ID...for us? (Boise, Pocatello, Idaho Falls: insurance, buying a home, buying)

[twinprism]

j1n,

With what you describe, I think you'd be happiest in Pocatello, or south of here in Inkom or McCammon if you want a smaller town or more rural/agricultural feel. If you want to get even more rural, look at Soda Springs or Montepelier area in the SE. Awesome country.

Pocatello is really centrally located to Yellowstone, Jackson, Sun Valley, the Tetons, and Wind River Range (serious wow factor) and the Sawtooths, Utah areas and less than 3 hours to anything you describe.

There is not much wow factor right in Pocatello, but it is closer to the mountains and than Idaho Falls so in my opinion, prettier. I think the winter weather is better than Idaho Falls as well. The Portnuef range isn't as impressive as the Wasatch, but it is still pretty. Any you are within 30 minutes of some awesome areas and views, particularly if you don't mind high desert and stark landscapes, though we have forests too, Mink Creek area is pretty awesome. My wish list reads a lot like yours, and I'm happy in Pocatello.

Feel free to PM me or ask here if you have specific questions.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Torrie

Maybe Colorado Springs or Winter Park might be areas to look at.

torrie...
thanks for the suggestions. Actually, Colorado Springs is one of the places that are "in the mix" when it comes to relo consideration

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

$35,000-$40,000 is not a lot of money to get by on if you plan on buying a house here.

maybe not alone, but my wife would be working as well. That would bring us more into the $55-70k range. I feel pretty confident that we could find something suitable with a dual income.

esselcue...
thanks for your positive response

[j1n]

Originally Posted by twinprism

j1n,

With what you describe, I think you'd be happiest in Pocatello, or south of here in Inkom or McCammon if you want a smaller town or more rural/agricultural feel. If you want to get even more rural, look at Soda Springs or Montepelier area in the SE. Awesome country.

Pocatello is really centrally located to Yellowstone, Jackson, Sun Valley, the Tetons, and Wind River Range (serious wow factor) and the Sawtooths, Utah areas and less than 3 hours to anything you describe.

There is not much wow factor right in Pocatello, but it is closer to the mountains and than Idaho Falls so in my opinion, prettier. I think the winter weather is better than Idaho Falls as well. The Portnuef range isn't as impressive as the Wasatch, but it is still pretty. Any you are within 30 minutes of some awesome areas and views, particularly if you don't mind high desert and stark landscapes, though we have forests too, Mink Creek area is pretty awesome. My wish list reads a lot like yours, and I'm happy in Pocatello.

Feel free to PM me or ask here if you have specific questions.

hey twinprism...
thanks for taking the time to read my novel, and to offer some positive food for thought. I appreciate it. And yeah, I spent some time last summer in the Bighorns, Winds, Tetons, and Absarokas...wow is right!! We live in a beautiful country!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by j1n

Ok, so let me say this upfront. I'm no noob here. I've researched, read, commented, read some more, and I know how to use the "search" function.


Background...
I'm a long-time northeasterner (NJ/NYC area...born and bred). I have spent large chunks of time in and/or lived in NJ, AR, FL, and upstate NY. I have spent much smaller chunks of time visiting HI, WY, CO, UT, MT.
I currently live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern VA. My wife is a long-time med receptionist/records person. I have done everything from customer service, inside sales, to jockeying a forklift/warehouse work, to working on a horse farm. I actually currently work on a horse farm. I deal with the horses...cleaning, feeding, dispensing meds, assisting farrier and vet, etc. I also repair fence, paint, clean, etc, etc. I love it! Neither of us have college degrees. We have 2 kids, 10 and 4.

All of that said...
I have a serious case of mountain fever. I love the snow (my wife does not. But all she has really experienced is heavy, wet, northeastern snow). I know how to drive in it. I don't care about how green or lush the foliage is. I love camping and being outside. I like being above treeline. I love red rock, alpine, and high desert landscapes. I enjoy high altitudes and the bluest skies I've ever seen. I'm not looking for a big "career". That's not to say I'm not a dedicated, loyal, and hard worker. I'm just not a corporate climber, and I don't need to be a millionaire to be happy. I want to work doing something that I don't hate. I'm not too picky...good people and a good company are more important than a prestigious job title. I'd love to continue to work outdoors...with animals, on a farm or ranch maybe. I would most likely be coming to ID with a CDL license as well. My wife would like to continue with what she does, so a local hospital would be great.

I want to walk outside and see some mountains and be blown away every time. I want to live somewhere where the cost of living is low enough to allow life to be enjoyable. I want my kids to grow up with a love of hiking and camping and maybe even skiing and snowboarding. I want to live near other folks who feel a lot like I do. I have a sister in Golden, CO, another in NM, another in the Portland, OR area, a best friend looking at a relo back to the SLC area, and people in Jackson, WY.

I've never really looked into ID before, but it is looking more and more interesting to me as I research...specifically Pocatello or Idaho Falls. Idaho would be generally centrally located to the aforementioned friends and family (a lot closer than I am now!), and close to areas I love...Tetons, etc. I would love to be within a reasonable proximity to the Sawtooths as well. The cost of living looks pretty great, and my kids would love to be involved with something like 4-H or FFA. In fact, we would be looking to buy in an Ag-zoned area...keep some chicken, goats, maybe some pigs and donkeys too.

Anyone have any suggestions? Ideas? Opinions on where/what might be right for me? Are the areas I'm looking at "jiving" with what I want? All info welcomed! Thanks!

Jin,

It seems like you've gotten some good feedback. I'm wondering about a couple of other things.

IF your family were to make this move, what qualities in an area would be most important to your wife? You sound like you can make most situations work for you. What would amenities or other factors would make life enjoyable for your wife?

I might be wrong, but I'm kind of thinking if your wife is happier you may be too.

Also, if infrastructure like airport service and direct flights matter, Idaho Falls has the airport serviced by 5 airlines currently. You might want to check out those factors too, as direct flights are available to some of the locations of your relatives, or perhaps where your wife may want to visit.

You've probably done this, but if not, perhaps making a list of the 5 or 10 "must haves" vs. "would likes" etc. may be useful when considering Idaho.

Good luck in your decision.

MSR

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

Jin,

It seems like you've gotten some good feedback. I'm wondering about a couple of other things.

IF your family were to make this move, what qualities in an area would be most important to your wife? You sound like you can make most situations work for you. What would amenities or other factors would make life enjoyable for your wife?

I might be wrong, but I'm kind of thinking if your wife is happier you may be too.

Also, if infrastructure like airport service and direct flights matter, Idaho Falls has the airport serviced by 5 airlines currently. You might want to check out those factors too, as direct flights are available to some of the locations of your relatives, or perhaps where your wife may want to visit.

You've probably done this, but if not, perhaps making a list of the 5 or 10 "must haves" vs. "would likes" etc. may be useful when considering Idaho.

Good luck in your decision.

MSR

hey MSR...
Thanks for your thoughtful post! You are right about considering the happiness of my wife. Let's see...some things that would be important to my wife...
First off would be quality opportunities for our 2 kids...good schools, maybe some things like FFA and 4-H.
She's also not a big fan of snow. I know, I know...if she doesn't like snow, why Idaho?! Well, she grew up in TX, and then spent a bunch of time in the NYC area. So her idea of snow and winter is skewed by heavy, wet, icy, snow combined with severe overcrowding and extrememly congested streets. She doesn't really know what snow is. But she is capable...in some extremely uncomfortable weather and driving conditions. And her idea of fun is curling up with a cup of tea and a book or a movie.
We'd want to find a good church that we all enjoyed. I know that would be important to her. I also know that she'd like to find a job that she really enjoys. She's been in med reception and med records for almost 17 years. The first 16 were with the same practice. She has an impeccable resume', and is currently a team leader in the records dept of a hospital in our area. She'd like to continue in the same line of work. A not-too-long commute would be important to her. We would want to keep some chickens and goats, and cultivate a large garden...that stuff is real important to both of us...being somewhat self-sufficient. She loves the woods, outdoors, lakes, etc.
As far as your airport comments...
We would want to have access to an airport so grandma can come visit . But we don't need to be instantly airborn . A drive to the airport to travel or pick up visitors would be fine. But checking on where flights go directly to and from Idaho Falls is a great idea. I will check it out. Thanks again!

[Curosi-dee]

Originally Posted by esselcue

Hey, J1N,

Kudos to you for looking before leaping. Every state and every areas has its own "goods" and "bads" and what is great for one may not be so much for another. I currently live in AZ and am hoping (planning) to retire to No Idaho so I have been lurking on this forum and reading everything I possibly can to make sure I am being realistic. If you've looked at real estate on-line, studied the different towns and cities websites to get a feel for taxes and other cost of living issues, then you should be fairly aware of what to expect.

As far as scenery, etc, that's another personal thing. Take a trip to Idaho and look around. I have done that twice and am fairly enamoured with Kootenai and Bonner counties, but many other folks prefer a warmer and less forested area.

Just be sure you study the area before you make a decision. I have read a lot on the AZ forum, as well, and so many people are planning to move to Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma because of what they see on TV and in AZ Highways Magazine and it is so warm and wonderful and no snow! But what they do not do is visit southern AZ in the summer, when it is 100 degrees at midnight (120+ in the daytime) and kids have to stay indoors for four months of the year due to the awful heat of summer.

Same with Idaho or the midwest or the south...each area has its good and its bad. You won't know if Idaho is for you until you research it thoroughly and get to know some of the people, (who, I have found to be extremely warm and friendly). Good luck!

Well said!

Sage, I have lived in 6 US states, I also worked in a doctors office (in addition to a real estate office), and moving around and connecting to a new doctors office, I have never had so much trouble trying to find a doctor here in north Idaho! I was given a list of doctors who were taking new patients, I called and the receptionist either tells you to pick up a packet or they transfer your call to a nurse, the nurse asks questions about your general heath, meds, etc. I had 2 nurses tell me that they would discuss my information with the doctor. Gee, I have good hearing and also good comprehension to know what I went through....I have never experienced this in the other 5 states I lived in.

When people stop in the middle of the grocery aisle (on more than one ocassion) to openly stare at me, I would call that starring!!! I had one guy ask if I was from eastern Europe? I guess I am imagining people doing this when they are so obvious! I make new friends wherever I move to, I am described as being bubbly and outgoing, why would I perceive evil where there is no evil? I am by nature a positive person.

Again, I was stating MY EXPERIENCES & OBSERVATIONS to any would-be-newbies who move to Idaho or are thinking about it. It was not meant to be a slight on Idaho or its people. I find people in Idaho very giving to community and neighbors! I just do not like the stupid laws and being taxed for every little thing!

[Asthedeer]

Originally Posted by Curosi-dee

Medical doctors: this was very strange for me. One calls around to doctors office for an appointment to see a doctor right? Not here in north Idaho! A doctor's office can reject you! You pick up a packet or speak to a nurse (of course your wife will notice this if she works for a doctors office) of meds, ills, etc. and one gets a call back if the doctor will accept you as a new patient or not. I had to contact 5-6 doctor's office before I was accepted (I have a Thyroid/Pituitary problem). I would love to remind these doctors of their hippocratic oath--and to remove the poles out of their bums!! On the flip side, if they do not have the skills/qualifications to treat my condition then I do not really want them to be my doctor.

I agree with you. Myself and most of my family work/worked in the medical care field here and this is true.

[Sage of Sagle]

No worries. It's just very different than our experience in seeing new doctors in CDA and SP, and we have our share of medical challenges as well. But I've experienced what you're talking about in SoCal, so it struck me as a bit odd. But I take your word for it obviously. We have had the opposite experience here, at Sandpoint Family Medical and several specialists on Ironwood in CDA by Kootenai Medical Center.

As to the other, well, it's your observation and personal experience...I cannot challenge that...it just seems very odd given that this area seems to have a broad tolerance and acceptance...

[esselcue]

We have a "shortage" of doctors in my area of AZ and many just don't have the capacity of taking on more clients, especially if they require more extensive care. There is no fault here, it's just how it is. With so many of us Baby Boomers "maturing" now, the need for medical care is rising and we are living longer and have more ailments to treat. If I was a medical student I would go into Geriatric Medicine! I notice that when a doctor in our area is building a practice or whatever, they will advertise that they are "accepting new patients". I assume it is a similar situation in Idaho...although I could be wrong. At any rate, when I relocate I, too, will be looking for a doctor for day-to-day stuff and a couple of Baby Boomer medications...so the hunt will be on

[twinprism]

At risk of further wandering off topic, perhaps there is already a thread for this...

Medical situation is similar in Idaho to what you describe in Arizona. There is a shortage of medical professionals especially in the rural areas. It's kind of a hot topic as the state considers building a medical school to be able to train more doctors. I guess we are state with the highest population currently without a medical school. Idaho State University in Pocatello (with campuses in Boise and Idaho Falls) is leading that charge as they are the university with the state chartered health sciences mission.