Thinking about moving to Buhl (Boise, Twin Falls: insurance, crime, how much)

[nativelvnv4]

Hi, This is my first time to post, and was glad to find this site. We are thinking about moving back out west and was wondering if anyone could give me some information on Buhl, ID.
I raise miniature horses and would like to know more about the weather, vet care, how much snow is there usually during the winter months, not use to the colder weather, crime rate, Hospitals or medical and the area in general.
We are thinking about opening a good ole Southern BBQ Restaurant somewhere around the TF's area and would like to know if there is anything like that already there. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your replys.

[Anchorless]

Buhl is a small town of about 4,000 about 15 miles west-ish of Twin Falls, or about 20-30 minutes away. There isn't much to the town - a few grocery stores, a few restaurants, a few gas stations, a few local hardware stores and feed stores. No chains, really - there is a Subway, an Arctic Circle, and a burger store.

There isn't much for employment - Seneca has a plant, Clear Springs has a plant, there's a feed plant (Rangens) and there are a few banks, insurance agencies, and local stores to work at. Most people either farm, work in some small town service capacity, or work in TF.

It's generally a bit warmer in Buhl than in Twin Falls, but not much. It's usually windy there year round, which is somewhat annoying during the summer, and makes the winter months somewhat miserable. It stays really cold from early December to mid-April, with December, Jan, and Feb having trace snow and ice and temps that usually don't get above 35 or 40. Some cold snaps that stay in the mid 20's. The springs are unpredictable, either warm or cold but usually rainy and windy. The summers are pretty calm, but often windy and pretty hot. The falls are gorgeous.

Snow - there used to be a few inches or more accumulation during the winter months, and you'd get pretty serious drifts and a few days where things would shut down, but we haven't seen that in over 10 years. Now we mostly get a snowfall that lingers but doesn't accumulate. A few years ago there was a great snowstorm that drifted in some spots over 5 or 6 feet high - that was exciting, but it was cleared out after a day or so.

There isn't much crime, but there are quite a few DUI's, drug raids/bust (mostly meth or pot), and domestic battery type stuff. Some property damage, petit crime, but not much else.

Closest hospitals are in Twin Falls - Magic Valley Regional Medical Center, and in a few years there will be a new St. Lukes. They're adequate, but for extremely serious things patients are usually taken to Boise or SLC. But for the most part the health/medical facilities in TF are fine.

There is a great vet in Buhl at West End Vet. Does a lot of horse care, as well as the typical dog and cat stuff.

I think opening a restaurant in the TF area would be extremely tough. Reason being is that there are just so many restaurants there already, more than what the local population needs. TF is a sort of commercial hub for the Southern half of the state, serving from Mountain Home to Burley to Sun Valley to much of Northern Nevada. So you get a lot of people in town to shop during the days or weekends, but they don't do much of the Friday or Saturday night dining.

The locals do dine, and it's pretty much all there is to do in TF. But you'll be competing with just about every chain/franchise you can think of - Perkins, Jakers, Chilis, Applebees, Montana Steakhouse, Sheri's, Golden Corral, Outback, and on and on and on.

Be very, very cautious. A southern BBQ might be a niche and draw some people, but it might not. Buhl and the surrounding smaller towns (Filer, Wendell, Kimberly, etc.) have always had a hard time with restaurants staying in business. I can think of a handful that have stuck around, and several buildings in each town that seem to be a new place every year.

I'd call around to some of the smaller restaurants in TF and ask their opinion of the market. It seems from where I sit that it's pretty oversaturated, especially for steak/BBQ establishments.

[nativelvnv4]

Thank you so much anchorless. You were most informative in every area I needed.
There were so many negative things that I might have a problem with. First, your weather, I hate wind all the time and it wouldn't be very good for my small horses. Loved the fact of your good Vet there. That was a big plus for me.
My husband is flying in on the 11th of this month to look around, and at a ranch we liked so maybe while he's there he can ask around the different establishments to get an idea of what we might do.
Thank you sooo much for your great response, it was very much appriciated.

[cleosmom]

If you decide to move there, I'd love to met your min-horses Rode hunters/jumpers in my teen years and pleasure as an adult, so meeting the minis would be awesome.

[Anchorless]

Yeah, most places in South and South Western Idaho are windy, (somewhat) cold and snowy in the winter.

Not sure about Eastern or Northern Idaho, though.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

Yeah, most places in South and South Western Idaho are windy, (somewhat) cold and snowy in the winter.

Not sure about Eastern or Northern Idaho, though.

Southeast Idaho, Upper Highlands and Snake River Plain get more than their fair share of winds any season.

[nativelvnv4]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

If you decide to move there, I'd love to met your min-horses Rode hunters/jumpers in my teen years and pleasure as an adult, so meeting the minis would be awesome.

I'm sure they'd love to meet you too. I have 11 now and probably 4 baby's due this summer. I still have to do a preg. check on them . They love people and attention so you'd fit right in with em.
We have 2 QH mares also. One is getting up there in years and the other one, a palomino, is gorgeous and is just 5 now. If we do move there you'd be most welcome.

[nativelvnv4]

Originally Posted by Anchorless

Yeah, most places in South and South Western Idaho are windy, (somewhat) cold and snowy in the winter.

Not sure about Eastern or Northern Idaho, though.

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Southeast Idaho, Upper Highlands and Snake River Plain get more than their fair share of winds any season.

Oh you guys are making me think twice about this area. We had it all planned out and he'll be there next week to look around. I don't know If I should tell my husband all this or not.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by nativelvnv4

Oh you guys are making me think twice about this area. We had it all planned out and he'll be there next week to look around. I don't know If I should tell my husband all this or not.

There's an article that was in the Post Register a few years ago that talks about folks realizing the winds they complain about can do some good

Wind Gains Momentum (http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/enews/enews_0405/enews_0405_Wind_Gains_Momentum.htm - broken link)

[nativelvnv4]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

There's an article that was in the Post Register a few years ago that talks about folks realizing the winds they complain about can do some good

Wind Gains Momentum (http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/enews/enews_0405/enews_0405_Wind_Gains_Momentum.htm - broken link)

Thank you cleosmom for that article, it was interesting.
I didn't like the statement about them seeing trees with one side of them that had lost all their branches to due to wind. heehee
I'll do more research on the area and town and see what else I can come up with. Thank you so much.