Sandpoint is looking to be the place for us... or is it? (Coeur d'Alene: real estate, city hall)

[usmcbigguns]

Just finish up your degree online.... I am sure Gonzaga has an online program and if they don't have one in your major I am sure one of the other local colleges do. I did my masters online and was only required to show up to campus once a semester.

Originally Posted by selandra

I do like the sound of it but the cost of living does need to factor into my decision (would rather have more money to buy horse stuff ).
Medical is more a just in case.. my husband is getting older and though he's in great condition... I want to keep him that way. I enjoy having him around most of the time .
As for college, its important but it's also a short term factor... never thought I'd reach the age where 6yrs doesn't seem that long .

Which brings me to another question... what internet service is available around Sandpoint? Right now we have hughesnet and I'd rather not continue with them.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by selandra

Yeah but they also don't graze contentedly by while you gaze across a beautiful vista in the evening sun. They don't snuffle in your hair and enjoy a good scratch on a cold winter morning or paw at the water during a hot summer swim. Horses have their good and bad moments like all living things... but what makes them best is that they are living!!

Yup. ATV's are real good at getting a person in trouble, but not so good at getting out of trouble. A good horse seldom gets it, or the person on it, into trouble it can't get out of.

But both do have their advantages, for sure. If I didn't have a place where I could keep a horse, I might buy an ATV someday, but I don't expect to be without a horse for the rest of my life. They are slower getting in and out, but it's almost a guarantee you will get in, and you will get out. And if you ever fall off, a good one will come back when you call.

[selandra]

Originally Posted by usmcbigguns

Just finish up your degree online.... I am sure Gonzaga has an online program and if they don't have one in your major I am sure one of the other local colleges do. I did my masters online and was only required to show up to campus once a semester.

I'd like too but unfortunatly online and me just don't get along. I tried a class last semestor for a computer class... missed an exam and a quiz and just scraped by with a C. Its not that I didn't know the work but that I just can't stay and home and do it. Don't you know there is housework, horses to feed, fences to fix, gardens to till, chickens to feed, trees to prune....... I have to get away to concentrate.

[selandra]

Originally Posted by banjomike

Yup. ATV's are real good at getting a person in trouble, but not so good at getting out of trouble. A good horse seldom gets it, or the person on it, into trouble it can't get out of.

But both do have their advantages, for sure. If I didn't have a place where I could keep a horse, I might buy an ATV someday, but I don't expect to be without a horse for the rest of my life. They are slower getting in and out, but it's almost a guarantee you will get in, and you will get out. And if you ever fall off, a good one will come back when you call.

I tried living without them for a couple years... terrible time. Nope, the call is there and I must follow!!

[dfcanuck]

You could check out Athol - mid-way between Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene. House prices are decent, you can get a few acres if you want for horses, is close to the big lake, and winter weather is not as bad as Sandpoint.

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by dfcanuck

You could check out Athol - mid-way between Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene. House prices are decent, you can get a few acres if you want for horses, is close to the big lake, and winter weather is not as bad as Sandpoint.

Though I agree with most of this post...just a quick note on Athol weather...

Athol between 54 and granite hill is a colder micro-climate, while the Silverwood/Bunco area is warmer. We've been at one person's house off Bunco and headed up to another house off 54 and there was at least 1/3 more snow. It's like the West Dufort Valley (Sagle) versus Sandpoint. Most of the time we have 30-50% more snow than Sandpoint city.

Generally when driving up 95 from CDA back to Sagle, granite hill will be the coldest spot, usually exactly equal to our temps at home.

[northwestpeach]

Clark Fork is a run-down looking, hillbilly area. As for Internet, practically non-existent in some areas of Sandpoint. Reportedly, Frontier is planning on installing a tower or big dish or something to improve Internet access/speed further out Hwy. 200 from downtown Sandpoint. Past Ponder Point, Internet is slow as molasses. Roads are fairly well maintained in winter.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by northwestpeach

Clark Fork is a run-down looking, hillbilly area.

I wouldn't say that around Viggo Mortensen if I were you!

[countrylv22]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

I wouldn't say that around Viggo Mortensen if I were you!

Does Viggo Mortensen live there?
Please tell us

Thanks for the post!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Yes, Viggo has a ranch in Clark Fork. How much time he spends there, I don't know. Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2005 had an interview with him.