Idaho

I think you could easily like Boise, good quality of life, cost of living and outdoor access. Coeur d'alene and Moscow might be a bit more of an adjustment.

Sandpoint/Ketchum/McCall would be on my list, but that's lifestyle and job dependent.

What exactly are you looking for? Boise is a larger city than Moscow and C.'d Alene. If you want country, small town, nature then Moscow and CDA would be your choice. If you want the "big city" the best we have for that life style is Boise. You can also get the nature stuff around Boise as well though. For running, all 3 are good.

I can only speak of Boise. Google "Boise Ridge to River trail system" and you will get a good idea what is available to the runner. Plenty of races available, good competition, and several health care specialist for the competitive athlete. Moved here 18 years ago for the lifestyle and I couldn't be happier.

I lived in the Boise area for 3 years and liked it. I only moved because Portland is better for me, but Boise is great. The only thing I didn't like about it is that it's so isolated. It's a big city, but there are no other major cities anywhere near. I got tired of driving 8+ hours across the middle of nowhere to go to Eugene, Portland or Seattle. Other than that, it's an active, outdoorsy city with a good amount of runners, trails and bike path.

Boise is a GREAT town, both running related and otherwise. Low crime rate, nice people, and AWESOME places to run.

100+ miles of singletrack trails in the Ridge to Rivers trail system, and ~50 miles of flat, bike path along the Boise River greenbelt, all within 2 miles of downtown.

There are lots of local races, but most aren't too competitive. 1:15 half marathon talent would place you top 10 in any local race.

Rexceredsa wrote:

Thinking about moving to Idaho. Debating between Boise, Moscow and Coere d Alene. What's your take ?

Hard adjustment from east coast ?

Boise is easily the best running town in all of Idaho. 'nuff said.

Coeur d'Alene is okay but has kind of lost it's charm over the years due to exponential growth.

I'd forget about Moscow unless you're doing something related to the university. Lewiston (30 miles south of Moscow) is a much better running scene, has better weather, more job opportunities, more trails close to town, etc.

Having lived in all three of those places I'd go in this order:

1) Boise

2) Lewiston

3) Coeur d'Alene

1,347) Moscow

The main reason that I'd pick Lewiston over Coeur d'Alene is because Coeur d'Alene can get some shit winter weather. Lewiston is pretty mild all year weather wise.

Moscow is dusty, windy and boring as hell.

Any of those places are much better than southern Idaho with its polyg mormon cult.