ID...for us?

[j1n]

Originally Posted by twinprism

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...
what does one see when one walks out onto the street in Pocatello and looks around? What does the scenery and topography around the town look like?

Also (and this may be relative), what is your take on the kids around Pocatello? Generally good kids? Good manners?
What do the kids get into and involved with after school etc? What do they do? How about the teenagers? Packs of 'em hanging around and up to no good?

[twinprism]

I'll try to upload some pictures later to give you a good idea. the scene in most parts of town is dominated by the mountains surrounding town (right now mostly snow covered). Right now it looks like to brown and dingy as the snow's melted off and things are just starting to turn from mud to green. Street sweepers are out picking up gravel from the winter. (they are my heros!)

Here's a shot taken of the west bench Feb. 15th by a friend of mine..
West+Bench+Panorama+smallfile.jpg (image)
found on Pocatello Photo Blog

Here's a random shot taken by me on a backpacking trip with my kids' class. Not a particularly good shot. This is less about 10 miles from downtown Pocatello, if it gives you some idea what the surrounding country looks like

http://nickell.org/albums/album06/abj.sized.jpg

Here's a couple webcams..



ISU Quad
http://www.isu.edu/departments/its/webcamview/quadf.jpg

Old town Pocatello
Pocatello Idaho State Journal

1-15 in Pocatello (traffic)
http://birice.vaisala.com/photos/035...371C5_cam2.jpg

Not sure it it updates, it's from this page... Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Highways


As far as the kids. I teach skiing and snowboarding at the local ski area, so I get to teach most of them. For the most part I'm pretty impressed. Some schools are better than others.

I don't see too many packs just hanging out.... but there are always the troublemakers. Common activities included the Ross Park park, skate park, and swimming complex, sports (things like lacrosse, roller hockey, and disc golf in addition to baseball, basketball, football, and soccer), rock climbing at Ross Park or community rec. center or Reed Gym at ISU. Kids sometimes still get bored as there is not a lot of shopping (our mall is kinda sad) and unless they like the outdoors they think there is not a lot to do. Many kids watch a lot of movies and play a lot of video games and text of their phones all day and night.

[j1n]

beautiful shots, thanks! Just the fact that one was taken on a backpacking trip with your kids' class is a huge positive!!
And it sounds like the typical kids...maybe with some better "atypical" options open to them...climbing, skiing, etc. Sounds and looks like a good place.

[beechnit]

Make sure that your wife will be able to deal with the winter. It can sometimes be a long one.

[North Idaho Native]

Your family sounds a lot like mine, I have 2 kids - 11 & 4, I grew up hiking, camping, fishing, I took pig, goat, sewing & cake decorating in 4-H, I snowboard 2 - 3 times a week with my kids, and I live in Sandpoint, Idaho. My husband & I were born here and we wouldn't leave for anything in the world! We have a huge lake, a wonderful ski hill, tons of mountains to hike, bike & camp. For your wife, we have a hospital and plenty of medical practices. You should google it. My husband is a builder here, and I stay home with the kids, we love it here!!

[trishp]

Originally Posted by Curosi-dee

Let me tell some might - be -newbies some things about north Idaho that my husband and I discovered living here. We have lived in 6 states. We have learned to be adaptable and flexible.

First, to me north Idaho is like a sub-alpine climate. It is beautiful here, even in the winter, even this past snow season. The main highway's are kept clear for the most part, still some people like to drive like a mad nutter on snow/iced roads. If the snow gets above 3-4 or more inches, many side streets are cleared as well, so that is good!

The lakes are out of this world gorgeous, serene. In late November-late January the Bald Eagles are around and they are amazing to see.

My husband is self-employed and does flooring. I am studying currently. My husband pays $300 a year in Workman's Comp even though he does not have employees, one has to pay it whether one has employees or not! He then is taxed on his tools. Yep! He has to pay that in addition to a yearly business license, paying for being licensed/bonded too through an insurance company. We knew some of this when we moved here in 2007, but some of it was a surprise.

We are on one income and we rent. Our real estate management company is not a good one. I use to work for a real estate company, assisting in rentals in Oregon. I warned my husband that he would be sorry if we rented from a real estate management company!

There is radon here which can cause lung cancer. A test is performed and people can pay $1,200.00 or higher for systems to get the radon out of ones home. So if you two are considering buying a home, these test cost about $75. Also Idaho has programs out there for couples on different incomes to qualify for housing, like FHA, USDA, etc. What my husband and I had a difficult time understanding is the the zoning laws. Land is sold in 5,10, or more acres, so it is hard for the average jane/joe to buy land. It is a rare treat to find an acre for sale!

In Cd'A -- the city is trying to charge homeowners a $50 permit fee and they are required to fix the concrete sidewalks on their properties!! My husband and I are not too impressed with Idaho's laws. Whatever....

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.

Oh yeah, I am of Italian heritage and I have dark brown hair and brown eyes (I also wear glasses) and I get stared at a lot!! It is like, what have you not seen an American with brown hair/brown eyes? Many people here are blond/blue eyes so I guess I do look different. It still bugs me, only because of the stupid illegal alien problem we have in America.

This is just my observation and .02 cents worth.

I couldn't help but notice what you wrote about the doctors there. My son and I are seriously considering moving to Boise. I am disabled with severe arthritis and need to make sure that I can find a doctor who is sympathetic to the management of my pain and also accepts Medicare. My son is also in need of help. He was hit by a car 2 years ago and his leg was shattered. To make a long story short, he needs more surgeries on his leg. We moved to Salem, Oregon 3 years ago, and have had a terrible time here. My son can't get any help because he doesn't have insurance and he can't get insurance because of his damaged leg. After reading your post, I am concerned that we will be making a huge mistake moving to Boise. Do you think we will be able to get the help we need, or should we think about moving someplace else?

Any and all help would be extremely appreciated.