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Thinking about moving to Idaho. We're an artist and a writer, wife/hubby team. We were wondering about the Idaho Falls area weatherwise, especially in Rigby (what's that like?). Also, any info about Boise would be helpful as well. We're still in the looking-around stage. Have been through Idaho several times but never landed for too long. Have family in Montana. Love the Tetons, want to paint them up close. We're in our mid-fifties, just looking for a space that's quiet but close enough to a city to accomodate our various needs (art supplies, medical, restaurants, swimming pool, etc.). A place that's friendly..........you know, we're just looking for Paradise!! Oh, and yeah.....not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter (of course). Any suggestions? Thanks for taking the time if you do.
The zoo is the best one I've ever been to. (and I've been to alot) I like it mainly because it is small and well done. And you can walk around without bumping into people. I hate the huge, crowded zoo's. I also love Bear World. It is so much fun! One year we went and my husband put Crisco all over the outside of our car to attract the bears. Lots of fun things to do here. Especially if you love the outdoors.
I believe this weekend Idaho Falls is the host to the Mountain Brewers' Beer Festival each year (this weekend is the 13th year). It is the largest festival of its type in N. America. There are many activities added this year so the attendance is limited to only those who drink beer //www.northamericanbrewers.org/BeerFest2007.
Thinking about moving to Idaho. We're an artist and a writer, wife/hubby team. We were wondering about the Idaho Falls area weatherwise, especially in Rigby (what's that like?). Also, any info about Boise would be helpful as well. We're still in the looking-around stage. Have been through Idaho several times but never landed for too long. Have family in Montana. Love the Tetons, want to paint them up close. We're in our mid-fifties, just looking for a space that's quiet but close enough to a city to accomodate our various needs (art supplies, medical, restaurants, swimming pool, etc.). A place that's friendly..........you know, we're just looking for Paradise!! Oh, and yeah.....not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter (of course). Any suggestions? Thanks for taking the time if you do.
Inkymonk,
You asked about Boise and I'm certainly not the one to tell you the fine details. I know property costs are up, people chronically complain about "parking" on the Interstates they are so full etc. I'm sure someone from the Boise area could tell you more.
When you mention you have family in MT, I don't know how important visiting those relatives is to you and where in MT they may be. Obviously, Butte, Bozeman, Great Falls and even Billings or Missoula aren't that far from Idaho Falls. I honestly don't know what route the people in Boise use to access MT. Obviously, Boise will be much farther from Billings, for example, than eastern ID. It may depend on whether you plan to fly or drive. Most of the major areas in MT. are closer to Idaho Falls than Boise. But, if you want a 500,000 population, Boise is your only choice in Idaho.
Are you going to be in the area again so you can get more info about the real estate market (or use contacts suggested from here?)? It probably depends on how big of a house you want and how close to a river or away from it etc. real estate may cost.
For Rigby, others may have far better links, but this is one of my favorites I like to share with others. This is a very upscale bed and breakfast. But, the pics are great to see the outdoors a little better. The Idaho Blue Heron Inn Bed and Breakfast-- Where Tranquility Resides please see the photo gallery.
There are MANY beautiful sceneries to paint for the artist. Interestingly enough, you may or may not know this, but quite a few free lance writers live in Idaho Falls. Quite a few are scientific based, having been former INL employees. But, some are former TV Reporters and Journalists in other local mediums that have decided to write for local publications as the number of local publications has increased. I'm not sure if the local writers have any formal associations or meetings. However, the Idaho Falls Arts Community is very active. If you haven't checked out yet, you might want to at: Idaho Falls Arts Council
I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but what many others have told me the last two years, is information from Idaho Falls Magazine - The Magazine for Eastern Idaho's Way of Living (ask for your complimentary copy) will give you a lot of contacts. Their website also has a lot of links for arts and other connections. I don't work for Harris Publishing, but I must say I believe I.F. Magazine is improving their website content greatly under the new editor, Steve Smede. Many links to things we may not think of and additional contacts.
Also, IdahoFallz.Com is a live chat with area residents along with articles written by those residents. It's open 24/7 and you can ask any question you want (except religion, as that recently got banned after 18 months of trying to keep discussions positive and productive and not trying to tear others apart). The users at Idaho Fallz.Com, of which I am one, are not professional writers, justing locals writing about their concerns and observations. Over 300 pics of Idaho Falls and another wonderful collection of links to Idaho and Idaho Falls/eastern ID links. And the local Idaho Falls newspaper, Postregister.com - Sunday, June 03, 2007 - Idaho Falls, Idaho has free access for the classified sections. It covers housing options all over eastern ID.
I don't know if Jefferson County, ID (where Rigby is located) has a website or not. I know of a professional who moved to the area not long ago that decided Rigby just wouldn't work, given drive times and school districts. I don't know the realtors or available housing/property, but you might consider Ucon. It's still in Bonneville County, even has a branch of the I.F. pulbic library there. It's small, very little retail within a mile, but it is relatively close to everything. I've been told there are still some properties in the Ucon-Iona area that may be reasonable. But, who knows until you see the bottom line.
If you have other questions please don't hesitate to ask. It looks like a lot of people have given you good tips. Good luck with your decisions.
Thank you all for all the wonderful info! I just requested a complimentary issue of the Idaho Falls magazine.
I am planning to arrive in Idaho Falls around the end of July.
My sister lives near the regional airport. She also mentioned the railroad tracks when I asked her about Ammon so it looks like I misunderstood what she said and thought they were everywhere in Idaho Falls.
I am still working on all the details of how to move to Idaho Falls.
I think I read somewhere that the unemployment rate in Idaho Falls is very low. From that I would guess that many stores have job openings. Have any of you seen a lot of help wanted signs at stores? I hope to get a job in my field which is databases but have decided to move even if I don't have a job lined up before I arrive. So I ask about the help wanted signs just in case I can't find a database job so at least I'll know that the prospects of getting some kind of job are good.
There are always jobs to be found, not that all are glamorous. For instance; working at a potato house, washing trucks out at The Truck Wash (exit 113 on the interstate) along with a myriad of other things that are in the newspaper daily. I believe while most of the Post Register requires a paid subscription, I do think you can get online to see the help wanted ads. Or check out Better Idaho Falls Job dot com or Job Service.
Thank you all for all the wonderful info! I just requested a complimentary issue of the Idaho Falls magazine.
I am planning to arrive in Idaho Falls around the end of July.
My sister lives near the regional airport. She also mentioned the railroad tracks when I asked her about Ammon so it looks like I misunderstood what she said and thought they were everywhere in Idaho Falls.
I am still working on all the details of how to move to Idaho Falls.
I think I read somewhere that the unemployment rate in Idaho Falls is very low. From that I would guess that many stores have job openings. Have any of you seen a lot of help wanted signs at stores? I hope to get a job in my field which is databases but have decided to move even if I don't have a job lined up before I arrive. So I ask about the help wanted signs just in case I can't find a database job so at least I'll know that the prospects of getting some kind of job are good.
ZorroRojo, You'll have to let us know what you thought of Idaho Falls Magazine. Sometimes those who live elsewhere are quite shocked at the quality of the magazine.
Yes, unemployment in Idaho Falls (Bonneville County) is less than 1%. And, the County is growing. The latest estimates, just out, for Bonneville County is currently at 103,000K residents, about 57,000 in the City of Idaho Falls. That is higher than many thought.
Just to contrast, Bannock County, where Pocatello is, has a total County population estimated to be ~89,000.
With all of the recent growth in Bonneville County, there are many opportunities for work. I'd encourage you again to check the local newspaper, Postregister.com - classifieds are free on line, KIDK and KIFI TV websites, which also list jobs along with the major CareerBuilder, Monster etc. job sites. Also, check the Gov jobs.
With CAES opening more and more doors, I don't know if they have all their people lined up yet or not. At least one very wise, local developer, has seen the possibility of CAES and quitely built some office, research lab and/or distribution space very close to CAES. That development is also close to close to INL, in town, and University Place. I still believe we'll see more and more spin off companies from INL or complimentary companies coming to work with INL or other supporting sub-contractors.
Besides, INL has the consortium of universities with whom it's working. Besides Regional ones, MIT, the U. of Ohio and Oregon all bring their areas of expertise to the combined research efforts of grad students and INL scientists. I actually think you probably have many potential opportunities for jobs, but you need to start looking now. With all the college grads just completing school, potentially not as many are as available as could be at other times in the year.
I'm not totally sure what you mean by "database job," but I would encourage you to check with INL as well. They are begging for sub-contractors to work with volumes of paperwork! Also, private companies like Docutech (docutechcorp.com) and some of the calling centers, as many are located in Idaho Falls, often need support.
I'd recommend besides the national job search engines that you try using a couple of different major search engines and putting your specific type of database job + "Idaho Falls" in and see what comes up. It's a perfect time now for you to be sending out some CVs, even if some companies don't have openings. It's hard to know with some of the new businesses moving to I.F., or those expanding their existing services, what needs they may have.
Thank you all for all the wonderful info! I just requested a complimentary issue of the Idaho Falls magazine.
I am planning to arrive in Idaho Falls around the end of July.
My sister lives near the regional airport. She also mentioned the railroad tracks when I asked her about Ammon so it looks like I misunderstood what she said and thought they were everywhere in Idaho Falls.
I am still working on all the details of how to move to Idaho Falls.
I think I read somewhere that the unemployment rate in Idaho Falls is very low. From that I would guess that many stores have job openings. Have any of you seen a lot of help wanted signs at stores? I hope to get a job in my field which is databases but have decided to move even if I don't have a job lined up before I arrive. So I ask about the help wanted signs just in case I can't find a database job so at least I'll know that the prospects of getting some kind of job are good.
ZorroRojo,
I keep wondering if you've made your move yet, or when that will happen. I've been thinking about you, especially as I want to clarify one earlier comment, and because Docutech is hiring for major positions. I don't know if you already secured employment yet or not. If you haven't, you might want to look at their currently available jobs on the website I gave you.
Also, due to other reasons, I've had to look at maps of Idaho Falls/Ammon recently where the railroad tracks are stilled marked with XXXXs.
I now understand, given where your sister lives, why she said what she did about the raildroad tracks. Maps that have no dimensions can make understanding what happens vs. what appears to happen more difficult.
There are railroad tracks around Idaho Falls. Many businesses use the railroad to transport products to or from Idaho Falls. There is a branch of a railroad line, for an industrial area, that is northeast of I-15, northeast of the airport. It's also a major rail line that goes to Butte, MT. So although most of us don't cross dozens of railroad tracks daily, I can now understand why your sister would say what she did.
The area north of Highway 20, at Lindsay Blvd., and northeast of I-15 (north of Anderson) is mostly industrial. I'm willing to bet your sister hears many more trains than most of do, given her location. However, what does she say about the increasing number of flights? I believe there are more commercial flights daily out of Idaho Falls than there are trains.
I hope that helps clarify - your sister is correct; but we were too, in our responses. It does depend on where one lives.
Let us know what you think when you arrive and look at the Idaho Falls top 10 things to do, if you need to know what's going on and aren't connected yet.
Thank you all for your replies and for thinking of me.
My move has been delayed; for how long I am not sure. I need to see if I can work things out with my wife so that I can move with my children to Idaho Falls. I am hopeful that I will be able to work out an agreement with her that will allow me to move and don't know how long that will take.
I have not received the magazine yet.
I understand that it would depend on where a person lives if there are lots of train tracks or not. My sister says the air traffic is not bad.
Thank you all for your replies and for thinking of me.
My move has been delayed; for how long I am not sure. I need to see if I can work things out with my wife so that I can move with my children to Idaho Falls. I am hopeful that I will be able to work out an agreement with her that will allow me to move and don't know how long that will take.
I have not received the magazine yet.
I understand that it would depend on where a person lives if there are lots of train tracks or not. My sister says the air traffic is not bad.
Sorry to hear about your delay.
It's more what your sister would HEAR, given that she is above both I-15 and in the northwest-west direction of that major railroad track. Probably, not even 10% of the traffic deals with it on a daily basis. But, if they are transporting goods to Butte, MT, especially at night, it could be something she hears. Ironically, some lament the fact they can't hear the trains the same way they use to hear them.
Given her general location, she should hear the air traffic too. But, there are lots of buffers and a reasonable schedule that doesn't have 5 flights coming in at once. IF Regional Airport can land a 747, so I won't say there is never large aircraft there because sometimes there are.
Probably in the recent news you saw Boeing's latest Dream Machine - the 787? It was certified for official use at the I.F. Airport. It's the perfect distance between Denver and Seattle, so many large planes, and smaller ones too, get their certificates while using the I.F. Airport. Apparently, Sat. night is a favorite time, due to it being a little slower.
Contact I.F. Magazine and let them know you haven't gotten your copy yet. I've exchanged a few e-mails with them the last 24 hrs. as I didn't get my subscription copy either. I was told they were late to mail the July magazine out. (Idaho Falls Magazine - The Magazine for Eastern Idaho's Way of Living).
Don't give up. Think of it this way, it's just more time to learn about the area. I hope things improve for everyone in your family. It sounds like a difficult time right now.
Stay in touch and I'm glad you saw my comment so fast. Surprised, but glad.
Last edited by Mtn. States Resident; 07-18-2007 at 01:18 PM..
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