East Coasters Moving West (Boise, Meridian: living in, shop, medical)

[AcuDoc]

My wife and I live in New Hampshire, but we would like to move west. We're considering Boise (in addition to other cities in Colorado). We are ideally looking for: (1) Mountains/Open Spaces/Open Vistas (2) Sunny Climate (3) Fairly Liberal-Minded Population. NH is nice, but with all the trees and hills, there is no sense of the vast expanse that we experienced when we lived out west years ago. Here's the kicker... we are both acupuncturists and will be opening an acupuncture clinic wherever we end up, so we would like to find a population of greater than 50,000 that is reasonably open-minded (enough so to consider altermative medical approaches). Do you think Boise fits this description? Any other cities in Idaho/Colorado that come to mind?

[idahomama]

I used to live in Colorado, but I am currently living in Boise. I wouldn't call Boise a real liberal minded population. It is more liberal than some other areas of the state, but it is all relative. There are pockets of more liberal groups here but it is not the majority. Idaho doesn't have nearly as many sunny days in the winter as most of Colorado. Have you ever considered Boulder Colorado?

[AcuDoc]

Originally Posted by idahomama

I used to live in Colorado, but I am currently living in Boise. I wouldn't call Boise a real liberal minded population. It is more liberal than some other areas of the state, but it is all relative. There are pockets of more liberal groups here but it is not the majority. Idaho doesn't have nearly as many sunny days in the winter as most of Colorado. Have you ever considered Boulder Colorado?

We are considering Boulder, but of course, there are lots of acupuncturists practicing in Boulder, which is both positive (population interested in acupuncture) and not-so-positive (it would take a bit longer to get established due to competition). I thought Boise was comprised of a fairly liberal-minded population, but based on what I've read here (& other threads), that doesn't seem to be the case. Thanks for your help and honesty (in this thread and others).

[idahomama]

Another thought I would have would be Durango, CO. Liberal area, less expensive and less competiiton than Boulder and you can't beat the weather. Another thought, Missoula, MT but pretty grey winters and colder for sure. But a very liberal area that is growing.

[dskdg]

Try looking at setting up shop in the 'heart of meridian', Meridian, ID, near Boise. No pun intended.

[AcuDoc]

Originally Posted by dskdg

Try looking at setting up shop in the 'heart of meridian', Meridian, ID, near Boise. No pun intended.

Yes... we were surprised to see a town named Meridian (for anyone unfamiliar with the term, in Chinese medicine a meridian is a pathway through which Qi, or energy, flows). I assume your suggestion is a play on words, or do you really think it is worth serious consideration?

[ktg]

I grew up in boise and would agree with the other member who suggested meridian, they are much less conservative there than boise and it is only a hop,skip and jump from boise. otherwise I would move downtown. There are many new places to live and the people are more hippie like. For the rest of boise I think you will find 35-45 yuppies.
goodluck