Considering Southern Idaho (Boise, Pocatello, Idaho Falls: house, transfer, to buy)

[teatimeteri1]

We're researching Southern Idaho as a place to relocate.
I've been looking at Twin Falls area, focusing on smaller out of the way towns like Shoshone, Jerome, etc.
We have horses and live in the greater Seattle area. There is no way we can afford acreage here, but looks like you can get a decent place there for under 200k or is that an internet deception? Also looking for not so much rain and warmer weather (but not 100 degrees)
I would appreciate any input, both good and not-so .
Also, have severe asthma and spouse has arthritis and have heard climate there might help?

[dmcsherlock]

Hoping to see comments from Idaho lovers - my husband and I are looking at southern Idaho, too!

[DallasJoseph]

I think you can get a nice place for around 200k. I used to live in Pocatello. Have you checked out Pocatello, Idaho Falls, American Falls and Blackfoot? All are nice and all have pros and cons.

Pocatello is pretty with the mountains. IF seems to have more to do and is more modern. Twin has the beautiful canyon, and also is shorter distance to Boise.

Any specific questions?

[boisefan88]

Best and only advice: GO VISIT.

You'll learn about 2% about a place from books and the internet. Go to Jerome and you'll see why you won't want to live there, or how Shoshone is a very, very hard 22 miles from Twin Falls (especially in the winter, especially on that treacherous single lane highway).

There are reasons that places are as cheap as they are - low or no demand.

[dmcsherlock]

Of course I'd love to visit Idaho, and I've come to City-Data/Idaho for suggestions on where I should go first. Southern Idaho is a big place, and vacations are only so long, only so much money for traveling.

Any more ideas? I'd be grateful!

[DallasJoseph]

DMC,

I agree with you. I've lived in seven states. Moved to three of them without ever visiting. I utilize the computer as well.

Twin Falls is real nice. My wife and I thought about relocating their until I got transferred to SLC, Utah. I wish we would of. Jerome is not far from Twin, but totally different. Real tiny town, old...

Housing in Pocatello is dropping as well. My brother just bought a house for 175k, 6 bedrooms, 2700 sq ft built in 1998. His house is in Chubbuck. Right next door to Poky.

Idaho Falls is about 45-55 miles from Pocatello. Blackfoot is right in between the two. I believe population wise it goes Idaho Falls, Pocatello then Twin Falls. All are beautiful.

[dmcsherlock]

Dallas Joseph, thank you for good comments! I will print your reply and file.

Besides Snake River, any water to speak of and to live near in Southern Idaho? Is there rural land for living, or is it taken up mostly by farms?

[DallasJoseph]

American Falls has a reservior. There's a lake about 40 miles from Inkom I think... Lava Hot Springs is always fun.

Yeah you can live in tiny towns that are rural. All towns Poky, IF and TF are close to rural small towns.

[CSG]

I've got a horse property south of Twin about 10 miles that I'll be putting on the market shortly (3 acres, loafing shed, stock water, closest neighbors 1/2 mile) about 2500 sq ft. home). If you think you're going to buy a property like that for $200k even in a soft market, good luck.

Small decent acreage properties are not as common as you think. Lot's of larger farms, ranches, and BLM limit small parcels for the average guy.

[DesertZone]

Originally Posted by teatimeteri1

We're researching Southern Idaho as a place to relocate.
I've been looking at Twin Falls area, focusing on smaller out of the way towns like Shoshone, Jerome, etc.
We have horses and live in the greater Seattle area. There is no way we can afford acreage here, but looks like you can get a decent place there for under 200k or is that an internet deception? Also looking for not so much rain and warmer weather (but not 100 degrees)
I would appreciate any input, both good and not-so .
Also, have severe asthma and spouse has arthritis and have heard climate there might help?

I live here in Shohsone and love it. Twin Falls is just a short drive, and the sawtooth mts are not to far away. Good horse country with lots of places to ride.

It may not be for everyone, cold/windy in the winter/spring and the roads can be slick. But the road crews do a very good job and if a person drives slow they should be just fine.

I have lived just about in every major place in southern Idaho and I think the Magic Valley/South Central Idaho area is the best. Not everyone is friendly but most of us are.
Even though we are in the desert there is many good places to fish. All the rivers here have trout and there are many large resevoirs within a 100 miles of here.

Under 200k horse places can be found but depends on what a person wants? Manufactor homes on five acres of dry land should be easy to find. Look around, home prices have not gone up much.

Good Luck!