Moving to Idaho

[Treclo]

I'm in the process of moving to Moscow or Coeur d'Alene over the summer, and was wondering if any of you Idahoans could educate me a little about the political climate of this fair state. I was under the impression that it was very red, but it seems from some posts here that it's more independent than I had imagined.

I am excited to move here for many other reasons, but am wondering what kind of fellow democrats I'm going to find. Any thoughts?

[IDemo]

1. Welcome!

I think you will find both Moscow and Coeur d'Alene to be among several 'Blue zones' in Idaho (Sun Valley, Boise, and Pocatello are others).

Most Idahoans have more of a libertarian political stance, rather than strictly conservative. This generally gets translated to voting Republican. However, Idaho has a proud liberal tradition in the great Senator Frank Church and in Governor Cecil Andrus. Idaho can claim human rights organizations such as the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, the oldest civic nuclear watchdog group, and one of the oldest continuously operating university alternative energy programs.

Rest assured, there are plenty of progressively minded citizens here, despite the popular (mis)conception. If the current series of news events continues to plague Idaho and America, as expected, look for Democrats to make a renewed stand here.

[Treclo]

2. Thanks for the links!

And thanks for the encouragement. I'm in Moscow now, and heading up to the Coeur d'Alene area next month.

And now for something completely different...
I went to the dentist in Potlatch, and besides the fact that the whole staff was super friendly and the dentist very thorough- this turned out to be the dentist who invented the "Billy Bob" novelty teeth. For some reason, I was very pleased with this.

In any case, I'm loving Idaho!

[aePrime]

3. How very odd that those are the two cities you listed

I lived in Moscow from 1997 until January of this year, when I moved to Coeur d'Alene.

[Treclo]

6. What would you say

are the pros and cons of each city, having lived in both?

We really like the sense of community here in Moscow, and it seems very affordable. Having said that, I think it would be easier to find work in the Coeur d'Alene area, and although Moscow is pretty, CdA seems pretty spectacular.

I'm big into backpacking, but I need to make a living to.

[aePrime]

7. My wife and I like the smallness of Moscow

And all of the trees. Moscow has a great downtown that you can walk through. If university students annoy you, Moscow's not for you.

Coeur d'Alene is a lot larger, but as you mentioned, it probably has many more job opportunities. Coeur d'Alene has the lake, and there are a bunch of lakes around here. CDA is a resort town, and its downtown has a more commercial feel to it than Moscow's. CDA is also growing very rapidly (I believe in the top 10 in the nation), and while it has its share of trees, a lot of them are being cut down for new development.

I think you got similar backpacking opportunities with either city.

I prefer Moscow, but I also lived there a lot longer, so it's "home". I don't mind CDA though -- it's still quite nice.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. Don't forget the Anne Frank Memorial

The same state known for it's Aryan Nation compounds is also home to the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise. The Quote Wall is especially good.

http://www.cityofboise.org/parks/parks_facilities/parks/index.aspx?id=afhrm_park_facts

[renaldo]

4. Welcome!

Idaho is very red, but there are a lot of progressives, too. In the 80's it was solidly Dem, but after an influx of Republicans from other states has become quite conservative. My wife is on the Democratic Central Committee for Kootenai County (Coeur d'Alene)and there are some committed liberals working hard to effect change, and we are making some headway. Even some of the Repukes here are starting to get it through their thick skulls that this administration's malice and blundering stupidity is bad for them. Politics aside, this area is a natural gem and very beautiful. You'll like it!

[urbuddha]

5. Idaho

I live in San Francisco but own a home in Boise's North End.
It seems to be a very liberal neighborhood. Boise has a lot
to offer and I always enjoy my time there. I just wish Idaho
was more liberal. There are definitely blue ares in the state
but it is a very red state unfortunately. Maybe we can change
this if we all stay very active.

[cayanne]

9. Sandpoint

Welcome to Idaho. :hi:

Check out the Sandpoint area, I think it's the best. I live in two north Idaho counties and Bonner County is absolutely wonderful. Viggo Mortensen has a place in Clark Fork, not too far from my house. Thereare a lot of artists and progressives in the Sandpoint area. It's a little less than an hour drive north of Cd'A. Check it out.

http://www.sandpointonline.com/

[Treclo]

10. We're in CDA,

but are kind of freaked out about housing. I'm thinking we'll be working here, but not living here! Anyway, we haven't been up to Sandpoint yet- we're heading there in another week or two.