Looking to retire in Idaho

[janb]

The building codes are friendlier in MT. Look to Thompson Falls / Plains area to be close to ID, and in Banana belt of MT. Still close to Missoula, CDA & Spokane

For ID, I like area NE of Moscow.

[Arrowwind]

I use to live in New Mexico. First Taos, then Santa Fe. Spent a few months in Albuquerque. Let me tell you! Idaho is just fine! We chose Mackay to retire in and will start building a small house this summer. You don't have the same kind of cultural diversity as New Mexico. Seems like in Mackay you have the Mormons and you have those that go to Perks Bar. ( I'm sure there are other things going on but we haven't spent much time up there yet to figure it all out.)

You can find off the grid property just about anywhere. The north east part of the state is too expensive, at least for us. So is Sunvalley. You can get a good deal on property near Mackay. Salmon is higher priced but just really beautiful and not as costly as the others mentioned. We chose Mackey cause its closer to Salt Lake, where our kids will be staying. There is a valley north of Mackey called the Trail Creek area that is especially spectacular. Its about a 45 minute drive to SunValley from there but only passable in the summer, which is neat. If you get lonely or bored a visit to Sun Valley can be fun. Nice restaurants, etc but its over there... where you don't have to be in it all the time. Personally, I'm not that attracted to it. We drove over the mountain last summer and I figured I'd only be doing this every couple of years, if even that.......Then there is Antelope Valley which is just south of Mackay, that I fell in love with. Just really fine!

I like Idaho because people there are independent free thinkers and if they don't believe in what you do they will defend your right to believe and think and do as you please! cause somehow they have not forgotten, as the rest of the US has, that you are only as free as your neighbors are.

Arrow

[TNTCAK]

Hey all - many, many thanks for the inputs!

Although I am attempting to go off the grid as much as possible I still love my email, instant messaging and DVD's. So I am not planning on the ole 60's homesteading type of stuff. Just a nice quiet, green, out in nature place to retire and possibly run a green campground or laundry mat on the side. At least enough space to own a horse or two of my own. If the area has enough land to lease to other ranchers, that would be great too.

[jadbad2004]

I think Salmon could be your answer, we have a lot of residents off the grid that use solar, wind and geothermal to provide all their electric services. Good Luck to you in your search.

Beth