Tired of Desert, Rapid City SD or Boise or ? (Nampa: 2014, apartments)

[Rudydog1]

Arizona has lost it's appeal to us boomers. We are seniors, wish to cash out here and most likely lease/rent a nice home is new area. We do need medical, hubby is cancer survivor however we are very active. Have two big doggies so nice large fenced yard.

We considered the Boise area years back however decided to move back to our old neighborhood here in northwest Tucson.

We have lived in the east several times so weather is not rally a negative. It appears Rapid City's weather is a little more challenging especially in the winter.

My biggest concern is the political climate in Boise. We are traditional consersative boomers, live and let live types. I have read there has been a big influx of liberal thinking folks into your area and could this possibly signal a change...like here is Arizona? I know South Dakota is getting much press about moving there, however I think their Governor is looking for young familes.

So have there been any notable political changes in the government structure in the last several years there?

Thank you..

[NW Crow]

If you are live and let live, you could or should be able to cope with at least parts of Ada County. If you really want to be the clear majority and frown upon non-conservatives, select Canyon County or further out.


High desert or high desert adjacent is pretty different from southern Arizona. Enough? That depends on you and specific Boise area choice.

Rapid City area snowfalls can vary from an average of 30-40 inches per year right around RC to 70 near Spearfish and over 100 in the Black Hills themselves. RC can get much bigger than average snow years. 3 of last 5 winters were over 50 inches, with 2 in the 65-75 inch range. How long it sticks will vary but may be longer than many prefer.

[Rudydog1]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

If you are live and let live, you could or should be able to cope with at least parts of Ada County. If you really want to be the clear majority and frown upon non-conservatives, select Canyon County or further out.


High desert or high desert adjacent is pretty different from southern Arizona. Enough? That depends on you and specific Boise area choice.

Rapid City area snowfalls can vary from an average of 30-40 inches per year right around RC to 70 near Spearfish and over 100 in the Black Hills themselves. RC can get much bigger than average snow years. 3 of last 5 winters were over 50 inches, with 2 in the 65-75 inch range. How long it sticks will vary but may be longer than many prefer.

Howdy..thank you for info. Yes I see the big snowfalls in RC, have viewed several videos. Where they seem to lack for us is infrastructure..getting to bigger airports etc. I guess I should clarify about the live and let live. We can tolerate much however. we don't dance to the finactial whims of the radicals...like forced vaccines, face coverings etc. Our local government here drank the kool aid however we were saved by the governor finally putting at stop to the madness, HOWEVER this has changed now big time. So..as stated before there are not free rides. There are some reviews out there about Boise and heat, draught..all the same issues we have here accept my summers are at 105+dry heat but still brutal and expensive to cool.

I will be checking out the tax structure, where RC has many pluses..this is where the give and take comes in.

[AnythingOutdoors]

Boise proper is liberal, has been for quite a few decades. Eagle and Meridian are more conservative, though Meridian is trending purple in recent years. Idaho as a whole, of course, is very conservative. Liberal things you can expect to see in Boise:

• Pride flags/pride events
• Concern for racial equity (e.g. BLM signs)
• Welcoming refugees
• Efforts to become carbon neutral/climate change initiatives
• Pro abortion protests

If seeing such things doesn't bother you even if you disagree with some/all topics then you'll be fine. There are also quite a few conservatives here, which means folks have to reach across the isle to get stuff done.

Traffic in parts of the Treasure Valley has gotten worse, especially near areas that have sprawled: Meridian, Eagle, SW Ada County.

Winter is relatively mild, with very little snow and a lot of sun, though of course not as much as AZ. Summers are hot and dry, though not as hot as AZ. Most older neighborhoods have a mature tree canopy, which is really nice during summer. Other areas of the Treasure Valley, and the foothills, are dry and brown due to being high desert.

Something else worth mentioning: Boise recently updated its zoning code to increase housing density in certain areas and along transportation corridors, with a goal of building a lot more apartments and multi-family housing. This seems to be unpopular with most boomers.

[Mister Torgue]

I would avoid Boise proper if I could. Definitely look at suburb or small town outside of the metro area. Keep in mind ID is going to cost more of a premium on housing / property versus Arizona so bring extra money with you! If you are well off financially Coeur d’Alene and it's immediate metro area is a little better political climate versus Boise. The hospital there should suffice though I'm not 100% sure on any specialists.

[Rudydog1]

Originally Posted by Mister Torgue

I would avoid Boise proper if I could. Definitely look at suburb or small town outside of the metro area. Keep in mind ID is going to cost more of a premium on housing / property versus Arizona so bring extra money with you! If you are well off financially Coeur d’Alene and it's immediate metro area is a little better political climate versus Boise. The hospital there should suffice though I'm not 100% sure on any specialists.

Thank you for the recommendation, checking it out now. Looks like rents for homes are similar to Boise.
Need to look at medical though.

[Rudydog1]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

Boise proper is liberal, has been for quite a few decades. Eagle and Meridian are more conservative, though Meridian is trending purple in recent years. Idaho as a whole, of course, is very conservative. Liberal things you can expect to see in Boise:

• Pride flags/pride events
• Concern for racial equity (e.g. BLM signs)
• Welcoming refugees
• Efforts to become carbon neutral/climate change initiatives
• Pro abortion protests

If seeing such things doesn't bother you even if you disagree with some/all topics then you'll be fine. There are also quite a few conservatives here, which means folks have to reach across the isle to get stuff done.

Traffic in parts of the Treasure Valley has gotten worse, especially near areas that have sprawled: Meridian, Eagle, SW Ada County.

Winter is relatively mild, with very little snow and a lot of sun, though of course not as much as AZ. Summers are hot and dry, though not as hot as AZ. Most older neighborhoods have a mature tree canopy, which is really nice during summer. Other areas of the Treasure Valley, and the foothills, are dry and brown due to being high desert.

Something else worth mentioning: Boise recently updated its zoning code to increase housing density in certain areas and along transportation corridors, with a goal of building a lot more apartments and multi-family housing. This seems to be unpopular with most boomers.

Your response answers many of my concerns, thank you. Need to set my sights on another area maybe going more north.

[mike1003]

We love both cities. Great restaurants, friendly picturesque BUT, we've never been there in winter

[banjomike]

If your husband needs regular care for his cancer, there are only 2 cities in Idaho with the best oncology: Boise and Idaho Falls.

While both cities have excellent cancer care, there is better to be found in the Huntsman Clinic in Salt Lake City.

And according to the cancer survivor in my family, neither city can match the care she got in Scottsdale at the Mayo Clinic. She has been in full remission from breast cancer since 2014, thanks to Mayo.

[Rudydog1]

Originally Posted by Mister Torgue

I would avoid Boise proper if I could. Definitely look at suburb or small town outside of the metro area. Keep in mind ID is going to cost more of a premium on housing / property versus Arizona so bring extra money with you! If you are well off financially Coeur d’Alene and it's immediate metro area is a little better political climate versus Boise. The hospital there should suffice though I'm not 100% sure on any specialists.

Just curious as to what smaller areas outside of Boise? I only cruised around the Boise area, went to Nampa and back. How far out is Eagle?
Thanks..