Need Help Choosing a Spot in Idaho! (Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene: live in, moving to)

[AidansGrammy]

We hope to move to Idaho in the next few years. I've done quite abit of research but seem to be getting more confused as I go along. It seems very diverse. I found this forum while searching for prospective towns and have enjoyed the posts very much.

We live in Oklahoma, have all our lives. We are ready for a change...guess there wouldn't be a more drastic change than a move to Idaho. There was a time when we looked forward to the winter months, they were actually cold, but more and more the winters have become just about non-existant here in the last few years. The summers are HOT! We love COLD weather! The colder the better. Let it SNOW! Mild summers would be great for a change.

We are small town folks....so looking for something with a population of less than 2000, much less is fine. Hopefully near mountains..green landscape, trees, etc. Not in the arid areas. Secluded is fine....we don't have to be in close vicinity to a larger city. Prefer not be too close to a resort/popular vacation areas. We had thought about Driggs, the population was right and near the Tetons so would have beautiful views...but the guide I was looking at said it had over 500 businesses...is that possible? I think it was a mistake, but thought I would ask.

I know there are alot of people in this forum who are very knowledgable about the different areas in Idaho and love the State very much...its obvious from reading the posts. I think it holds every thing we are searching for....if I could just pin down the right spot or section of the state. I hope someone can give us some good ideas to search out.

Thank you very much.

[cleosmom]

Driggs and Teton County are booming with growth. There was an article in The Post Register a few weeks ago regarding such.

There are several small towns in SE Idaho that do indeed get the snow you're looking for as well as being close enough to larger towns/cities for you get get your supplies.

[pinkpalace]

SE Idaho is nice, and you will get snow and a good view of mountains. However, all of southern Idaho is basically a high desert. There are trees around, but not a lot of them. You might check out northern Idaho too - around Lewiston or Coeur d'Alene perhaps. That might be closer to the climate you're looking for, and still have a good view of mountains.

[altaina]

If you want snow, trees, mountains, and SMALL - check out Stanley, in the central area. Absolutely beautiful!
On the Western side, Cascade, McCall... although somebody's trying to put a resort in the area so I don't know if it'll stay small.

[Chuck T.]

Originally Posted by AidansGrammy

We hope to move to Idaho in the next few years. I've done quite abit of research but seem to be getting more confused as I go along. It seems very diverse. I found this forum while searching for prospective towns and have enjoyed the posts very much.

We live in Oklahoma, have all our lives. We are ready for a change...guess there wouldn't be a more drastic change than a move to Idaho. There was a time when we looked forward to the winter months, they were actually cold, but more and more the winters have become just about non-existant here in the last few years. The summers are HOT! We love COLD weather! The colder the better. Let it SNOW! Mild summers would be great for a change.

We are small town folks....so looking for something with a population of less than 2000, much less is fine. Hopefully near mountains..green landscape, trees, etc. Not in the arid areas. Secluded is fine....we don't have to be in close vicinity to a larger city. Prefer not be too close to a resort/popular vacation areas. We had thought about Driggs, the population was right and near the Tetons so would have beautiful views...but the guide I was looking at said it had over 500 businesses...is that possible? I think it was a mistake, but thought I would ask.

I know there are alot of people in this forum who are very knowledgable about the different areas in Idaho and love the State very much...its obvious from reading the posts. I think it holds every thing we are searching for....if I could just pin down the right spot or section of the state. I hope someone can give us some good ideas to search out.

Thank you very much.

Might be wise to check out the www.voteforabetteridaho.org website, before moving to Idaho. Always best to look before you leap. Chuck T.

[mejaka]

Stanley does sound like a good possibility for you. Or maybe Salmon. I'd definitely look north rather than south--southern Idaho summers can be hot. I lived in Pocatello for 15 years (SE), Jerome for 15 (S Central), and have been in North Idaho for 5. Spirit Lake--check that town out, you might like it there. Priest River. Bayview. St. Maries. Little towns, cold weather, rural and not likely to become too touristy because they're too cold!

[idahomama]

I agree, Stanley would be my pick with your criteria. Custer county has such a low percentage of privately held land you would be in little risk of Stanley becoming a huge year round tourist destination. There are summer visitors, but solitude still very easy to find up there during that time.