Coeur d'Alene (Spirit Lake, Athol, Kootenai: foreclosures, crime rate, schools)

[ivanh3]

Always looking for that perfect place... Would love to hear some opinions, the good and the bad, about Coeur d'Alene.
She and I are both registered nurses, and I am also a paramedic. I am also working on my masters for family nurse practitioner. My wife is a photographer and artist, and I am a musician.
We have a son so I am wondering about schools, crime, drug problems, etc. I ask these questions generically not because I have heard anything specific about CDA. Is it a bike-friendly town? Are people there "green". What is the political climate like?
What kind of out door activities are there? How is the skiing compared to Colorado?
What are the hospitals like? Size, patient population, public, private, trauma center?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Ivan

[Sage of Sagle]

Ivan,

If you use this forum's search feature, you can find answers to 90% of your questions. There have been several very productive threads about CDA.

[scared2moveaway!]

You would have no problem finding jobs that's for sure. It's a beautiful place for your wife for her photography. We have a wonderful event every summer, The Art on the Green, that I really think you would enjoy. A whole bunch of artists get together and sell their work in the park and play music. It's really awesome. Crime rate is low. For your son's sake, stay out of areas surrounding Coeur d' Alene like Spirit Lake and Athol. People do more drugs and stuff, and it would be easy for him to get in the middle of it. It's very bike friendly, lots of trails. More for working out I suppose than actual transportation. It's getting to be greener, but we have a lot of old fashioned hicks that think that that's all a bunch of bull. Climate's great, really long winters though. The summer's are amazing, but only last about 3 months or so. There's skiing, hiking, white water rafting, canoeing, parasaling on the lake, cruises, paddle boats, shopping, swimming. you name it, we've got it, seriously. There's an Ironman competition up here, which is amazing to watch. Kootenai Medical Center is a great hospital. Both of my parents work there. If you both work there, you get free medical benefits for yourself and your kids. Pretty sweet. Nursing/health care industry is projecting to be the #1 job in own area because of all the baby boomers here. I don't know the specifics about the hospital. My dad has been a nurse there for 20 years and he still loves it. If you are interested, you guys sound like the down-town type. By the resort, off of Sherman Ave. Let me know if you have more questions.

[cfreedom]

Hi, Ilive here in Couer d' Alene, and I think you and your wife would love it.
I moved here five years ago from Calif. Everywhere you drive in town you see the mountains.
YOu can get to montana, and washington so easily. I can't give you any informaton on the hospitals. YOu get all the seasons. We have been dumped very heavy with snow. It can snow up
to March. THis town has been mostly republican, is now getting more democrats.
Housing has gone up these last 2 years, but a lot of foreclosures.
It is a small town feel, but still big enough with things to do. Hope that helps. Charyl

[rickers]

The lake is fantastic, you are going to want to get a boat. Snow skiing may be dissapointing if you compare to Co. Thank you for being nurses (my mother was a nurse,) you will have no problem finding work.
Good luck with your move.