really nothing that would compare with the CDA region for housing. Idaho Falls has some small farming towns around the city, but in terms of beauty and greenery, nothing compared to the CDA and Spokane area.

Bozeman doesn't really have much outside of town.

Belgrade is right outside of Bozeman and it is an option.

I haven't lived in any of the places but have been to all of them and I would say that CDA and Bozeman are better options than the other two. Casper is kind of a grimy oil town. Idaho Falls is nicer but smaller. Both Casper and Idaho Falls are close to some nice country but CDA and Bozeman are right in the middle of the beautiful country.

CDA is on the edge of the Spokane MSA so you have a nice mix of a suburb/small town/resort town. I like Spokane and it would be nice to be able to zip over there on the interstate.

The other three places are a long, long way from any metro of any size.

[romath]

From a recreational standpoint, Bozeman is almost a no brainer. Almost everything but the ocean. The town has close to 40k, 50k in the valley, so amenities of a small to modest sized town, including influences of a university, along with plenty of open space and place to live and roam in the surrounding area. Ranch jobs common (don't know about the pay, tho). From a climate standpoint, I think the toughest part of the year is spring, in the transition from the remnants of winter (mud) to summer temps.

[zigmommy]

We live about an hour and a half Southwest of Bozeman and love it. There is a lot of open space all around Bozeman without having to go too far away from the services. I can't help you with the Idaho/Washington areas (we're looking at relocating to Northern Idaho ourselves). But I can tell you there is NO advantage to Casper. A great majority of my family is in Powell and it is one of the only places in Wyoming I'd choose to live. I have also made the Powell to Casper trek and there's really no way you could work in Casper and get anything like the Powell area for living.

Best of luck to you, I hope your trip gave you a good look at the areas!

[zigmommy]

Originally Posted by offandaway

What are some "outskirt" towns in Bozeman and IF that are worthwhile checking out that are still commutable in the winter?? we want to check out both "in town" and out of town

Also, like some people said Four Corners/Belgrade and MAYBE Livingston are your only options for outskirt/commutable towns to Bozeman. But from what you've said you would be able to find some acreage to your suiting even with a Bozeman address.

[romath]

In addition to what zigmommy mentions, there's a lot of unincorporated county land, and even some city land, that is outskirts. Bozeman is nestled in the southeast corner of Gallatin Valley, which is a big open area surrounded by mountains on three sides.

[remington79]

the summers in CDA are very dry. I would actually prefer more rain and more snow in the winter. Just make sure you get a 4 wheel drive as CDA does a very poor job of plowing their roads. If you already have a job then good. If not stay away from CDA. I had a good job but it fell through and now were stuck here for now. Personally my wife and I feel moving here was the worst thing we ever did. However, I do like living near the woods and I do get in a lot of hiking and camping.

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by offandaway

I currently reside in the East and my company is closing their offices in the east. My husband and I have a pick of 4 places to relocate:

1. Casper, Wy
2. Bozeman, MT
3. CDA, ID
4. Idaho Falls, ID


A little background:
We will rent where ever we choose at first to make sure its a good fit for us, so i dont care about housing yet.
I am willing to commute up to an hour
We both love outdoors, hiking, camping ect
The cold does not bother us
Husband hates constant rain (unsure if CDA would have that due to the proximity to WA?)
We hate crowds. alot. Our dream would be to live on a 20 acre ranch with the only neighbors 10 acres away... We're quiet folks
Husband would probably want to find work on a ranch as works on a farm here.
We'd want to live near mountains.

WY seems as though its an obvious fit for us, but our issue seems to be that we love the Powell area of WY and Casper is way to far of a commute for that so we aren't sure of the benefits of Casper?...or the other above places

I just finished reading this entire Thread...........from the info YOU have provided and your answers to some of the statements and questions from other posters...............my recommendation would be the "CD'L" area.

......Why do I say that?.................:

.....I have traveled and stayed "in, around and through" approx 75% of all the cities, towns and surrounding areas that are mentioned in this Thread.....and obviously the four towns you mentioned. My job (for almost forty _ working_ years) encompassed: ID, MT; WY: WA.....................and since retirement, I have continued to travel, explore & enjoy what these 4 states have to offer. My job allowed me to constantly be "on the look-out" for "where I ultimately wanted to retire". ....... Again, due to the "type of job" I had......I can honestly state that I have driven (traveled) on approx 70% of ALL the main highways, country highways, secondary roads, gravel roads, forest service service roads and private roads in these 4 states (and have stayed overnight in 70% of the towns that had accomodations available...........Thus, IMHO, I know "The area".

If....I say if, I were in your position, I would: fly into Spokane (much less expensive; far greater flight selection etc)....rent your car there, get a "feel for the Spokane area" and then proceed east:

1/ Check out the "CD'L area" (including Post Falls).....Also make sure to drive north up toward Sandpoint.......and also south from CD'L on down to St. Maries.

2/ Then drive on over to Bozeman..(approx 370 miles & 5 1/2 hours).

3/ Then drive on down to Idaho Falls..(approx 260 miles & 4 hours).
When in the ID Falls area....take the time to drive east out of IF on Hwy26 into the "Swan Valley"/ "Palisades" area.
....(From IF you can go on over to Casper.....OR you can go back up to Bozeman area and give it a 2nd look....OR you can go back up to CD'L area and give it a 2nd look. You then are just 33 miles from the Airport at Spokane & your trip back east.)

4/ Again...if I were in your position.....I would "leave Casper at the bottom of my list"..............From what you have indicated in the info you have provided......it cannot offer You & your husband) what the other three areas can offer...............I'm sure you are aware, the area around Powell is quite-a-bit different than the area around Casper.

Whatever you do............make sure you bring a digital camera "with plenty of capacity". You will want to take "Lots -of-pictures". (And "key" the pics into the notes you take).
Make "all kinds of notes" on a note pad as you form opinions of the places you are looking at. Even better, get your self a hand held digital voice recorder so you can "make verbal remarks and notations" regarding the places you are visiting. (And "key" these notes into the pictures you are taking).

.....Take your time.......organize your day's notes and pics at the end of EACH day and stop in the "C of C" office in the various towns that interest you and get maps, literature & brochures from them.

Also, get a copy of the local Newspaper(s) from the town or area you end up being the most interested in. ...So that when you know where your want to rent for that first year.....you can "run your own ad" indicating what type of rental you are looking for, location AND that you "HAVE EMPLOYMENT ALREADY."

Be careful when using "Property Management firms" to acquire a rental........and obviously when renting from a private individual.......get everything discussed and promised IN WRITING!!