Considering Relocation to Idaho - a few questions... (Boise, Pocatello: ski resorts, fit in)

[Jennerbear]

Hi there,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to read this - I appreciate it. I will get right to the point. My husband and I are conservative, Christian home educators. My husband works out of the home for a software company - and can live anywhere he wants. We both love to ski - love water sports, guns, manners, values, honor. Our family wants to live in a place were I can grow my own vegetables, and give them to neighbors without fear of being sued if there's a worm in the tomato. My husband and I like the idea of living in a place where teenagers still blush if reprimanded by and adult. Basically we just don't fit in where we are... the idea of becoming a socialist who thinks animals are more important than people just doesn't appeal to us.

That being said, we'd like to have a couple of acres... a few horses... ski in the winter... water sports in the summer... fellow homeschoolers... enough sun to grow some veggies... rural enough to have animals, but close enough to get groceries. We are in our late (gulp! How'd that happen??) 30's with three girls.

We plan to tour the U.S. this coming year - "Roadschooling" - and would love to have a few places to see in Idaho that might be what we're looking for. So far, have been looking at the outskirts of Boise and Idaho Falls. Any direction, opinions, help, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jennerbear

[Jennerbear]

Would also like to add that we live at 4000 ft elevation - are used to having to drive 30-40 minutes to Costco, and have about 8 inches of snow on the ground right now... and like it.

I have been reading through a lot of the posts - great info! I will keep reading while waiting for a reply.


+++would consider it a special favor from God if there were a place with a small town feel that had old an fashioned Forth of July. Just my little extra dream. We have to hide out to have sparklers here.

[flatlander dave]

jennerbear, from what i know about northern idaho you would "fit" in just fine. we are moving there this summer. we too have many of the same beliefs. i am moving my family to get away from the over controlling local and state govt. idaho is what america use to be. we are in our early forties and had posponed the move to allow our oldest to grad. from h.s. we still have twin nine year olds. good luck in your search.

[shades_of_idaho]

Midvale has the Fourth of July special celebration with lawn mower races with winners trophy displayed in the local cafe for a year. Big BBQ and Parade. We are 20 miles from Weiser population 5000?? and 35-40 miles to Ontario Oregon where there is more shopping. 70 or 80 miles to Cosco. The next town up the road where we used to live is Cambridge has a big Fireworks display and it is 10 miles. No biggie to fulfill the dream. I do think there was a ban on exploding fireworks at your home up in the sky because of the fire danger.

Midvale website.
Home Page

Drawbacks is Midvale is tiny at 170 or so in the city. The home schooling is fine. I only know of one place with one acre for sale here but there is area , ground, around a person might be able to rent to keep the horses. It is a three bedroom with a den and two bath.Not quite two year old triple wide with pretty porch.LARGE bright kitchen. Wonderful setting on a quiet street. And NO I am not an agent I just know about this place because my friend is moving from it.

Oh I know of another place out on the highway but set far back with a few acres. Not sure how many. HUGE house in my standards but sort of a neat setting and wonderful view of the valley.

Midvale is a family town. Lots going on. There is a nice library and even a public pool post office and that is about it. Cambridge has more.

Good luck Chris

[pacalady]

Jennerbear:
North Idaho sounds like what you describe in your quest! We live in Post Falls, in between Spokane WA and Coeur d' Alene. There are a number of ski resorts within a short distance; Lake Coeur d' Alene and other smaller lakes close by for watersports; close to national forests for hiking etc. Bike trails, and yes, andold fashioned 4th of July too! Not to mention Christmas Festival in downtown CdA and lots of things do do year round (for families I mean)

We have four distinct seasons, with an average of about a foot or so of snow in the winter (although this year was brutal with 3'!!....not normal!!) but I usually see crocus popping up late Feb, tulips in late April!

Our place is 7 minutes from 'town' (Post Falls) but we are in the country, on 10 acres where we raise our alpacas, have a garden, fruit trees etc. There are huge peppermint and hay fields next door .... neighbors are friendly and helpful, as is everyone we've met here. And if you want to go to Costco, it is about 20 minutes .....

We know many people who home school their children (ours are grown and gone now) and the public schools are quite good too.

Hope you get up this way on your roadschooling trip!!! Let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

PacaLady

[twinprism]

You'd probably like Inkom, 15 minutes from Costco in Pocatello. 4500 ft elevation, or Lava Hot Springs (about 30-40min). Most towns in SE Idaho have an old fashioned 4th of July. I'd live in Lava if I didn't have to come to Pocatello to work, and am looking at a move to the Inkom area. Pebble Creek ski area is 5 miles from Inkom. Lots of homeschoolers in Pocatello.

[Jennerbear]

WOW!! Thanks for all that info! Time to hit Trulia.com and start looking. NE Idaho sounds wonderful. Would love to find a good Calvary Chapel, too. OR a Family Integrated church. I know there are 4 or the F.I. churches in Idaho - Coeur d'Alene, Meridian, Middleton, and Mountain Home. I will be checking out all of the above cities for meeting our needs and PICTURES! We'll probably spend a good month in Idaho... enough time to check it all out! Thanks, again!

[cleosmom]

Idaho Falls and Twin Falls that I know for certain have Calvary Chapel.

[pimit2]

Sounds like you're doing it the right way, jennerbear! Spend some time in the Gem State, nosing around to find that perfect fit for you amd yours. You sound like "our kind of family", so you'll be cordially welcomed in every nook and cranny of Idaho. I look forward to calling you a neighbor - no matter what part of the state you decide on.

Have a fun inspection trip! And, don't forget to tell us how it turned out!


pimit2 (Bob)

[Jennerbear]

I'll be honest... many of the posts I've read are somewhat keeping me from wanting to move to the SE section of Idaho. No offense. NID sounds great - housing costs are pretty high up there! I was shocked! It's higher than where we live right now. I'll keep looking!