From Hollywood to Rural ID

Bob Bagley was a California native, born and raised in Long Beach. He’s an accomplished producer, cinematographer and production manager that specialized in sports and entertainment television programs. He is passionate about the entertainment industry, but Southern California didn’t evoke the same emotion.

Bob told me in a recent conversation, “I was also frustrated by all the things that make living in a large city so depressing: the cost of living, travel time around the city due to traffic…and having neighbors who live less than 10 feet from you. Having said that, I did not know my neighbors and no one on the street or in local businesses would ever acknowledge, smile, or greet one another. The air was bad, the water tasted terrible, and rude self-centered people. I constantly marvel about exactly what all these people find so urgent to discuss on their cell phones, while driving, doing their make-up and juggling water bottles and Palm Pilots!”

So what did Bob do about it? He left Southern California for Mackay, Idaho (population 550). He’d been involved in a business partnership in Mackay that endeared him to the town. When he eventually realized that he could pursue his professional life in Mackay just as well as in North Hollywood he packed his bags. He says, “At the age of 62, I moved back to Mackay and have never regretted my decision…Life here is peaceful and serene. The people are friendly and warm. The air is clean and the water is crystal clear, better than anything you can buy in a plastic bottle. The cost of living is considerably less than Southern California. Life for me is good in Mackay.”

Bob isn’t just living in Mackay. He’s involved in Mackay. He helped form the Mackay Arts and Cultural Council that saved a local theater from foreclosure. He joined the Mackay Rodeo Association where he works with local youth. He occupies a seat on the city council where he’s involved with Mackay’s new business park and serves on the Lost River Economic Development Board. He’s hoping to use his expertise in production, marketing and advertising to accomplish great things for Mackay.

Mackay was a great town that attracted Bob Bagley. Bob Bagley is a great leader making Mackay attractive! Great people like Bob Bagley are leaving the cities everyday in search of a better life. That better life is in the agurbs®!