Where to buy in Idaho? (Boise, Twin Falls: real estate, safe area, high school)

[bhonest2]

Hello,

My wife and I have two pre-teens and one teenager and we are considering moving out of crazy CA and moving to Idaho. We would like a good safe area with quality schools and lots to do. We were considering Coeur D'alene because it looks more green and lush.

We were considering Boise but it doesn't look as green and we heard the winters are more harsh.

If you have any recommendations it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[cleosmom]

Depends on how you get your income and the schools you want your kids in.

[volosong]

Originally Posted by bhonest2

We were considering Boise but it doesn't look as green and we heard the winters are more harsh.

Winters in North Idaho are much more harsh than down south, (meaning cooler temps and more snow). In summer, triple digit temperatures are not unheard of in the Treasure Valley. About 10-15 degrees cooler up north, (during the summer).

[Dillpickle93]

I am looking into getting out of California and moving to Idaho as well. Look into the silver valley and what it has done to Coeur D' Alene.
As for great schools and more mild winters, Boise is a great starting point. Many great suburbs and high rated schools. Weather is more mild as Volosong said. (This is all research knowledge)

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by volosong

Winters in North Idaho are much more harsh than down south, (meaning cooler temps and more snow). In summer, triple digit temperatures are not unheard of in the Treasure Valley. About 10-15 degrees cooler up north, (during the summer).

Well to be fair, triple digits in north Idaho aren’t unheard of either.

[NW Crow]

Would help to say what you most like to do and city size.

Safe is usually smaller places and / or upscale. Good schools depends on standards but for some it means in bigger cities and upscale neighborhoods.

The places you are asking about in other threads are all warm weather places. Idaho won't compete with them on warm. Maybe if you want 4 seasons with some form of winter. For climate details on Idaho and other western places, this link has lots of info https://wrcc.dri.edu/Climate/west_coop_summaries.php

[bhonest2]

Thanks. We will be involved in real estate, selling mostly. We may buy a rental. We also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. Thank you.

[NW Crow]

Ultimately it is you call on climate and city size. But you should be able to make one of them work. Boise, CDA. Sandpoint, Post Falls, Twin Falls. Some other place. For hiking, mountain biking and swimming, I'd give north Idaho the edge. If you are coming from southern or central CA it will be less adjustment to southern Idaho environment than if you are coming from north Cal.

Sandpoint has a highly rated high school. Other places do too surely, that is just the one that comes to mind.

Don't choose north Idaho if gray winter skies (& days shorter than people from further south are accustom to) and snow on the ground for weeks / months would bug you. Figure out your snow removal needs (driveway / roof) before you buy and whether you are going to do it or pay someone. Boise usually gets far less snow but would have grey skies / short days too (to a lesser extent).

With Boise metro, decide if you can accept the density, traffic and the area steadily adding more people. From 1990-2000, the metro grew by 140k. 2000-2010, 140k. 2010-2020 around 80k. Next 10? Could be 60k, 100k, possibly more. Then more the next decades.

[javatom]

I hear Wyoming is nice.