Colorado western slope vs Idaho panhandle mountain towns (Boise, Idaho Falls: sale, rentals)

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by CaptainSaltyBones

Anyone have experience living in Priest River or Bonners Ferry?

Why Northern Idaho? Why not something more in Central Idaho along the Montana - Idaho stateline? Nice small towns, crazy low population density, only very slightly touristy. More national forest land then you can shake a stick at. I don't know about a 45 minute drive to skiing, but probably not much more than that.

[TohobitPeak]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

Why Northern Idaho? Why not something more in Central Idaho along the Montana - Idaho stateline? Nice small towns, crazy low population density, only very slightly touristy. More national forest land then you can shake a stick at. I don't know about a 45 minute drive to skiing, but probably not much more than that.

The Lost River Valley might also be an option. Beautiful majestic mountain scenery, forests, lakes, but is isolated considering the small population base in Challis and Mackay.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by TohobitPeak

The Lost River Valley might also be an option. Beautiful majestic mountain scenery, forests, lakes, but is isolated considering the small population base in Challis and Mackay.

Yup. I would include Arco and Carey in the list. There are other small towns that are halfway between the Lost River valley and the Wood River valley that could be included; Bellvue, Shoshone, and some tiny spots like Moore, Gannet and Picabo.

They're all Idaho remote. That's usually more remote than Colorado remote.

[volosong]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

However, I don't think there is too much objection to new apartments. If you drive around out in the countryside, you will see huge new apartment complexes being built...

There is a huge objection to building apartments in Rathdrum. The comprehensive plan was just updated last year and the residents have said loud and clear that they don't want apartments or other high-density urban development. There will be a few going in that were already in the pipeline. New stuff will be difficult for developers to push through.

Most of what you are seeing is in Post Falls. They are building a "lot" of high-density units, (apartments and/or condominiums).

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

Why Northern Idaho? Why not something more in Central Idaho along the Montana - Idaho stateline?...

I suspect lack of medical facilities weight into that decision.

[ejisme]

Originally Posted by banjomike

Yup. I would include Arco and Carey in the list. There are other small towns that are halfway between the Lost River valley and the Wood River valley that could be included; Bellvue, Shoshone, and some tiny spots like Moore, Gannet and Picabo.

They're all Idaho remote. That's usually more remote than Colorado remote.

You could add Salmon, ID above Challis, Gooding, ID further west down the road from Shoshone, and maybe Fairfield, ID at the base of the Sawtooth Mts. along Hwy 20. I think Shoshone and Bellvue are a bit too "Sun Valley" area to be really remote, since they are directly in line from Twin Falls and Sun Valley/Hailey. There is a lot of traffic racing up that road.

You'd get a lot more sunny days in all these southeast/eastern towns that anywhere in North Idaho, so the weather might be closer to what you are used to in Colorado.

[banjomike]

To me, place is less important than community to make a move a success.

Any new place only stays new for a short time. Within a year or so, a newcomer learns about all that needs to be known about the new surroundings. Everyone enjoys the nice things that are present in nature, and everyone learns to tolerate with the unpleasant things nature has. Since it's all omnipresent, good and bad, it's either cherished or tolerated, since there's no escape from it.

If a person likes being among the people who live there, the surroundings can be anywhere from desolate to spectacular and the newcomer will be content.

But if the community doesn't suit the newcomer, they're more likely to be unhappy even if the location is a paradise. Very few of us like a life that's extremely solitary for very long. Even hermits become very lonely.

[Mister Torgue]

Originally Posted by banjomike

But if the community doesn't suit the newcomer, they're more likely to be unhappy even if the location is a paradise. Very few of us like a life that's extremely solitary for very long. Even hermits become very lonely.

^ This 100%.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by ejisme

You could add Salmon, ID above Challis, Gooding, ID further west down the road from Shoshone, and maybe Fairfield, ID at the base of the Sawtooth Mts. along Hwy 20. I think Shoshone and Bellvue are a bit too "Sun Valley" area to be really remote, since they are directly in line from Twin Falls and Sun Valley/Hailey. There is a lot of traffic racing up that road.

You'd get a lot more sunny days in all these southeast/eastern towns that anywhere in North Idaho, so the weather might be closer to what you are used to in Colorado.

How about Weiser?

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

How about Weiser?

Weiser isn't a part of southeast Idaho. It lies on the western edge of the state, a part of the Treasure Valley, the home of Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, and all the other cities in that valley.

Life in the TV is Idaho-different; The Treasure Valley is more congested than here in SEI or SWI. This, to me, is the greatest difference, but the TV's climate is also different. Not radically different, but different enough for Idahoans to notice.

[IdahoBroker]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

How about Weiser?

Weiser is a quaint little town. Easy access to I-84 and near the Idaho/Oregon border. If you are looking at rural places like that, you might even check out Council and New Meadows, Idaho. I met with a builder two weeks ago who builds in Council and we are looking to have him build a home on the Golf Course in New Meadows for my son who works in McCall. McCall is more of a resort town so the Airbnb market and the expanding ski resort (Brundage) has made it unaffordable for my son so he has to drive till he qualify's.

To give you an idea, there are 3new homes being built in Council on that golf course is ranging from 1400-1600 sq. ft. single levels with 2+ garage bays priced from $435K - $470K.

Hope this helps.