Published August 25, 2020
Why is Everyone Suddenly Moving to Idaho? Top 5 Reasons
Why is Everyone Moving to Idaho?
It seems like everyone is rushing to move to Idaho. To many, this does not seem to make any sense. Are there not only potatoes and tractors there? What would bring so many city-savvy people to such a small town, rural state? Well, let's take a look at the facts first. Are there really that many people moving to Idaho? Who is moving there and where are they moving to Idaho from?
Hundreds of Thousands of People Have Moved to Idaho in the Past 5 Years.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau State-to-State Migration Flows data charts for the past several years, over 70,000 people have moved into the state of Idaho each year. Since 2015, people from Idaho’s surrounding states Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, and Nevada have flocked to Idaho. In 2017 however, Idaho suddenly began seeing thousands of people move in from California and the east coast of the United States. The statistics are amazing.
In 2017, Idaho began to see a influx of people moving in. Housing complexes began to pop up, farmland was converted into new communities, new schools were built, and the demographics of Idaho began to shift at a faster rate than before. 1,833 from Florida, 1,216 from Missouri, and 1,294 people moved from North Carolina to Idaho in 2017 alone. Even more shockingly, in 2018, Idaho suddenly saw 2,293 people move in just from the state of New York. Both years, the largest population increase came from California with just over 20,000 people each year--more than a quarter of the total movers who joined the people of the gem state. Though the Census Bureau has yet to post the results of the 2019 census, Idahoans claim that the rate at which people have moved into Idaho only increased in 2019, and many believe it has increased more rapidly in 2020. With the recent events seeming to impact the larger, more metropolitan areas, is there any wonder that people are making an exit?
So why Idaho? Why are people moving to Idaho? What is the draw? And should you consider moving to Idaho as well?
Here Are the 5 Biggest Reasons Why People Are Moving to Idaho
#5. Politics
Idaho is one of the most conservative and moderate states in the United States of America. For those seeking a political reprieve, Idaho stands at 40% conservative and 37% moderate, according to the World Population Review.
What makes Idaho better? Due to the nature of the voters in the state, there are lower taxes and fewer government regulations in topics such as employment and business. And, aside from the occasional awkward conversation in the supermarket about recent news, politics is not typically a prioritized subject of conversation for Idahoans. Because of their non-confrontational approach to social interactions, Idahoans strive to keep the peace. In fact, because Idahoans are generally highly opinionated, it is typical for the average Idahoan to avoid the topic of politics altogether, but be warned: once you get an Idahoan started, it is difficult to get them to stop talking. However, there is nothing to fear, Idahoans are generally curious and accepting people who appreciate balance and kindness, so they don't push their views until you do.
#4. Recreation
Idaho has a surplus of outdoor opportunities because of its many miles of undeveloped land and protected forests. What's more, Idahoans offer to be guides and rent out gear for the activities just to help you experience it all, so you don't have to be knowledgeable in order to participate. Due to Idaho's four distinct seasons, the activities available are always changing.
Spring activities include biking the back roads, fly fishing, horse back riding, sand boarding in the sand dunes, and hiking to the many natural hot springs.
With the summer heat, even more activities open up. You can do all the spring activities and then go hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, bouldering, zip lining, rafting, boating, jet skiing, paddle boarding, swimming, tubing, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, and star gazing. There are even hot air balloon rides, berry picking, and so much more.
During autumn, you can still do all the spring and summer activities, but hunting and harvesting also open up with even more opportunities.
Winter-time changes the spring, summer, and fall activities as snow flies. The snow makes way for skiing, snow boarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, ice fishing, snowman building, snowball fights, and even more winter sports.
#3. Slower, more relaxed lifestyle
Whether retiring to a comfortable little cottage in the countryside, or seeking a more fulfilling life that doesn't drain you of your personality and interests, Idaho offers a more desirable lifestyle than most other places. Likely due to the less developed areas and agricultural influence of this state, things are slower paced and people are not in such a rush. What's more, there is so much nature, that a peaceful meditation in the middle of a forest is just a drive away.
Due to the family-oriented environment in Idaho, getting ahead in a profession is not the ultimate goal, so businesses tend to be more laid back. Many professions in Idaho hold standard business hours, and many more give weekends and holidays off, which gives more time for other things. There is a larger level of patience practiced by most employers as well as customers and clients, so the work culture of Idaho is more relaxed and gives more opportunities for growth and accuracy. In the end, people who move to Idaho for work find they have more time in their lives to actually participate in the recreational activities available.
Slow, Sunday drives are of the most popular weekly activities for Idahoans. In Idaho, it is preferred to slow down and relax on Sundays, so families will go on bike rides, couples will go on the scenic drives, and individuals can been spotted taking walks of leisure. Since Idaho experiences season changes, plants change color, flowers bloom at different times, and there is almost always something new to see.
Residents and visitors will experience slower drivers and stricter speed limits, but with far less traffic than a metropolitan city and plenty of passing lines, getting where you need to go is fairly easy. The most bustling times are weekends and holidays, but even in the busiest seasons--such as Christmas--the traffic and environment of the biggest cities in Idaho still hold true to the relaxed culture found there.
#2. Vacation Turned into Permanent Residence
In 2017, the Snake River plain in Idaho was announced as one of the best places to witness the solar eclipse. Eastern Idaho started experiencing an influx in tourists. From Twin Falls to Idaho Falls to Driggs, small businesses reported talking to visitors from all over the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asian countries. Hotels and Airbnb's were packed and the campgrounds were full; some of the tourists booked places for an entire month preceding the 2017 eclipse event. There were so many people, that the regularly sparse traffic was bumper to bumper. Locals were relieved when the tourists finally all made their way back to their respective homes, but they did not expect that so many of the tourists would return to Idaho to live the lifestyle they had witnessed while there.
Since then, many tourists, initially drawn to Idaho by articles and blog posts about the recreational activities, farmer's markets, and national parks, end up vacationing in Idaho more than once and eventually buy a home there. Such a practice leads friends and family of those individuals to become curious and visit Idaho for themselves. Many are falling in love with the state, themselves, and choosing to move to Idaho to be close to their beloved vacationers.
#1. Cost of Living
It is well known that Idaho is a relaxed place to live, but not everyone knows that it is incredibly cheap to live there. Taxes are low and kept that way, and the average listing price for houses in Idaho Falls in 2020 is $293,533. According to Best Places, Idaho is below the U.S. average cost of living when it comes to most items. They are lower than average in the price of groceries, health care, utilities, transportation, and things such as clothing, restaurants, services, and entertainment. Rent is cheap, the job market is climbing, and small businesses price their items well. With the money one saves from lower property taxes, cheaper housing costs, free activities, and eliminating gas and time from commuting, money feels like it has more buying power in Idaho.
People have flocked to Idaho in droves, and it is only predicted that more will be drawn to this relaxed state in the coming years. Everyone is moving to Idaho. Will you be one of them?
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