For a long time, the major coastal cities have been the most popular in the country as far as the number of residents and the rate of new property purchases.
Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York offer many employment opportunities and a relatively high standard of living, which has made them such an attractive prospect for those coming from smaller cities and towns.
Though these major cities are still extremely populated and continue to attract tens of thousands of new residents each year, recent trends have shown that the coasts may not be the only popular destination for homeowners these days.
Real estate data has shown that the number of people moving to Idaho (or at least buying property in the state) has increased dramatically.
Real Estate Trends in Idaho
Recent data shows that highly populated states like California, Washington, and Oregon are losing residents at an increased rate, while the rate of new residents in Idaho has jumped more than it normally would in a typical year. In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau counted a migration of almost 80,000 new residents to Idaho from out of state.
Idaho’s population grew by over 2% between 2018 and 2019, which was notably more than other nearby states, including Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It’s also more than the state’s population grew from 2017 to 2018, which was only 1.9%.
As far as who exactly is making up this influx of new Idahoans, the largest chunk of the 80,000 new residents in 2018 came from California at approximately 21,018 people.
Another group of nearly 15,000 came from Washington state. It’s no surprise that most of the new residents in one of the country’s most affordable states came from states with notably high costs of living.
The data makes it clear that homeowners are flocking to Idaho from other states at a rapidly climbing rate. So what is it about Idaho that’s become so attractive to potential real estate investors — either as a location for vacation property, rental property, or permanent residences?
Why Are Property Investors Interested in Idaho?
Idaho is a lovely state with a lot to offer its residents in terms of well-preserved natural areas, charming cities, and decent access to economic opportunities. Plus, many city dwellers seek less populated, more nature-centric areas in which to retire so they can truly enjoy and make the most of their golden years.
However, what truly sets Idaho apart, are its resort towns, such as Tamarack Resort and others in the McCall real estate market.
Aside from the close access to so many great amenities within the resort itself, Tamarack Resort residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with plenty of peace and quiet, as well as close, meaningful relationships with other members of the tight-knit community.
Currently, Tamarack Resort is still considered to be an up-and-coming resort town with relatively new facilities. This is another reason why the Valley County real estate market is particularly attractive to those looking to invest in a resort town property.
Demand has only continued to increase in the past year or two, and supply will continue to dwindle as there’s limited space for new homes. This means that now is the time to purchase your property before it’s out of your price range or bought up entirely!
What Are New Tamarack Resort Real Estate Residents Looking for?
Let’s dive a bit deeper into some of the key reasons why Tamarack Resort in particular, has attracted so many new residents in the past few years. In fact, the number of properties sold in Tamarack Resort real estate has risen from 35 in the 2020-2021 fiscal year to 45 between 2021 and 2022, which is a significant jump for a single year.
Lower Home Prices and Living Costs
Those who are moving to McCall real estate properties aren’t necessarily looking for the all-time lowest prices in Idaho. A potential investor could certainly find more affordable housing in more urban areas of the state, such as Boise.
Though the properties within the Valley County real estate market are more luxurious than many throughout the state, their cost is still relatively low compared to similar properties in resort towns in more expensive states like California, Nevada, or Washington.
Additionally, aside from housing costs, general living expenses such as food, gas, and other necessities tend to be lower in Idaho than in other, pricier states.
More Space to Spread Out
When you own property in a populated area, you have to pay premium costs if you want a good amount of land to call your own. In Valley County, you don’t have to own much land to enjoy all of the nature that the surrounding valley has to offer.
There’s simply more space in Idaho to stretch out, explore, enjoy your favorite outdoor Idaho activities, and relish in the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Relief from Busy City Living
It’s no secret that residents of a resort town like Tamarack Resort are bound to lead a very different lifestyle than someone who lives and works in a bustling city.
Locals enjoy a much more laid-back approach to life while also taking part in everything that makes the Idaho mountains exciting and invigorating. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about traffic or loud city noise.
Many previous city dwellers are flocking to places like McCall because their employer kept a work-from-home model after stay-at-home orders began to lift after COVID-19, allowing them to live wherever they want without being tied to a single location for work.
Access to Outdoor Activities
Tamarack Resort is a great place to live for just about anyone, but outdoorsy types will truly get the most out of the area’s amenities.
Not only can you enjoy the best of Idaho skiing in the winter and Idaho sports in the summer — right within the resort — but a huge variety of hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and stunning lookout points are located within minutes from any Tamarack Resort real estate.
