Moving to POCATELLO from a Seattle suburb (Idaho Falls, Bellevue: home, employment)

[iNate]

Hey guys I had a few questions that have been on my mind about the Pocatello area. Im half black and half white and wear clean and neatly groomed dreads, Ive heard about the racism in Idaho and to tell you the truth, Im kinda worried. Im a nice guy and Ill get along with pretty much anybody but will I get acts of racism when I move to Pocatello? And also will my racial appearance prevent me from getting a job over there (thats mainly what Im worried about, as I have to be able to pay rent, food, clothing, etc...) and will it be any harder than getting one if I were just Caucasian?. Also, is the city friendly to outsiders, "mixed" outsiders more specifically? Im probably just overworrying but I just want to know about whats ahead for me you know? If Idaho isnt even remotely as racist as Im worrying it to be, sorry for looking stupid and asking this, but its just something I want to be aware of. Any help/answers are appreciated. Thanks and Peace

[cleosmom]

No need to worry about looking stupid, as there are no stupid questions.

I doubt you will have any issues. Pocatello tends to be more of a melting pot than up in Idaho Falls where I am and I've seen blacks and mixed. You might stumble on a few idiots as sadly they tend to be everywhere, but I think you'll do fine.

My 18 year old nephew is a huge Bob Marley fan and wears his hair in dreads as do several of his friends, he's had no issues in finding a job and it's a tad more conservative up here. Having said that, like anyone I'd try to have a job lined up first as they are scarce in SE Idaho!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

No need to worry about looking stupid, as there are no stupid questions.

I doubt you will have any issues. Pocatello tends to be more of a melting pot than up in Idaho Falls where I am and I've seen blacks and mixed. You might stumble on a few idiots as sadly they tend to be everywhere, but I think you'll do fine.

My 18 year old nephew is a huge Bob Marley fan and wears his hair in dreads as do several of his friends, he's had no issues in finding a job and it's a tad more conservative up here. Having said that, like anyone I'd try to have a job lined up first as they are scarce in SE Idaho!

Hi iNate,

Welcome to the Idaho discussion forum.

Cleosmom and I don't share any nephews (at least that I'm aware of), but we do share a lot of the same views. If I were you moving, my most important worry would be secure employment and a decent place to live, if you don't have one already.

There are stupid people in Seattle, West Seattle, Bellevue and cities all along the I-5 corrider. Even Redmond has stupid people, although they are probably a lot more wealthy than most.

It's been my experience in life that people look find what they are looking for, almost always. A few odd experiences happen due to mistaken idenitity and perhaps inexperience.

A few who moved from the greater Seattle metro area wanted to start a monthly coffee club in Idaho Falls 2007. I'm not sure where that stands currently as they all started doing things with new friends, from the Idaho Falls area, regardless of where they use to live.

It's probably not the best idea to wear a Huskey's T-Shirt on game day in Poky. I'm not saying a Ducks T-shirt would get a better reception, just a college town likes to see their team represented in attire, not that of another team. Otherwise, I don't really see a problem.

If you're really worried, read the census reports and see how many are mixed race in eastern ID. Ft. Hall and other factors make the numbers higher than you may have guessed.

You might want to check with TwinPrism. He is in the Pocatello area. If he doesn't post her, you might want to send him a PM and explain more. I think he has really good ideas about Poky and could potentially direct you to safe areas etc. Also, if you read through some of the older Pocatello/Idaho Falls discussions, you'll see other members who post her occassionally that are also in Pocatello. One also moved from the Seattle metro area.

Good luck making this transition. I hope it is a good one for you.

MSR

[iNate]

Thanks people

[Nsomniac66]

I don't think you will have any problems as long as you realize there are always idiots around that can't see past that kind of thing. I've been living here in Pocatello for 10 years now, and other than religion, I haven't seen much discrimination. Where I work, quite a few people are hispanic, filipino, black, mixed, native american, etc. There's a whole lot more people like me who could care less about that stuff than the small minority that can't help but be small minded idiots. It's no different than any place I have ever been in that respect.

Good luck, and if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[norcalmom101]

I had the same concerns before I purchased my home in 2001. I called around to faculty at ISU and was greatly reassured by what the folks I spoke with had to say. Organized racism is far more alive and well in places like California. There are ignorant and bigoted folk wherever one goes, but the general decency and goodness of the Idahoans I have interacted with since moving here last year by far overshadows others. Honestly, while you will always be aware, I wouldn't see any need for worry.

[twinprism]

iNate,

I don't think I can add much to the thread, as I agree with almost everything mentioned by norcalmom, MSR, cleosmom, and Nsomniac66. As MSR mentioned, I'm in Pocatello and feel free to PM me or post back with more details if you want more info on housing, employment, or anything else about Pocatello.

Best of luck with your move,
twinprism.

[norcalmom101]

What kind of work will you be looking for?