Contemplating a MAJOR LIFE CHANGE

[Bailey Guns]

I'm really disappointed in the way the future of living in Colorado is shaping up. I always thought I'd grow old and die in the home where we live but now I'm not so sure. Even my wife, who isn't motivated much by politics, sees the writing on the wall and is growing more and more frustrated by living in a soon-to-be solid blue state.

So, we're seriously contemplating moving to Idaho. As an experienced and highly educated RN with various certifications I have no doubt she can find a good job pretty much anywhere we go. Idaho is a member of the nursing compact (not sure what it's called) so licensing for her in Idaho won't be an issue. I don't have a clue what I would do for employment. Maybe just kick back and enjoy the fruits of marrying well.

We're open to pretty much any area of the state but I think I'm leaning to the west side, basically from Boise north to Bonner's Ferry. I've done a lot of research over the past week or so and it appears the cost of living is SUBSTANTIALLY lower in ID than CO on average (12th lowest cost of living of all 50 states). I can't believe how inexpensive nice homes on 10, 20 or even 40 acres are. I also like the idea of living in a state with more moderate winters (in much of the state, anyway) and with a land area about 17% less than Colorado with about 1/3 the population of Colorado. On the whole it seems like a great place to live out our lives.

If you have any insight into living in Idaho, nicer areas, etc...please chime in. In particular I'd be interested to know how much it costs to register vehicles. I've read that it varies by jurisdiction.

The only negative aspect I can see is that Idaho scored 2 points (out of a possible 100) in the Brady rankings. I was hoping for zero but no place is perfect. On the other hand, there hasn't been a democrat-controlled legislature since like 1954-ish.

[SNAFU]

Sister lives in Sand Point,,,way back,,10 acres.
Yellow Jackets,&,flies only bad part.
They're not far from Backcountry Solar either.

[ruthabagah]

Just my 10 cents: I used to work in Boise 1 week every 5 weeks from 2005 - 2007 and the locals were complaining about the "Californication" of their state..... Lots of land where purchased by californians, who will then complain about hunters and shooting range nearby.... Typical.

[twitchyfinger]

I envy you if you do it Carl! I almost did it myself but chose to stay closer to family and stayed in state which I might end up regretting. There is a bunch of info in the survival section here but I do remember I site that had these stats posted.

Idaho

Population: 1.3 million (and about 2.1 million cattle.)
Population Density: 15.5 per square mile (Rank 15 of JWR’s top 19 states).
Area: 83,437 square miles (rank 13 of 50).
Average car insurance cost: $608/yr. (rank 48 of 50).
Average home insurance cost: $326/yr. (rank 50 of 50).
Average Home Price in Clearwater County: $112,725
Average Home Price in Idaho County: $109,500
Average Home Price in Kootenai County: $112,849
Average Home Price in Latah County: $118,325 (skewed because of the large number of 120+ acre farms and ranches)
Crime Safety Ranking: 9 of 50.
Boston T. Party’s State Firearms Laws Ranking: 97%.
Per capita income: $23,727 (rank 41 of 50).
ACT & SAT Scores Ranking: 15 of 50.

Plusses: Low Very low crime rate. (For example, it ranks second from the bottom in car thefts of the 50 states.) Low property taxes. Inexpensive building permits. Minimally intrusive government. Inexpensive car registration ($20 to $50 per year, plus a one-time-only $15 plate fee.) Low car insurance rates. Low health insurance rates. Extremely low home insurance rates. (An average of $326 per year. Ranks #50 in the country!) The most wilderness area in any of the 48 Continental United States. (Only Alaska has more.) 21.6 million forested acres. Minimal gun laws. Class 3 guns (machineguns short barreled rifles and shotguns, and suppressors) are legal to own after the $200 Federal tax and background check. Open carry of handguns is legal and fairly commonplace. CCW permits must be issued unless someone has a prior criminal record. (“Non-discretionary.”) No CCW permit is required for concealed carry outside of city limits. Vehicular carry of loaded guns is legal and very common. Automatic knives are legal to own and carry. Minimally regulated home schooling. Low population density. Low elevation portions of the state have a fairly mild climate. Hunting and fishing are excellent in many parts of the state, so there will be no shortage of protein WTSHTF. High ratio of horse ownership, so I anticipate that transportation will be available in the event of a long term TEOTWAWKI. By 2025, Idaho is projected to be the 40th most populous with 1.7 million people. (It is currently the 39th most populous state.) Affordable property: The median home price for all of Idaho is $105,403. One useful web site: Idaho Department of Commerce Community Profiles.

Minuses: Has a relatively high state income tax. Sadly, 63.7% of Idaho’s lands are owned by federal government. (Mostly National Forest and BLM land.) But at least that provides a "really big back yard" for hunting and cutting firewood. Cold winters at the higher elevations. (Look for property in the low river valleys if you can’t stand snow!) Low wages compared to most coastal states.
JWR’s Combined Retreat Potential Ranking: 1 of 19. (JWR’s top choice!)

Link: http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html

Some interesting properties can also be found here:

http://www.survivalrealty.com/united-states/idaho/

[jgang]

About 10 years ago, my wife and I agreed to settle in Ft Fun after I retire. I'm as Mountain West as they come (WY native, rancher, die-hard outdoorsman, etc.) and I'm having second thoughts myself. I have a very close friend who retires this fall and they've just bought a place in northern Idaho after extensive research. I can put you in touch with them if you like. I think bought somewhere in the neighborhood of Coeur d'Alene.

[MED]

I'm really disappointed in the way the future of living in Colorado is shaping up. I always thought I'd grow old and die in the home where we live but now I'm not so sure. Even my wife, who isn't motivated much by politics, sees the writing on the wall and is growing more and more frustrated by living in a soon-to-be solid blue state.

So, we're seriously contemplating moving to Idaho. As an experienced and highly educated RN with various certifications I have no doubt she can find a good job pretty much anywhere we go. Idaho is a member of the nursing compact (not sure what it's called) so licensing for her in Idaho won't be an issue. I don't have a clue what I would do for employment. Maybe just kick back and enjoy the fruits of marrying well.

We're open to pretty much any area of the state but I think I'm leaning to the west side, basically from Boise north to Bonner's Ferry. I've done a lot of research over the past week or so and it appears the cost of living is SUBSTANTIALLY lower in ID than CO on average (12th lowest cost of living of all 50 states). I can't believe how inexpensive nice homes on 10, 20 or even 40 acres are. I also like the idea of living in a state with more moderate winters (in much of the state, anyway) and with a land area about 17% less than Colorado with about 1/3 the population of Colorado. On the whole it seems like a great place to live out our lives.

If you have any insight into living in Idaho, nicer areas, etc...please chime in. In particular I'd be interested to know how much it costs to register vehicles. I've read that it varies by jurisdiction.

The only negative aspect I can see is that Idaho scored 2 points (out of a possible 100) in the Brady rankings. I was hoping for zero but no place is perfect. On the other hand, there hasn't been a democrat-controlled legislature since like 1954-ish.

I completely understand; I thought I would spend the next 20 years in my home. I had so many plans for this place, but I will leave after my son is done with high school. I have five more years in Colorado and I am gone; I absolutely hate what was done to this place by all the ****ing transplants and their idiotic ideas!

[rockhound]

we love the bear lake area

[Zundfolge]

My wife and I moved out here to Colorado Springs from Wichita Kansas back in aught-two. Boise was a city we looked at before settling here and frankly the main reasons that the Springs won out is because the mountains here are prettier and its "only" an 8.5hr drive back to ICT to visit family.

As things are going, we're thinking about Idaho again.

[hollohas]

Boise is nice but getting overcrowded. I much prefer the northern part of the state. The area in and around Sandpoint is great. I little more mountain feeling. Post Falls is a nice little growing town not too far from either the larger city of Spokane and the very nice resort town of Coeur d' Alene.

But if you can find work somewhere in the middle of the state you will mostly have the place to yourself, not a whole lot of population through there.

[ChadAmberg]

Water and air quality rankings are also MUCH lower in Idaho than here if that's a problem for you.

My wife is also keeping an eye out on properties in Idaho and other free states. Can't move right now, but it's something we have considered also.