Quote:
Originally Posted by N2I.F.
Delts, Smiling Bob is right about the connection of the Wasatch Metro to Idaho Falls. Taylor's Crossing on the River is a prime example: McNeil is building in Idaho Falls, Provo and Hurricane.
Thanks for posting this Sawtooth. I really interesting view about southeastern ID having an "identity problem." That's the first I've heard that. What high school did you attend?
It seems like you want to make the main issue of why people travel to the Salt Lake Metro area vs. Boise, about religion. I respect your view; however I don't agree.
1. Boise doesn't have an NBA team - and even though a D-League team is in Boise just think how many more people from ID and UT can go to games between the Boise team and the new one in Orem. Let's see, there's Park City, world class skiing in the Cottonwood canyons, a major airport hub - Salt Lake Metro, major research in many areas of study, a booming economy and some really nice new things that all those moving from CA and so many other states are adding to the area. Shopping - no comparison of high end shops in the larger metro area. More to do and lots of other reasons.
2. Boise has some pluses too, but I'm mainly trying to address your one point trying to link why southeast ID is more closely linked to SLC than Boise. I think western WY is linked much closer to SLC than Cheyenne or Casper. That road to Boise between American Falls and Twin Falls, has been deadly for many. The improvements on I-15 make a much safer journey driving with more lanes. Plus a lot of companies see Idaho Falls as the perfect place to expand, given who shops in Bonneville County (Jackson Hole Residents, Bozeman Residents plus all the interntional visitors visiting the area to see YNP etc. who likely bypasse SLC with their direct flights from Denver or Minneapolis.
3. Additionally, I was recently shown some confidential information, about the number of people from UT who own second homes in Idaho Falls, Driggs, or in the Island Park area. I was surprised how many are living part-time in UT and part-time in Bonneville, Teton, Madison or Fremont counties.
4. I agree with something you said, but in a different way than you stated it. I don't believe this factor was as prevelent when we were in high school as now. The fact BYU-I is straight up I-15 from BYU-U, is a large factor. That doesn't mean it's about religion. I'm talking about sharing resources for two universities and how many people travel back and forth for business. It's similar to how St. Mark's Hospital, an HCA Hospital, shares certain sub-specialsts with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, another HCA Hospital, in Idaho Falls. Physicians are working at both facilities offering certain health care not available in Boise, but now available in Idaho Falls.
5. Additionally, I think a lot of people from UT like to have businesses in Idaho Falls, so they can legimately visit their businesses and then go play in YNP, the Tetons and Jackson Hole for a few days. Actually, I know that is true for at least a dozen businesses off the top of my head. There are probably more. So one of my points is those who live in UT and chose to spend their leisure time, or expand their businesses to Idaho Falls, also influence the volume of I.F. area residents who go to UT instead of Boise. Another example is Tunex expanding to I.F. from it's home base in SL County.
One somewhat recent change I've seen, especially with Taylor's Crossing and the Edwards Theatre initial development, more Boise companies now seem to have either the capital and/or need to expand to Idaho Falls. And we all know Ball Ventures has funded many of the new hotels in Meridian, and in turn, Steed Construction is building more new buildings in I.F. A few law firms have attorneys in Boise and Idaho Falls. It's possible with more growth, the increasing high technology of jobs in the Boise and Idaho Falls markets, that there may be more people who decide to spend time in Boise than Salt Lake for leisure or business.
6. Delts has already had to post this on a SLC Projects threads to respond the need to some ignorant people (not from either ID or UT) who knew very little about the many religions in UT, or more likely given their responds, their refusal to learn the updated information about SL Metro's demographics. Maybe I can ask Delts to post it here, or find the reference on the thread where that was discussed.
As you know, the 1 Million + population of Salt Lake County isn't even 50% LDS. The Mosques, the extensive Skaggs Catholic educnty.ation system building new schools for the additional 5,000 Catholic children entering the Catholic Education Network in Utah, says quite a lot. Especially, when the new Catholic grade schools are being built now in Riverton, Sandy and in the high growth areas of West Jordan and other south valley cities. Of course, with Juan Diego having such as large campus in Draper, a lot of elementary schools drain into the Jr. High and Juan Diego in the south valley. Of course, Judge Memorial has been educating Catholic children for decade, but it is far for so many kids living in the south valley.
Then there are the Lutheran and other Christian schools. But what really speaks to the changes in UT are comparing how many Mosques, Jewish Synagogues and churches from many diverse religions have a large population in UT.
7. I do think you are on to one thing, Satooth. Your thought that many people are more comfortable driving in Boise that Salt Lake Metro, I believe is accurate. Ada and Canyon counties are much like driving in Utah County or maybe even parts of Weber/Davis Counties. It is easier to drive in an area with less population around 600,000 residents like Utah County being much more like driving in Ada and Canyons Counties than Salt Lake County. which is like driving in Ada and Canyon Counties. The 1 million + residents in SL County, added with probably 200,000-300,000 comuting from Weber, Davis and Utah Counties - makes Salt Lake far more like the Silicon Valley or L.A. when it comes to the congestion and how much traffic there is.
8. It's really cool, Sawtooth, that you are acknolwedging the growth in population and goods/services the Idaho Falls area has decreased or eliminated the need for residents to travel to either Boise or SLC. So many more commercial business are available to met locals needs. Much like Boise, Idaho Falls has benefitted from major employers, spin-offs, solid jobs and a more educated population making more money, say compared to Bannock County. I can give you the reference for that, if you want.
9. I feel badly for you, Sawtooth, given what it sounds like you went through growing up. I'm glad you have found a place that feels comfortable to you now. I'm also glad I didn't go to the same high school, as I certainly never felt or was taught eastern ID felt inferior or felt there was an identity problem ever. Makes me wonder how statements like that start, let alone get encouraged.
Good for you, Sawtooth, for making some painful things in your life positive for you now.
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First of all, why are you so defensive? Why are you attacking me when I was responding back to a question that had been asked? I was just responding back to a legitimate question with my humble opinion. Of course you side with the other forumers you mentioned at the beginning of your post because they live in Utah and they say what you want to here. I think that you don't really care for Boise.
When have you lived in Idaho Falls? I grew up in that area and have roots there and am proud to say I am from there. I was expressing my opinions and I have every right to. And I grew up LDS and stand by what I said about the religious connection in my prior post.
I numbered my responses with your remarks.
1.And yes, religion does connect the two areas in a large way as does the proximity. You mentioned an NBA team. Who cares? Sports are not everything and besides Boise is not lacking when it comes to sporting teams.
The shopping is a personal opinion; in my opinion Boise has just as much to offer as far as shopping as the Wasatch area. You have stores we don't have, we have stores you don't have. Boise is full of high end boutique stores downtown and has a completely different atmosphere than downtown Salt Lake. I don't mean this in a rude way because each city has it's own "feel or vibe". The retail market in the Boise Metro Area is expanding at one of the fastest rates in the county. And just because you live in a larger metro area does not mean "there is more to do".
I can find just as "much to do" in the Boise metro as your metro.
Idaho Falls will always have a connection to Utah because of geographical location. I was just expressing another point of view I have.
2. You mention Park City. Boise has a ski resort straight up the mountain above downtown. Bogus Basin is one of the closest ski areas to a major airport and urban downtown in this country. It may not be swanky but it is a great mountain for quick access to quick skiing with awesome views and has one of the largest night skiing areas in the nation. And during ski season Boise is a ski resort city in it's own right. A person can ski at Bogus, and then golf (weather permitting- which is most of the year in Boise) or fish for trout or sockeye in the Boise River right in downtown or visit the many art galleries downtown. Downtown is like an extra, extra large and more diverse downtown Ketchum or Park City when Bogus Basin is open during ski season. The rest of the year when the weather is warmer downtown is even more alive and full of sidewalk dining and events.
But the resorts we have within a 2 hour drive and the scenery along the way and their locations (Sun Valley, McCall, Tamarack, Brundage) are extremely beautiful areas that many people from outside of Idaho the rest of the United States and plenty of foreign tourists visit. Boise is the gateway to some pretty expansive wilderness areas and mountain biking, hiking, whitewater, and are all within easy access to our very nice, very busy, and growing airport. Boise has the mountains, forests, deserts, and canyons nearby and also has a booming economy. Boise and the metro area are one of the fastest growing areas in the country and you definately see that living here.
3. Utahn's are moving to the Treasure Valley and it is evident from the number of vehicles with Utah plates on the roads And the comments I hear at Albertson's or the Boise Co-op--"they have wine at grocery stores?!" "I don't have to go to the liqour store?!"
4. Boise has two of the most advanced hospitals in the Northwest/Mountain West. Saint Alphonsus, Boise's Catholic Hospital, is the most advanced hospital in Idaho hands down. Saint Lukes in downtown has the only Children's hospital in the state and is also home to the Mountian West Tumor Institute.
5. Go visit Sun Valley or McCall or Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains or any scenic highway leading north out of Boise. You will see plenty of Utah vehicles.
A lot of Boise companies have invested in the Wood River Valley, McCall/Tamarack areas, Coeur d'Alene and out of state. Finally they are investing more in Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho.
6. N.2.I.F., I can guarantee you that there is a impressive religious diversity in the Boise Metro population. For example in the downtown and immediate neighborhood areas there are many religions. Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, Korean Baptist, Methodist, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Baha'I, Eckankar, Friends, Christian Science, LDS, and more than I wish to list, and Boise has the oldest in use Jewish Synagogue west of the Mississippi. Boise also has the largest Basque population outside of their homeland. Boise has a large Catholic High School as well.
7. Don't even go there with the driving habits.
When I mention driving habits, It has nothing to do with population but has everything to do with driving skills and courtesy.
8. I am quite aware of Idaho Fall's and the rest of S.E. Idaho's growth. Remember I live in Idaho. Idaho Falls has one of the best historic downtowns in the state and is waiting to be re discovered, much like downtown Nampa.
9. I think your remarks are rude and childish. This is a quote from your post:
"I feel badly for you, Sawtooth, given what it sounds like you went through growing up". N.2.I.F. you are very out of line and a very demeaning person. You do not have a clue what my life was like growing up and all you have accomplished is confirming judgemental attitudes of a certain geographical populace. I was not taught anything in high school about labeling SE Idaho as you state. I grew up there (did u?) and have rights to my own perceptions.
I did not want to stoop to your level by comparing, as you did, but I responded back more as to educate you on what the Boise area has after you practically made it sound as if Boise barely exists. I am a native of Idaho, have left the state for the east and west coasts and returned back to this inspiring and incredibly beautiful state to settle in Boise. That doesn't mean I dislike Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls is a city with a lot of dignity and the people who live there and around it are very proud of their city. The natural surroundings are impressive. You are making personal attacks towards me to be-little me and you have no right. You do not own this thread
Talk about oppresion.
But, this thread is not about Salt Lake or Boise but about Idaho Falls development. So I would appreciate it that you do not reply back to me regarding this situation in this forum.
I have defended and explained myself so please do not continue this any further.
This thread is for Idaho Falls developments, and all I did was answer a question and offer my opinion which was asked about a perception of Idaho Falls.