General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 'Christian patriots' are flocking from blue states to Idaho [View all]yonder
(9,664 posts)True or not, one local take is newcomers can often buy two or three times the house compared to where they're from. I don't doubt that is the case for many people, despite their political/religious persuasion.
The Boise area is thriving with an excellent quality of life, jobs, an okay arts/cultural scene, low crime, easily accessible public lands/outdoor opportunities and a decent university a great place to raise a family and one reason I planted myself here those many years ago. But one doesn't have to travel far from this purplish area to find themselves in backwardsville either. Those attributes are attractive to many and have resulted in the crazy growth southwest Idaho has experienced in the last couple of decades.
Of course with that growth come the downsides, eventually but surely. Long gone are the days of being able to drive across town in 10-15 minutes. We've noticed an increase in the general snarliness and impatience of people and I suspect that will continue to grow as things get more crowded.
In high school I read an essay by Thoreau or perhaps Emerson that has stayed with me because it applies to most everything. I think it was titled Compensation. Basically, you can't get something for nothing, everything has a price. Joni Mitchell sang "They Paved Paradise and put up a Parking Lot". All true, IMO and it certainly applies here. The very things that make a place attractive will eventually be the cause of its undesirability.
Your young friends who came here from Washington - I believe they made a good choice and were not too late in making their decision. I would be curious how they like it so far.