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

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 endless red tape—you’re not alone. This post is written for people considering a move from California to the Boise, Idaho area who want to understand what truly sets Idaho apart.

Spoiler: it’s more than politics or affordability. It’s lifestyle, freedom, and homes designed to actually support how you live day to day.

My name is Curtis Chism. 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 freedoms you may not even realize you’re missing.

Space That Works for Real Life

One of the first things people notice when they arrive in Idaho is space—and not just open views. I’m talking about large lots, long driveways, usable side yards, and homes that aren’t stacked on top of one another.

In California, it’s common to see homes packed tightly together with limited parking and almost no yard. In Idaho, even entry-level homes often sit on quarter-acre lots. Head out to Star, Kuna, Middleton, or Nampa and you’ll regularly find homes on half-acre or full-acre lots, many with irrigation water or private wells.

That space isn’t just cosmetic—it’s functional.

Want to build a metal shop or a detached RV garage? Go for it. Builders here offer those options regularly, and many resale homes already have them. I recently helped a client purchase a home in Star with a 75-foot RV garage, one of the longest I’ve seen. Double RV garages, attached or detached, are not unusual here.

Whether you’re into car projects, need storage for work trucks, or just want your own dedicated hobby space, Idaho makes it possible.

Toys Aren’t Hidden in Idaho

In Idaho, outdoor toys aren’t hidden—they’re celebrated. Side-by-sides, snowmobiles, campers, trailers, dirt bikes, boats—people actually use them.

Driveways often double as staging areas, and no one blinks when you back in a 45-foot camper or park a snowmobile trailer on your property. In many areas without an HOA, you can build extra storage or simply park your toys on your land without fines or complaints.

Compare that with California, where everything 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. Raised garden beds, chicken coops, fire pits, pizza ovens, greenhouses, and outdoor kitchens are common sights.

My own backyard has apple trees, peach trees, raspberry bushes, and raised garden beds—and we live in Nampa, not out in the middle of nowhere. Even parts of Eagle, Star, and Kuna offer zoning and lot sizes that support a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

If you want to grow your own food, teach your kids where food comes from, or host long weekend bonfires with friends, Idaho makes that lifestyle realistic.

Homes Designed with Daily Living in Mind

Homes in Idaho are designed for real life. Walk-in pantries, oversized laundry rooms with sinks and counters, drop zones, bonus rooms, dens, and flexible layouts are often standard—not luxury upgrades.

Open-concept designs with split-bedroom floor plans are common, making it easier to work from home, host guests, and still maintain privacy.

Compare that to many California homes where laundry lives in the garage, closets are tight, and dining rooms double as offices. In Idaho, homes are built to support family life, hobbies, and work under one roof.

And the price difference is significant. In many Treasure Valley communities, you can find a 3,000+ square foot home with four bedrooms, a bonus room, a three-car garage, and a half-acre lot for under $600,000. That’s nearly impossible to replicate in California without a massive commute or seven-figure budget.

Peace and Quiet You Can Feel

Many people don’t realize how noisy life was until they move somewhere quiet. In Idaho, nights are often filled with crickets, the occasional distant coyote, or complete silence.

There’s less traffic, fewer sirens, and no constant helicopter noise overhead. That calm is why outdoor living spaces matter so much here—covered patios, string lights, fire pits, and long dinners outside are part of everyday life.

Neighborhoods are designed for connection and calm, with loop streets, walking paths, and parks instead of endless rows of tightly packed rooftops.

A Home That Respects Your Rights

Idaho is a gun-friendly state, and for many people relocating from California, that difference is immediately noticeable.

Open carry and concealed carry without a permit are legal. There’s no waiting period to purchase a firearm, and many homes are built with safe rooms or vault spaces. If you choose to obtain a concealed carry permit, it can allow you to bypass future background checks when purchasing.

Compared to California’s complex and constantly changing laws, Idaho’s clarity provides peace of mind and simplicity.

The Hot Springs Lifestyle

One of Idaho’s most unique lifestyle perks is access to natural hot springs. These aren’t luxury resorts—they’re real, undeveloped springs tucked along rivers, in canyons, and deep in the forest.

Kirkham Hot Springs – Waterfalls and pools next to the Payette River
Goldbug Hot Springs – A hike leads to mountaintop soaking pools
Boat Box – A quirky metal tub right along the river
Burgdorf Hot Springs – Snowmobile access in winter, soak under the stars
Trail Creek – Forest pools with adjustable temperatures
Gold Fork – Multi-tiered pools ranging from hot to cool

These aren’t gated experiences. You pack a towel, hike in, and soak. It’s a simple pleasure that becomes part of everyday Idaho living.

Adventures That Start at Home

In Idaho, your home isn’t just where you sleep between trips—it’s your launchpad. Float the Boise River. Camp in McCall. Hike the Sawtooths. Ride side-by-sides in the Owyhees. Ski, fish, hunt, bike, or snowmobile depending on the season.

No six-lane highways. No brutal traffic. Just load up and go.