Idaho???!!!

YepBrook

YepBrook

Sweet Shoppe Designer
Does anyone live in Idaho? My husband, Aaron, has a job opportunity in Idaho Falls... eastern Idaho. Being a Floridian since the age of 6 with family in NY, that's all I really know about... I really am not familiar with western U.S., especially Idaho. I do know they grow some great potatoes! ;):p How is it to live there? What kind of town is Idaho Falls for families? I'm apprehensive! There is a very very very good chance we will be moving there. :blink:

Anything you might be able to tell me about that area would be awesome. :wub:
 
I don't know much but I do know you'll be way closer to me!!! (not super close nevermind... thats way down at the bottom of idaho. lol)
 
Ooooh! I would be excited to move there! LOL - I've been there but only for a few days passing through to other places in the area. It was a nice little city (not huge by any means) but seemed to have a lot of things to offer culturally and retail wise ;)

I do know it's not far from Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons! Such beautiful country up there! If you are an outdoors type family you would LOVE it I would think. I'm thinking of all the vacations I would take if I lived in that area - Glacier; Zion, Bryce, and the Arches in Utah; Crater Lake; even the Oregon coast (which is beautiful) and Washington!
 
Brook!!!! My dad was born and raised in Idaho Falls and I still have tons of family up there. I was up there in June! I also have a couple friends from high school that have ended up in IF. So . . .

The winters are definitely longer. But, the summers are great because the temperatures are more mild - warm enough to be in shorts, etc but not so hot that you want to die. In my opinion, it's a great place for families. IF has grown a lot in since I knew it when I was a kid. So, there is a lot more to do than there used to be, but there is still a sort of small town feel. I do think you would like it.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to ask. I can also hook you up with my cousin or friends if you need connections to look at housing etc. But, I'll sum it up with this:

#3 reason to move to Idaho Falls - I'll come visit you!!! (It's only 2-1/2 to 3 hours from me!)
#2 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Reed's Dairy
#1 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Huckleberry's from Kelly Canyon

I can't even rank myself above the huckleberries or the ice cream. They are that good!
 
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ltarbox said:
#3 reason to move to Idaho Falls - I'll come visit you!!! (It's only 2-1/2 to 3 hours from me!)
#2 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Reed's Dairy
#1 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Huckleberry's from Kelly Canyon

I can't even rank myself above the huckleberries or the ice cream. They are that good!
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LOL! But ditto Lydia, it's a fabulously family friendly town, tons of outdoor stuff to do as long as you are prepared for winter weather activities, only a few hours to 'big' cities like Salt Lake and such, it's a gorgeous area. And year, Reed's Dairy and Huckleberry's...oh my goodness. DELISH!
 
My sister use to live in Idaho Falls as did an ex-boyfriend and various other friends. It use to have a Navy training facility for nuclear power, but I've heard that is gone now. Everyone I knew that lived in Idaho Falls were there because of the Navy, but if the Navy has left then I imagine the culture has changed quite a bit.
 
Oh my hubby almost got a job there - still might, but I'm not holding my breath! I don't have anything to add that the others haven't already covered, but I hope the transition is smooth for you - if you do move, that is :D
 
Julie Billingsley said:
My sister use to live in Idaho Falls as did an ex-boyfriend and various other friends. It use to have a Navy training facility for nuclear power, but I've heard that is gone now. Everyone I knew that lived in Idaho Falls were there because of the Navy, but if the Navy has left then I imagine the culture has changed quite a bit.
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Yes - "the site," as they all call it, was the BIG employer for a lot of years. That's where my grandpa worked forever, and some of my cousins worked there over the years. And, my rebellious cousin used to run around with the Navy guys when she was way too young for them to be paying attention to her. Come to think of it, my other cousin married one of those Navy guys. LOL.

Based on what I hear from my cousin, the site is still functioning, but the Navy isn't there anymore - its contractors now.
 
We lived in Boise for six years and LOVED it. I worked for the state and spent a lot of time traveling both for my job and for pleasure. Idaho Falls is on the other side of the state, about 4 hours, but I've been several times. It's a nice enough town and pretty family-friendly. Eastern Idaho has a large LDS population. If you like the outdoors, you're in luck -- some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the US are in Idaho, in my opinion!
 
Thank you all for the good info!

I'll be honest. I'm freaking out about this a bit. I'm still on vacation right now and DH headed home a week before us, so he's there and got the phone call a few days ago. He wants to talk about it and act pretty fast and I'm so busy here and can't get on the computer. It's hard to think about such a huge change when I'm distracted and away from home. :p

The huge draw of moving to Idaho is the change of lifestyle... much lower cost of living, we could own a 5+ bedroom house easily, DH would have a job with normal hours (as compared to his job now that is 9am-8pm plus a 1 hr. commute both ways), and such gorgeous scenery and things to do (although we'd be trading the beach for mountains)... all that is wonderful... BUT we'd be far far far from our family. I looked into flights to Idaho Falls and it's extremely expensive from Ft. Lauderdale because they only have a regional airport. Our family would have a hard time affording to come visit us, which is ironic since we would have more space to have them... so our guest rooms would likely sit empty most of the time. :(

For me, a good job is wonderful, and I want my DH to have more time with the kids... but I'm struggling with the thought that we would hardly see the rest of our family anymore. And, yeah, it's freaking cold in Idaho!!!! :D I'm praying hard about this and hoping that perhaps another job opportunity will pop up somewhere closer to "home".
 
I lived in Idaho and wouldn't move out of Florida for it. LOL The cost of living is better but the jobs pay less, so I hope your hubby has a secured salary!
 
It's a lot to think about Brook, for sure. One thing about flying. If you were going to fly, I'd do it out of SLC or at least fly from IF to SLC, and then do your main flights from there. It's about a three hour drive from SLC to IF, so you could fly into SLC and drive, but that is kind of a pain.

Good luck with your decision. HUGS!
 
Traci Reed said:
I lived in Idaho and wouldn't move out of Florida for it. LOL The cost of living is better but the jobs pay less, so I hope your hubby has a secured salary!
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Yeah, he would have a secured salary with monthly bonuses. The salary would be less than what he's making now in South FL, but comparably it would be more $$... much better pay for the cost of living there. kwim? It's just so dang expensive to live here in Palm Beach county. We own a home that we've outgrown and would love to sell but it has greatly depreciated in value, and his job pays very well here but they work him to death. Ugh, we're just in this "stuck" situation.
 
ltarbox said:
It's a lot to think about Brook, for sure. One thing about flying. If you were going to fly, I'd do it out of SLC or at least fly from IF to SLC, and then do your main flights from there. It's about a three hour drive from SLC to IF, so you could fly into SLC and drive, but that is kind of a pain.

Good luck with your decision. HUGS!
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Thanks so much for your help, Lyd. :hugs:
 
You know we lived away from family for 10 years. And to be honest, sometimes I miss it just being us. LOL! I never have to worry about pissing someone off because I want to do something they don't. Leaving Florida, has never really bothered me. I lived their my whole life. I don't miss the heat, I love living places with seasons. I miss the coast, that's the only thing I think. I grew up on the gulf. I've never been to Idaho, but I miss moving, I've been in Michigan just over 3 years now and I feel the itch to move, but with Keira's cancer stuff, I think I'm stuck here! LOL!
 
nesser1981 said:
You know we lived away from family for 10 years. And to be honest, sometimes I miss it just being us. LOL! I never have to worry about pissing someone off because I want to do something they don't. Leaving Florida, has never really bothered me. I lived their my whole life. I don't miss the heat, I love living places with seasons. I miss the coast, that's the only thing I think. I grew up on the gulf. I've never been to Idaho, but I miss moving, I've been in Michigan just over 3 years now and I feel the itch to move, but with Keira's cancer stuff, I think I'm stuck here! LOL!
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This is me too. I grew up in Maine and I'm back here now, but I LOVED all the years I spent moving around. I am really really close to my family too, but we found ways to stay close whether I was living in Japan or just down the road from them. To be honest, I can't wait until Cheyanne graduates and goes to college and is out on her own, then I can move around again :D
 
My grandparent's live about ten minutes south of Idaho Falls and I spent most summers up there growing up. I've never been to where you lived, but I'm thinking I.F. will seem really small to you. It is really cold in the winters, but they have GORGEOUS summers. The mountains aren't huge there, but definitely pretty. The Snake River is super amazing. It's definitely my favorite river. I LOVE Yellowstone and if I lived that close, I'd go several times a year. It's absolutely gorgeous there!!

From what it sounds like, I would take the change in location to have my husband home more, hands down. I can relate as my DH works and goes to school full time at night so he has as long as 17 hours a days away from us from the time he leaves till he gets home and it's torture. I also live with 90% of both my family and inlaws within a 20 mile radius. Sometimes I really wish we could get away from the drama, commitments and expectations. So, there would be benefits. Plus, like Lydia said, we ALWAYS fly into SLC and drive the three hours up to I.F. Although the drive can be a little sketchy in a bad winter. The snow and winds can get really bad through Malad on the border of Utah and Idaho. The drive is beautiful and pretty quick though. I drove it several times over while I was in college at BYU. (About an hour south of SLC.)

Good luck!!! Lydia's also right...you'll be able to met up with a lot more scrapbookers while living there! I may even get out there and could come see your gorgeous 5 bedroom mansion. :D hehehe.
 
And, Brook, I'll teach you the Idaho state song. We have a tradition in my family to sing it every time we cross the state line. I don't even know the Utah state song, but the Idaho one is forever etched in my mind and heart.

Oh, and Natalie - next time you come to Utah, we really need to meet up!
 
Brook I wanted so badly to move when the oppurtunity came a couple years back. Property values in our area had sky rocketed and we had already paid our place off. My husband was still working and there was lots of jobs where we were looking to move. The economy plummetted, housing values in Orlando (and all over really) crashed, my husband and I got into a car accident and he was no longer able to work. So I would say pray for what is right for your family but dont be afraid to make a big move if your life would be improved. The area you are moving to might not have a large airport but I am sure flying to a nearby airport would be something that could be done. Then the rest just be driven. I have never been to Idaho but wish I would have made the move when we had the chance years ago (we were talking of moving to West Virginia back then).
 
Another thing you might keep in mind - if you do move and really want to visit home - you might look into riding the train. My mom just did it from Portland OR to Washington DC. She refuses to fly (terrified of it) so she uses the train now and she LOVES the trip. Looked it up for myself: flying the four of us home (New Mexico to Washington stste) was gonna cost around two grand. Going by train - $588! For all four of us. I know Flordia to Idaho is farther but it is something to keep in mind if you end up moving :)
 
NatalieKW said:
Good luck!!! Lydia's also right...you'll be able to met up with a lot more scrapbookers while living there! I may even get out there and could come see your gorgeous 5 bedroom mansion. :D hehehe.
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Thanks for the input, Natalie... that makes me feel a lot better. Especially the part about meeting all of you scrapping friends out there!!! :wub:

Hahaha... yeah, 5 bedrooms sounds nice, but when I think about it... it actually sounds like a nightmare to me! So many more rooms to clean and keep organized!!! :p But, to have guests I'd want at least one spare room/office... so maybe 4 bedrooms is a better idea. ;)
 
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jessica31876 said:
Brook I wanted so badly to move when the oppurtunity came a couple years back. Property values in our area had sky rocketed and we had already paid our place off. My husband was still working and there was lots of jobs where we were looking to move. The economy plummetted, housing values in Orlando (and all over really) crashed, my husband and I got into a car accident and he was no longer able to work. So I would say pray for what is right for your family but dont be afraid to make a big move if your life would be improved. The area you are moving to might not have a large airport but I am sure flying to a nearby airport would be something that could be done. Then the rest just be driven. I have never been to Idaho but wish I would have made the move when we had the chance years ago (we were talking of moving to West Virginia back then).
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Thanks for sharing this, Jessica... I agree about not being afraid to make a big move. I am not a huge fan of change in general, so it will take a lot of courage. I'm not feeling great about moving, but I'm not trying to steer Aaron away from the idea too much either. I've decided to let him make the choice on behalf of our family since it will be affecting his career and his life more than ours. I will follow him anywhere he leads :wub: and I definitely trust his judgement when it comes to what's best for our family.
 
irish_eyes22 said:
Another thing you might keep in mind - if you do move and really want to visit home - you might look into riding the train. My mom just did it from Portland OR to Washington DC. She refuses to fly (terrified of it) so she uses the train now and she LOVES the trip. Looked it up for myself: flying the four of us home (New Mexico to Washington stste) was gonna cost around two grand. Going by train - $588! For all four of us. I know Flordia to Idaho is farther but it is something to keep in mind if you end up moving :)
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Jen! This is a great idea I never thought of... I love riding the train. Wow, I wonder how long it would take from ID to FL, though? I wonder if I could stand being on a train with my dear sweet children that long? :blink: LOL!!!! :D
 
YepBrook said:
Jen! This is a great idea I never thought of... I love riding the train. Wow, I wonder how long it would take from ID to FL, though? I wonder if I could stand being on a train with my dear sweet children that long? :blink: LOL!!!! :D
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Maybe the ride will keep them entertained log enough to make the trip bearable, lol. I know for us - it's 15hrs to Los Angeles and then 30hrs I think to Washington. It's a trip for sure, lol - I would love one of those room cars with a bed and stuff, but I bet that costs quite a bit more. My mom swears by it, traveling by train. She says the scenery is awesome. So as soon as hubby gets time off - we're going home for a bit! I can't wait.
 
YepBrook said:
Thanks for the input, Natalie... that makes me feel a lot better. Especially the part about meeting all of you scrapping friends out there!!! :wub:

Hahaha... yeah, 5 bedrooms sounds nice, but when I think about it... it actually sounds like a nightmare to me! So many more rooms to clean and keep organized!!! :p But, to have guests I'd want at least one spare room/office... so maybe 4 bedrooms is a better idea. ;)
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Yes! This! I never want to clean that big of a house!! hahaha!
 
ltarbox said:
#3 reason to move to Idaho Falls - I'll come visit you!!! (It's only 2-1/2 to 3 hours from me!)
#2 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Reed's Dairy
#1 reason to move to Idaho Falls - Huckleberry's from Kelly Canyon

I can't even rank myself above the huckleberries or the ice cream. They are that good!
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Lydia, I just looked these up!!! SO AWESOME. I can get my milk delivered to my house fresh from Reed's which is sooo wonderfully small town.

A question about picking huckleberries... seems like the bears would be "picking" them too, right? :blink: Or are there not many on Kelly Canyon? Have you done it before?
 
I honestly don't know if there are bears in Kelly Canyon. But, I grew up picking huckleberries there, and my cousins go every year. They also go up the canyon regularly to go 4-wheeling and stuff. My sister and I were trying to get up there before the end of August to pick some huckleberries, but life just got too crazy, and we never made it. Guess we'll have to wait until next year. It's great, though. The berries just grow wild up there. You don't have to pay for them. You just take your bucket, hike around a bit to find a good patch and have at it. Mmmmm! Love em!
 
ltarbox said:
I honestly don't know if there are bears in Kelly Canyon. But, I grew up picking huckleberries there, and my cousins go every year. They also go up the canyon regularly to go 4-wheeling and stuff. My sister and I were trying to get up there before the end of August to pick some huckleberries, but life just got too crazy, and we never made it. Guess we'll have to wait until next year. It's great, though. The berries just grow wild up there. You don't have to pay for them. You just take your bucket, hike around a bit to find a good patch and have at it. Mmmmm! Love em!
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Maybe we can pick together next summer!!! :thumbup:
 
Julie Billingsley said:
so are you moving for sure Brook? The job panned out for your DH?
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We are leaning heavily in that direction. We have a trip up this Sun through Weds (we have a red-eye flight Tuesday night) to visit the place and for Aaron's official interview. After we get an official offer we'll have to have an answer back within 3 days. So, without knowing all the details we are thinking yes so far... but that might change. We should know for sure by Friday.

YIKES! :crying:
 
Good luck with it all Brook! I have moved for my job in the past and was very happy with the change. :)
 
YepBrook said:
Thank you all for the good info!

I'll be honest. I'm freaking out about this a bit. I'm still on vacation right now and DH headed home a week before us, so he's there and got the phone call a few days ago. He wants to talk about it and act pretty fast and I'm so busy here and can't get on the computer. It's hard to think about such a huge change when I'm distracted and away from home. :p

The huge draw of moving to Idaho is the change of lifestyle... much lower cost of living, we could own a 5+ bedroom house easily, DH would have a job with normal hours (as compared to his job now that is 9am-8pm plus a 1 hr. commute both ways), and such gorgeous scenery and things to do (although we'd be trading the beach for mountains)... all that is wonderful... BUT we'd be far far far from our family. I looked into flights to Idaho Falls and it's extremely expensive from Ft. Lauderdale because they only have a regional airport. Our family would have a hard time affording to come visit us, which is ironic since we would have more space to have them... so our guest rooms would likely sit empty most of the time. :(

For me, a good job is wonderful, and I want my DH to have more time with the kids... but I'm struggling with the thought that we would hardly see the rest of our family anymore. And, yeah, it's freaking cold in Idaho!!!! :D I'm praying hard about this and hoping that perhaps another job opportunity will pop up somewhere closer to "home".
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We made the choice to move farther away from our families too. We love our families, but really felt we didn't need to be in each others laps. To coin a cliche, a little distance makes the heart grow fonder!

One things it's done for us is to help us make more friends and build a sense of community where we live. To help a friend in need and be willing to call on one when we need help too. That has been so huge for me. It's so easy to get so comfortable with a small family circle, but broadening our network and being vulnerable to others has really helped me grow and give/return compassion to others.

Maybe there's a new adventure out there waiting for all of you!
 
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