Winter Commute from Ashton to Rexburg (Pocatello, Idaho Falls: unemployment, high school, college)

[jeanie missouri]

I really like the Ashton area and was wondering what the commute is like in the winter? Do they keep the roads in that area clear? Are their any good jobs close to Ashton?

I could really use some insight!

[cleosmom]

Ashton hill can close numerous times during the winter. Mostly due to blowing and drifting snow.

I have clients who keep extra clothes in their vehicles as they live in Ashton and work in IF. Many a time they've stayed in IF at a friend's.

[Mapper]

I don't think that there are any good jobs within 200 miles of Ashton unless you land some lucky telecommute. However, when you live in such a wonderful place, people are willing to work for less, so you have to give and take a little.

[jeanie missouri]

I guess good to me would be able to make ends meet with a little extra,,,
I'd be looking for a job in Shipping, Receiving,clerical, Customer Service etc...
In my are now they can pay anywhere from $12.00 - $18.00 depending on the amount of training.

[twinprism]

If you want to live in Ashton and work in those type of jobs you might check with car and farm equipment dealers in Ashton or St. Anthony. Ashton is beautiful, but most people that live there support themselves on less or bring their money with them. I can't imagine many of the local businesses in Ashton paying that much but I haven't really looked. There is also seasonal tourist work in hospitality and restaurants in nearby Island Park and on the world class trout rivers and streams in the area.

Who knows, maybe the very low unemployment has opened up some jobs in the smaller towns as residents take the better paying jobs in the cities.

To get that price range you'll likely be looking at working in Rexburg or more likely Idaho Falls where there are some larger companies, but remember cost of living is pretty low here as well.

[jeanie missouri]

Thank You I very much appreciate the honesty!
Now I have to ask ? If I'm not Mormon am I gonna have a harder time getting work in that area?
I've read several comments that kinda have me scared!

[twinprism]

There is a the whole sticky thread devoted to this topic, so I'd encourage you to read and search for people's experience in specific towns there.

Here's my opinion, and it's a huge generalization, as always your situation may be different. This is my view on how/why it is how it is. I was raised Mormon, and am no longer LDS, so I've seen from the inside and out.

Yes, it may make it harder to find work. For most, it is nothing insidious or discriminatory, it's just people are more comfortable dealing with others that they see at church and other functions. They think of these people when they have a job opening. When the population goes over a certain percentage of any one religion, this becomes more evident as people can get everything they need without dealing with others outside of their faith. They don't mean to exclude others, it's just easier. Same reason you don't keep up with your friends from high school/college/whatever. You just drift apart because you don't have that much in common anymore.

In Rexburg or St. Anthony, or Blackfoot the more rural areas it will be an issue,
In Ashton, slightly less as I think the percentage of people that are Mormon is a little smaller.
In Idaho Falls, it is not much of a problem as the percentage is about 50%, i'd guess.
In Pocatello, even less.