Heres' another..what about utilities/taxes?

[Sage44]

sounds like you should go and have stands out there in CA with your citrus, could make a fortune!

[cleosmom]

Ah the high price of citrus in ID; I have a friend who loves grapefruit, have you seen the grapefruit and the price here? She lucks out, if my husband gets through Fresno he makes certain to grab a huge garbage bag full of them from his mom's tree

Out here in Bonneville County (east of Idaho Falls) we're on Falls Water and I'd say our average bill runs about $25-$30 a month, it's metered so higher in the summer than the rest of the year. Between Oct-April/snow melt they do a fixed amount as it's impossible to get to the meter with the snow on it. They blend it in after being able to read the meter after snow melt.

Our gas prices do run less then in the Central Valley.

Insurance? Much cheaper!

Electric- we're in a 1200 sq ft ranch house and of course things are a tad higher in the winter, no more than $150 (we are all electric).

[Sage44]

cleosmom-that was VERY VERY helpful, thank you! Interesting about the meter and the snow.

[AlwaysLooking]

What do all of you do about garbage disposal from your properties? Costs?

[Sage of Sagle]

We had Waste Management bring out a 6-yard dumpster, and we have them send a trash truck out to empty it about once every 3-6 weeks. I think we spend about $75-80 a month on average for it...

[AlwaysLooking]

Sage does that apply to most properties in Sagle? For instance, I can't imagine a California style, once a week garbage pickup along Dufort Rd.

[Sage of Sagle]

Nope. No "regular" garbage pick up out in this area. Most of our neighbors take their trash to the dump on Saturday. I would just rather spend my time doing other things and have them come get it every so often...

[AlwaysLooking]

I'm with you on that one....thanks for the info.

[Mtn. States Resident]

It depends how rural one is. Many still burn their trash that burns. That may be a shock to some of you.

While I can't remember the source (I hope someone here who's brain is a little less tired might know to what I'm referring), I think there is something about it depends on what county one lives in how garbage/waste is disposed of.

Really rural areas that don't have 25K residents/county will most likely have different options than counties over 100K.

Sage44, I thought the info both Sage and Cleosmom gave you were good examples. Bonneville County (Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona etc.) can differ depending on "rural," vs. in one of the cities for utilies. There is an ongoing discussion about merging rural Bonneville County with some of the smaller cities into their own treatment plant etc. I know just enough to know I"ve forgotten the details.

So how goes the job search? At least you are able to learn a lot more about different areas of ID. I know this isn't what you originally posted here or anywhere, but have you considered WY, if nothing else is available? My concern for you there would be weather, depending on where a job is available. With the oil being in a boom cycle right now, there still may be jobs in WY. However, so many skilled and certified technicians moved from MI to WY (and potentially eastern ID too) especially last year, I don't know what the latest project on jobs is.

Keep asking questions, that is how you'll narrow down what feels right for you. Will you be able to come to ID and visit the various areas?

If I forgot to give you a specific name starting with "W," please send me a DM and I can potentially give you a couple of contractor's names who may be interested in your husband's skills.

MSR