The Sticks

I went to the doctor this morning for a regular checkup. He asked whether or not I was staying local for the foreseeable future. It was obviously a routine question. And I have answered it routinely so many times. But it was different this morning.

Um, no, actually. I'm moving in about a year.

Oh! Well, what takes you out of town? Is the job relocating you or is it a new job.

Neither. We are simply moving for an adventure. 

Really? Where are you moving?

Idaho.

Huh. (long pause) Are you going to homeschool?

Um,(?) actually I already do.

Ah, well that makes sense! You really want to experience a more rural lifestyle.

I could barely contain myself until the end of the appointment. Apparently all of Idaho is just one ginormous wild place. Unsettled and fierce, only the pioneering take their chances in its unsettled terrain. It's a good thing we already homeschool, because it will be nigh on impossible to expect any kind of civilized resources.

For the record:

Idaho Falls (the forerunner in claiming our citizenship) has a population of nearly 60,000 people with a population gain of over 12% between 2000 and 2011. My current home boasts less than 20k, and had a 21% population decline during that same time.

There are approximately 82 restaurants of distinct character in Idaho Falls. We have 42 in our town, but that includes Denny's and Subway.

A very cursory search for medical specialists reveals an easy handful of every type of doctor we currently use. Right now I have to drive at least 20 minutes to visit anyone besides my dentist and optometrist. This isn't necessarily because I prefer physicians from other towns. In most cases I have no choice because we have very few medical professionals.

But to be sure... not everything is bigger there. For instance, as of March 2012 the cost of living index (where the average US city is 100) was 105.2 in Marina. It was 88.2 in Idaho Falls.

Yep, we're moving to the sticks.