Northern Idaho vs. Southern Idaho (Boise, Nampa: fit in, crime rate, how much)

[rxpwas]

I will say this about Idaho ----- the northern half rocks!! Scenery wise, some of most beautiful I've seen anywhere, especially Lolo Pass, Kamiah, and Dworshak Lake areas, and further to the north, Couer-d-lane (did I spell it right?), etc. I am not from the west but have family and inlaws in various parts of Idaho and Montana. I am writing this from a Kentucky/Southern U.S./Appalachian perspective of someone not native to that region, so please bear with me, and if I offend anyone, please forgive me (my area of the country seems to be despised by many in other areas of the country, even other areas of the South, so I try to be sensitive to places not my home territory). One thing I have noticed about North Idaho is possibly only place in western half of the United States (especially in Clearwater River valley and eastern Nez Perce rez) that is reliably (usually) green all year long that has a fairly mild, decent climate for the lattitude and geographical region. Yes, the coastal areas of Oregon and Washington are also green, but the climate is wet and dismal most of the time, and to someone used to reliably warm summers and sunshine, is very depressing to me, a high temperature of 65 degrees and overcast or raiin of July 4th not too appealing to me. Also, much of the high country of the West has greenery, but because of huge amount of snow in winter. The said part of Idaho is relative low in elevation, warm to hot in summer, but still reliably green and still has water in creeks and rivers for the most part (and the Selway River, hard to beat that!). The southern half of Idaho has the usual sage and scrub brush and brown look most of the low country of the west has. Nothing wrong with that, but a landscape like that is alien looking to my eastern eyes, though John Wayne would think the Great Smoky Mountains or Blue Ridge or Cumberlands or Ozarks would look alien, too.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by rxpwas

I will say this about Idaho ----- the northern half rocks!! Scenery wise, some of most beautiful I've seen anywhere, especially Lolo Pass, Kamiah, and Dworshak Lake areas, and further to the north, Couer-d-lane (did I spell it right?), etc. I am not from the west but have family and inlaws in various parts of Idaho and Montana. I am writing this from a Kentucky/Southern U.S./Appalachian perspective of someone not native to that region, so please bear with me, and if I offend anyone, please forgive me (my area of the country seems to be despised by many in other areas of the country, even other areas of the South, so I try to be sensitive to places not my home territory). One thing I have noticed about North Idaho is possibly only place in western half of the United States (especially in Clearwater River valley and eastern Nez Perce rez) that is reliably (usually) green all year long that has a fairly mild, decent climate for the lattitude and geographical region. Yes, the coastal areas of Oregon and Washington are also green, but the climate is wet and dismal most of the time, and to someone used to reliably warm summers and sunshine, is very depressing to me, a high temperature of 65 degrees and overcast or raiin of July 4th not too appealing to me. Also, much of the high country of the West has greenery, but because of huge amount of snow in winter. The said part of Idaho is relative low in elevation, warm to hot in summer, but still reliably green and still has water in creeks and rivers for the most part (and the Selway River, hard to beat that!). The southern half of Idaho has the usual sage and scrub brush and brown look most of the low country of the west has. Nothing wrong with that, but a landscape like that is alien looking to my eastern eyes, though John Wayne would think the Great Smoky Mountains or Blue Ridge or Cumberlands or Ozarks would look alien, too.

Great pist rxpwas!

I have often thought the same thing about brown grass,etc. in the West. When you get to places that stay green, they are either very high elevation or northwest coast rainbelt areas. Yes, the greenery of the East is a rarity out here. I have lived all my life in the West, and I enjoy visiting the East for the greenery. Especially the Smokies! That is God's Country too! If I could like up a good job near Asheville, I'd leave tomorrow.

As for Idaho, I am on the fence. Yes, the north has greenery, but the middle and south-central seem to have impressive scenic diversity, from farmland to high desert to a massive landscape of awesome mountains (the Sawtooths,etc.), and of course the urban amenities of Boise. So, I cannot help, they both look nice. I could see myself living in Boise, Pocatello, or Moscow quite easily.

[TohobitPeak]

Where is the dividing line which several of you consider separates Southern from Northern Idaho? Is it exactly halfway down the length of the state or at the time zone boundary north of Riggins or is it at the top of Whitebird by Grangeville? I am just wondering because several of the posts here seem to be painting with a very broad brush when it comes to the flora of what is considered Southern Idaho. I know this state of mine pretty well, I am a native and have been in all four corners of this state so to speak, and am wondering where many of you who are new to the state or are from Northern Idaho and have spent little time in Southern Idaho except for Interstate 84 consider this boundary line being situated at? This is a question with a good intent

[Sage of Sagle]

I can tell you that for our sports leagues, we consider Lewiston to be the southern reaches of North Idaho, although topographically it's just outside the North. Really Moscow is the southern end of the North in climate/topography.

[MountainGrl65]

I'm originally from Oklahoma, and now have lived in Estes Park Colorado for almost 7 years. I adore thevrocky Mountains, and will live near the mountains the rest of my life, but I can't afford to live in this state any longer. I'm thinking about moving to Idaho, but unsure what part, would love some honest comments from locals in reference to cost of living, other country folk that I miss being from Oklahoma, need to be in a red state again. Don't care for the city, but need employment too. Thanks

[banjomike]

Hi, MountainGrl...
I think K-Dog's recent assessment of CDA, Boise and I.F. is about the best I've seen on this forum. Or one of the best, at least.

He came here looking for the same things as you- a lifestyle and a job. I suggest reading his topic if you haven't already. He was here very recently, and this is a very old thread that was begun in 2009. A lot has changed dramatically since then.

Idaho Falls-Couer D' Alene- Eagle/Boise- My Trip May 2017- Observations, Experiences and Research

[Mamarazzix4]

Originally Posted by Fisherman 100

It is a slow process like cancer. Normal people look the other way and go la la la about their lives, while the gangs start to proliferate. Next thing you know authorities and citizens alike are going "we didn't have any idea this was happening."

That is because people look the other way and say as long as it doesn't affect me I will be OK. I see it with a simple thing like graffiti. People say those are just taggers they are harmless. Those simple taggers are wandering around at night committing crimes in your community and you look the other way. That is your fault and it all comes down to what you will tolerate. If you are of the mindset that it is just art, then you should live in L.A. and get out of Idaho.

As of this time Idaho is still a clean and safe place to live. However when you get a bunch of kids standing around on a street corner with nothing to do you are going to have problems. Society cannot be the mother and father of these kids, it does not work. It takes a complete family unit to teach them what is right and what is wrong. Most gang bangers did not have a father figure and end up joining a gang because they don't know any better.

Look around your community and if you see graffitti you have a problem. Get involved and handle it. Quit being wimpy and scared of these thugs.
This is Idaho not Berkley or Compton. Funny thing when a whole community gets up in arms about something these guys always leave and go to the next town.

Very well said.

[Rogarven]

Originally Posted by Fisherman 100

Keep up the good work. I retired from San Bernardino P.D. 6 years ago and we had a combination of Hispanic and Black gangs that liked to kill each other for fun. The white hate groups played a pretty big roll in the desert areas and mainly did the meth thing. I did a total of 26 years and pulled the pin because I got tired of the public not doing their part. We used to ask a group of them after a murder if they had seen anything and all you would hear is the crickets chirp. Without community involvement you are dead in the water. Good Luck

My relatives moved to San Bernardino in the early '60s. At that time, it was a beautiful city and other than the smog, was a nice place. Now. forget it. Coming back from SAC a few years ago, we thought we would get a hotel there, after getting off the freeway, we said " FORGET IT" and drove on to Temecula. Sad to see it go downhill.

[Syringaloid]

This thread is 8 years old.

[dcisive]

It may well be 8 years old, but needs perhaps an update on relevance. I'd say of ALL of the State of Idaho there's little doubt the greatest concentration of gang activities tend towards the Nampa/Caldwell/Boise area. Otherwise they are few and far between and not much of a factor. Northern Idaho has a rather different feel to it for sure. More forestry and large lakes.

Southwest is of course dryer and more barren until you hit mountains outside of Boise and preferably traveling North alone the Payette River and into the mountains.

The South Central has some nice interesting spots along the Snake River in particular

The South Eastern portion of Idaho is of course heading up towards the Tetons and beyond so is also full of larger lakes, rivers and hillier with more mountains as well. For me personally, since I'm moving to Idaho next year, I chose the area just west of Twin Falls. It has a top notch hospital (approaching the magic old age of 65 one has to consider such things) as well as nearly all the major shopping desired (Costco, Winco, Macy's) and even plenty of good restaurants. Cost of living is more reasonable as a retiree which I of course considered and ruled out places like a Boise and such. I did look at Coeur D' Alene and had to rule that area and north due once again to costs, not to mention they have MORE winter which I don't feel I need. I chose a nice quiet community that is centered and surrounded by a lot of farming and such. Works for me. Quiet is the name of the game. If I need a good restaurant, hospital or shop it's a measly 30 minute ride, no biggie, yet not in my face. To each their own of course. If I had to have a office I had to drive to that would suck and require a larger metro area. Fortunately my job is on my computer in my home office. Works for me I'll have 200mbps internet with several hundred channels on cable TV. Spring water to drink and fresh air. A far cry from the crud I currently put up with in Utah........I'm counting the days.