Idaho is one of my favorite states because of its beautiful landscapes, its rich farmland, and the laid back style of life. It’s also homesteading friendly, boasting more than 60,000 homesteads throughout the state.
As new homesteaders are searching for a place to establish their roots, I know a lot of questions come up and uncertainty may settle in. I hope this blog answers all the questions and concerns that you may be having if you are considering Idaho as the state to settle down in to start your homestead.
Idaho’s homesteading law can be found in Section 55, Chapter 10 of the Idaho Statutes. It serves to protect a person’s permanent dwelling place (including a mobile home) during times of financial crisis.
Yes. Idaho’s homestead exemption grants the owner $100,000 protection from creditors so long that a Declaration of a Homestead is on file. In other words, as a homeowner, your primary residence (and any other personal property worth up to 100k that was previously declared under the Homestead document) cannot be seized even if you have pending debts.
If you missed it, the keyword here is filing a “Declaration of a Homestead.”
According to Section 55-1004, “An owner who selects a homestead from unimproved or improved land that is not yet occupied as a homestead must execute a declaration of homestead and file the same for record in the office of the recorder of the county in which the land is located.”
Without a declaration, the State won’t grant you this kind of protection. If you have previously filed this paperwork for a different property, you will need to submit all the paperwork again with your new permanent residence. Idaho only allows one property (your primary residence) to be recorded in your Homestead Declaration.
Every state will have its pros and cons, so I hope this list wasn’t enough to help you make up your mind entirely. Not so fast!
Idaho is an amazing place with an abundance of natural resources. Continue reading to see if the Gem State is fit to become your new home sweet home.
Moving your family to start a homestead is no easy task. There are many factors involved so it’s impossible to give a definite answer.
Although it’s difficult to find a place that meets all the requirements that one finds ideal in a homestead, many people have a general idea of certain things they must have, and others that can be compromised.
I broke down 22 of the “make it or break it” requirements that go into planning a homestead. This way, you can get a better idea if Idaho is indeed the right place for you!
Idaho’s climate is very diverse. The northern part of the state is typically much colder and receives a lot more rain and snow throughout the year. The southern part of the state is drier, and consequently much warmer, especially during the summer months. To get a more accurate idea of each city’s climate, you can check out this link to US Climate Data.
An important thing to consider is solar and wind energy. If you’re looking into building an off-grid home that is sustained either by solar or wind power, make sure to find a place that offers plenty of sunshine and/or wind year-round.
The Weather Atlas gives a detailed overview of the climate in every city of Idaho, including the average amount of sunshine per city. For example, click here to see a graph of Boise’s yearly average daylight and sunshine hours. You can do the same search for any city of your choosing.
The amount of rain and snowfall is very important for any homestead because consistent irrigation is a huge deal. Idaho is abundant in the amount of water it receives every year, but it varies between the northern and southern regions. The US Climate Data website offers insight into the annual precipitation details for every city.
Other than wildfires and high-speed gusts of wind, Idaho doesn’t experience major natural disasters. This makes it a perfect place for building a homestead without the fear that all your hard work will be destroyed in a moment’s notice.
Idaho Firewise is an organization that instructs people on how to build low-ignition homes and landscapes. I recommend checking them out. Also, strengthen any structures in order to protect your animals and crops in the event of high-speed winds.
When looking at land, you’ll want to keep in mind the work that is required to cultivate something on it. If you’re willing to put in the work and/or have the necessary equipment, you may be fine with the rocky terrain. If not, you may want to look for properties that have some established trees and the terrain has been previously used or somewhat prepared for planting seeds. Surely in Idaho, you’ll be able to find both of these, it’s just a matter of what resources you have and what your budget is.
Idaho is known for having some of the best soil in the nation. The condition of your soil is directly correlated to the success of your crops. I’m not an expert on this but I found a good resource from the US Department of Agriculture which provides some information on the soil health of Idaho. You can find that information here.
Some places in Idaho (the valleys) allow you to grow your crops for about 7 months out of the year, while the mountainous regions located in higher altitudes (northern and central region) will typically have a short growing season. Successful homesteads can be found all throughout Idaho, so a short growing season shouldn’t be a discouraging factor entirely. The key to maximizing the growth potential of your garden is choosing the right plants and learning the techniques that work best for those climates.
This website from the University of Idaho, provides amazing information on all sorts of gardening topics including planting, landscaping, insects, and other pests.
The University of Idaho also created a couple of guides which specifically discuss techniques to successfully grow vegetables in high altitudes and short-season climates. You can find the Introduction to Short-Season Gardening here and Choosing and Growing Adapted Vegetable Varieties here.
Another cool resource is Dave’s Garden. This website tool gives you an idea of how many days a city’s growing season will be. If you’re looking into several different areas, you can easily make a comparison of when to expect the first and last freeze based on the estimates given on their website.
Having access to water on your property is perhaps the most important factor when you’re considering to start a homestead.
Receiving an abundance of rain and snow does not guarantee that your crops will have enough water year-round. Water is also necessary for all other aspects of life, like drinking and hygiene.
Buying your property with pre-existing water rights is beneficial and recommended because they’re not easy to obtain otherwise. Water rights give you the ability to use (not own) the State’s public water by means of diversion of lakes and rivers to your property. Make sure you’re clear on the limits of the water rights that come with your property because the licenses differ. You must stay within the limits of your license to avoid penalties.
It’s favorable to have water rights especially if the property is larger than one acre AND if it’s located in the west/desert areas.
You can visit Idaho’s Department of Water Resources for all the information you need concerning water rights.
Drilling a well or having one on the property is another option many homesteaders take advantage of, but it’s definitely something you have to plan and budget for.
The problem most homesteaders face is that they have to jump many hoops before they can build their dream home. Building codes are not only tedious but very costly.
Many people have moved to Idaho because the building codes are a lot more lenient when compared to other states. According to my research, the Northern part of the State has fewer regulations than the South.
Building codes are determined and enforced locally, so be sure that you’re well aware of what you’re getting into before buying a property. If you’re looking to build your home from earthy-materials, you may need to find land in the boonies where the codes are less restrictive.
Idaho has a Homeowners and Property Tax Exemption. Once you’ve qualified for a Homesteader’s Exemption, you can claim it in your taxes. The exemption significantly lowers your property taxes by reducing the taxable value of your home by 50%, but no more than $100,000, as well as up to one acre of land. You must own your home before the 1st of January (of the year you’re applying for) and apply for the exemption before April 15th. Talk to your County Assessor or visit the Idaho State Tax Commission website for more information.
In Idaho you can find properties that are located within reasonable distance to the city as well as properties that are completely remote. There are benefits and drawbacks to each, but your preference is what is most important. If you’re looking at purchasing property in Idaho but haven’t made the trip to visit yet, you can look at Google Earth and Google Maps to get an idea of what stores are available in or near the city you’re interested in. Note that they may not be 100% up to date, but it’s possibly the most accurate free resource available.
If your property is far from town, think of transportation options. You will likely need a 4WD vehicle in the winter.
While the internet has only been around for a few short decades, it has become a prime source of contact and communication. Although people are perfectly capable of living completely off the grid, many of us have a personal desire and need to stay in touch with the rest of the world, even if it’s only through online means. Living completely secluded will have its challenges, but is feasible if you have the means to stay connected (virtually, that is).
Internet accessibility is vital for those who have online businesses or blogs, and/or are homeschooling their children.
Idaho is the 42nd most connected state, with only 20% of the population being underserved. This means that 80% of Idahoans have access to two or more internet providers. You can find detailed information on internet coverage per city right here.
Idaho has a low population density. Over the last several years, the U.S. Census Bureau has taken notice of the rapid population growth. In 2018, Forbes called Boise the fastest-growing city in the country. It is expected that the numbers will continue to increase for two primary reasons- there is a lot of migration coming from other states/ countries, and the number of births in the state have outnumbered the number of deaths. To see a complete review and statistics on the population of Idaho, click here.
Job hunting is a major struggle for those moving to Idaho, particularly in the Northern region. Wages are said to be low when compared to other parts of the country, considering the cost of living. It’s recommended that wherever you choose to move to, you have a job offer already secured. If your job or business is online, make sure you have reliable internet connection wherever you’re going.
Building a community of like-minded individuals is an important factor, especially when starting a homestead. All the tasks that come with making a homestead successful are challenging. Finding a place within a community that shows support for each other is vital.
Idaho has developed a culture of the homesteading lifestyle. The people are known to be kind and helpful. Some claim that the northern regions are a bit extreme in their political beliefs, however there’s no better way to determine whether you’d fit in or not without traveling there first.
I encourage you narrow down your search to a couple of cities, if possible. Then, plan a trip to explore and make contact with the community, whether it be by getting involved in some events or reaching out to them via social media. Once you’ve gotten a feel for a place, you can make your decision.
Idaho is a family-friendly state. I read through countless forums and spoke with several Idahoans who agree that it’s a wonderful place to raise their kids.
Vaccinations are a bit of a controversial subject, but I know it’s an important issue for many homesteaders with kids. Idaho gives parents the freedom to refuse the vaccination of their children for religious, medical or other personal reasons. You can read more about Idaho’s vaccine requirements, laws, and exemptions on the National Vaccine Information Center’s website.
Homeschooling is very common in Idaho. Many homesteaders plan to homeschool their children and incorporate daily farming chores as part of their kid’s school curriculum. Idaho is one of the states which gives parents the freedom to do so. To learn about your homeschooling rights and how to start, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSDLA)’s website has great information.
An alternative to homeschooling is Connections Academy which allows children in grades K-12 to enroll in public school online for free.
Idaho offers an abundant amount of edible plants that can be found in the wild. Can you say fully organic and pesticide free?!
Recently I read a blog about an Idahoan couple that goes on nature hikes with the intent of picking berries and other wild plants. They prepare the food they collect in many creative ways, such as BBQ sauce, ice cream, and jam.
Not only does foraging cut the cost of buying groceries, but it’s also an incredible educational opportunity for the whole family. Learning to identify edible plants and preserve them for future use is a skill I believe every person should acquire.
Residents and nonresidents of Idaho can hunt and fish in specified areas throughout the State. The laws vary depending on the animal that you’re interested in hunting. You can find all the resources you need on Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game website.
Everyone is required to obtain a hunting and/or fishing license. You can find information on the license fees and where to purchase them right here.
This Hunt Planner gives you a lot of resources, including interactive maps and area details, of all the places you can hunt throughout Idaho.
If you have questions about the laws on off-road vehicles, you can find some answers here.
Residents of Idaho over the age of 18 do not need a permit to purchase or possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. Concealed carry is permitted for residents over the age of 21 under good standing with the law. To read all the details on Idaho’s Gun and Weapon Law, you can visit their official website here.
Idaho is one of the states with the lowest property and violent crime rates in the nation. SafeHome.org made a comprehensive investigation to identify Idaho’s 25 safest cities. They don’t only examine the current data but also analyze crime trends. Luckily, the crime trend is lowering in several places. You can find their full report here.
The State of Idaho’s official website offers interactive maps and specific data about sex offenders, crime statistics, and arrest activity by city.
There’s no right or wrong answer here. It really comes down to what you and your family want.
North, Central, and Southern Idaho are very diverse in terms of the land, natural resources, people, and culture. Before getting your heart set on a specific region, you should decide which requirements are important to you in a homestead. This will help you narrow down and determine which area is more suitable to you based on your personal preferences.
For instance, do you envision yourself living in a completely remote area surrounded by the forest? Or would you rather live near the city with a large enough property that allows you to meet the needs of a self-sustained life?
Fun fact: The majority of Idaho’s agriculture is located in the Midwest because of the soil quality and temperate climate. If growing crops is your priority, you may want to start looking in this area. If you’re interested in raising livestock and other animals, you can easily look into other regions so long that water is easily accessible.
Note: Don’t be alarmed by the amount of “cons” that outnumber the “pros”. These are merely things to consider and I’m not trying to discourage anyone from homesteading there.
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Idaho made it to my top 12 US States for homesteading. Find out which other 11 states made the list!
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