21 Sep, 2021
Why are we leaving California? Let me count the ways…
Is it cheaper to live in Idaho?
OK, so many people have asked me why we chose Idaho, why we chose to leave the place where my kids grew up, and why we chose to start from scratch…let me try to explain…
THE BACK STORY. I grew up in North New Jersey, moved to Honolulu, Hawaii my senior year of high school, and then moved to California in 2006. Art was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. All of our children were born in Honolulu and when we moved to California, they were ages, 9, 5, and 3. My parents and brother remain in Honolulu. Art’s immediate family was in Northern California already. We picked California because it was close enough that I could return to visit my family and Art’s parents could help with childcare if needed. We had visited California several times before to visit with Art’s family, Disneyland, San Francisco, and Yosemite. We loved the country feel of the foothills of Yosemite and shopped for houses in late 2005.
Real estate inventory was incredibly low at that time and it seemed like every house we found was either already in escrow or lasted only days on the market, worse than the current real estate climate in 2021. There were less than 10 houses that met our criteria at any given time during our search. We settled on a 3 bedroom 2 bath manufactured house on acreage. We had no prior knowledge of manufactured homes or what it took to buy one. They have a VIN# and are considered moveable even if it is on a permanent foundation and so insurance was an issue, but they accepted our offer and it was in escrow.
MOVING TO CALIFORNIA. We arrived in May 2006 and after several delays, the house fell out of escrow and we found our current house. I believe that everything happens for a reason. The original house we had planned to move into was shrouded in difficulties and at the time, despite what the owner had said to us, I suspect that they were not ready to sell. If something is so hard to hold onto, it probably was not meant to be. We found another house almost right away, our offer was accepted, and it was in escrow. Easy…was meant to be. Hobbyhomefarm started here with us joining 4-H.
4-H was such a blessing for us. [4-H is an extracurricular club for ages 7-19 available in all 50 states. Many people think 4-H is just for farm kids and about animals, but it can be so much more. It can be community Service, sewing, cooking, archery, shooting sports, horses, Arts & Crafts, Robotics, Public Speaking, camps, and Leadership. Check your local county 4-H office for more info.] It nurtured our children’s love of animals, taught them responsibility and how to work with others, provided community service opportunities, and we learned how to raise livestock and our own food. Our homestead went from a few animals to loads. We have raised almost every species here: sheep, goats, pigs, horses, llamas, poultry (chickens and turkeys), and cattle. We learned to raise our own meat and how to butcher. This was hard at first, but has become a lifestyle. We love all of our animals and they are treated humanely from birth to freezer. This is not for everyone, but where do you think meat comes from? I have heard people say, “Duhhh…meat comes from the store.” Well Yes, it does, but a farmer raised that animal. We know how our animals grew up, what they ate, kept them free of unnecessary medications, and how they were processed. Can you say the same for the meat in the store? Do you know for sure that your animal wasn’t old or sick at the time of processing? We know everything about each animal and we like having fresh meat that we know is clean and raised healthy and humanely.
We purchased an RV to stay in twice a year for county fairs (a week each time) where my kids showed their animals. Another great purchase. We also used our RVs to travel and as of today, we have visited or driven through 29 states. We are currently on our 3rd RV so if you are looking for one, my advice to you is to go to RV shows and showrooms and search for what will work best for you. Look at who will be using it, how much space you will need, are you able to safely transport/drive it, if it is a towable will your truck be able to tow it, storage space, features, and the floorplan layout. Slides increase the living space by a lot and I would not consider one without one for us; it can almost double the width of your living space. And then…DO NOT SETLLE…go find exactly what you want, it is out there! If you don’t, you will probably not be happy. You might end up trading it in and wasting money in the process. If you buy a used one, know what features it comes with. We bought a used one that should have had an awning, we did not know (and the seller did not disclose) that it had ripped off. The roof ended up leaking very badly and it was a complete loss. The 2nd one was adequate at the time, but our kids grew and then it was way too small. The first 2 did not have slide-outs. Our current one is a 5th wheel with a slide-out and we have used it for almost 15 years and in North Idaho, we will live in it until our house is built. It was moved to North Idaho last month. It has travelled cross country and it has housed guests at our house. It was always packed and ready to go with non-perishables, ‘RV’ clothes and linens in case we had to evacuate for fire. After each trip, all clothes and linens were laundered and replaced.
WHY DID WE CHOOSE IDAHO? We travelled 29 states in our RV. At first, it was a way to see the USA and all the great things America has to offer. One of my goals, is to visit all the National Parks in my lifetime, a goal that was shared with me from my childhood friend Amy many years ago. I started thinking about leaving CA about 5 years before we purchased Idaho land in 2018. I researched online to find information on demographics, things to do, healthcare, jobs…all that. Schools will no longer be an issue because we do not have young children anymore. I want a climate that is more cold than hot, snow is OK, but scorching summers is not. I looked at natural disaster areas and insects (I am not a fan of bugs!). I have no problem with wildlife as we have lots of it here in northern CA. I wanted to live on the water or have a pond on property. I want space to grow my own fruits and veggies and perhaps, raise some animals.
After much research, my first thought was Coeur D’Alene (CDA). It looked like it had everything I wanted. In my mind, it was Bass Lake (a lake near me) but bigger with a hopping social life and small lake town feel. I wanted a large property on the lake. In my searches, I found affordable options. Next, we visited…well, CDA was more like Fresno, CA. It was a much much larger city than I had thought. Properties near the lake were either too expensive or the land in our price range was unbuildable. I am adaptable so I always look at ways to adapt, how I can make it work?, but CDA was not for me. Next, Hayden. Next town over, but it is like Clovis is to Fresno…practically connected. I need more country. We ventured further north. Originally, I had not considered this area because it was getting farther away from the big cities for shopping and resources. We searched for any property with a minimum of 20 acres. Many were land-locked and were only accessible by going through another property – we did not like that. We searched and visited many properties for a week from morning until dark and we found our current land on the very last day, the very last stop. We had a local realtor who helped us find it and we are so happy. I don’t like to waste anyone’s time, especially mine, so we travelled and researched and our realtor, Jeremy from ReMax in Sandpoint gave us more to look at that I did not find. We only involved him when I had questions or needed access to the lot and then at the end for our offer. He recommended Mountain West Bank for our financing and that was all completed by phone and online. Done.
Our 20 acres is very close to the lake, but not right on it. We were lucky to have found this place in 2018 because shortly after, North Idaho real estate started booming and we probably couldn’t afford it at today’s prices. The secret was out, Idaho is a great place to live. This piece has no well or electricity. You can read my other Blogs to see how we are developing it now…
IDAHO, IS IT CHEAPER? ...OK, this is probably what you want to know and what you have kept reading to learn…
So far…FOOD/groceries are about the same. I shop in Sandpoint or Ponderay. I could go to CDA (45 minutes) or Spokane (1 hour 30 minutes) to save some money, but at this time, we don’t need to stock up, just what we need while we are there for a week or so. I like the local options such as Yokes Supermarket and Super1. Both of those have a grocery option as well as a fresh deli/bakery area where we frequent to eat. Comparable to VONS/Safeway in California, but better in my opinion. There is a Safeway in Sandpoint and a Walmart in Ponderay also. In my opinion, food is about the same cost or maybe even a bit more expensive.
GAS, definitely cheaper. I would say on average, about 20cents cheaper per gallon, depending on where you go. I always use the app Gas Buddy to find good gas prices. I just started using the GetUpside app which advertises cashback, but find so far that you have to really search to find a better price. I have found a gas station to be cheaper on one occasion so far, but you pay whatever the rate is up front and then you get a cash back into your GetUpside account…and that rebate doesn’t always mean it is cheaper in the end. A lot of work just to save a few bucks. I’ll write more on this if it turns out to be more beneficial later.
HOUSING. Not cheaper. Rentals seems very expensive due to the low supply and high demand of all the people moving here. Hotels, same as CA. I used Hotels.com to get best rates, but now that my RV is here, I no longer need a hotel. Land and houses: In my opinion, prices are comparable or more in North Idaho compared to the foothills of the Sierras where I currently live. There was a time when it was cheaper, but not right now. Housing is booming everywhere and North Idaho was really blown up in interest. Inventory is available, but not necessarily affordable or cheap compared to where I live.
BUILDING MATERIALS. Home Depot, building supply stores, about the same. ROCK, definitely cheaper. To have gravel delivered to our house for our gravel driveway in CA is about $800/load. In North Idaho, it is on average $250 per 18 yard truckload.
UTILITIES. As of Sep 2022, PG & E is charging .30+/kWh depending on the usage time. It has been HOT this summer (though news states that it is average) and Flex Alert has been implemented meaning minimal water use recommendations and advisements to increase minimum temps on thermostats to conserve energy to prevent overloading the energy grid. Do you think everyone is being obedient and turning their thermostats to 85? or letting their gardens and lawn die? I doubt it. We installed solar on our CA house to help with the bill, but it hasn't been a year yet, so it's hard to say how much we have saved at this time. (I hear CA is trying to tax solar too - when does it end?) And with the directive for future electric cars only, well...how is that going to work when the current electric grid is already on the verge of collapse?
Idaho power, Northern Lights Inc, has charged us .08 -0.10/kWh, just a fraction of the cost of CA power.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE. In Central CA, I pay about $3600/year. This is currently a bargain and I have been a loyal State farm customer for 15+ years. New residents to my area are paying approximately $5000-10,000/year IF they are able to secure insurance. Some have no choice, but to pay for the CA Fair Plan which only covers the house and then a supplemental plan on top of that to cover all else.
Similar square footage house in North Idaho, I am paying $624 with the local State Farm agent, almost 1/6 of the CA cost.
FEED. Animal feed seems same or a bit more expensive.
AUTO REGISTRATION & INSURANCE. OK, this is another big savings. I was paying about $400/year on a 1998 1-ton truck. Changed over title and registration to Idaho, now $147 a year (which includes a $10 state parks and boat ramp pass). I was paying $148 a year on the RV, now $67. Insurance on both of these was $740 for 6 months, insurance in Idaho came with a friendly Welcome to Idaho email and lowered my rate to $291 for 6 months....update 9/2022, changed over to State Farm Auto insurance, I now pay $98/mo for 3 cars and a RV!
JOBS and WAGES. If you are coming from California and have a great job and great wages, BEWARE! North Idaho is a great move for lifestyle, but depending on where you are coming from, may not be as affordable as you think. Jobs are plentiful. As of this writing, there are loads of restaurant and retail jobs. There are help wanted signs everywhere. It is common to see stores with signs saying Drive through only due to lack of help. Same for deliveries, times are long because they don’t have help. Hopefully, this will turn around as more people get back to work…IMHO Government stimulus checks should assist people to get by, not completely provide everything so they lose their interest to provide for themselves if they are able. I understand that East Washington has better wages and some people commute. As more people move to the area, undoubtedly, more services and businesses will be needed and more jobs will be available.
I will keep updating this info and will note the date of changes as things evolve for us, so check back. There are some things that are not money based, but better. In general, the people are definitely overall friendlier and more welcoming. We are a mixed race, non-white couple and have not had any negative interactions thus far. This shouldn’t have to be mentioned, but at the same time, it is of concern for some people and it does matter in some parts of the country. CDA had a history of White Supremacy persons and culture, but I do not see or hear any part of that so far. (Note: my area of the Sierra Foothills had a huge Klu Klux Klan rally the weekend we moved here and it was being followed by law enforcement who intervened and I have not had many negative interactions here either). In my opinion, California as a welfare and asylum state is crippling their residents. There are those who truly need aid and then there are those living off the backs of others. Hard work is not awarded and crime is
not punished severely enough to curtail recurrence. Since the Covid pandemic, crime has been visibly on the rise. Much more to say on the state of things, but I’ll leave that for you to research on your own because my opinions are just my opinions…and I have many.
In SUMMARY…Comparing California (Sierra foothills) to Northern Idaho: (updated September 2021)
Item Cost in CA Cost in Idaho
Food/Groceries About the same
GAS About 20cents less/gal
Building materials:
lumber About the same
Gravel delivered $800/18 yard load $250/load
Utilities TBD
Homeowners Insurance $3600 $624
Animal feed Hay is about 1/2 cost per bale,
bagged feed seems slightly higher
Auto Registration
1-ton truck $400 $98 5th wheel RV $148 $67
Auto insurance
Truck and RV $740/6 mo
truck, minivan, SUV, RV $98/mo State Farm Idaho
Real estate North Idaho is higher priced compared to the Sierra foothills
This is our personal savings and they may be less for you and your situation, but there is undoubtedly some savings here. ….and By the way, the Feeling of FREEDOM IS PRICELESS : )
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