goldcrown

Thoughts? Looks like we would be able to get quite a big home compared with what we can get here (greater London) but not so sure about Idaho. Seems as people are trying to reassure people it's Boise, which is apparently better than the rest of the state?

I hear things like, 'all these high tech companies are moving to Boise' but when I look at the employment distribution, looks like it's HP and Micron, that's it. Everyone else is working for the hospital, school or other public sector. Not so great if one loses the job with HP/Micron.

We're looking to relocate to the States to hopefully retain some of what we love about here, like lots of green areas, fab history, culture, and as much 'old world' feel as possible. Which seems to all point away from Boise, frankly. And when I read of events like 'Border Days', seemingly lots of hunting...not my cuppa. But I do fancy four seasons, low cost of living, low taxes.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear if anyone has relocated to Boise/Idaho.

farmerwife

Boise? "... green areas..."?
It's mostly brown. If it's green your after, try the Willamette Valley - Oregon.
Lots of hi tech companies too. Intel, Tek etc. Oh wait... they're laying people off though.

Bob

first thoughts should be how you get to the states -

http://britishexpats.com/articles/us...rk-in-the-usa/

if one of those is you, then worry about which cesspit you want to move to...

AdobePinon

...if you go down to the panhandle, you're in for a rude surprise....

Ray

Mrs OP is a septic....... they have no problem

Ray

Mrs OP is a septic....... they have no problem

Bob

just the thought of spud country though....ouch...cheap houses...I looked at it to, at the one dev house out there, crap salary, but it shat on the average out there...now that was scary...not much security in the place either if you get dumped, so certainly wouldn't consider it for a tech job.

goldcrown

Indeed. After more research last night, i see Boise is considered 'high desert'. And has quite the air quality problem as well. Wonder why it's promoted as such an 'outdoor adventure' spot? National Geographic had a 'Boise or Bust!' review which made it sound like it was a nature lover's' and sportsman's dream.

I agree about the risk with jobs in boise. It's a 'right to work' state (Idaho) but not exactly sure what that means. Apparently it makes for low wages, though.

A large home in a crap place is no dream. Have to convince DH, though. He's seeing much positive there and thinks of me as quite the naysayer. But who can disagree with the EPA which rate Boise and Sacramento as worst air quality in the U.S.?

Tegwyn

Been to Boise many times, and it is a pretty piece of the U.S. I would say that it is more of a University town and I very nearly had my daughter go there. Not a bad school at all. It is part of the spread out west and personally, I would have no problem living there myself. They have pretty decent medical care and the shopping was fine. A dear friend of mine is undergoing cancer treatment at one of their excellent facilities. Social life not too shabby either. Lots of restaurants, pubs, and bistros to enjoy. Skiing decent too and we have had many a group head over that way for a weekend of fun.

Bob

The other word is right to fire...it means you don't have to give any notice to quit, but they also don't need to give you any notice or reason to fire you...and it happens a lot, someone comes over to your cubicle, taps you on the shoulder and your escorted out the building and they forward you your stuff.

goldcrown

Then would 'right to work' be equivalent to an 'at will' employment contract?

penguinsix

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_To_Work

Right-to-work laws are statutes enforced in several U.S. States, allowed under provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act, which prohibit trade unions from making membership or payment of dues or "fees" a condition of employment, either before or after hire.

It really doesn't have much impact outside of unionized professions (truck driver, coal miner, factory worker, civil servants).

penguinsix

Right to work does not have anything directly to do with how or when you can be fired. If you have a fire at will clause, then you have one. If you have a fire 'for cause' clause, then you have that. It is something that you negotiate as part of your contract. By and large, I think most people work in 'fire at will' situations.

Right to work applies to union dues.

I have heard of very few technology jobs that are unionized. Civil servants who are in IT may be members of a government workers union, and some factory workers may be unionized, but most others are not.

penguinsix

Most US cities located near mountain areas suffer from 'Winter Inversions' where the air gets trapped up against the mountains and gets stagnant. Eventually the buildup of exahuast and other pollution creates an air quality issue, until a big front comes in and blows it clear. It can also get bad if there is a forest fire nearby and the smoke gets trapped. Apparently in Boise it is primarily a winter issue, not the rest of the year (but some of those who have lived there would probably know better).

Denver and Salt Lake City, two other mountain cities in the West also suffer from these Winter inversions (and sometimes Summer ones as well). I think they have it worse given their geography and larger population size (not sure about SLC).

I guess it is the price you pay to live next to the mountains and great outdoors.

Hayley

I live in Spokane and Boise in my humble opinion is crap. There's an influx of Californians which is driving house prices through the roof and the infrastructure is not in place to support all the people.
Also for a 'city of trees' it is dry and dusty looking- less trees than Spokane. The biggest neg. I have to say though is the STRONG republican viewpoint of most of the townsfolk- don't be mislead it is still Idaho (74% rep.), plus it is the home of a huge military community. Have to travel there for work and always dread it.

Spokane is midly better and cheaper but not good on work prospects. If you are selling and moving from London I would guess you have a chance to buy somewhere really nice (though not as good as England) I would recommend Portland Oregon it has greenery has great downtown shops plus a couple of lovely english pubs. Even (expensive) Seattle is better than hicksville Boise.

Another thing about Boise- apart from the world market and scottish shop there is nowhere to get British food/ Supplies and no British pub. Don't know if these are things that are important to you?