Fall view outside my office window
The dichotomy that is Idaho may be best illustrated by a state divided into two time zones.
- Most of Idaho is on Mountain West time
- Northern Idaho lives under Pacific time
This is but one example of Idaho’s uniqueness.
Ancient History
In 1975, I followed my parents, our family dog, and two of my younger siblings from Ohio to Utah. There we split and went our separate ways. My family headed towards Boise, Idaho.
I traveled to northern California with my few treasures filling my AMC Hornet Hatchback. Boy, am I dating myself.
Original Print Ad – mine was blue
In a circuitous route, I ended up spending nearly 25 years on southern California beaches.
After my Dad passed away, I moved in with my Mom in Idaho in late 2009. As you can imagine, Idaho and southern California are a bit different.
Perhaps the most noticeable – well, besides the major lack of any ocean – was the business environment.
Not Business as Usual
Before moving to Idaho, I started my own business writing company.
One of the first things I smacked up against was the slow internet speed.
- In 2011, Idaho was ranked #1 – for the SLOWEST internet speed
- Not a distinction most crave in today’s digital world
Fortunately, connection improved when I signed on for a business account last year with my Internet service provider. I guess they were storing up the big juice.
The next thing I noticed was the lower cost of living. Not exactly a revelation that Idaho runs lower than California.
But, I also found that my writing fees were not a good match for most Idaho businesses. To be fair, my fees are not a good fit for most small businesses just starting out.
An Entrepreneur article shared an infographic of Which State is Best for Small Business.
Idaho received an A+ rating.
Sounds good until you consider a recent article in the Idaho Statesman that reports Idaho led the nation in the percentage of hourly workers who earn minimum wage.
Average wages are headed in the wrong direction. According to the article, Idaho’s average wages in 2010 fell to 76% of the national average (compared to 88% in 1977 – shortly after family members moved here).
Few Local Connections
I’ve met with a few local businesses, but I have no Idaho clients.
I am okay with that as the great thing about my business is location does not matter.
It does make me smile when I think of a self-professed guru who insists I should be marketing myself as a Boise business writer so I can improve my Google ranking locally.
I love Idaho, but I am doing just fine, thank you.
I do use local businesses – like the great Boise web design specialists, Thrive Web Design, who created my business site’s logo.
I like supporting our community.
Not All Work
There is plenty to appreciate about Idaho.
The state has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. In a future post, I’ll share the Play side of Idaho.
In the meantime, my internet connection is calling.
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Live…Laugh…Love
I’d much rather play in Idaho than try to charge what I charge here on the eastern side of the country. 🙂 Great point about how each region has a ceiling on what’s considered a high rate. That’s why we thrive as freelancers — we charge based on what our highest-paying client can afford (most times, anyway). I work with a few businesses in my region (not terribly close, but within an hour or two by car). What I charge for them compares to what I charge nationally. It’s location — they’re in a higher-priced area.
However, I still get some who watch every penny like they’d minted it personally.
I’d much rather play – period, Lori. 😉 My Dad had a favorite saying ~ it’s all relative.
This is also a testament for forging your own path and ignoring self-professed gurus. 😉
Thanks for stopping by, Lori.
Interesting story Cathy,
My state has two time zones too.
70% of Florida is in the eastern time zone the western edge also called the pan handle is in the Central time zone.
One thing I know I like about Idaho is those delicious potatoes
Hey I’ll trade you some oranges?
LOL, Darnell! Unfortunately, my body seems to have an aversion to oranges or acidic fruit. Another funny tidbit ~ the best Idaho potatoes are shipped out of the state.
Thanks for dropping by, Darnell.
Cathy, I traveled through southern Idaho in May of 2011 on my way back from a trip to southern Utah. Very beautiful part of the country!
Thanks, John. Now that you are in Oregon, you should check out northern Idaho, too – beautiful as well. Thanks for stopping by, John.
Cathy, dare I tell you that we’d entertained notions of retiring to northern Idaho? Not sure if he’s still feeling it, but I love the great outdoors MUCH more than suburbia. I’ve heard how stunning it is up north of you. Wouldn’t take anything to convince me. 🙂
The campus of the University of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene is beautiful. Me, I prefer beaches, but I do love the beauty of Idaho.