Idaho Falls

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Moose Hollow

In short, no I did not! Cali's home although very tempting turned out to be too big for just me, my wife and our dog and being on a fixed income (S.S. Disability), the monthly rental was steep for us. That was kind of you to ask and we are still looking. We traveled up that way as we had indicated without any success back in January. I wish I could share with you folks our success in this endevor, but our failure to relocate has had it's share of road blocks.

We still need to find a more affordable place to live and have become more and more dejected with the continued rise in the cost of living here in Utah. Just as recently as June 30th (effective July 1st.), Questar Gas was approved by the Public Service Commission in Utah for a residential gas price increase which amounts to around $13.00 per month.

This continued assault on peoples incomes has myself and my wife worried. Top that off with increased medical, gasoline and grocery prices it becomes harder each month for many of us on fixed incomes. Even this apartment we live in (which was supposed to be temporary to begin with) will not allow tenants to renew their lease for more than six months at a time and consequently the management company raises the rent every time a tenant signs a new lease. Eventually, monthly fixed costs will exceed my (and many others like us) monthly fixed income!

I'm sorry...I didn't mean to turn this forum into a sounding theater for my woes or that of our economy! My wife and I are still dilligently searching for a more affordable retirement life somewhere in Idaho and hope that maybe we'll be successful by years end. Our losses have been great, but we look with ambitious optimism toward the future. Meanwhile, thank you all for the tips, suggestions and encouragement!

Hey Moose Hollow,

No need to apologize. You are just telling the reality of UT as it is. Costs are so unbelievable!

I co-own some property in Salt Lake County and I also lease different property. I sure hope you are right and my eyes were just tired when I read that utilities notice.

I thought it said the utilities commission allowed three previously -denied requests for a rate hike. Consequently, I thought that particular utility was suppose to increase about 33%. I'm not saying even $13.00 or $20.00/month is easy on a fixed income, for students or small businesses, let alone families. I'm saying I had to quit reading about that utility because I couldn't believe that utility is being granted such a steep rate hike in one jump. I sure hope I got that all wrong!

I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I've been looking at some different real estate in SL County for business, given the costs where I currently lease.

Keep looking for what you are hoping for in Idaho. You might want to make a list of "must haves" and "would likes." Sometimes bargains come up that may be just right for what you want and others don't.

I know there are several realtors who have at times posted on this board. Maybe some could send you private messages of how to reach them and assist you in your search.

Meanwhile, if you like to look at classifieds, you can access them at the local newspaper at no cost (or subscription): .:Post Register - Idaho Falls, ID:.. Also, I've noticed more and more ads on different eastern ID websites. The TV Stations - like KIDK and KIFI also list info like that. Plus, real estate offices list most things with the MLS number.

If you have a realtor you have worked with in SLC, perhaps they could also assist you in locating appropriate housing in the Idaho Falls area. A couple of real estate businesses in SLC are very involved in Idaho Falls. If they can't help, maybe they can give you referrals to local agents, if you don't hear back from someone hear.

Torie is in Boise. She is a real estate agent who has helped many people here. I don't really know other real estate agents here. You may even want to send Torie a direct message and ask her advice. I'm sure the other real estate agents would help too, I simply don' t know who they are.

Good luck in your search. Send me a Direct Message if I can help guide you toward some people who may know more than I. Salt Lake City summers, let alone southern UT, have far too many days over 100 degrees. I think there have been something like 5-6 days already this year some area of Salt Lake County was over 100 degrees.

You might want to write on UT threads. You may be surprised how many people work in both UT and Idaho Falls. Someone may have a condo or something smaller they want to rent (just make sure you get the ID end, not SLC).

A condo/townhouse rental is just a thought. I'm sure you'll think of others, or other people will have more suggestions.

Hang in there!

MSR

[Moose Hollow]

Mtn. States thank you for the kind reply and information. My information on Questar is correct. It was both reported in the Salt Lake Tribune and on all three local news channels. This increase is suppose to be to cover transport costs and not the cost of the gas itself. I question this reasoning because the natural gas is transported in pipelines owned by Questar in Wyoming and I'm shocked that the Public Service Commission approved in the hike. Questars second rate increase request (for October) is presently being reviewed by the Public Service Commission and is believed that it will also be approved. This second rate increase request is for the cost of the product itself (natural gas). Questar says that prices are increasing everywhere and they feel that they should be able to raise their costs accordingly. Again, a lot of the gas wells in Wyoming are owned or partially owned by Questar and I think their huge profits need to stop. I cannot believe that the Public Service Commission would even entertain another price increase after just approving one. Am I missing something here? I thought the Public Service Commission was put in place to stop this kind of behavior?

Anyway, I will continue to try and look into those ideas that you have suggested with respect to housing in Idaho Falls. Maybe I will also look into Wyoming and Montana as well. Thanks again for your assistance!