...to answer questions from someone interested in possibly relocating to Idaho. Readers of this blog may remember and/or been affected by the fact that I sometimes am slow in checking the e-mail account connected to this blog, (sorry!) but recently I did check it and found an e-mail from D.S., who sent, in part, the following:
" I live in Chicago and I need to get out of here before things get ugly and I have been thinking about moving to Idaho somewhere. The problem I'm having, and the reason for this email, is that I have no idea where a good place would be to buy a home for someone with a "prepper" mentality. It seems like Idaho is completely off the grid, in the mountains, and wooded which is great but makes it difficult to know where a good spot would be for someone like me who lives in a big city and has never lived in any kind of rural area."
Readers may remember me talking about things that go on in my neighborhood, so may have guessed that my neighborhood wouldn't really fit the description of an area that D.S. is looking for. So I replied, in part:
"I personally don't live in the kind of area that you are looking for, (hey, but Idaho is great everywhere that I have seen :) but I know that at least some of my readers have more info on different areas from where I am located. Even if I did, I have often found that my readers give out a lot more information than I do, and I learn a lot from them..."
So, I am requesting info from anyone who does have more information on areas that are more along the lines of what D.S. is interested in. Many thanks in advance for input that you are willing to share!
13 comments:
We're not so wilderness here as you may think. I live in SE Idaho and although if I took a shot from every angle of my home... you'd think I live in the wilderness.. I'm only 8 miles from 70,000 folks. about another 5 miles and you really are pretty isolated.. but what's 12 miles.
If I took a picture of the homes surrounding mine, you'd move in an instant. Artists, cowboys, railroad guy, hospital nurse, life-flight and a few doctors... nice.
If a took a photo of winter a few months from now you'd change your mind on all of that, but you'd be wrong. We come from Calif (8 years ago) and thought we'd hate it.. but I love the winter. Roads are well maintained, it cleans itself, you don't need to mow lawns and keeps the area from being over-crowded.
There are few preppers where I live.. wish that wasn't the case.. they are staunch and independent but as unconcerned as most.
So come and join us. Idaho is great...
Lynda
Prepare University
Lynda--Thanks so much for the input--it is much appreciated!
Idaho seems to be high on the list of people everywhere in the US to move to in the event of collapse/catastrophe. Frankly, everyone thinks of Idaho! I recently met a family that had moved here from Georgia, only to be packing up and to move somewhere else because the winters were horrible and the locals not exactly welcoming.
People outside Idaho equate Idaho to an unspoiled wilderness, when in fact, they's a lot of folks in them woods! Local people in the valley's here think they can go live off the land in the mountains but if they tried, they'd starve.
My wife is from the backwoods of appalachia and her family thinks they can live off the fat of the land there too. Well, wrong! It takes prep and a change in lifestyle no matter where you are.
If I were in a large city (went to college in one) and was looking for a place to hide out or get back to nature, my first choice would be northern Minnesota or Wisconsin. Somewhere farming could be supported without irrigation (Idaho is a desert) and some subsistence activities could be nurtured (no game in Idaho, just wolves!) Also, southern Mn and Wi have Amish communities and this could be a great resource in the event of complete economic/social collapse.
Here's another hint, I was born and raised here in Idaho in an agri based community, educated in anthropology and subsistence living of primitive groups. I will not remain here in the event of severe social/economic change because without modern infrastructure this land can support nothing. Besides, everyone from around the US is headed this way!
Anonymous--thanks so much for your comment--that's a lot to consider!
I am afraid that the previous person is quite incorrect about Idaho...It can support life and you can thrive here. NW Idaho is pristine and the Palouse region has some of the best soil in the country for growing. I personally purchased 100 acres in this area and intend on ranching and farming. The wells produce abundant water and I have a year round creek on my land. There is game here and not many wolves as they suggested, although the wolf population is increasing.
If you really want to find an amazing place...click here. http://www.revrealty.us/
Anonymous--I really appreciate you taking the time to comment--as mentioned, I don't live in the kind of area that D.S. is looking for, but I was under the impression that there were more areas than not in Idaho that are such as you describe. It's good to get as much imput as possible, and to consider as many angles as you can, especially when you are considering the kind of move that D.S. is thinking about making. Not everyone has the same experience, if the previous comment is any indication, so I guess that underlines the importance of doing careful research. Again, thanks so much for your commment!
hey there Marie.This is your long lost friend Carl In wisconsin. Since I posted last My wife and I have been to northern Arizona for the Winter of 2009-10 (this was a major disappointement, as the medical system there was even worse than Wisconsin)We moved back to Wisconsin in April 2010 and My wife had a Liver transplant in May 2010. Her Health is still not all that good. We are looking at Idaho again, but I am concerned about hospitals in Northern Idaho area near Spokane. I am wondering if any of your readers can comment? By the way in response to the comment that Wisconsin is a great place to garden. Well that is a function of where you are at. Believe it or not much of Wisconsin is very sandy and if not for chemicals agriculture would be alot less diverse. Better living through science if you will.
Thanks for still being here
Carl
Carl--I'm so glad to hear from you! I hope your wife's health continues to improve--it sounds like you have had a lot going on. I will post your specific question and also ask around here to see if there is anyone who has information on that particular area. And thanks for commenting about Wisconsin--nothing like the voice of experience when you want to get the best information.
Hopefully someone with more information will chime in on the Northern Idaho area--thanks again for your comment, and best wishes as always to you and your wife!
Thanks Marie, I should also mention that gardening In wisconsin requires much soil improvement. Almost everything East of the Wisconsin River was the bottom of Lake Michigan some thousands of years ago. I have actually found shells in my soil.
Carl--Thanks for the additional information!
Minor note on teh person talking about northern MN.
Past a certain part there are a LOT of swapms up there until you hit the Iron Range even then the ground does tend to be pretty swampy.
Your growing seaon is kinda short and you need to be very careful about spring planting or you get that one last late frost...
Medical care areas aren't too bad with Grand Rapid being good and Duluth area being better.
Note on the winters last I checked International Falls still holds the record for the lowest temp in lower 48 states. I have seen it get to 80 below zero.
Recon
I moved to No. Idaho because of it's close proximity to Spokane for their hospitals. I have a special needs son and didn't want to be too far away from a Children's Hospital. From what I've seen, the hospitals are good. And Seattle isn't too far away (six hours). Most of his specialists were trained at UCLA.
Mrs. Mac--Thanks for the information, it is much appreciated!
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