Moved to Idaho, any regrets? (magnet schools, college, statistics)

[norcalmom101]

Originally Posted by lighthearted grin

I hope to be in NID within 5 years, so I'm living there in my head like so many others. (Doesn't leave room for much else ) I'm very interested in Sandpoint and Moscow.

pimit2, my sincere condolences on your loss. I've read most of your posts, and you've provided such generous information on the Sandpoint area. Thank you.

sav, "skinhead Mormon wolves", LOL! Without opposable thumbs, how do they tie their neckties and zip their motorcycle jackets?? And you forgot to mention that all schools are a two-mile walk in the snow, uphill both ways.

This is one of the friendliest states on C-D. I can't wait to get there! I have only one misgiving about fitting in: I'm almost the only person not coming from California. Hope you let me across the border anyway.

You'll be ok, we know plenty of immigrants from states besides California!

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Originally Posted by pimit2

Dear NorCalMom101,

Your post is fascinating. It's been discussed in other forms on this Forum.

As I recall, some chose to return to where they came from for a variety of reasons, while others were extremely happy with their decision to move to Idaho. Count me in the latter group. I have only one regret.

My wife and I lived in Las Vegas and for more than 30 years we visited Idaho 3 to 4 times a year. We were searching for our retirement location. We knew it would be Idaho. But where? We combed the state. We grew to love the Sandpoint area but, unfortunately, my wife passed away short of my retirement. My only regret is that she is not here in Sandpoint with me.

Life in Northern Idaho is good. Folks are friendly and helpful. The town is just the right size and there is plenty to do. The weather? Hey, we knew the winters could be harsh, but we found the snow beautiful and knew how to stay warm when it's cold. Besides, the other three seasons are too precious to miss.

I'm happy with the decision....for sure!


(pimit2) Bob

Bob, that was a great post sir.. My condolances also on your loss.. Im sure somehow though, she IS there with you in Sandpoint. Your as close to heaven as you can get I think..

[DESERTRYDER]

Bob Pimit2.

I have to say reading your post hit home with a bang.
I am very sorry to read about your wife passing but in the same thought it solitified my plan.
I want to retire even if it is a bit early just to say I actually had a chance to move to Idaho and spend time with my wife and kids.
5 years early in retirement allows me to chase a dream of being a great Dad and a good husband in a place less crowded and filled with the distractions of modern city life.
With your permission I have learned from you Pimit2, not to postpone my dreams but to grab for them ASAP.
I bit of a good life now beats working many more years, saving up for something that might never come.

Thanks for your post Bob.

[stingraynm]

I'm not one for regrets and the opportunities I left to seize were worth a lot (and had to be to pull up these roots), but every day that I think of Idaho, I'm just as sad to not be there as the day Boise disappeared in my rear view. (I even stopped by some friends' place in Twin Falls and arrived in NM a day late to be chastised in barely-English by a lady at the U-Haul drop off, all for just one extra Idaho night... NO regrets there!)

Idaho is not only my native state, but an awesome state altogether, so every visit is filled with perpetual elation, while every departure I must go through a period of mourning. I will return... oh yes... even if I have to wait until retirement. Time can and will always change much indeed, but it is the essence of Idaho that I love, and that essence is unwavering. I am comforted in the faith that Idahoans now and then can assure that will be preserved. All my friends could be gone, and I'd still be coming home to my friends... my fellows who reject any notion that friendliness, courtesy, liberty, and undeveloped wilderness should be callously abandoned as privileges of the past.

[janab]

My hubby and I upon retirement moved here to Grangeville,ID which is almost in the exact center of ID. We've been here for 8 years and have not missed anything about where we came from...Northern California, I mean real N Ca like 1 hour north of Tahoe, Truckee and Reno NV. Just got back from a visit with my son. Sure glad to be home. Guess what? They can't sell non freezing window washer fluid out there!!! Geese. I was prepping to be driving in snow or cold weather. We feel as though we have lived here forever. Made friends immediately and always are talking to someone. You can't beat this area at all !! Oh, there are wolves devouring the elk & deer. One came through this spring and chased my horse, two came through chasing a doe and her fawn. Neighbors have had their dogs attacked close to town even. But it's still the perfect place!!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by norcalmom101

I was just scrolling through the topics here and it occurred to me that we really can't think of any regrets since our move to SE Idaho.

We do miss some things, and of course we miss good friends, but all in all it's been a wonderful experience.

We have made many good friends, and have found the community very welcoming and full of new and enrichening activities for us.

If anyone wanted my advice, I'd say, based on our experience, this is a great place to move to, and we gave up alot to come here, with little waiting for us when we arrived.

For us, No Regrets!!

I'm glad, Norcalmom101, that you started this thread. It has been interesting reading.

I'm happy this has been such a positive experience for you. I believe people who want to find good will find good. I think it says something about that person.

No one place is right for all people. This is a nice forum for people to express their honest views.

Thanks for starting it Norcalmom101, and for all the honest thoughts shared in this thread.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by sav

No regrets. Love it here. Wish it was colder and snowing (I know, I am crazy but a skier). I truly believe at least SE Idaho is hidden gem and I debate between telling people how awesome it is here and wanting to selfishly keep it for myself and my family.
at least here in IF, i find it hard to beat low cost of living, minimal traffic, clean air and water, wind energy and endless outdoor recreation. ok, now i've said too much.

SAV,

Your post means a lot to me personally. Knowing how our paths have not crossed YET, but we've probably been in the same buildings, neighborhoods etc. in two states at the same time and have much in common, a year ago I wanted to make sure I gave you the best info I could about your potential move to Idaho Falls. After all the PMs and telling you what I honestly believed and still believe, I am very happy to see your post. Of course, I was only one source of info. and in the end, you and your family had to decide, like every other family, what was right for you.

One of the changes I've seen on this board in 2008, is many who asked questions about moving now are still active in writing their views. It seems in previous years that didn't happen for whatever reasons. Honest feedback is important so I see these "after - the- move" threads this as a real plus. I'd hope if I were contemplating a move to somewhere I knew few, but wanted honest views from many, that there would be people who tried to give me their best input as I decided whether or not a different area was right for me.

I agree there are myths that some don't take the time to correct or update as they want to "protect" Idaho and Idaho residents from many relocating to the Gem State. However, IMHO some of the posts just a few years ago misrepresented eastern Idaho and Idaho Falls with perceptions/experiences vs. reality in 2008, those remarks weren't written to identify anything positive in Idaho. The feeling from those posts was totally different than yours, SAV.

Fortunately, I think several loyal, dedicated posters have made those looking at living in Idaho question the dates of the "old posts" and what perhaps did or didn't exist dozens of years ago vs. what is today. And while Norcalmom101 wrote this thread for those who have relocated, some of use qualify being Idaho natives who have lived in and out of Idaho at different times in our lives.

Overall, I've been so impressed with the comments on this thread. Keep up the good work everyone. Your impressions, ideas and time committed to help others counts.

MSR

[fearnofish]

Job moved us to the Oregon Coast and we can not wait to get back to Coeur d'Alene in a few years. That will be one of the best days of our lives. You don't know how much you like a place until you leave and have to miss it.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by fearnofish

Job moved us to the Oregon Coast and we can not wait to get back to Coeur d'Alene in a few years. That will be one of the best days of our lives. You don't know how much you like a place until you leave and have to miss it.

HEAR HEAR!

New Mexico is growing on me, but mostly just as I've found the many similarities with Idaho. Culturally, I miss the friends with whom I can relate and the familiarity that offers many homes away from home. I also miss the friendly, insured drivers. Oh, and all the hidden pleasures of an extensively explored wilderness. In a way, maybe I'm just another 20-something who misses the interactive and recreational potential of college. Yup... pretty unique, huh? Sigh....

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by pimit2

Dear NorCalMom101,

Your post is fascinating. It's been discussed in other forms on this Forum.

As I recall, some chose to return to where they came from for a variety of reasons, while others were extremely happy with their decision to move to Idaho. Count me in the latter group. I have only one regret.

My wife and I lived in Las Vegas and for more than 30 years we visited Idaho 3 to 4 times a year. We were searching for our retirement location. We knew it would be Idaho. But where? We combed the state. We grew to love the Sandpoint area but, unfortunately, my wife passed away short of my retirement. My only regret is that she is not here in Sandpoint with me.

Life in Northern Idaho is good. Folks are friendly and helpful. The town is just the right size and there is plenty to do. The weather? Hey, we knew the winters could be harsh, but we found the snow beautiful and knew how to stay warm when it's cold. Besides, the other three seasons are too precious to miss.

I'm happy with the decision....for sure!


(pimit2) Bob

Pimit2,

Thank you for sharing your moving post. Like others have expressed, I am very sorry for your loss.

I thank you for sharing that painful part of your life with all of us. Regardless of where one decides is the right place for him/her or a family in Idaho, what really matters in life is with whom in life we share that space. And your wife knew where she wanted to be with you.

Like Trace_Rinaldi wrote, "Im sure somehow though, she IS there with you in Sandpoint," I also believe your wife is with you. She must have been a special lady. Look at the responses you've received from those who have written on this thread mentioning your loss of her.

I sincerely hope that you have a happy Thanksgiving, giving thanks this wonderful woman decided YOU were the one for her! You have given many of us much to think about with your post. In turn, I hope all of us can be a little kinder, a little more patient, and feel able to express our love to those who matter in our lives this Thanksgiving. I somehow believe your wife will be there for all the important times ahead for you.

For all of us, whether Idaho is the right location for us to live for any length of time or not, I sincerely hope we all find "Home," with the people who matter the most. It is a bonus to have the right people in our lives and ID as part of our home address.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving.

MSR