Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hi, I am getting closer to being able to leave the city I'm living in and am researching a few states I wouldn't have thought of before like Maine, but I doubt I can afford that move cross-country.
Can anyone willing give me some intel on the following:
* Does Boise have maybe on its outskirts or a few miles away any resident-owned mobile home parks? That's an idea my brother gave to me before he passed in September. I don't know I would ever be able to afford a house, even a small one.
* What is the performing arts scene like with regard to theater and music, areas I'd like to be involved with again from an actor's standpoint. Has it come back after Covid or is it on the community theater level?
* I'm sure there must be a major hospital of some sort but is there a cancer center (I had breast cancer in 2020)
* How is the cost of living for retirees? Decent? I could google this of course but would rather hear from native Idahoans and that includes transplants, real people, not just words on a page. Thank you so much!
There are mobile home parks. I drive by one that looks nice sometimes if I'm cutting across an area and getting back to the freeway. It looks full, though I'd guess they have an opening at times.
There are theater groups in the area. When I've looked at "Events in Boise" sometimes they will list auditions to one of them. Covid is over in Idaho, so everything is open.
Cost of living is expensive. Housing prices have been going up for years. Gas/fuel prices tend to be significantly higher than the national average, as there are no refineries in the state, so it all comes in via pipeline, rail or truck. There is a 6% sales tax on everything retail, to include food and medicine. Income tax wise it is pretty easy to hit the 6% level based on a very attainable income level. There are certainly more expensive states in the area to live in: Cal, OR, WA for example, but the Boise area is doing its best to catch up.
Housing is tough here, we've been in/near a housing crisis for a few years. Lots of people getting priced out. That said, affordability is relative and depends on your situation. What's your budget, either for a house or for rent?
As Idaho's capitol city, Boise has a vibrant arts scene: Ballet Idaho, Boise Phil, Boise Baroque Orchestra, Boise Contemporary Theater. Then there are the smaller community theaters such as the Boise Little Theater, and also things through Boise State University.
St Luke's and St Alphonsus are the major hospitals in Boise, both have canter centers. For 99% of medical issues (including most cancers) Boise has what you need. For the highest levels of care/specialists most folks head 5 hrs to Salt Lake City, which is fantastic.
Boise is a medium cost of living area. Not cheap, but also much less expensive than SF, LA, NYC, Seattle. Higher than average housing costs are the biggest component. Groceries are on par with other parts of the US. Utilities are cheaper than average. Fees for things like vehicle registration and hunting/fishing licenses are also very affordable.
Not quite sure what my budget would be yet as I'm waiting to hear about an inheritance meant for my brother, who passed recently but I am his beneficiary. I could end up with $120,000 in savings I will need to diversify/invest some of but with that little I doubt I can make an income off of it. My social security will be over $1,500/mo with the new COLA. I will probably work part, rather than full-time for awhile in some capacity. With a healthy downpayment maybe on a mobile home, I'd like to keep rent or mortgage/park fees under $1,000 a month. That could be wishful thinking. Obviously, there are trade offs like not wanting to live out in the sticks with no artistic outlet and having to pay higher prices for some things.
Not quite sure what my budget would be yet as I'm waiting to hear about an inheritance meant for my brother, who passed recently but I am his beneficiary. I could end up with $120,000 in savings I will need to diversify/invest some of but with that little I doubt I can make an income off of it. My social security will be over $1,500/mo with the new COLA. I will probably work part, rather than full-time for awhile in some capacity. With a healthy downpayment maybe on a mobile home, I'd like to keep rent or mortgage/park fees under $1,000 a month. That could be wishful thinking. Obviously, there are trade offs like not wanting to live out in the sticks with no artistic outlet and having to pay higher prices for some things.
I appreciate the input, folks. Tonya
May be doable, but will be tight. There are some manufactured homes for sale within your budget, with space rent between $800-$1000/month. Look in the West Boise area, 55+ communities are probably a good place to start.
My biggest concern with your situation is what happens if/when space rents increase? Some of the more affordable mobile homes are in Glenbrier Park, which was bought by an outside investor which quickly increased space rents: https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/lo...f-8ad53d5aa127
I will try to answer some of your questions to help you make an informed decision.
* Does Boise have maybe on its outskirts or a few miles away any resident-owned mobile home parks? That's an idea my brother gave to me before he passed in September. I don't know I would ever be able to afford a house, even a small one. Yes, there are a few resident owned parks; however, not very many so they are quite expensive for what you get. I would encourage you to consider townhouses or condos for lower price point homes and consider the total cost of living somewhere. (For example, the cost of the mobile home + space rent + possible higher utilities based on quality and age of mobile home, etc.) There are a number of low/moderate income and first time (not owned in 3 years) housing options to help buy a home.
* What is the performing arts scene like with regard to theater and music, areas I'd like to be involved with again from an actor's standpoint. Has it come back after Covid or is it on the community theater level? I defer to others with more experience on this but most people are amazed at what we have for the areas population base.
* I'm sure there must be a major hospital of some sort but is there a cancer center (I had breast cancer in 2020) There are two main cancer centers here in Boise and quite a few support networks as well. Congrats on being a survivor!
* How is the cost of living for retirees? Decent? I could google this of course but would rather hear from native Idahoans and that includes transplants, real people, not just words on a page. Thank you so much! Everyone always complains about how prices have increased but that is the effect on inflation nationwide. Boise used to be below the national averages, but with it's growth, it is actually a little bit higher. However, the quality of life makes up for the premium. There are a lot of people that retire and move to Boise due the quality of life as they are tired of the crime, homeless issues, and traffic in other cities.
I will try to answer some of your questions to help you make an informed decision.
* Does Boise have maybe on its outskirts or a few miles away any resident-owned mobile home parks? That's an idea my brother gave to me before he passed in September. I don't know I would ever be able to afford a house, even a small one. Yes, there are a few resident owned parks; however, not very many so they are quite expensive for what you get. I would encourage you to consider townhouses or condos for lower price point homes and consider the total cost of living somewhere. (For example, the cost of the mobile home + space rent + possible higher utilities based on quality and age of mobile home, etc.) There are a number of low/moderate income and first time (not owned in 3 years) housing options to help buy a home.
* What is the performing arts scene like with regard to theater and music, areas I'd like to be involved with again from an actor's standpoint. Has it come back after Covid or is it on the community theater level? I defer to others with more experience on this but most people are amazed at what we have for the areas population base.
* I'm sure there must be a major hospital of some sort but is there a cancer center (I had breast cancer in 2020) There are two main cancer centers here in Boise and quite a few support networks as well. Congrats on being a survivor!
* How is the cost of living for retirees? Decent? I could google this of course but would rather hear from native Idahoans and that includes transplants, real people, not just words on a page. Thank you so much! Everyone always complains about how prices have increased but that is the effect on inflation nationwide. Boise used to be below the national averages, but with it's growth, it is actually a little bit higher. However, the quality of life makes up for the premium. There are a lot of people that retire and move to Boise due the quality of life as they are tired of the crime, homeless issues, and traffic in other cities.
Upon retirement in 2017, I moved to Idaho. I found the overall cost-of-living at that time to be much less than when I came from, (SoCal). Groceries are more expensive, but that is offset by relatively lower utility costs. Housing at that time was way less expensive, but not so much anymore. Government taxes and fees are less expensive, (e.g., property taxes, vehicle registration). I, personally, found gasoline to be much less expensive, even today.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind is that social services for the lower income populace is not very extensive compared to more progressive states. There was a big 'fight' the other year with the voters approving medicaid expansion in opposition to the state legislature's desire and the political fallout is still ongoing to this day.
(caveat: I am in North Idaho. Initially considered the Treasure Valley, but nixed that idea due to summer heat.)
I would not buy a mobile home. Many people are getting displaced from mobile home parks around Idaho due to developers buying the land and wanting to build luxury apartments. Housing here is really expensive. We do have cancer treatment centers and 2 big hospital systems around the treasure valley area. I would not choose to move to Idaho at this time with the way the economy is here.
I would not buy a mobile home. Many people are getting displaced from mobile home parks around Idaho due to developers buying the land and wanting to build luxury apartments. Housing here is really expensive. We do have cancer treatment centers and 2 big hospital systems around the treasure valley area. I would not choose to move to Idaho at this time with the way the economy is here.
Can you elaborate on your concerns with the economy?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
