Possible move from Hawaii to Idaho (Post Falls, Hayden: rental, condos, house)

[~elise~]

Thanks for all the opinions--for and against Idaho. I need to hear how different people feel to get an idea of whether or not we will be happy there, so I appreciate you who are telling me to think twice about the move, as well as those who think of it as home and love it there.
However, choosing a town in Idaho is only part of our decision to move there; as I mentioned in my first post, we need to live closer to my huband's parents, so there will come a time when there really is not a choice of "if" we will be moving to Idaho, but "when". I just wanted to get some ideas to help our choice of "where" in Idaho to move.
Thanks all!

[Arrowwind]

The most mild climate in Idaho is in the Banana Belt in and around Hagerman.

If I were you I would just forget it and stay in Hawaii and pack them up and ship those relatives out your way.

We are moving to Idaho soon but we plan to be snowbirds, heading to Mexico for 3 to 4 months in the winter. We love Idaho but were not crazy!

[CLEVERLEY]

I was born in Idaho, but grew up in Phoenix. I've lived in Boise for about 13 years now. Meridian and Eagle has been listed as some of the fastest growing cities in the nation. But there are smaller towns that surround them. You'll have those green mountains, rivers, lakes and all the beauty you would want the further north you go, towards Mc Call (hwy 55). And with that, you will get alot of that white stuff too. If you can find a place where I can have my cake and eat it to. Let me know.....Do you know how to drive in snow and black ice? Good luck to ya

[~elise~]

Thanks, Cleverley...
Yes, we know snow and ice from our 25 plus years of living in cold areas of the mainland USA. We still need to be fairly close to CDA or Post Falls, because of the in-laws. My daughter and I drove up to the area from Portland over the weekend and we love the entire Silver Valley; I was especially taken by Wallace, Idaho. The only thing is employment. I don't know that my husband would relish the hour drive to CDA to work.
Thanks, everyone, for your input.

[esselcue]

Aaarrrrgh, I LOVE Wallace! Wonderful, cute old houses, extremely beautiful area! And real estate is very affordable...I just wish it wasn't so remote. It's not the distance to CdA, it's the winter roads IF you had to get out in an emergency. But I still look at the town website and sigh.

[~elise~]

My daughter and I both loved Wallace!
I took photos of many of the houses and the fantastic "downtown" area. It does seem very remote, although it's closer to CDA (for employement) than the distance my husband drives here in Hawaii.
I guess we should not have gone up to Wallace on a Sunday, since there was hardly anyone around. I wanted to meet some of the locals and get some input about life there. We are still considering the area, though. It's really a nice little town.

[millagerobert]

The clearwater river valley from Kamiah to Lewiston will keep you out of the worst winter weather, with little snow in the valleys due to low elevation 700-1200 ft. Lots of wild public ground (largest wilderness areas in the Lower 48) high speed dsl available even in Kamiah, nice clean rivers and lakes, good services such as hosptitals and clinics. Many people think snow with north central Idaho, but the Clearwater rivers valleys are at the lowest elevation of the whole state, but you can get into all the snow you want by driving up into the surrounding mountains. Kamiah 1,200 people Lewiston 35,000. Look at property prices on our website idaholandandhome.com. Let me know if you need any other info about our area.

[~elise~]

Mahalo, milligerobert...
I had actually checked on Lewiston when we decided to start looking in Idaho. I will check out the area online. I really appreciate the advice.

Elise

[shockjulie]

Mahalo - Have lived in Idaho for MANY years, Portland area for 5 yrs. Pretty areas to check around Portland - Newberg, Sherwood, Banks Oregon. In different locations in relation to the city of Portland, but very pretty visually. These are milder climates than the areas you are talking about in Idaho. The areas of northern Idaho will have MUCH snow, much colder climate. Southern Idaho "banana belt" another area to check if you are looking for a milder climate in Idaho, and cost of housing there much more reasonable than northern Idaho and areas of Oregon listed. Newberg, Sherwood being expensive, Banks(Washington County) in a lower tax bracket and housing less expensive. Realtor.com ! Hagerman - Buhl area are considered the banana belt of Idaho - small towns. I'm kind of rambling, but hope that helps.

[~elise~]

shockjulie, I appreciate the input, but those towns in Oregon are just too far from the Coeur d'Alene area. If my husband's parents needed us in an emergency, it would be a long drive from the Portland area to the CDA area.
I actually wanted to look around Eugene like in Cottage Grove. But, we have to be fairly close to Post Falls, CDA for the elderly parents.
We will probably surprise ourselves at how quickly we get used to cold weather again. If not, we can always bundle up---I love winter clothing--ie:sweaters, scarves, boots..

Anyway (lest I begin to ramble, too...)
Have a great day!
Thanks