Should You Move to Boise Idaho? What You’ll Actually Get in 2025

by Curtis Chism - Idaho

Making the Move for Freedom, Space, and Lifestyle

If you've ever dreamed of soaking in a natural hot spring under the stars, owning a home with space for your RV, garden, chickens—and doing all of that without asking permission from an HOA or navigating red tape—you’re not alone. This blog is for people just like you who are considering a move from California to the Boise, Idaho area and wondering what really sets it apart. Spoiler: it’s more than just politics and affordability. It’s lifestyle, freedom, and homes designed to actually match how you live.

My name’s Curtis Chism, and after leaving San Diego with my wife and three kids, I built a new life here in Idaho. Today, I help families across the country do the same as one of the top relocation real estate agents in the Treasure Valley. In this post, I’ll show you what life really looks like here—from how homes are built, to how weekends are spent, to the everyday freedoms you probably don’t even realize you’re missing.

Space That Works for Real Life

One of the first things you'll notice in Idaho? Space. And not just wide-open views. I’m talking big lots, long driveways, usable side yards, and homes that aren’t pressed up against each other. In California, it’s common to see homes packed in tight with barely room to park. But in Idaho, even entry-level homes often sit on quarter-acre lots. Head out to Star, Kuna, Middleton, or Nampa and you’ll see homes on full acre lots—many with access to irrigation or even well water.

And that space isn’t just for show. You want to build a metal shop or detached RV garage? Go for it. Builders here offer those options regularly, and resale homes already have them built in. Just recently I helped a client buy a home in Star with a 75-foot RV garage—the longest I’ve seen yet. Whether you're into car projects, need storage for work trucks, or just want your own man cave, it's doable. In fact, double RV garages—attached or detached—aren’t uncommon.

Toys Aren’t Hidden in Idaho

In Idaho, outdoor toys are part of the lifestyle, not something you hide. Side-by-sides, snowmobiles, campers, trailers, bikes, boats—people actually use them. Driveways double as staging grounds, and no one blinks when you back in your 45-ft camper or park your snowmobile trailer outside. In many places without an HOA, you can build extra storage or simply park your toys on your land without getting fined or hassled.

Contrast that with California, where every toy has to be tucked away or stored off-site. In Idaho, you live from your home—not around its restrictions.

Backyard Living: From Gardens to Chickens

Idahoans use their yards. It’s common to see raised garden beds, chicken coops, fire pits, pizza ovens, greenhouses, and even goat pens in some areas. My own backyard has apple trees, peach trees, raspberry bushes, and a couple of raised beds—and we live in Nampa, not way out in the country. Even parts of Eagle, Star, and Kuna offer lot sizes and zoning that allow you to live a little more self-sufficiently.

Want to grow your own food? Teach your kids how tomatoes grow? Host weekend bonfires? In Idaho, your backyard is part of your lifestyle—not just a patch of decorative grass.

Homes Designed with Daily Living in Mind

Homes here are built with actual life in mind. Think walk-in pantries, oversized laundry rooms with sinks and counters, drop zones, bonus rooms, and extra dens. These aren’t upgrades—they’re standard in many new builds. And open-concept layouts with split-bedroom floor plans? You’ll see them everywhere.

Compare that to California where laundry might be in the garage, closets are tiny, and your dining room doubles as a home office. Here, you can work from home, host guests, and still have space for your hobbies.

And the best part? You can get all this—3,000+ sq ft, four beds, bonus room, three-car garage on a half-acre—for under $600K in many Treasure Valley communities. Try finding that in California without a two-hour commute or million-dollar price tag.

Peace and Quiet You Can Feel

You don’t realize how noisy life was until you live somewhere quiet. In Idaho, it’s common to hear crickets at night, coyotes in the distance, or… nothing at all. Less traffic, fewer sirens, no buzzing helicopters—it’s just peaceful. That calm is why outdoor living spaces matter so much here. Covered patios, string lights, fire pits, and long dinners outside—they’re all part of everyday life.

Neighborhoods are often designed for connection and calm. You’ll find loop streets, walking paths, and parks—not endless rows of packed-in rooftops. It’s an entirely different pace of living.

A Home That Respects Your Rights

Here’s a big one: Idaho is gun-friendly. Whether you're a sportsman, a collector, or simply believe in the right to self-defense, you’ll find the laws here refreshingly simple. Open carry and concealed carry (without a permit) are legal. There’s no waiting period to purchase a firearm, and many homes include built-in safes or vault rooms.

If you choose to get a concealed carry permit, it can even help you bypass future background checks when purchasing. In contrast, California’s gun laws are complicated and constantly changing. In Idaho, it’s just a normal part of life—and that clarity brings peace of mind.

The Hot Springs Lifestyle

Let’s talk about one of Idaho’s best-kept secrets: natural hot springs. These aren’t resorts or spas (though we have those too). I’m talking about real hot springs—along rivers, tucked into canyons, and carved into cliffs.

Here are a few local favorites:

Kirkham Hot Springs – Waterfalls meet hot pools next to the Payette River.
Goldbug – A stunning hike leads to mountaintop pools.
Boat Box – A quirky metal tub right on the riverbank.
Burgdorf – Snowmobile in during winter and soak under the stars.
Trail Creek – Forest pools with heat-adjustable temps.
Gold Fork – Multi-tiered pools ranging from hot to cool.

These aren’t gated-off experiences. They’re part of everyday Idaho living. Pack a towel, hike out, and soak. Simple as that.

Adventures That Start at Home

Living in Idaho means your home isn’t just a place to crash between weekend getaways—it’s your launchpad for year-round adventure. Float the Boise River. Hike the Sawtooths. Camp in McCall. Ride your side-by-side through the Owyhees. Hunt, fish, ski, snowmobile, bike. And the best part? It’s all nearby.

No brutal traffic. No six-lane highways. Just hop in and go.

Ready to Build Your Idaho Life?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s the life I want”—I get it. I’ve been there. I made the move with my family, and now I help people like you every single day do the same. Whether you’re nine days, 90 days, or two years out, I’m here to help you: