Sandpoint to Priest River (McCall: rental, employment, home)

[wildberries61]

Can anyone tell me about the area between Sandpoint to Priest River to Newport. Whats it like in the winter,how are the people and can you grow a garden in this area. Maybe even how the schools are would Pend Oreille or Priest River be better.

[Sanddawgg]

Wildberries,

I think the drive from Sandpoint to Newport is beautiful. The highway follows the Pend Orielle river and is quite scenic in several places... I have a rental in Newport... Newport is a nice small town, there is a few areas that are a bit rough. Unemployment is a problem in that town, since logging is no longer the industry it once was, and nothing has taken it's place employment wise.There isn't too much there, a Safeway, and a Mc Donalds, and a few local restaurants. Expect to drive 30 to 45 minutes to do any shopping... Priest River is about 7 miles closer to Sandpoint, and is about the same size as Newport... My thought is that the closer you get to Sandpoint, the better off you will be as far as shopping, employment and amenities. I am only familier with the Lake Pend Orielle school district, and my experiences have been positive...

[Sanddawgg]

Wildberries, I've come across some more of your posts, so I thought I'd add some more info on Sandpoint. For teens, there is a new skate park in town, just built last year. The high school is fairly large, and I believe there are skiing/snowboarding activities through the school, but can't swear to it. Schweitzer is about 20 minutes up the mountain from town, and they do have a bus that makes the run up once an hour or so... The high school also has a swim team that meets at the local athletic club... Teens also tend to hang out at the city beach during the summer months. As for cost of living, there is a Walmart and Home Depot in town, with everything else about an hours drive south of here in CDA. This town is probably a lot like McCall as far as liberal/conservative. Seems to be deeply split right down the middle...
hope this helps..

[wildberries61]

I am trying to find compromise live near a ski resort and grow a garden thats not easy to due. Its funny all the different needs we all have. For those of you that live in Sandpoint or outside most find the need to go to CD.
When we were up there we were excited by the things Sandpoint had and felt that was all we needed. Compared to McCall you have to drive 2 hrs either way to buy your kid a pair of shoes now thats out there.
One thing about being up this high we do have a lot sunny daysand even warm days you feel like getting outdoors you find yourself doing alittle spring cleaning or even cleaning out you car in the snow.

Thanks for you reply!!!