Coeur d'Alene - Paradise Destroyed (Moscow: crime rate, home, best schools)

[EnochTheSleestak]

As a native Idahoan who left over 20 years ago, with each annual visit home I have the unfortunate opportunity to see how the place has changed for the worse year upon year. With each passing season my home town of Idaho Falls looks like some 8 lane stripmall hell transplanted straight from the Central Valley. It's only a matter of time before the two places are indistinguishable.

The Californian newcomers may think I'm out of line by saying it's their fault. And who would blame them? They don't see how they affect the character of the place because, obviously, they didn't live there before they came and put down stakes.

But let me ask this question, how many native Idahoans (and I don't include transplants from Cali, Texas, Illinois or wherehaveyou), think that their home town is a better place now than it was when the transplants started pouring in? And if it is, in what way?

I would really like to know.

[unclebigs]

Keim, do you think Moscow has the potential to start growing due to an influx of outsiders? I don't want to move there only to have to leave in a few years. The things I like about Moscow will be destroyed if it ever becomes a mecca for Californian refugees. There is no water in Moscow (lakes, rivers) so that should limit some of the appeal. Moscow is a simple place, with simple values. I like that. I hope Californians find it too boring and need the fast pace of CDA. CDA is lost for good. It's only going to get worse. Just give it to the Californians and let them run it over the cliff.

[EnochTheSleestak]

Originally Posted by unclebigs

Moscow is a simple place, with simple values. I like that. I hope Californians find it too boring and need the fast pace of CDA. CDA is lost for good. It's only going to get worse. Just give it to the Californians and let them run it over the cliff.

Moscow - a simple place with simple values? As a former tenant of the notorious A Street House while at the U of I, let me respectfully tell you you have no clue.

If anything Moscow is just perverted enough to attract the worst Cali has to offer.

[unclebigs]

Enoch, please explain about Moscow. I have to admit that I'll take it with a grain of salt coming from a socialist Euro.

[Giesela]

Gee, there's so many more people here than there used to be. 20 years ago?
Keep having kids everyone - they have to go somewhere. What do you expect? People aren't going to stay put in whatever state that starts to get overpopulated. If you live somewhere that isn't crowded and is pretty nice - get ready.

[unclebigs]

What I mean by Moscow being a simple place is this. When I'm a few miles outside of town, people in other cars wave hello to me. I don't see Mercedes and BMW's anywhere. I see healthy, natural looking people. No boob jobs and silicon lips. No black Cadillac Escalades with spinning chrome wheels. A home town spirit with people who genuinely care about their place and how to make it better. A spirit of environmental restoration and consciousness. Homes are relatively simple and modest. Very few McMansions. Very few people trying to impress others.

[Keim]

Originally Posted by unclebigs

Keim, do you think Moscow has the potential to start growing due to an influx of outsiders?

Not really. While Moscow is nice, it doesn't have the wow factor of a place like CDA. No lake or really close skiing. Also no interstate, and the major airport is just a hair to far away. Moscow has had slow steady growth of about 5% in 20 years-I'd look for that to continue. But nothing like CDA.

[Keim]

Originally Posted by EnochTheSleestak

Moscow - a simple place with simple values? As a former tenant of the notorious A Street House while at the U of I, let me respectfully tell you you have no clue.

If anything Moscow is just perverted enough to attract the worst Cali has to offer.

As someone who has lived in the area for the last 16 years, seen much more than just the university side of the community and worked professionally in economic development in the area I'll respectfully disagree with your disagreement (HA!). But I will wait for you to back-up your assertion with some facts before I make any counter points.

[EnochTheSleestak]

Originally Posted by unclebigs

Enoch, please explain about Moscow. I have to admit that I'll take it with a grain of salt coming from a socialist Euro.

Having spent 4 years at university and summers fighting forest fires, I'd be happy to. But unfortunately between getting stoned, going to class and digging fire breaks I don't remember much about the place.

But as for Moscow being a simple place with simple values, let me tell you something that you would already know if you'd done a small amount of research. The town as 23000 people with 11000 students. What kind of values do you figure you'll find there? If your answer includes stoners, feminists and/or environmental wackos, I'd say you're half way there.

I guess I'm just trying to help you avoid the same mistakes I have. Don't go to Moscow. And for God's sake don't even think of coming to socialist Finland. It sucks here. Now go tell all your friends.

[mistyriver]

I really don't like Coeur D'Alene either. I tend to avoid it and shop in Spokane if I have to. Even Sandpoint has become a little too crowded and hectic for my tastes. I'm really coming to appreciate little Priest River and the people here. It feels like more of an authentic town to me.