Idaho is home to many small towns. Some of them are fantastic places to call home. There are towns in the mountains, near rivers, near a canyon, or out in the middle of natural and beautiful farmland. Each city has something new to offer, and many residents in the Gem State enjoy small-town living. There are benefits to living in a small town, and you can find them by clicking here, but there are also negatives to living in one as well, and perhaps a bigger town or a city is more what these people need. Here are the worst reasons to live in a small Idaho town instead of living in a more populated area.

Everyone Knows Everyone in Small Idaho Towns

Credit: Nina Strehl on Unsplash
Credit: Nina Strehl on Unsplash
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You can click on the link in the paragraph above to see the best reasons for living in a small town. One of the best reasons for living in a small Idaho town is that everyone knows everyone, but one of the worst reasons is also that everyone knows everyone. While it can be great to have familiar faces at church, school, and sporting events, if you have someone you don't get along with or hope to avoid, it can be tough to do so in a small town. If someone spreads a rumor about you or you have an embarrassing moment, the whole town knows and won't let you forget.

There is Nothing to Do in Idaho Small Towns

Credit: AntonioGuillem
Credit: AntonioGuillem
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This one is commonly said about all of Idaho, but especially in small towns, there isn't much to do. When kids get bored, they typically get into trouble and it can cause some chaos in town. It also is unfortunate for kids to have nothing exciting or fun to do on weekends or during summer break. Finding entertainment means driving to a bigger town. The smaller the area, the less there is to do.

Having to Drive For Doctors Appointments and Shopping

Credit: Toa55
Credit: Toa55
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Along with driving for entertainment, you also have to drive for common things like doctors appointments, the hospital, or grocery shopping or clothing shopping at certain places. It can be tough on days when the weather isn't ideal or residents don't feel like sitting in the car for extended time. Make sure to get everything you need in one trip, so you don't have to go back again.

Using More Gas and Driving From Small Towns

Credit: Ronira
Credit: Ronira
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Because of the trips to doctor appointments, shopping, and entertainment, residents often spend more on gas, especially those who work in a bigger town and commute. While there are positives to small towns, this is not one of them. Your home may be cheaper and there might be savings in certain areas by living in a small Idaho town, but gas is only one of them if you don't leave the area, and most don't live that way.

Limited Eating Options in Small Idaho Towns

Credit: kckate16
Credit: kckate16
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Similar to other reasons listed above, when it comes to eating you have to drive to get certain things or stick to the limited options. This can lead to getting tired of eating the same things, but it can also save a little money. When you are craving a certain place and your town doesn't have it, it means driving or doing without it. 

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Living in a small Idaho town can be a great experience and there are reasons to do so over a more populated area, but there are also negatives that come with it as well. If none of the above bothers you, then perhaps living in a small Idaho town is where you should call home. 

Idaho's 10 Worst Small Towns

This list does NOT reflect the opinion of our radio station. It was built by RoadSnacks. According to RoadSnacks, these are the worst small towns in Idaho in 2022. Their rankings were based on census data for population density, unemployment, housing costs, income, education and FBI crime data.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

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