Yet another California family looking to move out (living in, transit)
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In my opinion, Idaho is the most overrated state in the entire country.
First of all, Southern Idaho, where most of the state's residents are concentrated, is one of the least scenic places in America. Unfortunately, the hinterlands of southern Idaho are exceedingly flat and treeless, similar to northern Texas. The difference is, in most of northern Texas, the grass is green for part of the year due to warmer temperatures, higher humidity and more abundant precipitation; I do not believe the grass is ever green in Idaho. Oftentimes, Californians rave about Idaho's scenic beauty, but I have yet to observe any scenic beauty in the state; I presume they are referring to the Idaho Panhandle, which I have not yet visited.
Secondly, people in Idaho are generally aloof, entitled and hedonistic; typically, they only care about themselves and are unconcerned with others. Sadly, these prevailing traits are inconducive to making friends and building a social support system, which is important when you are living far away from your family of origin.
Personally, I think Tennessee is the best option on your short list. First of all, there is no state income tax in Tennessee. Secondly, the Tennessee Promise program provides two years of free tuition at any of Tennessee's community colleges or colleges of applied technology, as well as a handful of four-year universities. This is an incredibly important consideration for large families (i.e., three or more children). Next, Tennessee has more of a four-season climate than Texas (with milder summers), has significantly milder winters than Idaho and is significantly sunnier than Washington. Because Tennessee is located east of the Mississippi River, it is wetter and more heavily forested than Idaho, Texas and eastern Washington. In my opinion, creeks and woods are essential to imagination development of children. Additionally, because Tennessee is a "long," "narrow" state, it is relatively easy to visit other states for day and weekend trips. Finally, since Chattanooga and Knoxville are located near the western extent of the Eastern Time Zone, sunsets are remarkably late during the summertime. Oh, yeah -- people in Tennessee are very friendly and family-oriented.
Idaho has large mountains to explore and a pretty dune area as well. They could also be talking about those sites.
I've heard a lot of good things about idaho friendliness. But it's all been from older white People, so take with a grain of salt. Im not so sure that brown folks would get the same high quality treatment.
This Vacaville, CA family in video moved to Oklahoma near the edge of a town where they had built a new farm style house on 10 acres. The town they moved near has great schools with the older elementary schools rebuilt in recent years. The town hasn't had a serious tornado since 1990.
Hey all! We are a young family of 5 with 3 kids in elementary school. We were born and raised in the Los Angeles area and currently reside here now, but are seriously considering leaving California for greener pastures. Tentatively we are considering Tennessee, Idaho, Texas, and Washington.
What we're hoping for:
- Great schools
- Affordable housing (200k-400k, 4bd+, built within last 25 years)
- Family friendly activities in the area (hiking, water, parks, shopping/entertainment)
- Weather: Ok with snow but not too extreme (i.e. like 100 inches a year). Would also like to avoid areas that get major life-changing weather phenomenons regularly. Overall would lean towards warmer rather than colder but open to both.
- Safe
Definite No's: Illinois, Wisconsin, New England area, Alaska, very extreme poltical/religious areas.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Idaho is popular with Californians but is becoming very expensive. There’s a thread in the Idaho forum about it... homes are more affordable in the rural areas but anywhere near Boise or northern Idaho is going to be more difficult on your budget depending on your housing needs.
Since you mentioned Washington the Tri Cities area might be worth considering as well as Yakima - both are fairly affordable areas by Washington standards. Western Washington is going to be extremely difficult for a house you’re describing at that price range, in most areas.
That's actually pretty common for areas that either aren't terribly trendy or don't have too many arbitrary building regulations.
Personally, I don't know why people fall all over themselves to pay more than 200k-250k or so for any type of housing. Lot's of nice places out there that won't gouge you.
The upper midwest is especially fantastic on the schools, recreation, affordability and being family-oriented.
If you can wear a jacket, it's worth occasionally shoveling snow for. We get a little less than 50" of snow where we live. Still a lot to some, but not overwhelming.
We left the south for Wisconsin and can't imagine a scenario in which we'd ever go back down there.
But, Wisconsin being off the list for some reason, perhaps Iowa, Nebraska, etc. Kansas City suburbs are nice.
Ohio has a lot going for it as well.
Otherwise, Idaho and Utah are places I'd be looking at out west. Our next move might be more out that way if we were to leave for any place else.
I agree; the Upper Midwest is lovely, but it is too cold and snowy for most Americans. I have a former colleague who was born and raised in Indianapolis and found Madison, where he lived for 1-2 years, to be unbearably cold and snowy. Similarly, I have an older friend who is originally from Toledo and lived in Minneapolis for close to a decade many years ago. While she loved living in Minneapolis, she complained the climate is very harsh. If Madison and Minneapolis are unbearable to people from other parts of the Midwest imagine how difficult that transition would be for someone from Southern California? Holy cow.
I agree; the Upper Midwest is lovely, but it is too cold and snowy for most Americans. I have a former colleague who was born and raised in Indianapolis and found Madison, where he lived for 1-2 years, to be unbearably cold and snowy. Similarly, I have an older friend who is originally from Toledo and lived in Minneapolis for close to a decade many years ago. While she loved living in Minneapolis, she complained the climate is very harsh. If Madison and Minneapolis are unbearable to people from other parts of the Midwest imagine how difficult that transition would be for someone from Southern California? Holy cow.
I’ve known people who’ve moved to this area from California, Mississippi, etc., and a lot of them seem to like it.
There is a fairly substantial Hispanic and Asian population here as well.
We’re on the shores of Lake Michigan so it’s mild compared to Minnesota or even Madison.
Being able to deal with cold is more of an individual thing, not necessarily where they’re coming from.
Even if I didn’t like the cold, it would be difficult to go back and live in sunbelt culture.
At the end of the episode during the follow-up they said that they love Cookeville so much, they got their siblings and their families plus parents/grandparents to also make the move.
The school system is excellent, and it's an open system meaning you can live anywhere in the county and send your kids to the schools of your choice as long as there's room and you provide the transportation. It's one of just a few school systems in the country to have the International Baccalaureate Program at both the middle and high school levels.
It's a very family friendly area: children's museum, children's library, youth symphony, children's theatre, and of course gobs of youth sports. There are 100 waterfalls and 1200 miles of lake shoreline within 40 minutes of town as well as a dozen state parks and a national recreation area.
We do get snow, but our winters are fairly short, and when it snows it's usually melted in a day or two. It's rare (but not unheard of) to have snow on the ground for more than a few days. We average 8 inches of snow per year spread out among 3-4 snowfalls.
A huge benefit to Tennessee is college tuition; there is none, at least not for community colleges (and that's open to any resident of the state). Graduates of Tennessee high schools also get very generous grants to state universities. Cookeville is home to a community college and also the state's flagship technological university.
And it's just an easy hour (all interstate) from the Nashville airport.
The town is growing like crazy lately, but it's still affordable. Here's a sampling of homes in very family friendly neighborhoods that match your criteria that have recently sold just to give you an idea what the area is like:
I’ve known people who’ve moved to this area from California, Mississippi, etc., and a lot of them seem to like it.
There is a fairly substantial Hispanic and Asian population here as well.
We’re on the shores of Lake Michigan so it’s mild compared to Minnesota or even Madison.
Being able to deal with cold is more of an individual thing, not necessarily where they’re coming from.
Even if I didn’t like the cold, it would be difficult to go back and live in sunbelt culture.
Well, the Sun Belt is an enormous geographic region and, as a result, definitely not homogenous or monolithic, so you may want to elaborate on your usage of the term "Sun Belt culture" for those of us who are unclear.
In my opinion, Idaho is the most overrated state in the entire country.
First of all, Southern Idaho, where most of the state's residents are concentrated, is one of the least scenic places in America. Unfortunately, the hinterlands of southern Idaho are exceedingly flat and treeless, similar to northern Texas. The difference is, in most of northern Texas, the grass is green for part of the year due to warmer temperatures, higher humidity and more abundant precipitation; I do not believe the grass is ever green in Idaho. Oftentimes, Californians rave about Idaho's scenic beauty, but I have yet to observe any scenic beauty in the state; I presume they are referring to the Idaho Panhandle, which I have not yet visited.
Secondly, people in Idaho are generally aloof, entitled and hedonistic; typically, they only care about themselves and are unconcerned with others. Sadly, these prevailing traits are inconducive to making friends and building a social support system, which is important when you are living far away from your family of origin.
Personally, I think Tennessee is the best option on your short list. First of all, there is no state income tax in Tennessee. Secondly, the Tennessee Promise program provides two years of free tuition at any of Tennessee's community colleges or colleges of applied technology, as well as a handful of four-year universities. This is an incredibly important consideration for large families (i.e., three or more children). Next, Tennessee has more of a four-season climate than Texas (with milder summers), has significantly milder winters than Idaho and is significantly sunnier than Washington. Because Tennessee is located east of the Mississippi River, it is wetter and more heavily forested than Idaho, Texas and eastern Washington. In my opinion, creeks and woods are essential to imagination development of children. Additionally, because Tennessee is a "long," "narrow" state, it is relatively easy to visit other states for day and weekend trips. Finally, since Chattanooga and Knoxville are located near the western extent of the Eastern Time Zone, sunsets are remarkably late during the summertime. Oh, yeah -- people in Tennessee are very friendly and family-oriented.
Thank you so much for this. It's definitely a new take on Idaho we haven't really heard before. We had several recommend to us Coeur d'alene, however browsing Zillow it seems that real estate is actually rather pricey there. Not sure if it's because people love it so much or because of short supply?
We are definitely looking at TN very closely and it is currently number one on our list for all the reasons you listed. We are planning a two week trip there soon to get a feel and look around a bit.
Of the choices you specified, I'd say Washington by far.
Any specific areas that you'd recommend?
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