Pocatello

[Idaho mom]

It really depends on what types of services, stores, and conveniences you want nearby. Is it important to have major grocery stores, or super Walmarts, or many options indoors and out for family activities? What about attending movies, the mall, a variety of restaurants, etc? Blackfoot, McCammon, Inkom, Lava, etc are all cute little towns but the teenagers I know there are pretty darn bored. I would personally choose Idaho Falls over Pocatello, both are 50-60K in population, but don't feel very big. Idaho Falls to me seems a bit more active, progressive, and busy with better retail and entertainment options for all ages of family. We've lived in both but it's my opinion.

I'm not worried about the "church" control so many harp about. It's never been an issue for us. I guess it depends on how uptight you are about what religion elected officials are. I couldn't care less, as long as they are serving the citizens fairly who elected them. I suppose like any area of the country there are elected people who let their religion run their entire actions, but I don't see it here. It is a very Republican, conservative area but there are plenty of us who cut loose and have good fun without a problem.

[wingnut96]

Originally Posted by smalltown_girl

hello, I recommend Inkom, or McCammon area over Blackfoot. Lava Hot Springs is a beautiful place too. I grew up in this area and am considering moving back. I have my own kids and would like them to live in a small town. I am considering Garden Creek or Robin area, which is west of Arimo. Arimo is where the Marsh Valley High School is located, just off I-15.

Totally agree with you here. Was looking at Inkom and McCammon but my boss had a 20 mile limit on me. Inkom was in range but then I left that job to enjoy the beautiful mud of Iraq. Maybe I can earn enough to move where I want to. Lava or Soda would be cool. Enjoy the spring for me ok.

[wingnut96]

There are plenty of great pubs to grab a brew (Portneuf Valley Brewpub) and lots of gret little coffee shops (Mocha Madness). Quite frankly, Pocatello and the entire area stays pretty liberal with the influence of the college (Idaho State University).

Oh you would have to mention Portneuf Valley Brewpub. And I was doing so well in this "dry" area. Where's my jug!!!

[wingnut96]

Originally Posted by wingnut96

Totally agree with you here. Was looking at Inkom and McCammon but my boss had a 20 mile limit on me. Inkom was in range but then I left that job to enjoy the beautiful mud of Iraq. Maybe I can earn enough to move where I want to. Lava or Soda would be cool. Enjoy the spring for me ok.

Amazing that now I'm waiting on the process of buying a home in Blackfoot. Thought about IF and Rigby but just found a home that suits my needs in BF. Split the distance between IF and Poki allows best of both. Now if fuel doesn't go to $10 a gallon. Guess I'm just looking for a place to call home. Still like Inkom and McCammon I guess. Cheers and enjoy the spring good people!!!

[mejaka]

Wow...Pocatello must have changed a heck of a lot since I left 7 years ago if the power structure is being controlled by members of the LDS church. When I was in the media there, there were only two LDS people in the entire city and county leadership. There was one LDS woman on the school board; she was kind of a joke, and I found her slightly embarrasssing. A certain county commissioner had an awful lot of pull; he and I got along okay professionally but he sure didn't like Mormons in general.

[cleosmom]

Congrats on finding the right home!!

Originally Posted by wingnut96

Amazing that now I'm waiting on the process of buying a home in Blackfoot. Thought about IF and Rigby but just found a home that suits my needs in BF. Split the distance between IF and Poki allows best of both. Now if fuel doesn't go to $10 a gallon. Guess I'm just looking for a place to call home. Still like Inkom and McCammon I guess. Cheers and enjoy the spring good people!!!

[twinprism]

Hey, I'm glad to see all the Pocatello people come out of the woodwork.

I grew up in Blackfoot and it isn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be. If you are into FFA and sports you'd get along fine. I couldn't wait to get out of there as a teenager, but looking back it was not that bad. Some really cool people from there. It can be pretty boring as a teen, as others have mentioned, but that is probably true of most small towns. There is a nice skatepark and great walking paths along the river that weren't there when I was growing up. LDS influence and percentage of population is higher in Blackfoot or McCammon or any rural town than in IF or Poky.

I've lived in Pocatello for about 13 years, and I quite like it. Good mix of small town feeling and enough culture and shopping to keep me happy. Outside Chubbuck or Blackfoot, or maybe Inkom are would probably be best if you want to have animals as there is more affordable land available.

I prefer Pocatello School District over Marsh Valley, though Blackfoot wasn't too bad either. The person who taught in Marsh Valley had some good input there. Marsh Valley is on 4 week school days and that is kind of nice if you can get away on Fridays to go play. My oldest attends Century High in Pocatello, and I am pretty happy with it, though I wouldn't hesitate to have them attend Blackfoot High School either. I survived.