Anyone from Idaho?

[Maverick]

I may have an opportunity to transfer to Idaho Falls, ID. Since both my kids are young right now (3 y/o and 3 m/o) it seems like a good time regarding big moves. Just been thinking lately what a rat race So Cal is right now,especially L.A., and think what a change for some simple living Idaho would be. It's 2nd next to SLC (Slat Lake City) for LDS (Latter Day Saints/"Mormons")..about 90% I heard in Idaho Falls.

But I would be making what I make now in a place where the cost of living seems like less than half of SoCal and housing cost are a quarter of it..brand new too. I would make what a MD makes there, so I've been told.

Of course the cons are: less time with the grandparents seeing the kids and no more beaches and friends..but then again it's only an hour away by plane for the summers. Pros being safer schools and a calmer, saner place for kids to grow up.

Anybody from there?

[iacas]

  Maverick said:

But I would be making what I make now in a place where the cost of living seems like less than half of SoCal and housing cost are a quarter of it..brand new too. I would make what a MD makes there, so I've been told.

Two things on that...

1) You won't always have the job you have now. If the job market sucks where you're moving, you have to plan for that time two to three years from now where you may have to find a new job. Of course, you can plot this on a risk/reward scale. I'm only vaguely familiar with your business, of course, so it may be something that has almost no risk of falling apart in 2-3 years. 2) I live in an area with pretty inexpensive housing. My $200k house is all the house I could ever want, and in other parts of the country, smaller houses go for 4-5x what I paid. A third bonus thing: I do computer consulting on a freelance basis. In FL, paying almost as much in rent as I do in mortgage now for a place 1/3 the size, I had to take jobs I didn't otherwise want to pay the bills. Now I can be more selective, and as such, I have more free time to spend with my family or to play golf. So, low cost of living has another important benefit: more free time and more ability to be choosy about the ways you make money.

  Maverick said:

Of course the cons are: less time with the grandparents seeing the kids and no more beaches and friends..but then again it's only an hour away by plane for the summers. Pros being safer schools and a calmer, saner place for kids to grow up.

I've known a few people from there, and Tony ("mediaguru") is from Utah, so I think he can speak to the whole Mormon thing a little. Maybe...

One of my best friends is from Idaho, and he told me the city you've picked still has a good amount of culture and "things to do," but it's quiet, reserved, and a good place to raise kids. I'm from a similar place (near Erie, PA, not Mormon I mean) and I never minded growing up there. Then again, I'm not much of a city guy. You may miss the city more than I ever would.

[Maverick]

Whoa..cool new template..? I dig it..the colors are very cool. Thanks for the reply Erik. It seems like everyday my wife and I are swaying toward leaving..hold our breath.

[iacas]

  Maverick said:

Whoa..cool new template..? I dig it..the colors are very cool. Thanks for the reply Erik. It seems like everyday my wife and I are swaying toward leaving..hold our breath.

Yeah, the old one wasn't working so well and hasn't been updated. This is a temporary stand-in, though at some point I'd like to give you guys the choice of using one or the other.

Keep us updated on your move! If you want to treat me to some golf, I'll help you unpack. Will help move for golf!

[Maverick]

  iacas said:

Yeah, the old one wasn't working so well and hasn't been updated. This is a temporary stand-in, though at some point I'd like to give you guys the choice of using one or the other.

I say keep this one. I was confused a little at 1st, but it is so cool looking. You have the best looking forum on the web by far..it makes me want to post more..;)

[mediaguru]

Idaho has stunningly beautiful areas. You will LOVE just jumping in the car and driving for a few minutes to explore the great mountains, streams, plains etc. It will take you less time to drive there than it does for you to drive to the grocery store in socal.

The air is cleaner by a long shot. You'll have NO traffic. There are some great courses there. Housing will be CHEAP. If you don't like snow, Winters will suck. If you ski or board, you'll love it.

You could drive a couple of hours and play 18 with me any time.

The mormons can be a pain sometimes because they want YOU to be like THEM very badly. They'll try to legislate your morals through what you can buy in the grocery store (cold beer, playboys etc). They'll knock on your door and offer you some free books and videos about their church and want you to make them dinner! But they are fairly harmless. Due to them, places where they are abundant have clean streets where you can walk anywhere at night without worry. You could leave your house unlocked and not worry about being ripped off. You'll have low crime.

It would be quite a change from lala land. I'd say you'd probably like it unless you're into going to the beach all the time.

[Maverick]

  mediaguru said:

Idaho has stunningly beautiful areas. You will LOVE just jumping in the car and driving for a few minutes to explore the great mountains, streams, plains etc. It will take you less time to drive there than it does for you to drive to the grocery store in socal.

Wow, thanks for the great info! Yes, everyday we think about leaning more and more toward ID. Just driving where there are less people is enticing enough..lol..coming from lalaland.

If we make it there I will defintely make the drive the UT to play with you MG..I'd love to play Entrada..hehe I'll know within 90 days if it's a go or not..so keep you guys tuned.

[mediaguru]

No problem. And when you want to check out the coolest terrain in th US (Southern Utah), then I'll help you out...