Is CDA and North Idaho becoming overpopulated and overpriced? (Boise: new house, buying)

[Cnynrat]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Volo, please expand on your anti Washington attitude. Washington is diverse and has a mostly conservative East side if that is what you are talking about. I think Washington is generally a good state but can understand some who don’t appreciate the Olympia politics. But as the 2nd largest population in the west it can’t be ignored.

For me there are a couple things:

First, the politics at the state level are a huge negative about WA. Yes, the politics in eastern WA are different, but that would only make being under the control of the western part of the state feel worse. See my note above about per capita state spending in WA vs. ID. And BTW, I think the shenanigans going on in Seattle right now will cost all WA residents at least a little. I'd expect WA's credit rating to take a dip, at least for a while. If things aren't brought under control soon, the impacts could be worse.

Second, our nearest neighbor over the border is Spokane, which IMO does not represent the state very well. I realize it has some nice neighborhoods, and I have some friends who live there and think it's ok, but to me it's not a place I enjoy visiting. Too crowded, too much traffic, parking often seems to be a chore in the city center, the core of the city seems run down in many ways, etc.

I also observe that my Spokane friends feel compelled to come to their place outside Sandpoint most every weekend.

Dave

[volosong]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Volo, please expand on your anti Washington attitude. Washington is diverse and has a mostly conservative East side if that is what you are talking about. I think Washington is generally a good state but can understand some who don’t appreciate the Olympia politics. But as the 2nd largest population in the west it can’t be ignored.

Has nothing to do with politics. WA politics doesn't really affect me personally. Physically, outside Spokane, eastern Washington is really beautiful. My kind of place, (Csb/BSk in the Köppen system, (Mediterranean/Steppe)). Spokane, itself, has some really sketchy areas, as Dave mentions. Some really nice areas too.

And I do realize that the political philosophy east of the Cascades is more akin to Idaho philosophy than on the coast. Same as in Oregon, and even California. (Personally, I am not registered with any political party, but usually to vote for candidates on the right side of the aisle.)

My biggest complaint about Washingtonians is how they drive. They are very, very aggressive. One of the major factors that convinced me to move to this area for my retirement years is how courteous the drivers in Idaho are. Never before have I lived in an area where people, while driving, will wait so that I could merge safely. Few seem to be in any hurry. Most people stick pretty close to the maximum posted speed limit. Idaho drivers, for the most part, drive very safely and adhere to the vehicle code. How they "respect" bicyclist was the final factor in convincing me to move here. I have never felt so safe while riding. It's "refreshing".

Being so close to WA, there is lot of "cross pollination". Many with WA plates are in this area, and I'm willing to bet some money that 'nine times out of ten', the cars that are weaving in-and-out of traffic, speeding, and tailgating are cars with WA state license plates. That other 'one out of ten' is some jacked-up pickup truck, and we all know who drives those. People from Washington just drive too aggressively, compared to the average Idaho driver. That's okay if you are in Washington, but they don't tone it down when they cross the border.

And I realize that no everyone can be placed in the same bin. Surely, there are responsible WA motorists. Somewhere.

p.s. And this is not to mention the economic pressure placed on housing due to emigrants from WA, the second largest source of immigrants to Idaho after CA.

[f5fstop]

Idaho has courteous drivers? I need to move to your side of the state. I have lived in many states and would rate Idaho as second from the last for me. Maybe it is the Pocatello to Idaho Falls area.

[Cnynrat]

Originally Posted by volosong

WA politics doesn't really affect me personally.

They would if you lived there!

Dave

[pnwguy2]

Hmm. Washington drivers...

Well, some would disagree. Some would accuse them of being left lane hogs. Others would accuse them of driving too fast on I-90. I don't know, I think most States have their share of bad drivers. Washington, being the 2nd largest State in the West would probably have more, so your theory may hold some water...

I know I try to keep it under 75 on I-90 in Eastern Washington, but still I am constantly being passed. And you know what else, with the pandemic people are driving even faster with little enforcement.

[Green Guy]

Please don’t hijack the thread. This is about how fast Northern Idaho is growing. Washington has nothing to do with this.

[SkyLark2019]

I've got friends who live near Coeur D'Alene. To be honest the population has held steady even after the Great Recession of 2008 & it's a wonderful place to live. You do have to be prepared to deal with the long winters if you are relocating there from somewhere warmer and less mountainous.

Northern Idaho is always going to be rural. If you want a bona fide "mountain man" lifestyle, move to NW Montana. Less taxes, more privacy and very little government-related intrusion into your life.

Believe it or not it seems the social breakdown of Northern Idaho is both lots of young people and very diverse (many kinds of) retired people. If you like outdoors activities and socializing a little bit you can make friends and have a nice time living in the area.

[Cnynrat]

Originally Posted by SkyLark2019

If you want a bona fide "mountain man" lifestyle, move to NW Montana. Less taxes, more privacy and very little government-related intrusion into your life.

Per capita state and local spending in MT is about 30% higher than in ID. As I've said many times here, the state and local governments get that money one way or another. Per capita spending is a better way to compare the "cost of government" than looking at a few tax rate data points.

Dave

[pnwguy2]

@ green guy

While I took it off topic, the moderator fueled it and I responded. Please stop trying to be an armchair moderator when you are not.

Further I am guessing you don’t have any idea how eastern WA is connected to NID. Despite some are against it, this area is a region of population that crosses state lines. I think the whole premise here is WA residents increasing NID population. So your assertion is wrong.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by SkyLark2019

I've got friends who live near Coeur D'Alene. To be honest the population has held steady even after the Great Recession of 2008 & it's a wonderful place to live. You do have to be prepared to deal with the long winters if you are relocating there from somewhere warmer and less mountainous.

Northern Idaho is always going to be rural. If you want a bona fide "mountain man" lifestyle, move to NW Montana. Less taxes, more privacy and very little government-related intrusion into your life.

Believe it or not it seems the social breakdown of Northern Idaho is both lots of young people and very diverse (many kinds of) retired people. If you like outdoors activities and socializing a little bit you can make friends and have a nice time living in the area.

Coeur D'Alene is more expensive than other parts of Idaho. It is beautiful the only thing is they get 60 plus inches of snow per year. Moyes Springs, Sand Point and that whole Panhandle area is so beautiful and rural.