After studying the Stratetic Relocation book as well as spending many hours doing research, I have decided that Northern Idaho sounds like the best location for my family.
However, the mainstream media has painted a picture of this area as being filled with neo-nazis, white supremacists and other nutcases. I would like to hear from those who have lived in this area recently or have first-hand knowledge about the severity of this problem.
My guess is that these loonies comprise an extremely small percentage of the population and that everyone else is embarassed by the area's reputation. Claire Wolfe has written some pretty funny things about all the federal agents up there with nothing to do. But I am concerned about living in an area with a reputation that might attract too much attention from the gun-grabbers and feds of all species.
I believe I'd rather take my chances with living near the occassional skinhead compared with the certain dangers of the leviathan states to the west.
Any comments?
Catfish, I had same concerns & visited the Kamhia, Kooski area twice during last couple of years to see for myself. Much like you said the residents are embarassed by the extremists and it's mostly regular folks up there. The floundering Gritz group is small and some of their old areas are shabby but getting better as their numbers dwindle. Shabby isn't a problem to me except sometimes it points to bad economy. Otherwise it inticates you can do your own thing without having building inspectors down your throat.
I haven't been to Hayden Lake area for years but friends still up there are just doing fine ignoring the hoopla. And they've prospered.
Above the Clearwater River (above & behind town of Kamhia) there's some tracts of acreage up on the Camas Prairie that are pretty spectacular. It's in the flat agricultural area northeast of Grangeville. Good Luck.
Anybody have any experience with Eastern and the middle part of Idaho?
Webmaster, I thought Kamhia was around the middle. What towns in particular were you interested in?
Webmaster, I'm an Idaho native and I lived in South Eastern Idaho for many years and, though it is an OK place to live, I chose to go to to West Central Idaho for 3 reasons.
The country is spectacularly beautiful.
The people are nicer and friendlier.
And, As I drove through the area for the first time, God pretty much grabbed me and said "HEY! You belong HERE!" I was overwhelmed with the feeling of "safety" and "comfort". It sounds weird but I soon met my wonderful Sweetie and we now have a small acreage and I'm building my own home on it with my own hands. I still feel the same and have met others who have conveyed the exact same feelings about the area. Long Valley is the original name for this area and Cascade Reservoir and Payette Lake is at either end. I hope this helps you out.
It does, thanks!
I second the Kamiah/Kooskia area - short on jobs, some logging and farming, but not a lot of industry. Friendly people but some who don't care for too many questions until they get to know you.
Absolutely stunning scenery overlooking the rivers
and lots of trees, and a good growing season at 2400 ft elevation.
Some fog in winter along the river but at 2000 ft you are generally above it. No building codes in Idaho Co. - do what you want where you want to.
Just a bit damp for the older bones looking for hot sun in winter though.
As a resident of northern Idaho - Coeur
d'Alene/Hayden for the last 2 years I will add
that the ayrian types are in the vast minority
and that most folk are not so inclined. many
folks are interested in maintaining their own
space and that can sometimes be seen as
unfriendly and of course some are such but
the case made by the media is for want of a
red herring. The fellow who runs the ayrian
group, Mr Buetler - is very old and the small
group is sprinkled with agent provocateur, FBI
types. I live a mile away from these guys yet
they are almost never seen. If you want to
avoid building codes and get into some
beautiful land I would recommend Boundry
county (as in the canadian border) - the
building comissioners were tossed out -
period! It does not have a strong economy
except for some logging but it is a
place you can really get into. Kootenai county -
where Hayden is, is a good economy and
growing very quickly, yet there is still lots of
room to live off on your own. Bonner county -
between Kootenai and Boundry - is really
great for getting away and has a good mix of
some economic strength and remoteness. I
hope that not too many of you do come here
though as many of us left dense population
for the very things north Idaho offers. Already
too many Californians up here as it is (no
offense if you are one). I am not from there as
you probably guessed. They are generally nice
folks, just there are so many of them and they
really slammed the price of land up due to
selling inflated california real estate and
bringing the bucks here where the locals can't
compete with local wages.
Thanks to all for your helpful responses this past while. To Dave, especially, I appreciate your first-hand information. No, I'm not a Californian, and I've seen real estate in my own home state of Utah go up dramatically due to the large influx.
Dave, can you recommend any particular realtors for a land search in Boundary or Bonner County?
Catfish, while at a recent political rally (for Alan Keyes in May) I overheard a newspaper reporter from Idaho Falls discussing how he was floored by the fact that he met many of the Neo-Nazi types while in Northern Idaho the night before with Keyes and was surprised that many said they would vote for Keyes! He said, "How racist can they be if they will vote for a black man?". All that aside though, their numbers are limited and they tend to keep to themselves. Idaho only has about 1 million people. I believe its second only to Montana for the smallest population.
I live in South East Idaho (St. Anthony - which is about 45 minutes north, north east of Idaho Falls.) I can tell you that the area is GOOD! There are problems, though. Water quality is one because the area is mainly agriculture oriented. And the winters can be hard. A -60 below temperature is not uncommon for a few weeks in the winter. But the country is beautiful, there is lots of game and plenty of good fishing. And should the worst happen, a nuclear war, you couldn't ask for better shielding than these rocky mountains! And you won't be fighting hoards of people for basic necessities.Just my opinion.
I live in the Boise area...and it has grown too fast for it's own good..Thanks to Dirk K. ,,,But I have also lived in the McCall Area....and it is a beautiful place..but be ready for cold winters and snow up to your •••
).....
My husband and I moved to the Sun Valley area two years ago from Portland to escape the rain and the growing population. We really love this area though it is probably the only county in Idaho that voted for Gore so sometimes you have to just let their news etc.. go in one ear and out the other. There are lots of regular folks here that just love the outdoors and want to be left alone. There is a ton of activities for children with the ski areas and cross country trails. Also 30 miles from here you can get property for a decent price. Sun Valley is very expensive with all the very rich coming here to ski. The homes are huge and into the millions. My husband is a contractor and is very busy. We love the desolate feel of Idaho and feel we are in our own little world. The location is good here also because we are close to Twin Falls for shopping and 120 miles from Boise. It is cold but not too bad. We will call it home unless things get too bad in the USA and consider at times leaving. Thanks for all your input. M in Idaho
Looking to relocate to Idaho for a good quality of life. Would like to know about areas where land is priced decently and the job market is good: am currently operating in construction (for myself) but have 20 years of retail management experience.
One son attends WSU. The other two are still at home. My wife is more of a people person than I am, however, we both are Christian. Any suggestions?