Relocate to MO or ID

[ldsparamedic]

My wife and I are looking to move out of AZ to an area where land is reasonably priced and has 4 seasons. We are considering the MO Ozark area and Northern ID. We would like an area with 4 seasons, but not tons and tons of snow in the winter. What areas are recommended? Thank you.
-John

[flatwater]

I live pretty close to the pan handle . How much is tons and tons of snow ?
flatwater

[kawalekm]

I used to live in Moscow, Idaho and I can tell you what COLD is. Nights that can get -20F and you start worrying if 50/50 antifreeze is enough. I can remember ice forming on the INSIDE walls of my house, and would have to wipe the walls down periodically with bleach to keep fungus from growing!

Excellent hunting, camping, fishing, but a very short growing season. I was never able to grow a single broccoli spear or ear of corn in my location. Mushroom collecting in the mountains though was a worthwhile activity. There's lots of public land where you can cut firewood cheap, but if you have to pay for your winter heat, it will equal the cost of summer air conditioning in Phoenix.

I'm guessing that the climate in southern Missouri is more mild, but I haven't been north of Arkansas so I can't say. There, the weather was very conducive to homesteading. The funny thing is that I finally moved out of Idaho and eventually bought land in California. Talk about reversal. I guessing that I got a better deal here for my land in the Sierra than I would have in Idaho!
Michael

[CatherineID]

I live just outside of Boise, ID. This is definately an area with 4 equal seasons. We've lived here 10 years. If I had to do it over again, I'd move farther out. You can still find great rural properties within an hour of Boise. You get the best of both worlds - access to urban conveniences but inexpensive land prices and no one bothering you.

And I've noticed quite a few similarities between the Boise, ID area and Phoenix, AZ since Boise is considered a high desert.

As far as growing is concerned, you'll do well with trees as we have plenty of apple and pit-fruit (peach, apricot, cherries and plums). We have good nut trees - mostly walnut and almond. We're known for mint (our area supplies something like 70% of the mint for the world - think of all that chewing gum and toothpaste) and sugar beets. Yes, we have potatoes, too, but the Boise area processes potatoes, not grows them. We do really well with grapes, too, and have an expanding wine business. We start planting on Mother's Day weekend. You'll want to start tender vegetables like tomatoes indoor before then for the best yield or use those water teepees. I've grown tomatoes, peppers (including hot varieties), corn, carrots, zucchini, green beans (pole and bush), and all sorts of melons and squash. We can also grow bumble-berries like raspberries or blackberries. With care we can grow some varieties of blueberries. Strawberries are easy. This year I'm experimenting with keeping a lemon tree in a pot indoors over winter. If the first thing you do is put up a greenhouse, your life will be so much easier.

Our gun laws are decent. Hubby and I both have conceal carry permits. Hunting and fishing licenses are reasonable. I wish the state income tax and sales tax were more reasonable, though. You get charges sales tax on EVERYTHING: food, medicine and even used goods. And ID is a right-to-work state which means salaries are depressed and you can be fired without notice at any time. However, you'll never be forced to join a union. And a nice rural area is right on the ID / OR board (also just an hour away from BOI) so you could do most of your shopping on the OR side.

Another area to consider is the eastern side of the state (Pocatello) where you get the beauty of the WY Tetons, Yellowstone and access to Salt Lake City.

ID is considered one of the friendliest states!

We are looking to move to WA state, though. My husband's job takes him all over the world so it makes no sense for us to live in a state that has an income tax. WA state laws are pretty good, too, when it comes to gun rights. And the area around the tri-cities (Kennewick) is considered the 'banana belt' of the west. Another area to consider is Sequim (pronounced: skwim) which is exceedingly SUNNY. The downside of WA state is the sales tax (over 7%?) and high vehicle registration fees.

As for MO, one of my daughters lived in the Lake of the Ozarks area until very recently. It also is very rural and being on the water is nice. I just couldn't live east of the Mississippi because of the humidity, though.

Post again if you have any questions.

[ldsparamedic]

I thank you all for your posts. Tons and tons of snow would be snowed in all winter in the rural areas. We are looking to homestead on property which we buy. I have a technical job which will allow me to live anywhere my wife and I choose. As far as the Moscow post. Are you in a uniquely cold area or is it the same climate from your latitued north?
I always considered WA to be along the lines with CA in laws, taxation, etc. I hope everyone's Christmas was Merry.

[ldsparamedic]

CatherineID,

Why were you glad to move out of there, if I may ask? Is it because of the taxes? It seems like you can grow almost anything there. Thank you.
-John

[flatwater]

Actually WA. is liberal but not anything like California. The taxes are a little lower also. I would trade our governor for just about anyone else though