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North Idaho has much to offer, from the finest in health care, outdoor recreation and quality of life, to excellent job and school opportunities.
Recreation
Idaho is a haven for recreation enthusiasts. Northern Idaho has the greatest
concentration of lakes in the West and evergreen forests abound. The Salmon
River bisects the rugged Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and provides
some of the best whitewater kayaking and rafting in the world. The Sawtooth
Wilderness Area and the White Cloud peaks provide additional recreational
opportunities. World-famous Sun Valley is located between these mountain ranges.
Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, lies on the state’s
western border, overlooked by the Seven Devils Mountains. In Idaho’s
southwestern corner are the tallest sand dunes on the continent. In the south
central region is the Craters of the Moon National Monument, where America’s
astronauts trained for moonwalks. Idaho has 16 alpine ski areas, over 200 miles
of groomed nordic trails, over 7,200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 464,000
acres of lakes and reservoirs, 26,000 miles of fishing streams, 2,433 miles of
floatable rivers, 25 state parks and 15 national forests. From Stateline to
Mullan, the Canadian border to St. Maries, the five counties of North Idaho are
a kaleidoscope of natural and man-made wonders.
Employment
Idaho has a strong and diversified economy. While the
traditional resource-based industries of agriculture, forest products, and
mining continue to contribute to the economy, high-tech, tourism, retail trade,
healthcare, and business and information
services are growth sectors. As in any economy, employment
growth in Idaho is not uniform. In the past few years, some counties experienced
strong growth, some remained unchanged, and some declined. After slow employment
growth in
2002 and 2003, economic activity in 2004 added over 15,000 jobs
statewide. In 2005 and 2006, the state’s economy is expected to grow more
slowly, adding jobs at a rate of about 1.7 percent per year; a rate that is
expected to exceed the national average.
Education
Idaho ranks in the top third among the 50 states for percentage
of adults aged 25 and older who have graduated from high school (84.7 percent).
Nearly 64 percent of the state’s total general fund is allocated to education.
Idaho’s students score well above the national average on the SAT. Almost 94
percent of Idaho’s school-age children attend public schools, demonstrating a
high level of public confidence and encouraging a demographically balanced
student population.
Almost every city with a population over 20,000 has a college or
university. Off-campus programs are available at convenient locations throughout
the state. Idaho’s universities and colleges bring training, research, and
technical assistance programs within reach of every person via computer,
telecommunications, and video technology. University Place in Idaho Falls
provides programs through the University of Idaho and Idaho State University.
There are six professional-technical training centers in Idaho.
These centers also provide training at business facilities off-campus. In
addition to Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls,
professional-technical programs are offered though Boise State University, Idaho
State University, College of Southern Idaho, North Idaho College, and
Lewis-Clark State College.North Idaho Schools -
http://www.idaho.gov/education/k12.html
Cost of Living
Based on average housing costs, utilities, health care, transportation,
groceries, and other services, Idaho’s cost of living is the second lowest of
the eleven western states. Boise’s cost of living is 96 percent of the national
average, Idaho Falls’ is 92 percent, Pocatello’s is 92 percent, and Twin Falls’
is 93 percent.
Climate
Idaho’s climate is diverse. It is influenced by Pacific weather patterns,
which help moderate temperature extremes. Generally, the northern part of the
state has greater precipitation than either southwestern or southeastern Idaho.
The southern part of the state has warmer summer temperatures than the north and
is drier throughout the year. Southeastern Idaho, however, tends to be cooler
than the west and drier than the north. Idaho’s growing season varies from about
200 days near the city of Lewiston to v ery
brief at high altitudes. Idaho has no hurricanes. Tornadoes and hailstorms are
extremely rare. Winds may accompany cold fronts and thunderstorms.
Hospitals
Idaho has 48 licensed hospitals. All but two Idaho communities with a
population of more than 2,500 are within 13 miles of a hospital. The other two
communities are within 16 miles of a hospital.
Crime Rate
Idaho’s crime rate is the lowest in the West. In fact, according to FBI
statistics, the rate of serious crime here is 21.3 percent less than the
national average.
Water Quality
Much of Idaho’s surface water flows out of the high mountains and is
generally of high quality. People swim and fish in the center of Boise, the
state’s largest city, and water-based sports are enjoyed throughout the state.
In addition, high-quality ground water is pumped extensively for agricultural,
industrial, and residential use from the Snake River Plain aquifer across
southern Idaho and from the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer in the northern panhandle.
Air Quality
Overall Idaho’s air quality is good throughout
the year. A few locations experience winter temperature inversions, and in some
localities pollen affects people who have allergies.
Commuting Time
The average commuting time from home to work in
Idaho is 20 minutes.
Culture
Idaho’s cultural activities are as diverse as the state’s
geography. World-famous resorts host first-class musical performers, theatre,
winter carnivals, and art shows. Idaho is home to a symphony orchestra, opera
and ballet companies, chamber music groups, and a summer Shakespeare festival.
But culture comes in many forms throughout the state: jazz and bluegrass music,
big-name stars, nationally recognized music festivals, community theatre,
rodeos, county fairs, and professional sports.
Housing
Idaho’s housing costs are moderate and
affordable, and homes are available from modest cottages to executive estates.
Property values vary tremendously from community to community and even within a
community. As a free service, I can put you in touch with real estate
professionals for those Idaho communities I don't serve.
Residential Energy Costs
Idaho provides a substantial energy cost
advantage over much of the nation. Natural gas rates are competitive and
residential electric rates are among the lowest in the country.
(Information provided by
http://www.nidt.com/NorthIdaho/Idaho_At_A_Glance_2005.pdf)
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