Boomtown: Tracking the growth in North Idaho

From bigger cities like Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls to smaller ones like Rathdrum, growth in North Idaho is booming. In this KREM 2 News Boomtown special, we look closely at how the growth affects housing, transportation, jobs, and more.
More Boomtown coverage: www.krem.com/boomtown
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[@Sk-el5yf]

Its disgusting. No responsible growth at all. The roads are not meant for this level of traffic. Greedy developers and city council members are ruining the serenity of the area.

[@georgecuster527]

People moving here for that north Idaho freedom .

[@dizzug4058]

look at treasure valley it is the absolute worst area in Idaho for Traffic, crime, etc. they beauty of Idaho is not only the land it's our overall size. Sad to see that our values as a state are changing to money over everything.

[@HabeasJ]

Trees and pastures > suburbs and pavement

[@timbuckxxi9690]

Just wait till they start putting in low income govt-subsidised apartments..Stop this developer greed now ! It will get messy..

[@bunglerat]

This is a tricky issue. 20 years ago my wife and I decided to move to a semi-quiet Australian coastal community to raise our family. It was beautiful. Except that over the next decade, the beloved 'small town charm' was trashed by a massive influx of people and subsequent development. On one hand it was heartbreaking. But on the other, who were we to hold resentment towards others for simply wanting to embrace that same lifestyle as we did? In the end it's just life. No matter where you are, you can't stop progress... 🤷🏼‍♂

[@raybaker8726]

I did appliance and refrigeration repair in those areas for 5 years up until Aug of last year. I can tell you it is growing wildly. Rathdrum was the city I wanted to retire in. Couldnt find a house there I could afford. When I did find a couple, Id put in a bid and instantly be out bid. I accepted a job with a company in way up Northwest Washington. I miss the place.

[@Bettinasisrg]

In 30 years we've gone from zero traffic lights to more than I can count!

[@noturningbackever493]

Hey Brian Rogers! Nice to see someone else move out of super congested, sardine packed New Jersey. Our home state--we moved out 11 years ago. #1 reason? TAXES. #2 reason? VERY densely populated. #3 reason? A lot of people moving down from northern New Jersey and New York. It is not going to get better. Our own town went from 15,000 in the 60s to 35,000 in the mid 80s to now SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND and counting. Since we're from the Jersey Shore, the population in the summer months increases to about 125,000--and that's just our town alone. Now we live in SC and are experiencing the same growth as this report. NO ONE told us that down the street there's going to be another 450 homes, and about a mile away, another 300+ homes. Instead, the town planners just pushed the developments through--without the public being able to vote on it. Seems to be like this everywhere. Just when you think you found a nice area, BOOM! they allow building. The highways, water, sewer systems, schools, etc. are not in the position to take on all this "progress" of new homes and sadly they didn't think of that.

[@Bettinasisrg]

I've lived in N.Id on and off all my life (I'm 54) and in my town there was a U of I extension piece of land in Sand Creek which goes into lake Lake Orielle and everyone used it to walk dogs, frisbee golf, cross country skiing etc. The city was offered to buy it for a park but they opted to sell to a development company (out of town) that subdivided into McMansions!! It really is sickening. The poor guy surveying was getting death threats! I am sad and will probably move to a smaller town.

[@torylivingston8368]

Try Elk. Unless that is too massive. Your type seem to like boring places where animals out populate people.

[@DontUputThatEvilOnMe]

There is good and bad things about growth. But I don’t want Idaho to become too crowded it’s not even 2 mil people yet fyi and majority of those people live in the Boise area.

[@benschlotte8242]

Nothing to see here … stay where YOU are, if you do come… keep the politics that ruined YOUR state at home

[@DJones69]

Damn straight.

[@dannystranahan1004]

We need to bring more California values to Idaho you guys will thank us later.

[@Redneck_Wizard]

@@dannystranahan1004 If you love California values so much then live there.

[@dannystranahan1004]

@@Redneck_Wizard I do live in California. However we need to help Idaho understand California values that's why we are going to move there and help you guys out you'll thank us later.

[@fumble_brewski5410]

@@dannystranahan1004 Right, those same “values” that turned what was once the best place (back in the 70’s) to live, work and raise a family into a living nightmare of high crime, air pollution, rampant homelessness, sky high taxes, political corruption and unaffordable housing. You mean those “values,” holmes?

[@wendysuemclean4111]

If we keep building housing where will our crops come from

[@rcmccas]

I'm ok with growth...just not as fast as what we are experiencing!

[@georgecuster527]

Freedom !

[@SaltShack]

Agree with it or not it’s un-American to begrudge a family farmer who’s been scratching out a living from the earth from becoming a millionaire. And, if it’s un-American it’s not Idahoan. If you want to know what’s happening next door to your would be new home go to the municipality’s planning department and ask. If you don’t you simply can’t complain sitting in on your 7500 sq ft lot then acting surprised when the farm next door develops. Don’t like it move back to where you came from. Been there for generations sell and take your profits to, salmon or Montana. Don’t want the farm next door to develop, well you can or you and our neighbors can by it!

[@user-gh6ri4og2x]

Pushing nature out of existence!

[@ulfhedknarthedestroyer1753]

Give it 5 years and you will see tumbleweeds here

[@Zyworski]

If Washington institutes a state tax it sure would.

[@jadestarr7153]

it's absolutely ruined . can't enjoy the lake theres no where to hunt. housing for the working class is non existent. I left 2 yrs ago and don't regret it

[@georgecuster527]

We are loving this north Idaho freedom . I got 6 other friends bringing their families for the freedom ! Might have to start buying some land .

[@brandiil8559]

Beware of the wolves in sheep clothing. We have plenty of Libturds here that want to turn Idaho into another California.

[@artyberkhoff8878]

Yup just add to the problem.

[@jerseattle0722]

Seriously, the audio is not functioning correctly.

[@torylivingston8368]

Lady moves from Monroe to Rathdrum. How is C'DA any different than Monroe? They look the same to me.

[@Zyworski]

I think that a trans-state high-speed rail system from Couer D' Alene to Fairchild AFB needs to be put in, or some variation of that. I have been pushing high-speed rail for the last 20 years and it gains no traction with the locals but there are now so many out-of-state people that know what is going on that the idea may take root.

[@torylivingston8368]

Nobody wants any growth, they want everything to stay the same, like boring life, nothing new and exciting, Spokane to look like it still in the 1970's, yet everyone is calling it "Boomtown." I visit there from Seattle every year, it still looks the same, so I am not sure what everyone is whining about? You guys could use some extra homes on those empty lots people are putting up tents on, or is that too much growth?

[@angelatownsend2417]

I'm not from Idaho, but where are all these people coming from? When I'v moved it was because of either school or work. Why are people pouring in?

[@torylivingston8368]

It used to be so small here...it still is guys. It's not big over there. You must be confusing Eastern WA with Western. Seattle's population (NOT METRO) rose from 742,400 in 2021 to 762,500 in 2022. That's an increase of 20,100 residents. The current metro area population of Spokane in 2022 is 456,000, a 0.88% increase from 2021 at 452,000. Spokane Metro, not city, goes up 4,000 people and it's a booming crisis. Give me a break guys.

[@BradPope-ph5tx]

People may not like expansion but in a capitalist country that’s just part of the deal. It’ll actually increase the value of the neighborhood.

[@Redneck_Wizard]

If you're liberal stay out.

[@nna1800]

Agreed

[@idaho_dreamin]

6800 to 10k isn't doubled

[@datsdylan007]

Don’t California my idaho

[@JC-hu3yj]

People live wherever they want… Don’t like it? Move 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@hilaryrichardson1076]

@@JC-hu3yj Move where? There isn't anywhere left to go.

[@hilaryrichardson1076]

Too late. Idaho is going to continue to explode. With this rate our population will more than double in the next 10 years. We need more hospitals and schools. Resources are way too thin.

[@datsdylan007]

@@hilaryrichardson1076 right democrats crew it all up

[@richardhauser8295]

We’ve been sold out by the politicians and developers combined. And as a part of this kind of accelerated expansion and growth will come, and has, with unbridled corruption.

[@milesboehmer9969]

Destroying the footprint in Idaho !

[@spellmadam2947]

It's becoming the same type of area the newcomers wanted to get away from.

[@jimmya5856]

Go away.

[@meganmclaughlin9056]

Karen has a problem

[@charmonaghan4175]

No liberals please!

[@JC-hu3yj]

People move wherever they want no?🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TastyBadger]

Adopt the Idaho lifestyle or stay away.

[@brockreynolds870]

"We were just trying to find some moral values that we agreed with".... it's REALLY sad when people decide to uproot their lives and move to another state so you can agree on POLITICS with your neighbors. Why would people do this? I don't give 2 craps what my neighbors are like, as long as they aren't criminals

[@shegone911]

That lady had no idea because she is an unplugged republican

[@JC-hu3yj]

Idaho has lots lands. With remote work, let’s move more inner city Californians there!! Don’t forget section 8 housing too! 😅

[@gregorystinette8271]

We need some section 8 development there too.

[@timbuckxxi9690]

DON'T invite that B.S...

[@gregorystinette8271]

@@timbuckxxi9690/ dats rayciss

[@erik9151]

Section 8 lmao go get a job. Quit leaching off the government

[@manco828]

Nooooo