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I can certainly understand someone leaving Blackfoot because of the inability to make a living. It's a problem when an employer thinks that $2100/mo is a living wage for a main bread winner.

I can also understand someone moving from SanDiego to Chubbuck, purchasing a home 3 times larger with no mortgage. I see many who do just that. Bringing your business with you is a great idea and I think that many in this area who are making a "living" are those who are self-employed or are fortunate enough to work for the Federal Government. I live in Aberdeen, a population of 1800 and 30 miles south of Chubbuck/Pocatello. We have plenty of "space" out here to live. I always say "I'm 3 hours away from any where in the world"... once you're on the airplane out of SLC. 3 hours from SLC, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley or gambling in NV (if you feel the need). Our regional airport in Pocatello is actually affordable to fly out of now for the past few years, rather than having to make the drive to SLC. In reality, though, Idaho Falls appears to be the "hot spot" for new business and jobs.

I do see the influx of the "southern immigrants", as our town is now close to 50% hispanic. They are however, an integral part of our town as the majority of them are now homeowners and do stick around year-round... working the $6.00/hr potato warehouse jobs...a few do have their own businesses.

Idaho is a great State to live in, even though we don't have much say in our National political process. I'm hoping that the Sun Valley residents' political points of view do not bleed into the rest of the State, however.

The Sun Valley property owners are mostly non-resident ski bums. A few are Hollywood types that actually live in the area. Their numbers are small. They won't have much influence in numbers at the ballot box, but could skew the political landscape by bankrolling lefty politicians. More than a few Democrats have "switched" parties to get elected in Idaho, but kept voting like lefty Democrats. Plenty of political cronyism in the state as well.

I do see the influx of the "southern immigrants", as our town is now close to 50% hispanic. They are however, an integral part of our town as the majority of them are now homeowners and do stick around year-round... working the $6.00/hr potato warehouse jobs...a few do have their own businesses.

I just watched a business "folly" in Pocatello. The western outlet store next to Vicker's Western closed. It was remodeled into "Mundo Latino". Lots of money spent on a remodel. The proprietor obviously flunked marketing. The Spanish speaking population here is a subset of the 5% hispanic population. They are the low end of the income range. Why would you target a business at the smallest group with the least disposable income? The "going out of business" signs were posted just after Thanksgiving. They must have lasted 3 months from opening day to the decision to shutter the store.