My dad was in the Navy. I've lived in San Diego, Honolulu, Federal Way, WA and Springfield, VA. Even though I'm a native Californian, I really enjoy snow in the winter and a dry summer with little humidity. Long summer days with a very late sunset are also things I enjoyed from the Federal Way experience. Idaho has all those features. I dislike sitting in heavy traffic and waiting in long lines at stores and restaurants. There is little traffic and a sparse population here. I wanted a big house with basement. That is standard procedure around Pocatello. I really enjoy my firearms. I have lots of them. Idaho law is firearm friendly. I relocated for a long list of reasons.
Not everything is better. Medical services are pretty limited in the area. There is a bit more wind than I had anticipated. The ham radio community is much smaller. There aren't enough big bookstores. The variety of restaurants doesn't come close to San Diego. Most of those things are just annoying. Mail order and patience solves some of it.
“Idaho law is firearm friendly.”
Firearm friendly is a strong motivational force for us.
Gun laws are what spur all these discussions of relocation in the first place.