My Honest Review of Moving from San Diego to Boise, Idaho

I get asked all the time if I'm still glad that I made the move to Idaho. Now, after being here for a couple of years, I wanted to shoot this video to give you my honest review, feedback, and take on whether or not I'm still happy that I made the move to the Boise, Idaho area. Leaving my hometown in San Diego, California, was a huge change for my life, my family's life, and the way that we live. In this video, I'm going to break down whether or not I feel like it was a good decision to move here and if I'm still happy being in Idaho. This will help answer that question for you if you're considering a move from California.

The Decision to Leave San Diego

As I mentioned, I moved from San Diego, which is a really difficult place to leave. I help a lot of people move to Idaho from California because of all the political things going on, the super high cost of living, and just the general craziness. However, San Diego tends to be its own little enclave, making it difficult to leave because there's a lot going for it. The biggest thing, of course, is the weather. It was probably the number one thing holding me back from ever considering leaving San Diego. It has some of the best weather in the lower 48. You can't beat the beaches, and as we always say in San Diego, "It's just another day in paradise."

Why Idaho?

It was difficult to make the move to Idaho because of that and really to anywhere else. Ultimately, we realized that it made the most sense to move for more affordability, a better way of life, and a better place to raise my children. We are really glad that we made the move here to Idaho. I still think the biggest concern for anyone moving to Idaho is the weather and the unpredictability of it. The four seasons can be a big adjustment if you're not used to them. Now, I actually like the four seasons, but it does get really cold here in Idaho. It can get windy, and even if it's cold and there's no wind, it's not bad. But when the wind picks up, it is biting. So you need the right gear and clothing to go outside and still enjoy the outdoors.

Winter in Idaho

A lot of people are concerned about how much snow we get in the Idaho area. Honestly, it's only a couple of inches at a time, maybe 1 to 3 inches typically, overall less than 20 inches every year. However, every once in a while, you do get a big snowstorm. We had one this past January where we got about 2 feet of snow over four or five days. It was a lot of snow, but were people complaining about it? Not really. It was kind of fun. Normally, you get a little bit of snow, and then all of a sudden you get two feet of snow that sticks around for a week or two and then melts off. It's not the funnest thing to drive through. In fact, I was out doing showings during that snowstorm. I was able to get through it with no problem, but the people I was with got stuck and had to be pushed out.

Summer in Idaho

It also gets really hot here in the summertime. Last summer was more mild, but the summer before was really hot. When I first moved here, there were about six weeks of basically 100°+ every single day, ranging from about 100° to 107°, with a few relief days in the '90s. It was really, really hot. I was actually a little surprised because I didn't think that Idaho got that hot. I knew it could get warm, but I was like, "Man, did I just move to Phoenix or something?" That was shocking. Last summer was more mild, with a lot of days in the 80s and 90s and occasionally over 100 degrees. The sun is pretty intense here. Even though there's no humidity, it feels hotter due to the intense heat of the sun.

Spring and Fall in Idaho

I do enjoy the four seasons. Springtime is really interesting weather-wise. It's a little unpredictable; it can get windy, still be cold, and then warm up to be really pleasant. Typically, there are some beautiful, gorgeous days in April and May. Then, as June approaches, things start to heat up. Summer days are super long, with light lasting until about 10:30 at night. This allows for enjoying Idaho, camping, the river, and other outdoor activities for a long period. There are all kinds of festivals, parades, live music, and family-friendly events throughout the valley during the summer.

In the fall, you get the fall foliage and the colors changing on the leaves. It starts to cool down, and you get that nice crisp air. There are fun events like pumpkin patches, hayrides, and fairs. We love going to Low Family Farmstead in the fall, especially in October.

Finding Community in Idaho

Another thing we like about living in Idaho is that there are a lot of like-minded people here. It's a very conservative state with traditional family values and many churches. If you're looking for that, you'll find it very inviting and be happy you made the move. There are a lot of people moving here for health freedom, especially around the issue of vaccines and the lack of requirements for them in schools. It's important to find your tribe when you move here, whether that's through church, school, or other activities. Being intentional about meeting people helps avoid feeling isolated in a new state.

Outdoor Activities

We love all the outdoor activities in Idaho. We have an old camper trailer that we renovated, and we love going camping by rivers and lakes. You can Boondock or use campgrounds, and all these spots are a short distance away. The mountains are about an hour to two hours away, offering wonderful camping opportunities. Outdoor activities like fishing, power boating, and hiking are easily accessible. Coming from San Diego, we were used to having a lot of nature nearby, and that's a big thing about Idaho too.

Drawbacks of Idaho

One drawback in the Idaho area is the restaurant scene. There are restaurants, and some are really good, but there's not a lot to choose from compared to San Diego's fantastic brewery and food scene. Another thing to get used to is the types of homesites around here. You might find new build homes next to working farms or dilapidated buildings. You have to be okay with that mix.

Conclusion

In summary, am I happy living here? I really am. I've developed a good friend group, which takes effort, but we are so happy. We love our home, our friends, our church, and living in Idaho. If you're looking to move to Idaho, I am a real estate agent and help many people make the move here. Feel free to reach out to me via phone, text, or email. I'll help you through the process, whether you're 9 days, 90 days, or two years out.

Curtis Chism
eXp Realty
(208) 510-0427
curtis@chismteam.com