I'm from California and I see this post was written 8 months ago and it's an interesting read on your take. First I have been to your great state many times over the last 10 years. My father left California and moved to Idaho. And my sister and her family moved there soon after. So I visit atleast once or twice a year. I hear what you are saying and I'm conservative.
Let me tell you, we have the same issues with "Bay Area" people. I live in the central valley and bay area people have a very high opinion of themselves. Granted I respect people being proud of where there from, kind of like Boise residents. Town pride is a good thing. Bay area people take it to a whole different level. It's like a know it all superior attitude that is off putting. So it's not just you who gets that.
Also on my last visit. Eagle ave is a freaking nightmare! I remember when my dad took me by the Village when they had just started breaking ground. Now to see it, it's kind of depressing. The reason I would like to move there is NOT for things like the Village and massive shopping centers. And to see Boise town square mall dying is pretty sad. I love that place. And I love Downtown Boise. That is what makes it for me. I once wanted to move to Meridian, but not anymore.
Now housing/ real estate. When my dad moved up there its was during the housing boom of the early 2000s. The real estate agents up there were really pushing owners of farmland to sub-divide and "put up listing on the internet" to make lots of money. I'm seeing the same thing once again. I see so much farm land being eaten up by urban sprawl and it breaks my heart. As I was from a farming family, to see Boise,Meridian, Nampa , Caldwell all become one mass metro, it hurts because I have seen when those towns were separated. And now that I have become able to be considering a move, the price of housing and land has skyrocketed. I live in Fresno and houses in The treasure valley are the same and if not higher than here.
I'm sad to say that I believe that at least the Treasure Valley is lost. I know people there and from what I've been told the problem is that your elected officials and government bureaucrats have learned the "California way". Keep developing to bring in more tax revenue , spend the extra revenue on pet projects , but to keep all the new projects funded, you have to develop more housing and commercial to bring in more revenue. See how it's a viscous cycle? Things are good now, but wait until there is a small downturn in the economy. That's when things get hairy.
Us as Californians , we live this every day. That's why you see the influx. But I just wish when they do move to Idaho, to become Idahoans! Leave the California behind.
Best of luck and keep the gem state a great place until I get there! You won't get no California from me.