Best Subdivision in 200K range in Idaho Falls (Twin Falls, Blackfoot: real estate market, home equity)

[thriftymainer]

Looking for anyone's opinion on the best subdivision in Idaho Falls with homes in the $200K range. By "best" I mean aesthetics, safe, well kept homes, lawns, close proximity to shopping, schools, restaurants, parks, etc. Also, would appreciate anyone who cares to comment on the current housing market, availability of water, jobs presently and in the future. Anyone prefer Rigby over Idaho Falls?

[cleosmom]

In that range and close to all you listed I would say Rose Neilson, Shamrock Park, Cedar Ridge, watch the HOAs though McDonald's Farm is another good one and from what I've gathered in the better school district.

Basically anywhere in IF is not far, just depends on how close you want to be to everything.

Even though I do some business in Rigby it's not my choice for living.

Jobs? Best to have one lined up before you make the move.

[thriftymainer]

Thanks cleosmom for your reply. We have heard that IF may have a water issue. Any comment? We also heard that there was some flooding in the past? Can you comment on the current Real Estate market? Thanks

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by thriftymainer

Thanks cleosmom for your reply. We have heard that IF may have a water issue. Any comment? We also heard that there was some flooding in the past? Can you comment on the current Real Estate market? Thanks

Water issues? As in lack of or flooding? There was a huge flood years ago when the Teton dam burst. It is the Snake River plain, so I'm certain just like any other community if enough run off combined with rain we could be at risk.

The housing is close to being a buyer's market.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Water issues? As in lack of or flooding? There was a huge flood years ago when the Teton dam burst. It is the Snake River plain, so I'm certain just like any other community if enough run off combined with rain we could be at risk.

The housing is close to being a buyer's market.

I'm with cleosmom here. Water issues?

Do you mean flooding in one Ammon subdivision? Or the new subdivisions planned for the Iona and surrounding area and some home owners needing to drill their own wells?

I'm confused about the water as well. Please explain more.

Also, are you in Idaho or outside of Idaho? What subdivisions have you visited?

As far as work - first I comend you for asking about it. Too many may just be assuming they can get a job that will met their needs.

Secondly, I'm not sure what to say without knowing more what type of work you do and what type of position you may be looking to secure.
When you tell us more about what experience and work you hope to do, maybe we can help more. Until then, I'd check the Idaho Job website.

Finally, as for living in Rigby vs. Idaho Falls, that depends on you. What is the population of where you currently live? What services do you need a city or urban area to be happy? If you want more land, that might be an issue.

I'm looking forward to more information so I might be able to give you some ideas.

MSR

[thriftymainer]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

I'm with cleosmom here. Water issues?

Do you mean flooding in one Ammon subdivision? Or the new subdivisions planned for the Iona and surrounding area and some home owners needing to drill their own wells?

I'm confused about the water as well. Please explain more.

Also, are you in Idaho or outside of Idaho? What subdivisions have you visited?

As far as work - first I comend you for asking about it. Too many may just be assuming they can get a job that will met their needs.

Secondly, I'm not sure what to say without knowing more what type of work you do and what type of position you may be looking to secure.
When you tell us more about what experience and work you hope to do, maybe we can help more. Until then, I'd check the Idaho Job website.

Finally, as for living in Rigby vs. Idaho Falls, that depends on you. What is the population of where you currently live? What services do you need a city or urban area to be happy? If you want more land, that might be an issue.

I'm looking forward to more information so I might be able to give you some ideas.

MSR

Thanks for your replies. By water issues, we have heard that there are more homes that have been and are being built than water is available to support them in the future. We were told more so in Rigby than in Idaho Falls. We heard about the flood but thought it effected one particular subdivision. We live in Northern Idaho and have not faced any drought issues but I read somewhere that SE Idaho has in the past. Early last year we visited Comore Loma, Quail Ridge and Stonebrook and a few others I can't remember their names. Looked at a few homes in Rigby as well. We didn't like the area as well as IF but it seemed you can get more property for the money. In 2008 we had high expectations of the amount of home equity we had and the type of home we could buy in IF and now reality has set in. We have had to lower our price and buyers here seem few and far between.

[IFGuy]

Water issues are a year in year out issue especially since the recent drought has cut down the aquifer and if the snowpack is down, the Magic Valley is always talking about cutting water rights to the Upper Snake Plain. The area around Twin Falls (Magic Valley) holds senior water rights as opposed to the junior rights that East Idaho holds. As long as we get average or above average snowfall during the winter, this shouldn't be a problem.

As far as the Rigby area, I am not a pro on issues up there but it may seem that where all the growth is outside the city limits, they dig their own wells, whcih can lose pressure or dry up. Until these areas either hook up to a main water system via Rigby or a private company, that will always be an issue.

I wouldn't worry about a great Mississippi type flood here though. Yes there are areas that are part of the flood plain, Ammon, Iona, other parts of Bonneville and Jefferson Counties but it has been along time since any flood has happened due to runoff. Madison County on the other hand is prone to ice jams in the late winter and early spring which causes minor flooding at times.

There are only two floods that I can really think about and both were man made. The Teton Dam failure is the first and the second is the flood in the spring of 97', I think. The BLM did not expect the snow melt that spring and did not release enough water from the Palisades resevoir early enough to maintain a balance so they had to open up all the gates and flood some places, Blackfoot was hit the worse and we lost a bridge over the Snake River. It was an event that unless it is completely out of our control shouldn't happen again.

Last point, the Willow and Sand Creek channels that run through the Idaho Falls area do not flood anymore. The construction of the Ririe Dam and the canal systems have unfourtunatley all but dried up these channels.

On a bright point though, we have a great flood contol system, alot of water storage, and endless recreation opportunities due to the construction of the dams.

Hope you can get your house sold, like cleosmon said, it is a fairly good housing market down here you should be able to get into something at a good price for what you're looking for. Good Luck.

[thriftymainer]

Originally Posted by IFGuy

Water issues are a year in year out issue especially since the recent drought has cut down the aquifer and if the snowpack is down, the Magic Valley is always talking about cutting water rights to the Upper Snake Plain. The area around Twin Falls (Magic Valley) holds senior water rights as opposed to the junior rights that East Idaho holds. As long as we get average or above average snowfall during the winter, this shouldn't be a problem.

As far as the Rigby area, I am not a pro on issues up there but it may seem that where all the growth is outside the city limits, they dig their own wells, whcih can lose pressure or dry up. Until these areas either hook up to a main water system via Rigby or a private company, that will always be an issue.

I wouldn't worry about a great Mississippi type flood here though. Yes there are areas that are part of the flood plain, Ammon, Iona, other parts of Bonneville and Jefferson Counties but it has been along time since any flood has happened due to runoff. Madison County on the other hand is prone to ice jams in the late winter and early spring which causes minor flooding at times.

There are only two floods that I can really think about and both were man made. The Teton Dam failure is the first and the second is the flood in the spring of 97', I think. The BLM did not expect the snow melt that spring and did not release enough water from the Palisades resevoir early enough to maintain a balance so they had to open up all the gates and flood some places, Blackfoot was hit the worse and we lost a bridge over the Snake River. It was an event that unless it is completely out of our control shouldn't happen again.

Last point, the Willow and Sand Creek channels that run through the Idaho Falls area do not flood anymore. The construction of the Ririe Dam and the canal systems have unfourtunatley all but dried up these channels.

On a bright point though, we have a great flood contol system, alot of water storage, and endless recreation opportunities due to the construction of the dams.

Hope you can get your house sold, like cleosmon said, it is a fairly good housing market down here you should be able to get into something at a good price for what you're looking for. Good Luck.

Thanks to all for your very informative replies. We are looking forward to the move.