Thinking of moving to Boise...any advice? (to rent, townhouse)

[desileigh]

Hello,

I currently live in Washington and I'm thinking of moving to Boise for a few reasons.
1. I just want someplace new to start over.
2. cost of living there seems to be better than here.
3. I graduated with a Master in Teaching degree and I have been subbing for 2 years and still no good prospects at a teaching job.

So my questions would be...

How are the school systems in Boise?
Is the teacher situation in Boise any better than in Washington?
What are good places to live in Boise?
Neighborhoods to avoid?
Best places to rent? I am a single mom with 2 kids, so I am looking to rent (preferably) a 2-3 bedroom townhouse with a small yard if possible.

Any other advice or info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[boisefan88]

Teaching situation is terrible here, and you'll actually be at a disadvantage with a Master's coming into the school system here.

[Sage of Sagle]

BF88, can you elaborate please? Is it because they don't want to pay some scale for teachers with Masters degrees?

[desileigh]

I got this directly from the Boise School District web site that lists teachers pay based on degree
http://www.sd01.k12.id.us/jobs/salar...ouns_nurse.pdf

I would be starting at a MA+30 (I am acutally MA+45, but this district doesn't go up that high) so i would start out making more than someone with a BA degree, if I could find a job.

[boisefan88]

What's to elaborate?

School districts, given the choice, would prefer to hire the cheaper person, especially given the past three years on the budget.

I know far too many teachers working at Applebees or wherever to endorse someone moving here to try and get a teaching job in the Boise area. Unless you were a math teacher.

[zoso1979]

Originally Posted by desileigh

if I could find a job.

[desileigh]

Originally Posted by boisefan88

What's to elaborate?

School districts, given the choice, would prefer to hire the cheaper person, especially given the past three years on the budget.

Thats pretty much how it is everywhere. I wasn't sure if there was something specific to Boise. It sucks because you work hard to get an advanced degree so you can make a good living at a job you love, but then can't get the job because of the degree...but one day it will happen.

Most school districts in WA stopped accepting even new substitute teachers this year.

[Hp1167]

Over-educated and under-employed (or unemployed): the new epidemic of our country.

I feel your pain, desileigh.

[enigmadsm]

Seems to be super difficult to get a teaching job here right now...and i dunno about cost of living being cheaper...half the people i know are lucky to find a job making 12 dollars an hour...sure housing is cheaper, but 12 bucks an hour is still low for people attempting to own/rent a home

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by boisefan88

What's to elaborate?

School districts, given the choice, would prefer to hire the cheaper person, especially given the past three years on the budget.

I know far too many teachers working at Applebees or wherever to endorse someone moving here to try and get a teaching job in the Boise area. Unless you were a math teacher.

I thought perhaps you had specific information about the workings of the school districts beyond the more self-evident economics. Sorry I wasn't more clear.

And yeah, math teachers seem such a hot commodity. Especially FEMALE math teachers. My SIL is an advanced HS math teacher and it seems she can go just about anywhere and school districts want her...I don't think she's ever had to even try hard to get a job with that skill set...now that's high demand...