Sandpoint (real estate, crime rate, homes)

[Simple Living]

I'm reading a report about Sandpoint and it's copyrighted 1999-2006 and I wanted to make sure the information in it is still accurate. (I'm considering a move there.) Thank you!

--small town atmosphere
--population 6,800

--Avg July High: 81
--Avg Jan Low: 18

--Avg Home Price: $310,000
--"Winter temperatures average bleow 20 degrees in January only, as February days see temperatures in the 30's and above."

-- Sandpoint residents enjoy low costs in transportation and public services.
-- "Sandpoint residents can enjoy all the community, saftey and lower costs of small-city living..."

-- "The average home price is $310,000, which is on par with the national averagae. Although the market is small, Sandpints provides a wide range of homes to fit any pocketbook."

-- "The crime rate in the city is close to the national average. The majority of offenses in the city, however, are non-violent property crimes. Sandpoint is safer than most other towns, however, because like may other communiites of its size, the city experiences very little violent crime. Part of the reason for this may be that people are living happier, less stressful lives than in other areas. Also, the mood of the town is friendly, with some of the creidt for this due to its status as an art community.

-- The resort industry and associated retailing are major employers, both regionally and within the city of Sandpoint.

-- "Small galleries, retail, and service enterprises thrive on the local tourist trade, augmenting the logging, construction and local government, health care, and education employment sectors."

-- Low unemployment rate below the national average.

[pimit2]

Hello Simple Living,

I live in Sandpoint and agree, generally, with the report. It is a fairly accurate look at this community.


pimit2 (Bob)

[Simple Living]

Thanks, Bob, I appreciate your time. I'm planning my move in one year, and, although anything could happen in that time, I'm having a hard time deciding where to move. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Sandpoint or somewhere in the mountains of western Montana. Decisions, decisions.

What do you like best/least about Sandpoint?

[Simple Living]

Does anybody else have any thoughts on Sandpoint???

[esselcue]

I hope to retire to the Sandpoint area next year as well (if I can sell my AZ home). I have really been doing a LOT of investigating on-line at real estate, taxes, services, etc. You can learn a lot that way. I will be looking for a home in the $200K range and there seems to be plenty out there unless you want lakefront property...then it is much higher. But so far I haven't seen any real negatives for the area. Good luck in your endeavor!

[Simple Living]

Thank you, esselcue. And best wishes on your retirement. May it be a long, healthy and happy one!

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

I'm reading a report about Sandpoint and it's copyrighted 1999-2006 and I wanted to make sure the information in it is still accurate. (I'm considering a move there.) Thank you!

--small town atmosphere
--population 6,800

Well, yes and no. Because Sandpoint is the social and shopping hub for about 15-20K people, it doesn't feel very "small town" although it's certainly pleasant. But I came from a town of 3K people where you knew about 1/3 of the people personally, and about 2/3 of the people by face, and SP feels 10x larger. Again, I like it here, but don't let the number fool you.

--Avg July High: 81
--Avg Jan Low: 18
--"Winter temperatures average bleow 20 degrees in January only, as February days see temperatures in the 30's and above."

Realize this area has several micro-climates. We're only 15 miles from Sandpoint, but we average 5 degrees colder and when it's sleeting in SP, it's snowing hard here. Night lows are under 20 from mid-December to mid-late February, and we don't see over 30 at ALL during the day until mid-late Feb. But again, there are areas here warmer than ours. Just be aware as you compare regions around SP.

-- Sandpoint residents enjoy low costs in transportation and public services.
-- "Sandpoint residents can enjoy all the community, saftey and lower costs of small-city living..."
-- "The average home price is $310,000, which is on par with the national averagae. Although the market is small, Sandpints provides a wide range of homes to fit any pocketbook."

Sandpoint is not that pricey, but there are a LOT of old homes in town, so the average price is skewed IMHO. But for $300-400K you can find something nice. Taxes are high in SP compared to Bonner County's unincorporated areas.

Waterfront starts at about $800K or more. If you want acreage, plan on at least $100K for 5 acres, $175-225K for 10 acres (bare land). You can build here for around $100-120/sf for low-mid custom (plus about $45-55/sf for finished garage).

-- "The crime rate in the city is close to the national average. The majority of offenses in the city, however, are non-violent property crimes. Sandpoint is safer than most other towns, however, because like may other communiites of its size, the city experiences very little violent crime. Part of the reason for this may be that people are living happier, less stressful lives than in other areas. Also, the mood of the town is friendly, with some of the creidt for this due to its status as an art community.

We feel very safe living here. You avoid the bars late at night, since drunk people will be stupid (and potentially violent) the world around. The meth problem is here like the rest of the country, but by comparison, it's much lower than even some small towns in Montana and elsewhere. The cops in Sandpoint are bored, and fill their days ticketing motorists, which is indicative of a slower general crime issue.

[whatever]

Travelled through Coeur D'Alene a few times last summer and very nearly made the SP stop. Wish I did now.
Simple Living, have you visited there yet?

[Simple Living]

I haven't. All of my research has been online so far. Doing this narrows the field of places that need to be visited - at least for me. I've moved so often, I have it down to a science. I've moved to dozens of cities, states and six countries without ever having been there and never regretted a one. In fact, they all exceeded my expectations, with the exception of California. I had a great first year, but, I couldn't handle all the plastic, fake people of southern California after that. Everyone has an agenda.

[esselcue]

That is the best way of describing So. Californians that I have ever heard: Everyone has an agenda!!!

I, myself, was born in Orange County (Tustin) waaaaay back in 1946 and that area was a virtual Paradise until the 60's when the great land rush began! With the new people came the new lifestyles, new money, new growth, and new agendas! Left there for AZ 22 years ago and never looked back...but now I am ready for yet another move and another (perhaps last) chapter in my life in Idaho and a simpler pace of living. I visited Sandpoint last fall and just loved it...also CdA and other areas there. It's like going back in time 20 or 30 years as far as the pace of life is concerned, at least for me.