Is Idaho a good move for an AZ native? (Boise: sales, hotels)

[esomething]

My husband and I are Arizona natives...I am getting very tired of this state (trying to become a mini California)...I really want to relocate...I have not been to many states so I have no idea what they have to offer. My husband is a teacher, so we need an area where he can get a job easily. What is Idaho like? Any good areas? I do not mind 4 seasons, but I would rather have a mild winter...I am ready for a nice place to raise my children...any info or suggestions would be great! I have been googling Idaho Falls and Emmett...Thanks

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Google Couer d' Alene, Post Falls, Hayden etc.. Doing an image search will show you a bit of how amazing it is up there. Your close to Spokane which is a large city, and CdA and surrounding area's are pretty large as well which could possibly make a job search easier..
The mildest winters are likely to be found in the southwestern section like Boise, Emmet etc. but just a bit south of CdA and Spokane the winters are pretty mild too in places like Worley and Plummer. The weather sites give that area an average snowfall of 16" (of course its been more over the last couple years) and the cold isnt that crazy 20 below zero stuff, but I did see it get to +1 deg there one day this year. Its very close to lake CdA and commuting to Spokane or Cd'A is about 35 or 40 minutes.. It is more rural, but land is less expensive, and they have everything you need day to day ie. Hospital, Supermarket, Gas, Hotels, Ace Hardware, Auto Supply store, places to eat, coffee, casino/resort etc..
Its truly amazing in N. Idaho.. The scenery is unreal, the people are nice, and even the kids are respectful and "normal"..lol... Nothing against Boise and other area's its just all those tree's, lakes, rivers, and stuff really do it for me personally.. Not to mention the summers are downright pleasant compared to places like here and Ariz..

Hope this helps, and we have at LEAST one other person here on CDF leaving Az for Id...

[cleosmom]

I would have to say that Idaho Falls or SE Idaho in general is not what you're looking for if you're wanting mild winters. Our snow can start flying in October and we've seen it as late as May, the odd snow in the middle of June isn't unusual either.

[oh2az2id]

I lived in Phoenix 24 years 1982-2006, and loved it BUT... Moved to Coeur d alene 3 Years ago and wished we would have done it years ago. The wife is a Phoenix native 40+ years and she was ready to go. It was hard to leave family and friends behind but we keep in touch and visit and have had plenty of visits from people so that has not been bad. The people here are so friendly, I think I have made more friends here in 3 years then i did in 24yrs in Phoenix. We are so happy with the schools too.

Been thru 3 winters and the first one was a normal winter and was a joy. Snowed 4-6 inches at a time with a normal total around 70-+ inches. It nevered really got all that cold, maybe got down to zero or lil below just a few times, mostly in the upper 20's and 30's. I am surprized how fast we got used to it, now in the spring when it hits 50 it feels like summer. Now the last 2 winters were a bit much, they were the 2 biggest snow fall winters of all time! If they were all like the last two, I will have to become a snowbird.
Thats my 2 cents , any questions about CDA just ask.

[esomething]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

I would have to say that Idaho Falls or SE Idaho in general is not what you're looking for if you're wanting mild winters. Our snow can start flying in October and we've seen it as late as May, the odd snow in the middle of June isn't unusual either.

I lived in Indianapolis, IN for 6 months during the winter...are your winters worse then that? I can handle that fine.

[cleosmom]

I'd say from my experience Indy can run a close second to IF.

The Boise are is considered the Banana Belt of Idaho, while they get snow, it usually doesn't stick.

SE Idaho gets the snow, the winds, the sub zero temps (as not only low temps, but daytime highs as well).

[mmzero]

Any reason to choose Coeur d'Alene over Spokane? The lack of a state income tax makes WA seem a little more appealing. I like Chandler, AZ but it's time for me to move on.

[boi2socal]

Although I can't confirm I'm sure WA will get you with other taxes. I lived in Seattle for awhile and paid a high sales tax...never paid property tax since I rented. I'm sure others can point out specifics.

Spokane doesn't have the greatest reputation. Definitely choose Coeur d'Alene. You'll be much more comfortable there.

[mistyriverranch]

My husband was raised in Indy and we spent 4 years there. And we moved here from the Phoenix area seven years ago. I can't imagine anything west of the Rockies having an Indy-type winter, with it's damp cold and endlessly grey skies. I used to get bronchitis every single winter there...never had it anywhere else.
Here, it's a much drier cold, sometimes fiercely cold with the potential for lots of snow. Way better than a midwestern winter.

[SagDreamer]

I moved to an area a little north of Salmon, ID after living in Sedona for a few years and found it to be a pretty easy move. Although after 4 long winters I have had enough. My elevation is 5000 feet and the winters are longer here than in Salmon itself by about 2 months. Having a ranch makes it that much harder. In town it's not such a big deal. If you are from Northern AZ you might not like southern Idaho as much as the mountainous areas.