Let me point out that Pocatello, once the Meth Lab Capital of Idaho and bordering states, has REALLY lost the title since the FMC plant closed. That plant used to produce elemental phosphorous, necessary for making meth.

While meth is around here, it's no more prevalent now than it is in other places. Little of it is locally made anymore.

Just don't kid yourself into thinking that your dream place exists, because it doesn't. You'll have to compromise -- just as life itself is a compromise, just as you compromise every day just to stay alive.

We had a terrible murder here a couple weeks ago; a 16 year old was stabbed to death. Within a couple days the police had two of her classmates in custody (both male) and, apparently, a pretty airtight case. This was the first, and so far only, murder this year or last (I think). The cops did shoot and kill a wanted violent sexual felon who was in violation of his parole; he opened fire and three cops responded; a cop was hit in the leg as well. Again, a rare occurence.

Overall, this is a good place to live. Many places are. But you can't escape the bad and the ugly, either.