Looking at Possibly Moving to Kellogg (Boise, Idaho Falls: appointed, ski resort, how much)

[Sphene]

Hello! I have just applied for a job in Kellogg, ID and I was wondering what the town was like. I have been to the Idaho Falls/Southeastern Idaho area and I like it alot. How does Kellogg compare to Southeast Idaho? Someone told me the town used to have a pretty big red light district, but looking online, it looks like more of a growing resort town? Would there be any other communities within driving distance that would be better to live in? Thanks!

[elousv]

Have not been there yet, but there is a sign in town that proclaims:

"This is the town founded by a jackass and inhabited by his descendants"

[Sphene]

hahaha...I did read that online! I guess it would be cool to live in a place with an interesting history?

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Sphene, Kellogg has the ski resort (Silver Mountain) and Dave Smith auto dealerships, the largest Dodge and one of the largest GM dealers in the country. And not that much else... Much of the town is old and somewhat run-down in my experience. Wallace is about 10-15 miles further East, and IMO is nicer. More of a downtown and nice atmosphere. Wallace was famous for it's red light district (there's even a bordello museum) but that was years ago.

[fearnofish]

Originally Posted by Sphene

Hello! I have just applied for a job in Kellogg, ID and I was wondering what the town was like. I have been to the Idaho Falls/Southeastern Idaho area and I like it alot. How does Kellogg compare to Southeast Idaho? Someone told me the town used to have a pretty big red light district, but looking online, it looks like more of a growing resort town? Would there be any other communities within driving distance that would be better to live in? Thanks!

I would say it is NOT resort town. Silver MTN wants to think it is and it maybe kinda sorta barely is. It's nice to go skiing at and has the potential...kind of... to be one but isnt yet. No offense to anyone living there. My wife grew up there and I grew up just over the hill from there.

Kellogg does not have a whole lot to do but is not a bad place all in all to live as long as you are not a 'big city' type. The hunting and fishing in the area is some of the best around!

Kellogg definatly did have brothels back in the day. But I don't know of that kind of problem nowadays. If you want a hooker you just go to Spokane and drive down Division.

I would definatly not live in the Coeur d'Alene area and commute over 4th of July pass everyday. 1. the gas would be too much 2. in the winter it would be terrible to drive that pass everyday.

[Sphene]

I currently live in a city thats bigger than Boise! But I have spent some time in SE Idaho (Big Lost River Valley/Arco/Moore) and I love it there! So I guess if Kellogg is similar, I would be okay with that. I assume since its farther north it is greener and gets more snow. I think I will enjoy the peace and quiet that Idaho has to offer as well as the extensive recreational activities. Is there good hiking up that way? I'm not much of a hunter or fisher, but I do enjoy spending time in nature!

[Trouthunter]

I was born in Kellogg and lived there until I was about 13, and I do have many fond memories about it. When I lived there it was a dying town, and has since then tried to make a touristic comeback with the help of the CDA resort’s partnership with the ski mountain (Silver Mountain). If you are into skiing, the proximity of the mountain to Kellogg is epic and the old mining/logging roads are great for CC skiing. Also, the proximity to some of North Idaho’s best mountain biking/hiking/camping/fishing/off-roading/hunting is within an hours drive, and in some cases minutes.

The last time I was there (May of 2002) most of the trees on the foothills have grown back (It is amazing what a smelter can do to nature, and natures response when a smelter is torn down). There is plenty of history in the Silver Valley if you need that type of nostalgic mood for a home town or are into digging up local history as a pastime.

You most likely will be very disappointed if you need to be entertained though. I don’t mean to be judgmental, but some people are geared to be entertained (thus live in urban areas) while others make their own entertainment. As you probably figured out Kellogg and all the surrounding towns (Smelterville, Pinehurst, Osburn, Wallace…) have a small town pace and mood, but without the farm town feel (like Southern Idaho).

If you like the outdoors and have a need to get out and experience life during all seasons Kellogg would be a good fit for you.

Good luck on the job interview!

[kimfromkingston]

Originally Posted by Sphene

Hello! I have just applied for a job in Kellogg, ID and I was wondering what the town was like. I have been to the Idaho Falls/Southeastern Idaho area and I like it alot. How does Kellogg compare to Southeast Idaho? Someone told me the town used to have a pretty big red light district, but looking online, it looks like more of a growing resort town? Would there be any other communities within driving distance that would be better to live in? Thanks!

hi ive lived here for 5 yrs now , you couldnt find a safer place plus being beautiful i dont know where you heard that its a red light district it is a fast growing resort town, the town of wallace use to have a red light district yers ago now its a tourtist town, the main source of jobs here are mining and timber. hope you didnt get the wrong impression. kim

[Sphene]

Thanks for the great replies! Part of the reason I am looking for a job in Idaho is to change lifestyles! I currently live in the central valley in California and I am just so tired of feeling crowded in and so tired of the pollution!! I grew up here and have watched the area of town I live in become urbanized and seen the farmland disappear for tract housing and new shopping malls...it is kind of depressing! hehe but I think that is the case with many growing cities. I enjoy the outdoors, as I am a scientist, and I love hiking/being in nature/etc...I think the job I applied for will be in part working to remediate some of the old mining lands, which sounds pretty exciting to me! Although I have yet to hear back from the employer, here's hoping! But after visiting/staying in southern Idaho, I'm pretty sure this is just about the best place to live in America )

[airforcewifefromidaho]

From Idaho, have family in Kellogg.... lived in Mullan for three years, then to Boise for 20...

Nice town. Depressed economic area. Close to Coeurd'Alene and Spokane, Winters are BRUTAL. If you are in California now, you will need to take a snow driving class- snowfall can reach up to six feet in Northern Idaho. Take that into account prior to moving there. Winters are long, starting as early as late September and ending in early June at times, depending on the snow fall that year. It is lower in elevation versus Mullan, Wallace etc.. but you will need to learn to drive in the snow and be prepared for power outages, road closures and cold weather.

Having been raised in Idaho and lived in Los Angeles and in Santa Rosa, I can understand your feelings about growth. It makes me sad how much Idaho has become populated over the years- southern Idaho especially.

Good luck.