For some reason I've always thought it would be a good place to live. No particular reason. I've always wanted to go west and Idaho seems to always come to mind. What towns would have a good combination of work, education, affordable housing, and outdoor recreation? Any suggestions?

There are many places in Idaho that could fit your description, depends on your preference to live somewhere convenient, or somewhere small and secluded.

You can't go wrong with Idaho IMO ! Just don't go to Boise. The fastest growing city in America and the overwhelming majority of migrants are from California. NOT a good thing IMO

Went there in '82, came back here in '89 and miss it every day
It depends on what skills you have to offer employers?
I was a Machinist back in those days and had no problem finding decent paying jobs. We made parts for many factories.
Timber/logging/wood trim moulding, is big industry there too.
Truck drivers get work too.
You'd be wise to look on Indeed.com for work out there first
Libs have taken over Boise from what I hear unfortunately.

I love Stanley, ID. That whole area is gorgeous.

If you are a truck driver you can pick your job and be choosy. The problem out here is low wages, everybody needs workers, but it is hard to get a decent wage. I would stay away from the Sandpoint-Coeur D ' Alene area it is getting pretty liberal and spendy.

I am also a transplant to Idaho by way of Central Oregon. While I do like the Idaho Panhandle, wages are extremely low ($15/hour is considered very good pay here) while the cost of housing/living in general is skyrocketing upwards. I'm pretty sure that sooner rather than later I will be forced to move to another part of the state, such as SE Idaho, due to the rising cost of living and increasing population. I'd agree that unless you like the big city feel, I'd stay away from Boise.

16 years as an electrician. 90% industrial and commercial. 10% residential. 8 years welding, stick and mig. I've been doing mechanic work for a buddy of mine for the last 6 months. Certified rigger. OSHA 10 and 30.

I like welding repair and fabrication the best. Working on equipment would be second but I don't have as much experience doing that as I do in the other fields. I've always felt more comfortable in an industrial environment.

Small and secluded would suit me better as long as the work is there.

Prefer to be outside

I can’t tell you about employment, but I can attest that the Panhandle section is the prettiest country in the Lower 48. The St. Joe River Valley in particular.

I have enjoyed an adult beverage or 3500 in the rod and gun club as well as the mountain village in my youth.

I spent 39 years in Alaska and retired here 2 years ago. It is the best place in the country to be an outdoorsman. Wilderness with access. Awesome place.

Got a buddy that's looking for Electricians on the southeast side of the state, Teton Valley. Most of his work is done in Jackson, Wyoming but he lives just west in Teton Valley. Its incredible there and was my home for 12 years. PM me if you want to know more.

But you don't have to get more than 30 minutes east of that area to find a different,and more affordable world. Right now I'm trying to close a deal on piece of property not too far from Kellogg. The area is pretty affordable and for younger guys that need regular work it has quite a bit to offer for someone who can hustle, but like Sundance, said the wages aren't really high, but on the other hand the cost of living is lower than in high wage areas.
One nice thing about northern (pan-handle) Idaho is it's all fairly close to an international airport in Spokane Washington.

We have a government site here in SE idaho that employs all kinds of skilled people, do a search and see what kind of jobs are available.
Many small towns all around the area that are close to the outdoors, but still close to "town".

Just read the other day that they are going to reopen mining in Kellog

Motor out there and look around.

I have visited the Stanley area a couple of times and will echo what Sharon said; a beautiful area. Both rivers and mountains make it a great recreation area but I don't know about jobs. The problem with Idaho is what White said - refugees from Cali bringing their liberal thinking with them. They are fleeing the consequences of their politics, but still bring their politics with them to ruin another place. I heard the other day that 46% of the citizens of San Fran want to get out of San Fran, and where they say they want to go is to Texas and Idaho. The long term residents of Idaho, Wy, Mt, Utah, etc don't stand a chance against the numbers and $$$ of the Cali refugees. Ruination is on the horizon.

Kellogg area is a superfund site, they are spending billions trying to clean it up but there is years of mining and smelter pollution there. It is much better now, when I was a kid, there wasn't a tree on the hills because of the smelters. They still have waterfowl die offs in the spring when high water unearths more lead and zinc contamination. It is beautiful and the trees have grown back, a couple of the mines are running but the ore is super deep and it is an off and on thing.

How does Idaho compare cost of living with Charlottesville, va?

No idea, other then five years in the 80s when I was chasing my soon to be spouse, this is the only place I have ever lived. With the low wages most people work hard and don't have a lot of extras. On the other hand it is a beautiful area and state and local governments try to leave you alone. I bought my house 30 years ago probably couldn't afford to buy in my area now, national magazines keep naming it one of the ten best places to live in the U.S., but it is the only place for me.